Slayer Espresso vs Slayer Steam: Which is Better?

Slayer is a Seattle-based espresso manufacturer that’s making waves in the espresso industry. 

If you’re looking to add one of these beautiful machines to your business, you should know that the manufacturer currently offers two different lines: Slayer Espresso or Slayer Steam. 

Don’t know which one to choose? No problem – we’ve written this guide to compare and contrast the Slayer Espresso vs Slayer Steam. 

Here’s what you’ll find out:

• What these machines have in common
• What’s different between these Slayer lines
• How to know if Slayer Espresso or Slayer Steam is for you

QUICK SUMMARY

This is the bottom line: 

Choose the Slayer Espresso if your company focuses on espresso itself. This machine will give you the utmost control over each shot through its needle valve and shot mirror for visual monitoring.

Coffee shops or other businesses that more commonly get orders for milk-based drinks should pick the Slayer Steam LPx, which is designed to produce dry steam that won’t water your milk down.

SLAYER ESPRESSO 

With an unprecedented level of control over the flow of water for brewing, the Slayer Espresso is designed to make each shot a memorable experience. This is the machine for you if you want your espresso to be out of this world every time.

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SLAYER STEAM LPX

Legendarily dry steam makes the Slayer Steam LPx a talented creator of classic coffee shop favorites like cappuccinos. Choose this machine if your business will focus on popular creamy drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites.

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SIMILARITIES

PADDLE OPERATION

Crowning the groups on each Slayer model, you’ll see large handles.

Both these machines use paddles to initiate and end the brew cycle. Using these paddles lends a satisfying weight to brewing espresso, which you just can’t get from using buttons.

It also gives these machines a vintage demeanor that is simply timeless. Customers will be impressed when they see your baristas using either the Espresso or Steam lines.

PID TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Control over the temperature gives you control over the flavor of the coffee.

This concept is why the Slayer Espresso and Slayer Steam have PID temperature controllers. These controllers give their users the ability to make accurate adjustments to the temperature of the machine whenever they want. 

The result is the option to enhance multiple flavors from the same kind of coffee. This makes it possible for you to offer your customers an extended array of choices.

HOT WATER TAP

The hot water taps on both the Slayer Espresso and Steam are just another way for you to expand your menu and welcome even more customers.

Hot water is necessary for other favorite drinks like teas. If you don’t have a hot water tap on your espresso machine, you need to get a separate tank to make these kinds of drinks.

Fortunately, with hot water right at hand on these espresso machines, you don’t need to spend the money or the space to accommodate a hot water tank. 

MULTIPLE BOILERS

You’ve probably had to wait in a long line before. It’s tedious, boring, and oftentimes frustrating.

Multiple boilers in the Espresso and Steam machines reduce the wait time for a drink. This is because they make it possible to steam your milk and brew your espresso at the same time, whereas some models of espresso machines require you to wait in between these functions.

Your customers will no doubt appreciate the reduced amount of time they need to wait at your counter before they have a delicious beverage in hand. 

DIFFERENCES

SIZE

The dimensions of these machines is one of their first differences. This can come into play when you’ve got less space to work with, and need to ensure that your espresso machine can fit into your business.

The Slayer Espresso measures at 17 inches high, 30.5 inches wide, and 26.5 inches long. In comparison, the Slayer Steam LPx is 16.75 inches high, 34 inches wide, and 27.75 inches long.

SLAYER STEAM LPX COLOR CHOICES

Looks are important to the business world. You only get one chance to make a favorable first impression, and this is vital when it comes to your customers.

The Slayer Steam LPx comes in a surprising breadth of color choices, including Bone Beige, Crimson Red, Seattle Sky Blue, and Galaxy Black. This makes it somewhat of a chameleon that can either blend into or become the crown jewel of just about any decorating scheme.

Even if color doesn’t matter to you, think about how it can look from the customer’s perspective when they first step up to your counter. An attractive espresso machine will catch their attention without fail, and possibly even become something they remember well after they leave.

SLAYER ESPRESSO SHOT MIRROR

The Slayer Espresso’s laser-focus on perfecting each shot means it needs every tool it can get to promote espresso development.

A slanted mirror right behind the drip tray helps achieve this goal by allowing baristas to see the bottom of the portafilter during brewing. This gives them a clear view of the espresso’s body and color as it brews, alerting them to any problems with quality right away.

It’s a little bit like an artist being able to carefully watch their painting as it unfolds on the canvas. Not being able to see what they’re doing can affect the end result – so clear visual monitoring of espresso only helps promote its flavor.

SLAYER STEAM LPX PROGRAMMED VOLUMETRIC PROFILES

If your search is for an espresso machine that will create a consistently quality drink, then the programmable volumetric profiles on the Steam LPx are for you.

The Steam lets you program four different brew profiles. Two are able to be programmed into each of the group heads.

Even your beginning baristas will be able to make espresso as good as the experts. All they’ll need to know is which profile to choose, and which lever position to use for that profile once they twist in the portafilter. 

From there, the Steam will handle the brew cycle for you. 

SLAYER ESPRESSO EXTERNAL ROTARY PUMP

The Slayer Espresso’s rotary pump is useful for a few different reasons.

To start with, it runs quietly. Your customers won’t have their conversations or work interrupted by loud noises coming from this machine.

Rotary pumps are known for being built to last, too. Repairs or replacements will be few and far between. 

Even the fact that the pump is external is beneficial to you. If you ever do need to repair it, it’s easily accessible rather than being tucked away inside the machine.

SLAYER STEAM WING CHANNELS

Wires can be unsightly, and leaving them out in the open can even be dangerous.

On the Steam, you’re able to safely tuck away wires into the wings of the machine. This prevents any damage from spills on the wires, and keeps the workspace looking cleaner. 

SLAYER ESPRESSO NEEDLE VALVE

Using patented needle valve technology, you can exercise control over the water flow in the Slayer Espresso that’s second to none.

With an easy flick of the paddle, you can narrow the flow of the water for a gentle pre-infusion sort of stage, and then open the channel for more water when you’re ready. 

What exactly does this mean for you? 

It means that the drink at the end of the process will be well-rounded and absolutely indulgent.

PRICING CONSIDERATIONS

Majesty Coffee’s mission is to have some of the best equipment in the world for the lowest prices. 

You can find the Slayer Steam LPx in our store for $18,900 and the Slayer Espresso Two Group for $20,850.

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY? 

Although they are both paddle-operated machines from the same manufacturer, there was clearly a different intent behind the designs of the Slayer Steam and Slayer Espresso. 

To choose between them, one of the first questions you can ask yourself is whether your business will focus on refining espresso shots themselves or creating smooth foam for milk-based drinks.

If you find yourself selling simple espresso shots and Americanos the most, then you’ll get more out of the Slayer Espresso’s control over the brew cycle. This control is increased by its shot mirror and patented needle valve technology. 

On the opposite side, if you more often make milk drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites, then the Slayer Steam is the better match for you due to its notably dry steam.

Cost is something else to contemplate. Slimmer budgets will be able to more easily afford the Slayer Steam. 

At the same time, the external rotary pump in the Slayer Espresso Two Group doesn’t need costly repairs often, which could save you money in the long run.

You can find out more about the Slayer Espresso and Slayer Steam here:

SLAYER ESPRESSO

SLAYER STEAM LPX