If you own a coffee shop, having a good espresso machine is really important. Espresso is the base for drinks like cappuccino, latte, macchiato, and mocha. Customers want a tasty espresso every time they order from your menu. To make sure you meet their expectations, you need a commercial espresso machine that can handle the busy nature of your business.
But how do you pick the right espresso machine for your coffee shop? There are lots of things to think about, like the size, how much it can make, its features, how durable it is, how much maintenance it needs, and the price. To make it easier for you, we’ve made a list of some of the best commercial espresso machines you can find today. These machines are made to give your coffee shop a professional touch and work really well, and they’re also easy to use and take care of.
Commercial Espresso Machine vs. Home Espresso Machine
Before we get into the list, let’s talk about the difference between a commercial espresso machine and one for home use. A commercial espresso machine is a special coffee maker made for places like coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and other places where they serve lots of people. Here are some things that a commercial espresso machine usually has:
- Big Water Tank or a Water Line: This helps make coffee without stopping to fill it up a lot.
- Strong Heater or More Than One: This makes sure the coffee is always the right temperature.
- Powerful Pump: It gives enough pressure to make espresso.
- Big Brewing Head or More Than One: This lets you make many espressos at once.
- Portafilter or More Than One: It holds the coffee and connects to the brewing head.
- Steam Wand or More Than One: This makes milk frothy for different coffee drinks.
- Hot Water Dispenser: It gives hot water for making tea or other drinks.
- Screen or Buttons: You can change settings and see how the machine is doing.
- Strong and Tough Build: It’s made to last and handle being used a lot.
So, all these things together make up a commercial espresso machine. They’re designed for places where they make a lot of coffee professionally.
But when it comes to a home espresso machine, it’s made just for personal use at home. Here’s what you’ll find with a typical home espresso machine:
- Smaller Water Tank: You have to refill it more often because it’s not as big as the ones in cafes.
- Single Boiler or Thermoblock: It heats up water for brewing and steaming, but it might not be as steady as the ones in cafes.
- Lower-Capacity Pump: It pushes water through for making espresso, but it might not be as strong as the pumps in cafes.
- Single Group Head: You can make one or two shots of espresso at a time with this.
- Single Portafilter: This is where the coffee goes for brewing, and it connects to the group head.
- Single Steam Wand: You can froth and steam milk, but it might not be as fast as the ones in cafes.
- Simple Display or Control Panel: It’s easy to use with basic buttons to adjust things and check how it’s doing.
- Compact and Lightweight Construction: It’s small and easy to move around or store.
On the other hand, a commercial espresso machine has more cool stuff like better features, can make more coffee, and is more powerful. But, it costs more, needs more looking after, and takes up more space. So, before getting a commercial espresso machine for your coffee shop, think about your budget, what your business needs, and how much space you have.
Best Commercial Espresso Machines for Coffee Shop Owners
Now that you understand the difference between a coffee machine for businesses and one for homes, let’s check out some of the best ones for coffee shop owners. We’ve ranked them based on how good they are, how well they work, their features, how long they last, and what customers say. Here are our favorites:
Gaggia Classic Pro Commercial Espresso Machine
Durable brushed stainless steel housing, 2.1L water tank with commercial three-way solenoid valve, 58mm chrome-plated brass portafilter, and easy-to-use rocker switch controls.
KIING Espresso Coffee Machine
The Gaggia Classic Pro is an ideal choice for crafting cafe-style espresso in the comfort of your home. With its durability, premium features, and excellent value, it’s a standout option for coffee enthusiasts.
Budan Pro Commercial Espresso Machine
Sturdy stainless steel casing built for commercial applications.
I got the Gaggia Classic Pro in Brushed Stainless Steel recently, and it’s fantastic for anyone who loves espresso. The machine is tough with its strong stainless steel build and makes really flavorful coffee using its high-quality 58mm portafilter and brew group. It’s easy to use with simple rocker switch controls and a big 2.1-liter water tank that has a special valve. People love it for being a great deal (4.6/5) and having strong steam power (4.1/5). The only thing is, if you’re new to it, it might take a bit to get used to (Ease of Use: 3.6/5). Overall, the Gaggia Classic Pro is perfect for making cafe-style espresso at home with its durability, quality features, and good value.
The KIING Espresso Coffee Machine is really great for busy places. It’s 16 inches tall and can make 200 cups at once, which is awesome. It’s easy to use and has a filter you can use again and again, which is good for the environment. It’s not just for coffee shops – it’s also good for places that move around a lot. The machine looks cool in black, making it a good choice for anyone who likes coffee or owns a business. So, if you want a stylish and easy-to-use coffee machine, the KIING Espresso Coffee Machine is a top pick for coffee lovers and business owners.
Budan Pro Espresso Machine is amazing! It’s really strong and looks nice with its tough stainless steel. It has two boilers, so it can make coffee and steam milk at the same time, and the coffee always tastes great. The machine is easy to use with buttons you can set, and it’s not too big. Plus, you can take it with you if you like making coffee when you’re traveling. I think it’s the best coffee machine you can get, especially if you own a cafe or just really love good coffee. I totally recommend it!
