Coffee lovers always dream of quitting their jobs to open an epic coffee shop thinking that it can’t be hard. Well, there is a lot you need to understand before starting a successful coffee shop, and your current knowledge and skills may not be enough to run a successful business. After all, buying and using an espresso machine for your home and for a commercial business are two different things. Ultimately, you need the best commercial espresso machine to ensure that you can handle the pressure and demands of running a coffee shop.

To make this process a walk in the park for anyone who wants a commercial espresso machine, we’ve written a comprehensive review. This review explores some of the most modern espresso machines in the industry. What features did we consider? The type of machine, number of groups, boiler capacity and overall dimensions are some of the key features we looked at. Others include total energy consumption and even warranty information. Not only do we show you the best features, but we also explain why they are important and how they can help your business venture.

While it’s easy to review an espresso machine, it took months of research and hands-on use to determine the best machine in the business. We had a lot of fun brewing coffee and exploring the different features of each machine. We also had to compare notes with other coffee professionals to reach a complete verdict. In our review, you’ll find a comparison chart of each espresso machine, an in-depth review of each product, and a well-written buying guide to help you find the perfect commercial espresso machine.

Nouveau Simonelli Appia II

Do you want a powerful espresso machine with a stylish silver finish and clever LED lights to improve safety in dark environments? If the answer is yes, then you need this powerful machine. It’s no wonder it has been ranked as the official espresso machine of the World Barista Championship for three consecutive years.

Building on the success of the first Appia, the Nuova Simonelli Appia II has taken productivity and performance to new heights. In addition, its reliability and contemporary style make it an ideal espresso machine. What are some of its outstanding features? The Nuova Simonelli Appia II is not a case of form over function. For example, it has an inverted mirror that allows your barista to see the coffee dose without having to squat.

With its programmable dosing, you can now train baristas in minutes and they can serve espressos in volume. This is largely due to its user-friendly nature. With a respectable 11 litre boiler, you can expect to brew 30 to 100 drinks per hour. The Soft Infusion System (SIS) will help you brew a creamy, delicious espresso without any rough edges. Other key features include a water level indicator and automatic cleaning. Plus, as a volumetrically controlled machine, you can be sure that it will stop brewing at the right time. However, its pre-infusion function will allow you to get the most out of your grounds even before the brew is stopped. This is an excellent espresso machine for medium capacity coffee.

New Simonelli Aurelia II

Nuova Simonelli is a large company that has been producing espresso machines for over 70 years. Its machines guarantee excellent performance in demanding circumstances. And the Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II is no exception. It is an excellent choice for the company that wants an ergonomic, user-friendly, multifunctional and even reliable espresso machine.

With a boiler capacity of 17 litres, you can serve a large number of guests or visitors in one day. Each group head of the espresso machine has a boiler with one litre of fresh water. The water does not come into contact with the heating element, which prevents alkalinity peaks. Remember that your coffee should be as fresh as possible. The presence of a copper boiler and a heat exchanger also allows your Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II to offer you the best quality coffee. This feature allows you to steam and brew your espresso at the same time, ensuring that the water temperature remains constant throughout the process.

The four and a quarter inch LCD screen also makes the machine easy to use. It allows the barista to control the entire machine at the touch of a button. Using the display, the barista can set the boiler pressure, control the boiler temperature, program the dosages, pre-infusion and even enter energy saving settings. The Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II has a gentle brewing system that ensures a perfect extraction. In addition, the worktop of the espresso machine supports high glasses and low cups.

This espresso machine is a good choice for medium to high volume specialty coffees and demanding professionals.

La Pavoni PUB 1EM-R

Pavoni is one of the oldest Italian manufacturers of espresso machines, making them since 1905. The La Pavoni PUB 1EM-R is a commercial grade machine that gives you excellent temperature stability. This simple feature allows you to produce excellent shots of espresso every day.

What are some of the amazing features of La Pavoni PUB 1EM-R? Portability is one of the useful features of this machine. Weighing less than 80 pounds, this espresso machine allows you to transport and set up easily. It also has a pour-over tank, unlike machines that use the old French press. A pour-over tank offers a fresher taste, as the finished product contains more aroma.

This machine has a 6.5 litre boiler, which is quite impressive for such a portable machine. While other commercial espresso machines may boast a 14 or even 17 litre boiler, they are often not portable. The La Pavoni PUB 1EM-R, which measures 21 by 15 by 22 inches, can produce around 150 cups per day.

For those interested in the electrical power of the product, it measures about 120 volts and delivers 1500 watts of power. And although it is a single-group machine, this low voltage and wattage is amazing. It should also be noted that this small espresso machine has 2 coffee baskets. It has a portafilter made of a good heat retaining part such as brass and a non-heat retaining part such as wood.

Breville Oracle

With the Breville Oracle, you won’t need a grinder, scale or even a tamper. This espresso machine automatically doses, cups and grinds the ground beans from the removable half-pound bean hopper. It then pours the coffee into a 58mm portafilter. You can set the Breville Oracle to froth your milk with latte and cappuccino settings while the cups brew.

This espresso machine has two stainless steel boilers that allow you to simultaneously extract espresso and steam milk. It also offers regulated extraction pressure with a pressure relief valve that limits the extraction pressure to give you the best espresso.

The easy access to the water tank may seem like a minor feature, but it is very important. Simply press the lid on top and the machine opens to allow you to fill it. You can also remove the drip tray and access a dial that connects to a swivel foot at the bottom of the espresso machine. For those with knowledge of how espresso machines work, it is not uncommon to find machines with design flaws that make it difficult to access the water tank.

It also has a great frothing wand that stays clean. With this wand, you can set the temperature and put it into automatic mode to get a nice lather. A sensor at the end of the wand indicates when the preset temperature is reached.

Espresso machines by type

First, it is important to understand the different types of espresso machines and the impact they can have on your coffee success. But first it’s important to highlight a few terms.
A commercial espresso machine is manufactured for the mass production of coffee drinks. This is the case, for example, with those used by companies and cafés to offer coffee to their customers. There are basically two types of machines: semi-automatic and super-automatic. Using a semi-automatic espresso machine requires certain skills. You will need to offer barista training to your staff. This will enable them to make excellent shots and froth the milk with consistent quality.

For super-automatic machines such as the Jura 15089 GIGA W3, there are two types of machines: single-stage and two-stage. One-stage machines require no training and a 16-year-old can make a good cup of coffee. Two-stage machines, on the other hand, are a mixture of semi-automatic and super-automatic, but are considered the latter.

To choose the right type of espresso machine, you need to determine the main purpose of buying the espresso machine. Are you going to open a café where you will serve your customers or do you want an espresso machine that your customers can serve themselves.

If quality is most important to you, you should go for a semi-automatic machine. But if you want a machine that is easy to use, you need a super-automatic espresso machine like the Breville Oracle.

Price tag

Cash is very important when it comes to shopping, but it doesn’t have to be the deciding factor. With a commercial espresso machine, you are making an investment in your business. That means you’ll have to spend a little to get exactly what you want.

While there is no single answer to this question, the price varies greatly depending on a variety of factors. For example, the brand you choose will greatly influence your decision. Other factors that may influence the price include the mechanics and even the functionality of the machine. You will need to be clear about your needs as a business and this will reduce the frustration of finding the perfect espresso machine. You can choose an affordable espresso machine like the La Pavoni PUB 1EM-R or a more expensive option like the Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II.

Features to consider when buying the perfect commercial espresso machine
Before making that long-term purchase of an espresso machine, it is important to keep certain factors in mind. This is what will distinguish each espresso machine and allow you to make that informed choice. Here are some of the features to keep in mind.

Number of group heads

The number of group heads determines the efficiency and performance of the espresso machine. The more group heads, the more your staff can use the machine simultaneously. You will need to consider whether you need a machine with maximum output in terms of cups of coffee or whether you can make do with a machine with 2 group heads like the Nuova Simonelli Appia II.

Boiler size

The boiler largely determines the ability of your espresso machine to dispense hot water and produce steam. This means that a larger boiler size improves the efficiency of the espresso preparation. What are the standard capacities for the size of your boiler?

Remember that the production of espresso is less affected by the size of the boiler and that the use of hot water consumes energy. To choose the right boiler size, you need to understand your business. If you sell a few cups of coffee a day, you do not need to focus on performance. If you sell a large volume, you may need a large boiler.

Temperature range

A good espresso requires that you maintain the temperature of the water. Ideally, the temperature should be around 95c or 203F. If your espresso machine is equipped with a pressure switch or thermocouple, the boiler pressure and water temperature can be easily adjusted. Just one degree less in temperature can affect the quality of your coffee.

Power consumption

The power of your espresso machine affects how quickly it recovers from an intense work session. Do you have a morning rush where you have to serve a lot of people? If so, you should buy a machine with a larger capacity.

Speed

Speed is also essential, especially if you have to serve a large number of customers. No one wants to wait minutes or even hours for their cup of coffee. A slow espresso machine can affect your brand or even cause you to lose customers. That’s why you need to choose an espresso machine with the speed to meet your needs.

User-friendliness

An espresso machine that people can’t use may not be the best option for your business, even if it’s the most expensive or most productive. However, it also depends on your business model. Do you want to hire and train a barista? Or do you want a user-friendly machine that customers can use to serve themselves? In short, you need to make sure your espresso machine is user-friendly, for example, the Breville Oracle.

Dimensions of the espresso machine

As well as needing a portable espresso machine, you also need to consider how many baristas will be using your machine. Do you have a couple of baristas who serve a large number of people? You could use a large espresso machine.

You also need to think about counter presence. This is simply the perception of your customers if they see that your business has a large espresso machine. Many customers will think that a larger machine is more professional and this can improve your business.

Ease of cleaning
Ease of cleaning and maintenance is important, especially if you use your espresso machine for professional purposes. This includes daily cleaning as well as repairing the parts of your machine. Automatic espresso machines such as the Jura 15089 GIGA W3 relieve you and your staff of this burden by cleaning themselves. Although these machines promise to clean themselves, it is a good idea to check them from time to time as they still need to be descaled. Other machines come with spare parts that allow you to clean each part manually.

Warranty

A warranty protects you from buying a defective product. It is important to choose a product with a good warranty. Before choosing your favourite espresso machine, it is important to examine the terms of the warranty such as duration, price and other conditions.

Tips for descaling your espresso machine

It is essential to descale your espresso machine after a few months of use, but it is recommended to do so more frequently. This is particularly necessary if your water has a high mineral content. However, don’t forget to collect the descaling solution as citric acid can affect metal components.

Here are some descaling instructions for those who own general purpose espresso machines. Remember to consult your machine manual if you need specific cleaning instructions.

Here are some instructions for descaling this type of machine.

Pour the descaler into a tank of water.

Leave the solution in your boiler while running a cup of water or steam and turn off the steam button
Switch off the machine and leave it to stand for about 20 minutes to allow the descaling process to take place.
Run a quarter of the tank through the steam nozzle and a quarter through the brew head and leave the machine to stand for another 20 minutes.
Empty the remaining water into the steam and brew outlets and run clean water into the tank.
Descaling a superautomatic espresso machine

Check the manual of your machine to see if it has an automatic descaling cycle. Here are some tips for those who do not have one

Pour the descaler into the tank.

Pour the solution into your boiler by drawing a cup of water from the steam wand and turn off the knob.
Switch off the machine and leave it on standby for about 20 minutes to allow for descaling.
Run about half of the solution through the steam wand and turn the machine off for another 20 minutes.
Let the rest of the water out through the steam wand and rinse it out as well.

Our verdict

Our first choice was the Nuova Simonelli Appia II because of the excellent performance and productivity of the coffee machine. This decision was largely influenced by some of the machine’s impressive features, including the fact that it is a volumetric machine for making perfect draws. With an 11-litre boiler, the espresso machine can produce around 30 to 100 drinks per hour.

The impressive Jura 15089 GIGA W3 came in second place because of its great ergonomics and its ability to produce more espresso shots. With this machine you can make coffee and steam at the same time and maintain these temperatures. It may not be the best commercial espresso machine, but it does not sacrifice functionality.

The Pavoni PUB 1EM-R is our economical choice. This one-piece espresso machine may be small and portable, but it produces quality espresso. It’s relatively inexpensive and suitable for small coffees. Despite its size, it produces an impressive number of cups.