For business
Café espresso machines: commercial models, grinders and what to ask a dealer
A café machine works all day, makes two or three drinks at once, and has to be repaired the same or next day when something goes wrong. That is why most cafés buy from a local dealer who installs and services the machine, not from an online shop.
Why a local dealer is often the better choice
A dealer installs the machine with the right water filter, power and drain, trains your staff, and comes back when it breaks. A café without its machine loses sales every hour. Ask for the response time in writing, whether a replacement machine is included, and what yearly maintenance costs.
One, two or three groups
A group is the head where the portafilter locks in. More groups means more drinks at the same time, but also more power, more water and more counter space. Many machines are sold in a standard height and a tall version for takeaway cups.
Commercial espresso machines compared
Real figures from the makers' or distributors' spec sheets. We do not list prices: they depend on the dealer, the country and the installation.
| Model | Groups | Boiler | Power | Electrical supply | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Spaziale S2 | 1 | 3 L | 2200 W | 110 / 220 / 240 V | La Spaziale, S2 brochure (PDF) |
| La Spaziale S2 | 2 | 10 L | 3900 W | 220 / 240 V | La Spaziale, S2 brochure (PDF) |
| La Spaziale S2 | 3 | 15 L | 4500 W | 220 / 240 / 400 V | La Spaziale, S2 brochure (PDF) |
| Rancilio Classe 5 USB Compact | 2 | — | 3000 W | 208–220 V · 20 A | Rancilio Classe 5 USB, US spec sheet (PDF) |
| Rancilio Classe 5 USB | 2 | — | 4300 W | 208–220 V · 30 A | Rancilio Classe 5 USB, US spec sheet (PDF) |
| Rancilio Classe 5 USB | 3 | — | 6000 W | 208–220 V · 30 A | Rancilio Classe 5 USB, US spec sheet (PDF) |
| Nuova Simonelli Appia Life | 2 | — | 3400 W | 208–240 V · 17 A | Nuova Simonelli Appia Life 2 group, US spec sheet (PDF) |
The Rancilio and Nuova Simonelli figures are from US spec sheets (208 to 240 V, amps = circuit or current rating). European and other versions differ. A dash means the sheet does not state it.
Commercial grinders
A café needs an on-demand grinder built for all-day use, usually with large burrs and a big hopper. Many cafés use two: one for the house espresso and one for decaf or a guest coffee. Well-known makers include Mahlkönig, Mazzer and Eureka. Ask your dealer which models they can service.
Small kiosk, bakery or restaurant: a high-end one-group machine?
For a few dozen espressos a day, some businesses use a high-end one-group machine. Example: La Marzocco Linea Mini, with two boilers, a 2.5 litre tank and 115 V or 220 to 240 V versions. La Marzocco presents it as a home machine, so check the warranty for business use before you buy. (La Marzocco, Linea Mini)
Small items you can order online
The machine is best bought from a dealer, but tools and supplies are easy to order online.
Knock box ↗Milk pitchers ↗Tamper ↗Cleaning tablets ↗Cups ↗
Read the business buying guide →
We do not sell machines and have not tested these commercial models ourselves. Figures come from the linked sources and can change. If you buy through our Amazon links we may earn a commission.