10 Best Commercial Espresso Machines for Small Coffee Shops in 2024

If you want your coffee shop to be a hit, then it’s very important to buy the best commercial espresso machine for a small coffee shop. It is no doubt a difficult decision to make, but this article will guide you with each and everything you need to know about commercial espresso machines.

Choosing a coffee machine requires a detailed analysis of a lot of factors. For instance, small coffee shops have limited space, so you need a compact size that can fit anywhere easily. Regardless of the size, the coffee machine should brew the most flavorful coffee cup.

Commercial espresso machines are very expensive, but there are affordable options too. In this article, I have narrowed down a list of commercial espresso machines that are best in terms of price and features.

Quick Guide For Best Commercial Espresso Machine For Small Coffee Shop In 2024

To have a quick review of the best commercial espresso machines, see below the table carrying the top 10 machines for small coffee shops.

Top Best Commercial Espresso Machines for Small Coffee Shops

Here I have selected the top 10 best commercial espresso machines for a small coffee shop. The detailed review, along with the pros and cons, will help you choose the best product for your café.

1. Breville Oracle Touch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine For Small Cafe

Breville’s fully automatic machine, as the name suggests, is an all-rounder. First of all, it is very simple to use, you won’t need any skilled person to make a perfect cup of latte. Secondly, this super-automatic coffee machine is sufficient for making all kinds of coffee beverages.

The coffee machine has a durable stainless steel construction. It is resistant to corrosion and is super easy to clean as you just have to wipe the spills with a damp cloth. There is a touch screen at the top of the machine where you just have to select the beverage, and within minutes, your coffee will be ready.

At the back of the coffee machine is a removable water reservoir having a capacity of 84 oz. It has a water filter that purifies the water for excellent-tasting coffee. What is even more interesting about this water reservoir is that there is a backlit that indicates the water level.

To ensure that you enjoy a great-tasting coffee, the coffee machine features a precision conical burr grinder. It automatically grinds coffee so you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee every time.

Breville’s fully automatic espresso machine will make your coffee shop a hit due to the best-tasting coffee. It has 4 key formulas for making a great cup of coffee. To avoid a bitter taste, the low-pressure pre-infusion technique is used to gradually increase the water pressure so that coffee grinds are evenly expanded for better extraction.

The digital temperature control maintains the water temperature for maximum extraction of flavor from the coffee grounds. With the automatic microfoam milk texturing, you can even make latte art and cappuccinos as per your customer’s requirements.

Another terrific feature of this coffee machine is that it gives you full control over coffee strength, milk texture, and temperature. Also, you can save these personalized settings with names for a better service.

2. Nuova Simonelli Musica Pour Over Espresso Machine MMUSICALUX01

The Nuova Simonelli Musica espresso machine is for people who want nothing but the best for their coffee shop. The stainless steel build makes it sturdy and durable. You won’t have to put extra effort into cleaning it.

This coffee machine for the café will satisfy all of your customers’ cravings. It is a fully automatic machine that delivers coffee on demand. For maximum extraction of flavor and aroma, the coffee grounds are first soaked in water for a time and then brewed. The vibrating pump of the coffee machine is also very powerful and gives the best-tasting coffee.

The heat exchanger technology brews the coffee at a temperature that enhances the flavor. Nuova is a two-liter boiler made from copper and brass. It froths milk and brews the coffee at the same time.

Nuova is an all-in-one coffee machine. It features a high-quality steam wand that helps you create the perfect milk foam for a latte and cappuccino. It is a multi-directional wand that is perfect for latte art.

The grinder of this coffee machine is another worth talking about. It is a high-quality grinder having a 150-watt motor. There is a wide range of options, so you can grind coffee beans according to your customer’s preferences.

Nuova commercial coffee machine for small café is programmable. It stops brewing after the desired amount of coffee has been dispensed. Hot water dispensing is also programmable. You can choose the amount of water for every serving.

3. De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro Espresso Machine

This De’Longhi Espresso Machine is the best commercial coffee machine for a small cafe. It has an indulgent and innovative design which makes using it easy and feasible. It is built to satisfy the cravings of your customers for rich and heavy coffee.

To fully express the flavor of the coffee beans, it features an array of patented technology. It is engineered with precision which gives a perfect extraction of the coffee flavor from the beans. This fully automatic coffee and espresso machine is more than a dream come true.  

With the 8 grinding settings, you can choose the right quantity of beans related to your customer’s needs. Also, the digital dosing guide makes it easy for you to make a strong or light coffee.

The dynamic pre-infusion process allows you to adjust the intensity of your coffee with a perfect flavorful extraction from the coffee beans. This coffee and espresso machine is said to be versatile. You can make Americano, Cappuccino, Flat white, and Latte. This coffee maker is a perfect way to treat your taste buds.

With only a touch of a button, you can froth your milk automatically. This coffee maker is a perfect way to master your latte art with your coffee. The 5 Temperature settings of this coffee maker ensure perfect brew temperature and flavor infusion. So, this coffee maker is a must-have for your small café.

4. Jura 15145 Automatic Coffee Machine WE8 For Business

Jura is a Swiss brand that makes amazing automatic coffee machines. What people love most about them is that their coffee machines are innovative yet simple to operate.

Jura 15145 automatic coffee machine has a one-touch operation. It brews one cup of coffee in just 60 seconds which is amazing for coffee shops where you have to serve your customers quickly.

What makes it the best espresso machine for small coffee shops is the automatic burr grinder. It freshly grinds coffee beans to provide your customers with an authentic and flavorful coffee cup.

With the pulse extraction process, brewing time is adjusted to provide an enhanced coffee flavor. Jura’s super-automatic coffee machine allows you to select brewing strength and volume.

The water reservoir has a capacity of 101 oz., so you don’t have to refill it now and then. The ground container is also perfect for commercial use as it can hold 25 grams of coffee grounds.

At the touch of a button, you get the finest quality milk foam without even moving the cup. You can even disable the beverages to enjoy only coffee drinks.

Cleaning and maintaining this coffee machine is effortless. At the touch of a button, it cleans and descales itself for efficient performance. The cleaning program also cleans the milk system, so you don’t have to do it manually.

See our popular post: 15 Best Coffee Makers with Built In Grinder | 2024 Reviews

5. BUNN 12950.0211 CWTF-2 Automatic Commercial Coffee Brewer with 2 Warmers

The BUNN 12950.0211 CWTF-2 Automatic Commercial Coffee Brewer with 2 Warmers is a great product for those who are looking for a quality coffee brewing experience. This brewer comes with two warmers, allowing you to keep your coffee hot and fresh for longer periods.

The brewing process is also very quick, meaning you can have a fresh cup of coffee in no time. It can brew up to 12 cups of coffee per pot. In terms of cons, the price point may be a bit high for some people and it can be difficult to clean if you don’t have the right tools. Overall, the BUNN 12950.0211 CWTF-2 Automatic Commercial Coffee Brewer with 2 Warmers is a great choice for those who are looking for a quality coffee brewing experience.

Related article: 11 Best Espresso Machines Under 600 | Reviews in 2024

6. La Pavoni Bar-Star 2V-R 2-Group Volumetric Commercial Espresso Machine

For small coffee shops, La Pavoni Bar Star 2V-R is the best. It won’t take up a lot of your counter space. But don’t go on its size, the taste of the coffee brewed by this machine is terrific.

The highlight of this coffee machine is the 2 group head which serves 4 cups of coffee at a time. This helps you to serve more customers quickly. Also, the espresso machine is fully programmable. It allows you to set the amount of water for each brewing cycle.

This coffee machine will make your customers come again and again. The hot water jets serve piping hot coffee, which everybody loves. It is very simple to operate, just push a button, and hot water will be poured automatically.

Another amazing feature of this coffee machine that helps make the perfect cup of coffee is thermal stability. It is controlled by thermal technology that minimizes temperature fluctuations to zero, so the coffee is served at a constant temperature every time.

The coffee grounds are pre-infused slowly to extract maximum flavor. To give you the most amazing-tasting coffee, the espresso machine has a water softener. It has a capacity of 12 liters and removes calcium and magnesium. This feature also increases the life of the machine, preventing scaling.

Two steam wands give excellent quality milk froth. To prevent the backward flow of milk, there is an anti-vacuum valve.

7. Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group Espresso Machine MAPPIA5VOL02ND001

Nuova Simonelli Appia II is one of the best-rated coffee machines for commercial use. It has innovative features that are unique to this coffee machine of Nuova.

It has a stainless steel body that makes it durable and long-lasting. With this coffee maker, you don’t have to deal with corrosion and maintenance now and then. The two group heads help you a lot during rush hours when you have to pour so many cups.

The coffee machine has a heat exchange boiler. It brews and steams the coffee simultaneously, giving you a perfect crema with excellent flavor. Also, the double boiler enables you to serve coffee quickly at the perfect temperature and taste.

It is a manual coffee machine that gives you manual and volumetric shot control. The volumetric control brews the coffee at great consistency. But the main highlight of this machine is manual shot control that gives you control over brewing strength.

There are two long stainless steel steam wands. You have to operate them manually. They make the best milk foam that is thick and creamy. It has thermal insulation that prevents the build-up of milk, making it easy for you to clean.

With the soft pre-infusion system, your customers will enjoy the best taste of the coffee. It soaks the coffee grounds before brewing for maximum extraction of flavor. There is a built-in rotatory pump that works efficiently to give a bold taste to the coffee.

The automatic boiler of this semi-automatic coffee maker provides a perfect temperature for the extraction of coffee. There is a built-in water filter that filters the water to provide a great-tasting coffee cup.

See our post: Breville Barista Express BES870 Review in 2024

8. Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II Volumetric 2 Group Espresso Machine MAUREIIVOL02ND0001

Nuova is a brand that is very popular due to its outstanding coffee machines. The coffee machines are crafted with the finest quality materials and have innovative technologies that give the best-tasting coffee cup. The features and performance make Nuova coffee machines worth the price.

The most amazing feature of this commercial coffee machine for business is its T3 water heating system. First, it has powerful dual boilers made from industry-grade copper. They provide steaming hot water for maximum extraction of flavor from coffee grounds. Secondly, water flows slowly, so the grounds are soaked first to provide a rich flavor. Lastly, with PID technology, you can control the temperature of every serving.

Two group heads can be operated at the same time. This feature is a lifesaver in rush hours as you can serve several cups at a time. Above each group head, there are 5 customizable buttons. They are for volumetric settings that allow you to pour in your desired amount every time.

The volume control feature is best for coffee shops that serve a variety of beverages. Also, you can customize the pressure and temperature with every serving as per your customer’s preferences.

Another noteworthy feature of this coffee machine is the steaming wand. It generates the finest quality froth in just 15 seconds. There is an LED light over the steaming wand that lets you monitor the foam.

You may take an interest in: Gaggia Classic Pro vs Breville Barista Express – Comparative Analysis

9. La Pavoni BAR-T 2V-R Commercial 2 Group Volumetric Espresso Machine For Small Coffee Shop

La Pavoni Bar-T 2V-R espresso machine has a sleek and elegant look. The features of this coffee machine make it one of the best for commercial use.

What I love the most about this coffee machine is that it has a direct water line connection. This is why it is the best coffee machine for the shop as you don’t have to refill the water reservoir again and again.

Volumetric dosing is amazing for coffee shops. You just have to push the stop button when the machine has brewed your desired amount. There are 4 programmable cup size selections so you can save the amount for each shot. This feature saves a lot of your time from monitoring the amount for every shot.

The brew group’s system of coffee makers is crafted from brass and nickel-plated. They soak the coffee grounds before brewing for maximum extraction of aroma and flavor. The thermostat maintains a constant temperature of the water for brewing. For proper functioning, each group has its radiator hydraulic system.

The front panel features a double-scale gauge for controlling the pressure of the pump and boiler. There is an anti-vacuum system that keeps the milk and water out of the boiler. The built-in water softener removes hardness from the water, so the coffee tastes amazing.

10. VENEZIA 2 by Italia Espresso® – Two Group Commercial Espresso Cappuccino Machine Maker Restaurant Cafe Dispenser

The VENEZIA 2 by Italia Espresso is a two-group commercial espresso cappuccino machine maker that is perfect for restaurants and cafes. This machine comes with genuine Italian brew heads that make it easy to create rich and flavorful espresso drinks. The stainless steel construction of the machine ensures durability, and the sleek design is sure to complement any decor.

The VENEZIA 2 by Italia Espresso is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy delicious espresso drinks without having to compromise on quality or style.

What I like most about the VENEZIA 2 by Italia Espresso is that it comes with genuine Italian brew heads. This means that you can be assured of getting a rich and full-flavored espresso with every cup. The machine is also very easy to use, even for beginners. I also appreciate the sleek and modern design of the VENEZIA 2 by Italia Espresso. It would look great in any kitchen or home cafe setting.

The only downside of the VENEZIA 2 by Italia Espresso is that it is a bit on the expensive side, however, considering the quality of the machine and the delicious espresso drinks that it can produce. I think it is worth the investment.

If you are looking for a high-quality and stylish espresso machine, then I would highly recommend the VENEZIA 2 by Italia Espresso. With its genuine Italian brew heads and easy-to-use design, it is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy delicious espresso drinks at home.

Best Commercial Espresso Machine for Small Coffee Shop- Buyer’s Guide

To help you buy the best commercial espresso machine for a small coffee shop, here are some features that you should pay special attention to.

Capacity

You should choose the capacity of your coffee machine according to the number of people you serve daily. Small coffee shops usually deal with less than 1,000 customers per day. This is why an espresso machine with 2 group heads is ideal for them.

The capacity of the water reservoir is also very important. Refilling the water tank after a few servings is very annoying. Most people prefer a direct water line connection for commercial use. It should at least have a 3 to 4-liter capacity.

Grinder

No capsule or pod in this world can beat the taste of coffee brewed from freshly ground beans. If you want your customers to visit your coffee shop frequently, then buy an espresso machine that has a built-in grinder. Fresh ground coffee makes the tastiest coffee full of the aroma that everyone craves.

Automation

There are three options to consider for your commercial coffee machine: manual, semi-automatic, and automatic.

Manual coffee machines give you full control over the brewing strength, temperature, and pressure. You can make every serving as per your customer’s requirement. The only drawback is that it requires to be operated by a skilled person.

Semi-automatic commercial coffee machines have many programmable functions. They can also be operated manually.

Automatic coffee machines are very simple and easy to use. A kid next door can operate them. While there are not many customizable options, still the coffee brewed by these machines is outstanding.

Temperature

Make sure that the coffee machine you are buying has an amazing heating system. An optimum temperature of the water is important for extracting rich flavor and aroma from the coffee grounds. Commercial coffee machines have a thermostat that maintains the temperature so that every cup you brew has the same temperature.

Speed

You cannot make your customers wait for a long time for a single cup of coffee. A feature to check when buying a commercial coffee machine is its speed. A single cup of coffee should be brewed in more or less 60 seconds. But make sure that the speed does not compromise the flavor.

User Friendly

A coffee machine with a lot of buttons and functions may look good but is very difficult to operate.  Buy a coffee machine that is simple to operate and brews excellent coffee. The versatility of the coffee machine also matters a lot as you can serve a variety of beverages. It should also be very easy to clean.

FAQs:

Here are answers to some of the queries that people ask when buying the best commercial espresso machine for a small coffee shop.

Why are commercial espresso machines so expensive?

Commercial espresso machines are designed to be sturdy and long-lasting. They are crafted with the finest materials to provide high-quality beverages. They are professional machines that are meant to be operated by skilled persons.

How much does a commercial espresso machine cost?

Commercial espresso machines come in a range of $2000 to $30000. They are high priced due to the high-quality materials used.

How long does a commercial espresso machine last?

On average, a commercial espresso machine will last between 5 to 15 years with routine maintenance.

Can you put regular coffee in an espresso machine?

Yes, technically, you can use regular coffee beans in an espresso machine, but the beverage you brew may have a sour taste. We recommend dark roasts to make creamy espresso.

Is espresso stronger than coffee?

According to data from the Department of Agriculture, espresso contains 63 mg of caffeine per ounce (per serving size). In contrast, regular coffee contains an average of 12 to 16 mg of caffeine per ounce. An ounce, of espresso, contains more caffeine.

Is it worth it to buy an espresso machine?

From a pure cost perspective, the answer is yes. This is how you can save money in the long run with an espresso machine.

Final Verdict

The key to a successful coffee shop is the best-tasting coffee. All the coffee machines reviewed in this article are known for making authentic-tasting coffee. 

For me, the best commercial espresso machine for a small coffee shop is the Jura 15145 Automatic Coffee Machine. It is a machine of high productivity and high performance. The coffee brewed by this coffee machine is beyond amazing.  Just keep in mind your needs and what you are looking forward to in your coffee machine and place your order right away.