5 Best Commercial Espresso Machines

If you are in the business of making coffee for in the restaurant or small cafe shop, a review of the best commercial espresso machine is something which will undoubtedly spark your interest.

There are many good espresso coffee machines with different features to choose from and finding the right one to buy which suits your business’ needs may be somewhat of a challenge.

The following five commercial espresso machines reviews provide detailed information about the units, allowing you to properly educate and familiarize yourself with these machines.

1. Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II Digital 4 Group Espresso Machine

If you had any doubt about this machine’s capability, the Aurelia II was the official espresso coffee machine for the 2012-2014 World Barista Championship.  Regardless of the conditions and the amount of work it handles, it provides accurate temperature control at all times.

Using the 4 ½ inch LCD screen, the temperature of the water which is supplied can be controlled in real time.

The display also gives the barista a wide range of control of the unit at just a touch of a button including easily programming the dosages, boiler pressure, pre-infusion and settings which are ideal for saving energy.  

Running a high quality or specialty coffee shop requires the use of a commercial espresso coffee machine which will consistently provide accurate and excellent results.  A discriminating professional barista demands advanced performance from a commercial espresso machine.

The Italian made Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II Digital 4 Group Espresso Machine is such a product which comes with a multitude of features which will significantly benefit a business which specializes in the sale of high-quality coffee.

Product Features   

  • Automatic with volumetric dosing
  • 27-litre boiler
  • Digital PID
  • 2 steam wands
  • 1 Hot water nozzle with economizer
  • Automatic group flushing saves time and effort
  • Soft infusion system keeps espresso shots consistent
  • Stainless steel construction

Although not too difficult to operate, this commercial espresso machine should nevertheless be used by an experienced barista who has trained on it and is familiar with it.

The Aurelia II has an evenly lit work surface and also comes with a back which is in an angled position, allowing the barista to quickly check with a glance the coffee which is being released by the spout.  

There are also LED lights situated at the steam nozzles which are capable of lighting up the inside portion of the milk jug.  This is an expensive machine and for the money, may be well worth it, assuming you have the volume of business to keep it working continuously.

2. Nuova Simonelli Talento Espresso Machine

The Talento Espresso Machine comes with an external Smart Wand, and it can also be attached to a milk cooler which allows it to steam the milk internally.  

When the external milk cooler is attached, this machine can be programmed for making eight different drinks (including drinks with milk included) as easily as a touch of a button.

If you are looking for a high quality commercial super automatic espresso machine, the Nuova Simonelli Talento is worth a good look.  

The Talento is equipped with dual boilers which each hold a capacity of 2.5 liters of hot water which allows the process of both brewing and steaming to occur at the same time.  

The two separate grinders are capable of holding both regular and decaffeinated beans and are capable of grinding a double shot espresso in only 3.5 seconds.

Product Features   

  • Super-automatic espresso machine
  • Dual boilers 2.5 liters each
  • Hot water nozzle
  • Coffee bean grinder
  • 150 shots Espresso per hour
  • 21” x 22” x 44”
  • 8 programmable buttons
  • Automated cleaning program

As far as espresso coffee machines go, the Nuova Simonelli Talento is an elite top of the line unit which is also priced accordingly.  It is made for high-end coffee shops, restaurants, and serious professionals.

It is a beautiful machine which has a large menu display which allows for the settings and other important information to be easily seen.

3. La Pavoni Bar-Star 2V-R 2-Group Commercial Espresso Cappuccino Machine

The Bar-Star is simple to use in that it only contains a few buttons and a digital pad.  The unit can be programmed electronically for dosing and also includes a thermostat with auto shut-off for safety purposes.

There is an energy saving mode which can reduce your power bills, and this machine is available in colors red and black.  Additional accessories include a 14-liter copper boiler, 2 steam wands, a warming tray and a hot water button.

This next machine is made in Italy by La Pavoni, a well-known company which has been in business for over one hundred years.  

This red commercial espresso machine has an old school retro design and is packed with modern day technological features.  If you have a busy establishment which is one of the more popular spots for coffee, the La Pavoni Bar-Star is a 2-group head unit which will allow you to make up to 4 espressos at a time.

This espresso machine includes a 12-liter water softener which removes the minerals from the water, resulting in purified coffee.  Since “hard water” can taint that ideal cup of espresso, this is an excellent feature.

Product Features   

  • 2-group commercial espresso machine with a digital control pad
  • Pre-set programmable dosing
  • Energy saving power switch
  • 14-litre copper boiler
  • 12-liter water softener
  • Hot water button
  • Retro design

Even for commercial purposes, this is an expensive machine designed by one of the bigger names in the industry.  If your business is at the level where it can use such a professional unit, you may want to give the Bar-Star a try.

4. La Pavoni BAR-T 3V-B Commercial Volumetric Espresso Machine

The BAR-T 3V-B is capable of making 800 drinks per day; therefore, it is a workhorse which should be given careful consideration.  

This commercial espresso machine also comes with a water softener, which strips the minerals from the water for an ideal cup of espresso every time.

The copper boiler is equipped with transversal heat exchangers and front injectors for each respective group.  There are an anti-vacuum valve and a double scale gauge for ideal pump and boiler pressure control.

If your business requires you to supply a high volume of coffee, La Pavoni is a trusted name which has been around for over a century.  

Expertly designed in Italy, the BAR-T 3V-B Commercial Espresso Machine has three groups made with press-forged brass and is plated with chrome giving it a sleek look.  It features a vertical infusion chamber and pressurization system.

The water level is controlled automatically, and this unit contains two adjustable steam jets.  There is also one hot water tap with a jet that is flexible.

Product Features   

  • 3-group commercial espresso machine
  • 2 steam wands
  • 1 hot water tap
  • 22-liter boiler
  • Water auto-fill system
  • Direct water feed
  • 12-liter water softener included
  • 36” x 21” x 21”

Although somewhat pricey, the BAR-T 3V-B is a high-end durable machine which you can rely on to keep up with the high demands of your business.

5. La Pavoni Bar 2L-B Lever Espresso Coffee Machine

This keeps the brewing pressure at the same level for better use of the coffee.  Featuring two steam wands, one flexible steam jet and one hot water tap with flexible jet, the Bar 2L-B is ideal for a busy specialty coffee shop or restaurant.

As with most Pavoni commercial machines, this is not an inexpensive unit since it is backed by one of the biggest and most reputable names in the business.  If your business is looking for an injection of quality in the coffee making department, this espresso machine may be worth a closer look.

If you are in the market for a high-end commercial espresso coffee machine, the Pavoni name is one of the biggest and most reputable names to consider.  

As far as commercial espresso machine brands go, Pavoni has been making espresso machines for well over one hundred years and should not be overlooked.  This Italian company has many top-rated models for sale, including the Bar 2L-B Lever Espresso Machine.

This unit is packed with superb features which will give you an excellent cup of espresso time after time.  The chromed brass groups with mechanical movement incorporate a unique device which permits only the hot water into the group.  

Product Features   

  • 2-group commercial espresso machine
  • 2 steam wands
  • 1 hot water tap
  • 14-liter boiler
  • Direct water feed
  • 4 position power switch
  • Pressure gauge to monitor boiler pressure
  • Re-set safety thermostat

Although somewhat pricey, the BAR-T 3V-B is a high-end durable machine which you can rely on to keep up with the high demands of your business.

Features to Look For when getting the best espresso machine for commercial use

Speed and Output

When you are looking for a commercial espresso machine, one of the most important aspects is how fast it can make coffee and how many cups it can make.  

If you have a busy establishment which sells a large volume of coffee, it does not make much sense to buy a small espresso machine which is only capable of producing one coffee at a time at a snail’s pace.  

You will have to look into a larger espresso coffee machine which will be able to handle the volume and not keep the customers waiting for an unacceptable amount of time.  Depending on the workload, all of the units reviewed would suffice as a capable espresso machine for coffee shops.

Ease of Use

Another key feature which is associated with an espresso coffee machine is how easy it is to learn and use.  It is a plus if your commercial espresso machine can be user-friendly and easily programmed for several different types of coffees or other milk products.  

A machine which is pre-programmed will save the barista a significant amount of time when having to make different types of coffees.  Of course, this is ideal when you have a large number of beverages on your menu which are sold on a regular basis.

An espresso machine which is easy to use also helps out your employees who have to learn the unit when first operating it.  

If the machine has a smaller learning curve, it will save time by having your employees picking up its functions quickly and efficiently.  Commercial espresso makers that are more difficult to use will cost you more money in resources in the long run.

Affordability

Since you will be running a business and making money from coffee sales, the price is always an issue.  The high-end commercial espresso machines which have been reviewed here are on the expensive side and should be looked at as an essential investment in your business.  

If you are in the coffee business, you know that people are quite fussy about their coffee being perfect every single time.  

Cutting corners and deciding to pick up a lower quality machine which cannot appropriately handle the output and quality required of it may result in you paying a larger price due to the loss of business.  It is vital that you carefully weigh the options and balance the cost of the espresso coffee machine with the needs of your business.

Conclusion

We hope this article has enlightened you further on the various commercial espresso machines on the market and their different features.  Selecting the right coffee maker for your business can be a difficult task, and it is best to research and prepare for such a decision properly.  

The last thing you want is laying out good money for an expensive machine which is not compatible with your needs.  Doing your homework and getting it right the first time will save you the aggravation which often accompanies a poor decision.

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