Choosing the best coffee machine for your business is more than just a matter of budget and preferences.
It’s a key decision that can shape the success of your coffee programme.
Two popular choices of coffee machine types include traditional espresso machines, and super automatic coffee machines. In this article, we’re going to compare these two leading types of commercial coffee machines to discover what these machines offer, who they best serve, and whether either could be a great choice for your business.
What is a Traditional Espresso Machine?
A traditional espresso machine is the gold standard for coffee professionals, offering trained baristas ultimate control over the brewing process. Using finely ground coffee, brewed under high pressure, these machines create a rich, intense espresso that can be crafted into delicious espresso based drinks like lattes and flat whites.
Typically, these machines require a trained barista to operate, allowing for high levels of customisation and creativity in every cup.
Why Choose a Traditional Espresso Machine?
Traditional espresso machines are loved by barista-operated coffee outlets all over the world. These are just a few reasons why they could be the ideal choice for your business.
Unmatched Coffee Quality
Traditional espresso machines are revered for producing rich, flavourful espresso.
Complete Control
Skilled baristas can adjust grind size, pressure, and extraction time to tailor each drink to perfection.
Durability
With proper maintenance, these machines are built to last, reducing long-term costs.
High Volume
Ideal for high-traffic environments, traditional machines can handle a large number of orders.
Craftsmanship
Using a traditional espresso machine adds a level of artistry to each coffee, enhancing the customer experience.
Potential Downsides of a Traditional Espresso Machine
While these machines offer superior coffee quality, they require skilled baristas to operate, which might mean investing in training. Additionally, they often need more counter space and an external grinder, which can add to the initial setup costs.
When a Traditional Espresso Machine May Not Suit Your Business
If your business doesn’t have the resources for barista training or prioritises speed and ease of use over customisation, a traditional espresso machine may not be the ideal choice. This makes them less suitable for businesses where coffee is a secondary service or in environments where staff have varied skill levels.
What is a Super Automatic Coffee Machine?
Super automatic machines bring together the quality of traditional espresso with advanced automation. These machines handle the entire coffee-making process—from grinding to steaming milk—with the press of a button. They’re designed for ease of use, consistency, and high capacity, making them ideal for self-service setups or for businesses without trained baristas.
Why Choose a Super Automatic Machine?
Super Automatics are a type of coffee machine that has only come to market in recent years, offering superior automation and technology that help beginner baritas and even self-serve customers craft high quality coffee drinks.
Consistency
These machines deliver high-quality coffee with minimal variation, ensuring every cup meets your standards.
Ease of Use
The machine handles all aspects of coffee preparation, making it perfect for self-service or for use by non-specialist staff.
Efficiency
High capacity and automated processes make super automatic machines ideal for busy locations.
Minimal Training Needed
Staff do not need barista skills to operate, saving time and reducing turnover impact.
Automated Cleaning
Many super automatic machines come with self-cleaning features, reducing maintenance demands.
Potential Downsides of a Super Automatic Machine
Although super automatic machines offer convenience, they come with a higher upfront investment and provide less control over drink customisation, which might not satisfy establishments that emphasise artisanal coffee experiences.
Additionally, whilst they do offer some level of customisation, these types of machines do not offer the same level of bespoke customisation of drinks that traditional espresso machines provide.
When a Super Automatic Machine May Not Suit Your Business
If your business focuses on a unique, customisable coffee experience, where skilled baristas and attention to craft are central to the brand, a super automatic machine may feel too automated and impersonal.
Our Top Traditional Espresso Machine Recommendations?
If a traditional espresso machine sounds right up your street, here are our top recommendations for machines you should check out.
Victoria Arduino Eagle One – Known for its eco-friendly design and barista-friendly features, perfect for high-quality espresso.
Sanremo Café Racer – A robust machine with customisable aesthetics, ideal for speciality coffee shops.
Sanremo D8 – Durable, versatile, and known for delivering consistent espresso quality.
Our Top Super Automatic Machine Recommendations?
If a super automatic machine aligns better with your business needs, consider these top models:
Eversys Shotmaster – Delivers barista-quality espresso with ease, ideal for high-volume environments.
Eversys E4 Extra Wide – Known for its exceptional capacity, able to handle busy periods effortlessly.
Eversys Cameo – Offers advanced automation with a sleek design, perfect for cafés and corporate settings.
Key Considerations When Choosing Between an Espresso and Super Automatic Machine
When deciding between these two types of coffee machines, consider your business model, target audience, and service style:
Customer Experience
For artisanal coffee experiences, traditional machines offer flexibility and craft. For reliable quality at high speed, super automatic machines are ideal.
Staffing Needs
Traditional machines require trained baristas, while super automatics are suitable for environments with non-specialist staff and even self-serve.
Budget
Whilst there are a wide range of models available in each category, traditional espresso machines are more ‘basic’ in their functionality and are therefore typically more affordable. However, super automatic machines could reduce your running costs by eliminating wastage and removing the cost of ongoing staff training.
Setup and Maintenance
Traditional machines need additional equipment and regular manual cleaning. Super automatics often come with built-in grinders and self-cleaning features, simplifying maintenance.
By aligning your coffee machine choice with your business’s operational needs and customer expectations, you can create an experience that keeps customers coming back.