The Best Commercial Coffee Machines in Australia
In Australia, selecting the best commercial espresso machine is a challenging task and a significant investment, regardless of the model you eventually choose.
Having spent countless hours working alongside café owners, we understand the complexities and challenges involved in finding a commercial coffee machine that meets specific needs and budget constraints.
Acknowledging that not every café owner can afford the latest high-end models, this comprehensive guide is designed to help you balance essential features with cost-effectiveness. Our aim is to assist you in navigating through the options, bringing you one step closer to identifying the best commercial coffee machine for your business.
Before we dive into our carefully curated recommendations, it is important to cover some fundamental concepts about the operation and capabilities of commercial coffee machines. This foundational knowledge will provide you with a better understanding of the key factors involved in your investment, ensuring that you make a well-informed decision when it comes to purchasing your machine.
From understanding the different types of espresso machines and their specific functionalities to considering factors such as durability, ease of maintenance, and energy efficiency, we aim to equip you with all the necessary information. This guide is tailored to help you make a choice that not only meets your immediate needs but also supports the long-term success of your café.
So, let us embark on this journey together, starting with the essential basics, so you can confidently select a commercial coffee machine that will serve your business well for years to come.
Our commitment to helping you find the ideal espresso machine stems from our own love for coffee and our desire to see your business thrive. By sharing our knowledge and research, we hope to equip you with the tools and confidence to choose a machine that will not only meet your immediate needs but also support the long-term growth and success of your café or coffeehouse.
La Cimbali M200 — Premium High-Performance Espresso Machine for Cafés
Cost: $21,240 — $25,640. (2 group — 3 group)
The La Cimbali M200 GT 2 Group stands out as a high-performance espresso machine tailored to meet the demands of bustling cafés. Renowned for its advanced technology and ergonomic design, this machine ensures exceptional coffee quality and ease of use.
A key feature of the M200 GT is its PID temperature control system, which allows precise regulation of boiler temperatures, ensuring each espresso shot is brewed at the optimal temperature. This control is vital for maintaining consistency in coffee quality, particularly in high-demand environments.
The machine also boasts independent coffee boilers for each group, enhancing temperature stability and allowing baristas to fine-tune each brew. This ensures that every cup meets the highest standards of quality, which is especially beneficial in settings where multiple beverages are prepared simultaneously, improving both efficiency and consistency.
Ergonomics and user-friendly design are central to the M200 GT’s appeal. An adjustable worktop height and intuitive touch interface make the machine easy to operate. Additionally, features such as slanted manual steam wands and soft-touch materials enhance usability, ensuring baristas can work comfortably and efficiently during peak hours.
To cater to high-traffic environments, the M200 GT incorporates smart boiler technology, optimising boiler efficiency and ensuring a constant supply of steam and hot water even during the busiest periods. This reliability is crucial for maintaining performance and ensuring customer satisfaction under heavy use.
The M200 GT can also be customised to match the aesthetic of any café. Options for different lights and graphic designs on the rear and side panels make it not only a functional piece of equipment but also a stylish addition to the café environment. This level of customisation allows cafés to create a unique and appealing atmosphere for their customers.
Precision tools such as digital shot timers and dedicated scales further enhance the machine’s appeal. These features help maintain consistent espresso shots and provide insight into the relationship between dose and yield, which is essential for delivering high-quality coffee consistently.
La Marzocco Linea Classic — The Most Popular Commercial Espresso Machine
Cost: $12,950 — $18,000. (2 group — 4 group)
The La Marzocco Linea Classic is an iconic espresso machine celebrated for its reliability, durability, and consistent performance, making it a favourite among coffee professionals worldwide. This machine is ideal for coffee shops requiring a robust and efficient machine capable of handling high volumes while delivering exceptional coffee quality.
One of the primary reasons to choose the Linea Classic is its dual boiler system. This feature allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming, ensuring the machine can keep up with high demand without compromising on performance. Each boiler is dedicated to either brewing or steaming, maintaining optimal temperatures and improving overall efficiency. This system ensures that baristas can produce high-quality espresso and froth milk simultaneously, significantly speeding up workflow.
The Linea Classic is also equipped with PID temperature control. This advanced feature provides precise temperature regulation, ensuring consistent brew temperatures and enhancing the flavour profile of each shot of espresso. Consistent temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect extraction, and the PID controller in the Linea Classic excels in maintaining this stability, making it a reliable choice for any busy café.
Durability and build quality are standout aspects of the Linea Classic. Constructed with high-quality stainless steel, the machine is built to withstand the rigours of daily use in a commercial setting. Its robust construction ensures longevity, making it a sound investment for coffee shop owners. The reliability of the Linea Classic reduces downtime and maintenance costs, allowing café owners to focus on serving their customers.
The user-friendly design of the Linea Classic is another significant advantage. Its straightforward interface and ergonomic design make it easy for baristas to operate, even during peak hours. The machine’s intuitive layout ensures that baristas can quickly and efficiently prepare beverages, enhancing the overall customer experience. Additionally, the sleek and timeless design of the Linea Classic adds a touch of elegance to any café environment.
Versatility is another key feature of the Linea Classic. It is available in various configurations, including one, two, three, and four-group models, catering to different business sizes and needs. This flexibility allows café owners to choose a model that perfectly fits their operational requirements, ensuring optimal performance regardless of the café’s size.
La Marzocco KB90 — The Barista’s Workhorse
Cost: $28,000 (2 group)
The La Marzocco KB90 is a cutting-edge espresso machine designed to optimise efficiency and enhance workflow in busy coffee shops. Its standout feature is the straight-in portafilter design, which allows baristas to insert the portafilter directly into the group head with minimal effort, significantly reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries. This ergonomic enhancement not only boosts barista comfort but also accelerates service during peak hours.
Equipped with an automatic steam flush system, the KB90 cleans the group head with a burst of steam after each extraction. This innovation helps maintain cleanliness and ensures optimal brewing conditions, preserving the coffee’s purity and quality. It also reduces the time needed for manual cleaning, further streamlining operations.
The KB90 features dual PID temperature control, providing precise regulation of brewing water and steam temperatures. This consistency is crucial for achieving the perfect espresso extraction, enhancing the flavour profile of each shot. Independent boilers for each group maintain stable temperatures and enable simultaneous brewing and steaming, which is essential for high-volume environments.
The machine’s design prioritises ergonomics and user-friendliness. In addition to the straight-in portafilter, it has an intuitive interface and strategically placed controls, making it easy for baristas to operate even during busy periods. These features aim to reduce physical strain and improve workflow efficiency, creating a more pleasant working environment.
La Marzocco’s reputation for robust and reliable machines is upheld by the KB90, constructed from high-quality materials to endure the rigours of daily commercial use. Its durable build ensures longevity, making it a valuable investment for any coffee shop looking to enhance its service capabilities.
The KB90 also offers various customisation options to suit the aesthetic of any café. Different colour options and personalised design elements allow the machine to complement the café’s interior, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere for customers.
La Marzocco Linea PB — High Volume Espresso Machine
Cost: $19,750 — $26,750 (2 group — 4 group)
The La Marzocco Linea PB is an excellent choice for café owners and professional baristas who demand top-tier performance, consistency, and reliability. This espresso machine is equipped with advanced technology that ensures precision and efficiency. A standout feature is the dual PID temperature control system, which allows for precise regulation of brewing water and steam temperatures, ensuring each espresso shot is extracted at the optimal temperature and enhancing the coffee’s flavour profile and quality.
The Linea PB offers extensive customisation options. It can be fitted with integrated coffee scales in the drip tray, enabling automatic workflow precision and consistent dosing and extraction. The adjustable group temperature and steam pressure allow baristas to tailor the machine’s performance to specific coffee recipes and customer preferences.
The design of the Linea PB is both user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Its intuitive interface and robust construction make it easy to operate, even during busy periods. The clean, minimalist design is functional and visually appealing, providing a seamless experience for baristas of all skill levels.
An additional practical benefit is the machine’s Eco Mode setting, which allows it to save energy during quieter periods. This feature reduces operating costs and supports sustainability efforts, making it an eco-friendly choice for businesses mindful of their environmental impact.
Durability and reliability are hallmarks of the Linea PB. Built with high-quality materials, it is designed to withstand the rigours of daily use in a commercial setting. This robust build ensures longevity, making it a wise investment for any coffee shop. The machine’s reliability reduces downtime and maintenance costs, allowing café owners to focus on delivering exceptional coffee to their customers.
Eversys Cameo — Best All Round Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Cost: $27,720 (2 group)
The Eversys Cameo is a top-tier super-automatic espresso machine designed to deliver barista-quality coffee with the convenience and efficiency of automation. Here’s why it stands out and is an excellent choice for various settings:
The Eversys Cameo boasts advanced features that ensure consistency and quality in every cup. A key attribute is its ability to self-monitor and self-calibrate its grinding, dosing, and tamping processes. This automation means the machine can produce espresso shots that rival those made by skilled baristas, guaranteeing excellent coffee quality with minimal manual intervention.
For milk frothing, the Cameo offers both one-step and two-step programmes. The one-step system automatically froths and dispenses milk directly into the cup, while the two-step system allows for manual steaming, enabling baristas to create the perfect texture for latte art. This versatility ensures the machine can cater to a range of preferences, from fully automated milk frothing to more hands-on control for intricate designs.
In terms of productivity, the Eversys Cameo can produce up to 175 espresso drinks per hour, making it suitable for medium to high-volume environments such as busy coffee shops, restaurants, and office settings. Its efficiency does not compromise quality, ensuring consistent, flavourful beverages with each use.
The Eversys Cameo also excels in ease of use and maintenance. It features a user-friendly touchscreen interface that simplifies programming and operation, allowing baristas to work efficiently even during peak hours. Additionally, the machine includes an automated self-cleaning system that uses cleaning tablets, reducing the time and effort required for maintenance and ensuring hygiene standards are met.
Remote control and monitoring capabilities further enhance the Cameo’s appeal. Through its telemetry system, the machine can send performance data and diagnostics, allowing for remote setup, maintenance, and quality control. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses with multiple locations, as it ensures consistent performance and reduces downtime.
