Traditional Espresso Machines

Proper espresso still needs a pair of hands.

Our traditional espresso machines - also known as commercial espresso machines or barista coffee machines - give you you full control over the grind, dose, extraction and milk.

From compact 1-group machines to hard-working 2-group and 3-group setups for cafés, coffee shops, restaurants and hotels, we’ll help you choose equipment that suits your space, volume and budget.

Buy outright, spread the cost through leasing or ask about selected refurbished rental machines.

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Traditional commercial espresso machines for professional baristas and hospitality businesses.
1, 2 & 3 Group Machines

1, 2 & 3 Group Machines

Options for compact setups, busy cafés, coffee shops and restaurants

Buy, Lease or Rent

Flexible purchasing, finance and selected refurbished rental options

Free Delivery & Installation

Fast and free UK delivery, professional installation and training available

Honest Expert Advice

Recommendations based on your needs - not simply the biggest price tag

Barista Espresso Machines

Traditional commercial barista espresso machines for cafés, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and experienced home baristas. Explore 1-group, 2-group and 3-group machines from trusted brands, available to buy or lease, with selected refurbished models also available to rent.

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Choosing a commercial espresso machine for a café, coffee shop, restaurant or hospitality venue.

Choosing the Right Commercial Barista Espresso Machine

A traditional espresso machine gives the barista control over every drink.

That control can produce exceptional coffee, but choosing the right machine involves more than picking a brand or deciding which one looks best on the counter.

Daily drink volume, available space, staff experience, electrical supply, water connection and the number of people using the machine all matter.

Whether you’re opening a café, coffee shop, restaurant or hospitality venue, we’ll help you work through those details before recommending anything.

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Don't Forget the Coffee...

A great coffee starts with great coffee beans

Our Italian Aroma coffee beans are freshly roasted in the UK in an Italian style, with blends ranging from smooth 100% Arabica through to fuller, stronger espresso coffees.

They work beautifully in all grinders and barista espresso machine setups, and the range offers a variety of roasts and styles. .

Individual 1kg bags and larger cases are available, with free UK mainland delivery on orders over £85.

👉 SHOP ITALIAN AROMA COFFEE BEANS

What Is a Traditional Espresso Machine?

Traditional espresso machines require the user to grind and dose the coffee, lock the portafilter into the group head and control the extraction.

The steam wands are then used to texture milk manually for cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites.

They require more skill than automatic bean-to-cup machines, but provide greater control and the familiar theatre of professional espresso service found in cafés and coffee shops.

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Traditional espresso machine with portafilter and steam wand used to prepare professional espresso and milk-based drinks.

Commercial Espresso Machine Brands We Supply

Collection of compact one group traditional commercial espresso machines - buy or lease

1-Group Espresso Machines

Best suited to:

  • Smaller cafés
  • Smaller coffee shops
  • Restaurants with moderate coffee demand
  • Mobile coffee businesses
  • Compact hospitality spaces
  • Experienced home baristas

They take up less space but can become restrictive during busy periods.

Collection of compact twp group traditional commercial espresso machines - buy or lease

2-Group Espresso Machines

The most common choice for commercial coffee service.

They allow two espresso extractions to be managed simultaneously and give baristas more room to work during busy periods.

Best suited to:

  • Cafés
  • Coffee shops
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Bars & bistros
  • Medium-to-high-volume sites
Collection of compact three group traditional commercial espresso machines - buy or lease

3-Group Espresso Machines

Designed for demanding, high-volume environments where several baristas may be working at the same time.

Best suited to:

  • Busy cafés
  • High-volume coffee shops
  • High-footfall hospitality venues
  • Sites serving large numbers of drinks during short peak periods

More groups are not automatically better. The right choice depends on your actual demand, available space and workflow.

 

Traditional Espresso or Bean-to-Cup?

commercial traditional barista espresso machines - buy or lease, free delivery

Choose a TRADITIONAL ESPRESSO MACHINE when you want:

Full control over drink preparation | Manual milk texturing | A visible coffee-making experience | Greater creative freedom

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automatic commercial bean-to-cup machines, buy or lease, free delivery Choose an AUTO BEAN-TO-CUP coffee machine when you want:

Choose an AUTO BEAN-TO-CUP coffee machine when you want:

Drinks at the touch of a button | Minimal staff training | Fast, consistent self-service | Simpler day-to-day operation

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Advice choosing a traditional espresso machine for a café, coffee shop, restaurant or hospitality venue.

Need Help Choosing an Espresso Machine?

There is no single best commercial espresso machine, but there is the best one for you.

The right choice depends on your drinks volume, barista team, available space and budget.

Tell us whether you’re opening a café, coffee shop, restaurant or another hospitality venue, and we’ll help you compare the sensible options - without trying to steer you towards the most expensive one.

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A commercial espresso machine needs a professional coffee grinders - for cafés, coffee shops and restaurants

Don’t Forget the Grinder

A traditional espresso machine is only as consistent as the grinder beside it. The perfect espresso needs good beans, perfectly ground.

The grinder controls the coffee dose and particle size, both of which directly affect extraction time and flavour.

Browse our commercial coffee grinders.

Your complete setup may also require:

Who We Are | StafCo Coffee Ltd.

We're not here to "elevate your coffee journey."

We're here to help you find the right coffee machine, great coffee beans and everything else you need to make consistently great coffee. Simple as that.

Whether you're buying for a busy workplace, a growing café or your own kitchen at home, we'll give you honest advice and recommend equipment that genuinely suits your needs—not simply the most expensive option.

Alongside our range of commercial coffee machines and home coffee machines, we also supply premium coffee beans, coffee grinders, genuine water filters, Urnex cleaning products, coffee syrups and the accessories that keep great coffee flowing. With options to buy or lease, plus selected rental options, you'll also enjoy free UK delivery on orders over £85 and impartial expert advice.

We're here to make buying coffee equipment straightforward.

You only really need to know four things about us:

✅ We love coffee and we know coffee.

✅ We'll always give honest, impartial advice based on what you actually need.

✅ We believe buying coffee equipment should be straightforward, not confusing.

✅ We're good at what we do—and we genuinely enjoy helping people find the right coffee solution.


Let's chat coffee - CONTACT US

Complete Your Setup with a Commercial Coffee Grinder

A dependable grinder is essential for consistent espresso. Explore professional grinders suited to cafés, coffee shops, restaurants and hospitality environments.

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Traditional Espresso Machine FAQs

Straightforward answers about choosing, buying, leasing and using a commercial espresso machine.

What is a traditional espresso machine?

A traditional espresso machine requires a barista to grind and dose the coffee, control the extraction and texture milk manually. It provides greater control than a fully automatic coffee machine.

Is a traditional espresso machine the same as a commercial espresso machine?

Traditional espresso machines are one of the main types of commercial espresso machine. The terms are often used interchangeably when referring to professional barista-operated equipment.

Which espresso machine is best for a café or coffee shop?

That depends on your daily drink volume, peak demand, available space and number of baristas. A 2-group machine suits many cafés and coffee shops, while busier sites may require a 3-group model.

Should I choose a 1-group, 2-group or 3-group machine?

A 1-group machine suits lower-volume or compact sites. A 2-group machine is the standard choice for many cafés, coffee shops and restaurants. A 3-group machine is designed for high-volume service and multiple baristas.

Do I need a separate coffee grinder?

Yes. Traditional espresso machines normally require a suitable commercial grinder. Grinder quality and consistency have a major effect on espresso extraction and flavour.

Do you supply coffee, cleaning products and accessories?

Yes. In fact, we sell everything that a coffee lover needs or wants! Freshly roasted coffee beans, milk fridges, grinders, water filters, cleaning products, servicing and accessories to create a complete coffee solution.

Do traditional espresso machines need plumbing?

Most commercial models require a mains water connection and suitable drainage. Some compact machines may operate differently, so check the individual product specifications.

Can I lease a commercial espresso machine?

Yes. All of our new commercial espresso machines can be leased, allowing cafés, coffee shops and other businesses to spread the cost over fixed monthly payments.

ℹ️Find out more about leasing and how it
can benefit your business

CONTACT US for a tailored quote.

Can I rent a traditional espresso machine?

Selected refurbished or ex-display traditional espresso machines may be available on flexible rental packages.

Availability changes depending on current stock.

Do you provide installation and barista training?

Yes. On top of the free delivery, we can install and set up your new espresso machine, as well as giving any training that might be needed.