Choosing the best coffee machine for your small business depends on your service style, volume, and budget. In this guide, we compare the top office and café machines — and explain why Biepi commercial espresso machines are our first recommendation for small UK cafés and growing sites.
Biepi Espresso Machines — Built for Serious Small Businesses
If you’re running a small café, deli, bar, or coffee-focused venue, an electric supermarket bean-to-cup machine won’t cut it. You need a machine that can handle back-to-back drinks, steam milk quickly, and look the part on the counter. That’s where Biepi comes in.
Biepi’s Italian-engineered range — including the MCE 2 Group Compact and MCE 2 Group Traditional — is designed for operators who want café-quality espresso with rock-solid reliability, but don’t have space (or budget) for huge multi-boiler setups.
Quick Comparison: Best Coffee Machines for Small Business (2025)
From full commercial espresso machines to compact bean-to-cup systems for small offices.
| Machine | Type | Typical Price (New) | Refurbished / Leasing | Ideal For | Approx. Drinks/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biepi MCE 2 Group Compact | Traditional espresso | Enquire for pricing | Finance & UK servicing via Espresso Repair | Small cafés, delis, specialty coffee, bars | 100+ with barista workflow |
| Coffetek Vitro S3 Bean-to-Cup | Bean-to-cup automatic | £3,650 (new) | Refurb from ~£950 + VAT; leasing from ~£30.94/week | Offices (10–20 staff), receptions | Up to ~80/day |
| Sage Oracle Jet | Auto espresso with manual milk | ~£1,299 (prev. John Lewis) | Limited refurb options | Small cafés, delis, prosumer offices | 50–100/day |
| De’Longhi La Specialista Touch | Semi-auto with grinder | £699.99 RRP | ~£599.99 discounted | Offices, meeting rooms, front desks | 40–80/day |
| Gaggia Classic Evo | Manual espresso | Entry-level semi-pro | Some refurb options | Start-up cafés, break rooms | 30–50/day |
| Coffetek Vitro S1 Evo | Bean-to-cup / instant | Varies by spec | Leasing available | Small offices, hospitality coffee points | Up to ~60/day |
| Bravilor Sego | Commercial bean-to-cup | Premium price | Some leasing packages | Hotels, larger offices, self-serve | 80–120/day |
Best Coffee Machines for Small Business: Model Overviews
Here’s how each of the leading small business machines fits different environments and budgets.
Biepi MCE 2 Group Compact & MCE 2 Group Traditional
Biepi’s MCE range is built for hospitality and coffee-led businesses that want commercial performance in a compact footprint. With two groups, powerful steam, and Italian engineering, it’s ideal for cafés, delis, bakeries, and bars taking coffee seriously.
- High-performance commercial group heads for consistent espresso.
- Powerful steam wands for silky milk in seconds.
- Compact chassis designed for tight counters and kiosks.
- Perfect fit with Biepi on-demand grinders like the RD-83 or RD-58 Pro.
Coffetek Vitro S3 Bean-to-Cup
The Coffetek Vitro S3 is a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine designed for offices that want fresh coffee without barista training. Staff press one button; the machine grinds, brews and dispenses drinks with minimal mess.
- Up to ~80 drinks per day — ideal for 10–20 staff.
- One-touch espresso, cappuccino, latte and more.
- Automated cleaning routines reduce maintenance time.
- Leasing from ~£30.94/week or £4.42/day reduces upfront cost.
Sage Oracle Jet & De’Longhi La Specialista Touch
These machines sit in the sweet spot between home gear and full commercial kit, making them ideal for small cafés, delis, and higher-end offices.
Sage Oracle Jet:
- Automated grind, dose, and tamp for consistent shots.
- Simultaneous espresso and milk steaming via dual boilers.
- Excellent choice for small venues focused on espresso-based drinks.
De’Longhi La Specialista Touch:
- Built-in grinder with compact footprint.
- Touchscreen control and preset recipes for ease of use.
- Widely available and regularly discounted by UK retailers.
Gaggia Classic Evo, Coffetek Vitro S1 Evo & Bravilor Sego
Gaggia Classic Evo — the entry-level semi-pro classic:
- Solid build with commercial-style group and portafilter.
- Ideal for small break rooms or start-ups on a tight budget.
- Best when paired with a decent standalone grinder.
Coffetek Vitro S1 Evo — compact bean-to-cup for smaller offices:
- Fresh bean or instant models with simple menus.
- Small footprint for tight office kitchens.
- Low-mess operation with quick cleaning cycles.
Bravilor Sego — for higher-volume self-service:
- Fully automatic bean-to-cup for up to ~120 drinks/day.
- Self-rinsing and auto-cleaning features reduce staff time.
- Ideal for hotel lobbies, large offices, and self-serve areas.
Which Coffee Machine Is Best for Your Type of Business?
Match the machine to your drinks volume, staff skill level, and customer expectations.
| Business Type | Recommended Machines | Why They Work |
|---|---|---|
| Small café, deli, or coffee-led bar | Biepi MCE 2 Group Compact / Traditional, Sage Oracle Jet, De’Longhi La Specialista Touch | Barista-style espresso, fast steam, and reliability for peak times. |
| Busy office (10–20 staff) | Coffetek Vitro S3, Coffetek Vitro S1 Evo | One-touch drinks, low maintenance, minimal mess, reliable throughput. |
| Smaller office or studio | De’Longhi La Specialista Touch, Gaggia Classic Evo | Good espresso with lower upfront cost; suits 20–40 drinks/day. |
| Mobile coffee cart / pop-up | Biepi MCE Compact, Gaggia Classic Evo | Compact hardware with manual control; can work with generators and water tanks. |
| Hotel lobby / large office | Bravilor Sego, Coffetek Vitro S3 | Self-service menus and automatic cleaning for high daily volume. |
Key Buying Considerations for Small Business Coffee Machines
Use this checklist before you commit to a machine.
Capacity, Speed & Variety
- Daily output: Aim for a machine rated for slightly more cups than you expect (e.g. 50–200 drinks/day for most small businesses).
- Brew speed: Look for drinks in under a minute to avoid queues.
- Drink menu: Espresso, cappuccino, latte, teas, hot chocolate — especially for offices with mixed tastes.
Customisation & Milk
- Adjustable strength, shot volume, and temperature for regular customers.
- Built-in steam wand or automatic milk frother for lattes and flat whites.
- Support for plant-based milks where needed.
Cleaning, Maintenance & Water
- Auto-clean cycles: Save staff time and improve hygiene.
- Removable parts: Drip trays and brew groups that are easy to rinse or dishwasher-safe.
- Maintenance prompts: Machines that remind you about cleaning and filter changes.
Space, Power & Safety
- Check dimensions and clearance for hoppers and steam wands.
- Ensure electrical supply matches the machine (13A plug vs hard-wired).
- Look for auto shut-off, low-power standby, and programmable sleep modes.
Biepi — The Best Coffee Machine Choice for Growing Small Businesses
Bean-to-cup machines are excellent for offices and self-service zones. But if coffee is a core part of your brand, a commercial espresso machine will always give you more control, better milk texture, and a longer service life.
Biepi espresso machines deliver that balance: compact, reliable, and powerful enough for serious small businesses, with Italian engineering and UK-wide servicing from Espresso Repair.
FAQ: Coffee Machines for Small Businesses
What is the best coffee machine for a small office in 2025?
For a small office of around 10–20 staff, a bean-to-cup machine is usually the best fit. Models like the Coffetek Vitro S3 or Vitro S1 Evo can serve up to ~80 drinks per day, with one-touch recipes and automated cleaning cycles that keep maintenance low and coffee quality high.
What is the best coffee machine for a small café or deli?
For customer-facing coffee service, a commercial espresso machine is still the gold standard. We recommend the Biepi MCE 2 Group Compact or MCE 2 Group Traditional for small cafés and delis, as they balance footprint, steam power, and build quality. For hybrid setups or where barista skills are limited, the Sage Oracle Jet or De’Longhi La Specialista Touch are strong alternatives.
Are refurbished or leasing options worth it for small businesses?
Yes. Refurbished units (especially on models like the Coffetek Vitro S3) can slash upfront costs while still including a warranty. Leasing packages — such as around £30.94/week for certain Coffetek models — smooth the cost over time and preserve cashflow, which is crucial for new or growing businesses.
What features are essential in a small business coffee machine?
Look for fast brew times (under a minute), easy cleaning (auto-rinse and clear prompts), enough capacity for your busiest hour, and a drink menu that suits your customers or staff — from espresso and cappuccino to tea and hot chocolate. A compact footprint and energy-saving modes are also key in busy office kitchens or small café counters.
Why choose Biepi over a cheaper bean-to-cup machine?
If you mainly serve staff or self-service coffee, bean-to-cup systems are ideal. But if coffee is a core part of your revenue and brand, a Biepi espresso machine gives you better milk texture, higher shot quality, and a serviceable, long-lived platform. Combined with UK-wide support from Espresso Repair, it’s a better long-term asset for serious small businesses.
Not Sure Which Machine Fits Your Small Business?
We can help you choose between Biepi, bean-to-cup, or hybrid options based on your menu, space, and budget.