Single Group vs Multi Group Espresso Machines: What’s Best for Your Café?

Selecting the right café espresso machine is one of the most crucial decisions for any coffee business. Whether you’re starting a quaint neighborhood café or expanding a busy urban coffee shop, your espresso machine determines both the quality of your brews and the efficiency of your workflow.

A common question café owners face is whether to go for a single group coffee machine or a multi-group (usually 2 group espresso machine) model. The answer depends on several factors — including your café size, daily footfall, drink menu, and staffing. Let’s break it down to help you choose the best espresso coffee machine for your setup.

What is a Group Head in an Espresso Machine?

Before diving into comparisons, it’s important to understand what a “group” means. A group head is the part of the espresso machine where the portafilter locks in. Each group allows a barista to pull one or two espresso shots at a time. So, more groups mean more shots simultaneously — a key feature for busy cafés.

The Single Group Espresso Machine: Ideal for Small Cafés or Specialty Setups

A 1 group espresso machine for café use is compact, efficient, and designed for low to moderate coffee volume. It’s a perfect match for:

• Small cafés or kiosks with limited space

• Specialty cafés focusing on handcrafted brews

• Outlets with low footfall or off-peak hours

• Café owners or baristas who want precision and control

Single group machines often come with powerful boilers and advanced pressure systems, making them capable of delivering barista-quality espresso — just in smaller quantities. If you’re looking for the best machine for espresso in a limited-service setting, this could be it.

The 2 Group Espresso Machine: Built for Busy Hours and Bigger Teams

A 2 group espresso machine allows baristas to prepare more drinks at once, streamlining service during peak hours. It’s ideal for:

• Medium to large cafés

• Shops with high footfall

• Menus that include espresso-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites

• Cafés with two or more baristas working behind the bar

When comparing a 1 group espresso machine for café versus a 2 group espresso machine, the latter clearly wins in speed and productivity. It reduces wait time for customers and increases the number of drinks served per hour — a crucial factor in revenue generation.

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing

1. Footfall & Volume

If your café serves fewer than 50 cups a day, a single group machine should suffice. But if you’re brewing 100+ cups daily, a 2 group espresso machine is more efficient.

2. Menu Complexity

Are you serving only espresso shots, or a variety of milk-based drinks? A multi-group café espresso machine can handle steam and brew simultaneously, speeding up the drink-making process.

3. Staffing

If you have only one barista, a single group coffee machine may be enough. For teams of two or more during rush hours, a 2 group espresso machine enables collaborative brewing.

4. Space Constraints

Single group machines take up less space and suit minimalist counters or compact coffee carts. Multi-group machines require more room and electrical capacity but offer higher output.

Which is the Best Espresso Coffee Machine for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best coffee machine for café operations depends on your unique needs. However:

• Choose a single group machine if your café is niche, focused on quality over quantity, and doesn’t see heavy footfall.

• Opt for a 2 group machine if you want speed, volume, and scalability.

Both types offer excellent brewing capabilities, especially if you choose a reliable, commercial-grade brand.

Coffee Machine for Café Price Considerations

When evaluating the coffee machine price for café setups, consider not just the machine but also installation, maintenance, and training costs. A single group coffee machine might have a lower upfront investment, but a 2 group espresso machine may offer better returns if you’re serving a higher volume.

Final Thoughts

Whether you go for a 1 group espresso machine for café needs or a 2 group espresso machine, the goal is the same — delivering consistent, high-quality coffee that keeps your customers coming back. Choosing the right machine sets the foundation for your café’s success.

Still unsure about what’s right for your business? At Kaapi Machines, we guide you through the decision process and help you pick the best espresso coffee machine tailored to your café’s goals.