Small Commercial Coffee Machines Compared: Fracino Piccino vs Cherub vs Classico vs Little Gem
Last updated: October 2026
In 30 seconds:
- The four smallest Fracino machines are the Piccino, Cherub, Classico and Little Gem. All have one group, a 3L water tank and a 13A plug.
- Prices run from £1,150 (Piccino) to £1,780 (Little Gem LG1E automatic). None of them needs a plumber.
- The Piccino is the narrowest at 250mm. The Little Gem has the biggest boiler at 4L and is listed for about 70 coffees a day.
- The Cherub and Classico share the same size, weight and 2.85kW rating. The Classico adds a lever and a traditional look.
- The common mistake is buying on width alone. Check the height, the cup clearance and how many drinks you sell before you order.
Four small Fracinos, one plug socket each, and £630 between the cheapest and the dearest. On paper they look alike. Behind a counter they behave quite differently.
A tank-fed one-group Fracino is the standard choice for UK kiosks, offices, salons, delis and quiet cafés that want real espresso without plumbing. This comparison sets the four side by side, so you can match the machine to your counter and your daily trade.
Small commercial coffee machines compared at a glance
| Model | Size (H x W x D) | Weight | Boiler | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piccino | 370 x 250 x 315mm | 15kg | Two 300ml boilers | Two 1.1kW elements, 13A | From £1,150 |
| Cherub CHE1 | 380 x 360 x 460mm | 18kg | See note | 2.85kW, 13A | From £1,240 |
| Classico CLAS1 | 380 x 360 x 460mm | 18kg | See note | 2.85kW, 13A | From £1,380 |
| Little Gem LG1 / LG1E | 535 x 380 x 500mm | 28kg | 4L | 2.7kW, 13A | From £1,740 |
Every machine here has a 3L water tank that you fill by hand. Note on the Cherub and Classico boiler: the Fracino manual and the product listing give different sizes, so we have left that figure out rather than guess.
How we compared them
We used the Fracino user manuals and our own product listings for every figure on this page. Where two sources disagreed, we left the number out.
We judged each machine on four things a small business actually feels: counter space, daily volume, ease of use for new staff, and price.
Fracino Piccino: for the tightest counter
Quick specs
- Size: 370mm high, 250mm wide, 315mm deep
- Weight: 15kg
- Boilers: 300ml brew boiler plus a separate 300ml steam boiler
- Power: two 1.1kW elements on a 13A plug
- Pump: 15 bar vibratory pump
- Group clearance: 85mm
- Versions: semi-automatic, electronic or PID
- Price: from £1,150
Best for
A kiosk hatch, a bar back, an office point or a second station beside a bigger machine. It is 110mm narrower than the Cherub, the next smallest here.
The honest trade-off
Those boilers are small by design. Our listing gives two different daily cup figures for the Piccino, so we have not quoted one. Treat it as a low-volume machine. The PID version holds a set brew temperature, which helps keep shots consistent. Read the full Fracino Piccino review for more detail.
Fracino Cherub CHE1: the entry machine
Quick specs
- Size: 380mm high, 360mm wide, 460mm deep
- Weight: 18kg
- Power: 2.85kW on a 13A socket
- Water: 3L tank, filled by hand
- Daily volume: about 50 coffees a day, per the listing
- Price: from £1,240. See the Fracino Cherub CHE1
Best for
A small café, deli, salon or start-up that wants a full-size brass group for the lowest price here. It can make two espressos and steam milk at the same time.
The honest trade-off
It is built for low volume. If you expect a steady queue, look at the Little Gem or a plumbed-in machine instead. Our Fracino Cherub review covers daily use in more depth.
Fracino Classico CLAS1: the traditional look
Quick specs
- Size: 380mm high, 360mm wide, 460mm deep
- Weight: 18kg
- Power: 2.85kW on a 13A plug
- Water: 3L tank, filled by hand
- Group clearance: 85mm
- Control: a lever on the group starts and stops the coffee
- Price: from £1,380
Best for
A pub, salon, office or boutique that wants a classic espresso-bar look on the counter. The listing gives it 50 to 70 coffees a day. A pod and capsule adaptor is available on request.
The honest trade-off
The Classico matches the Cherub on size, weight and power rating. You pay £140 more mainly for the lever and the styling. See our Fracino Classico review if the look matters to you.
Fracino Little Gem: the busiest of the four
Quick specs
- Size: 535mm high, 380mm wide, 500mm deep
- Weight: 28kg
- Boiler: 4L copper boiler
- Power: 2.7kW on a 13A socket
- Water: 3L tank, filled by hand
- Daily volume: about 70 coffees a day, per the listing
- Versions: semi-automatic LG1 from £1,740, or automatic LG1E from £1,780
- See the Fracino Little Gem LG1E
Best for
A small venue that is getting busier but still has no water feed at the counter. The LG1E automatic has 4 pre-programmed coffee measures, so new staff pour the same shot every time.
The honest trade-off
It is the tallest and heaviest here. At 535mm high, measure the gap under any wall cupboard first. The LG1E listing gives 110mm group clearance, which is more room for a cup than the Piccino or Classico. Our Fracino Little Gem review goes further.
Which small coffee machine should you buy?
- Counter under 360mm wide? The Piccino is the only one that fits.
- Lowest price with a full-size group? The Cherub, from £1,240.
- Want the look of a traditional espresso bar? The Classico.
- Selling closer to 70 coffees a day, or training new staff? The Little Gem, ideally the LG1E automatic.
- A queue most of the day? None of these. You need a plumbed-in machine with more groups.
Not sure how many groups your trade needs? Our guide to what size coffee machine your coffee shop needs works it out from your sales.
What you need to run one
- A 13A socket: all four plug into a standard socket. The Cherub, Classico and Little Gem run on 230V.
- Water filters: for the Cherub, Classico and Little Gem, Fracino recommends a new tank filter every 2 months, sooner with heavy use.
- A grinder: none of these grinds beans, so budget for one.
- A warm room: the manual says to keep the machine above 5°C so water inside cannot freeze. That matters in an unheated kiosk over winter.
- An annual boiler test: the Cherub, Classico and Little Gem manual says the owner should have a boiler test inspection every year. It cites HSE requirements under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations.
Noise is rarely a problem. The same manual says the machines do not exceed 70dB, which suits an office or salon.
The biggest mistake: buying on width and price alone
A small machine has to fit three ways, not one. Width is only the first.
Height catches people out. The Little Gem stands 535mm tall, far taller than the others. Cup clearance is next. The Piccino and Classico give 85mm under the group, so check your tallest takeaway cup before you order.
Volume is the third. A tank machine that is too small means refilling and waiting through every rush. If you are near the top of these daily figures now, buy the Little Gem or step up to a plumbed-in machine.
Want the full range in one place? Our commercial coffee machines buying guide covers every Fracino we sell. Orders over £1,000 can be spread with lease finance.
Small commercial coffee machines: your questions answered
What is the smallest commercial coffee machine Fracino makes?
The Piccino is the smallest. It is 250mm wide, 315mm deep and weighs 15kg, from £1,150. It still has two separate boilers, so you can brew and steam milk at the same time.
Can a small commercial coffee machine run on a 13 amp plug?
Yes. The Piccino, Cherub, Classico and Little Gem all run from a standard 13A socket. The Cherub and Classico are rated 2.85kW and the Little Gem 2.7kW, so no special wiring is needed.
Do small commercial coffee machines need plumbing?
No. All four have a 3L water tank that you fill with a jug or at a sink. You only need plumbing if you step up to a machine such as the Bambino or Contempo.
What is the difference between the Fracino Cherub and the Classico?
They share the same size, 18kg weight and 2.85kW rating. The Classico adds a lever to start and stop the coffee and a traditional look. It costs £140 more, from £1,380 against £1,240 for the Cherub.
Is the Little Gem worth the extra over the Cherub?
Yes, if you are busier. The Little Gem has a 4L boiler and is listed for about 70 coffees a day, against about 50 coffees a day for the Cherub. It also comes as the LG1E automatic with pre-set shots. It costs £500 more and is much taller.
How many coffees a day can a small commercial coffee machine make?
Our listings give about 50 coffees a day for the Cherub, 50 to 70 for the Classico and about 70 for the Little Gem. The Piccino listing gives two different figures, so we do not quote one for it.
Will a takeaway cup fit under a small coffee machine?
It depends on the machine and the cup. The Piccino and Classico give 85mm under the group, and the Little Gem LG1E gives 110mm. Measure your tallest cup before you order.
Can I spread the cost of a small commercial coffee machine?
Yes. Lease finance lets you buy the machine and pay over time on orders over £1,000. All four machines in this comparison start above £1,000.