Electric Coffee Machines for Coffee Shops: Specs & Buyer’s Guide (UK)

Last updated: September 2026

In 30 seconds:

• Pick the machine by how busy your shop gets: 1 group for a quiet counter, 2 group for most shops, 3–4 group for a high-street rush.
• Two install questions decide everything: power (does it run off a normal 13A plug, or need an electrician for a 20A/30A supply?) and water (fill-up tank, or plumbed in).
• Three ways to pull a shot: semi-automatic (barista control), automatic (one-touch, consistent across staff), bean-to-cup (push and walk away).
• Every machine here is made in Britain by Fracino. Prices start from £1,150.

Replacing a tired machine? Match the new one to the socket and water you already have, and the swap is painless. Fitting out a new shop? Decide those two things before you fall in love with a model.

The honest summary

The biggest mistake — replacing or starting out — is buying a 2 or 3-group machine that needs a 20A or 30A supply you haven’t got. Then an electrician’s bill lands that you never budgeted for. Check what your counter can give the machine before you buy. The specs below tell you exactly what each one needs.

How to choose in four quick steps

1. Size it by your busiest hour

A “group” is one brew head — more groups means more shots at once, not better coffee. Roughly: a 1-group does 120–200 cups an hour, a 2-group 240–400, a 3-group 360–600. Size to your peak, not your average. If you’re growing, buy one group up.

2. Check the power before anything else

A normal UK 13A socket gives about 3kW. Single-group machines and several clever 2-group models run off that. Bigger 2-group machines need a 20A supply; 3-group needs 30A. Those mean an electrician and a dedicated spur, so price that in.

3. Tank or plumbed-in?

Tank-fed machines (Cherub, Classico, Little Gem, Piccino) have a fill-up water tank — no plumbing, so you can put them anywhere. The rest (Bambino, Velocino, Contempo, Romano) need a mains feed: a 15mm cold supply and a waste pipe under the counter.

4. Semi-auto, automatic or bean-to-cup?

Semi-automatic gives a trained barista full control. Automatic sets the shot for you, so every cup is the same whoever’s on. Bean-to-cup (the Cybercino) makes the whole drink at one touch — best where you don’t always have a barista.

Compare the range at a glance

Every spec below comes from the Fracino spec sheets; the “from” price is the current MobCater price. Tank-fed machines plug into a normal 13A socket and need no plumbing; 2-group machines are plumbed in, and the full-power builds need a 20A supply.

1-group machines — small shops, kiosks and second machines

Piccino 1 Group — the cheapest way into Fracino quality

• Setup: 1 group, semi-automatic, compact
• Power: 2.2kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 300ml group + 300ml steam, 3-litre water tank
• Water: Fill-up tank — no plumbing
• Size: 370 × 250 × 315mm · 15kg — sits on any counter
• Price: from £1,150
• View product & price → (Full review →)

What’s in it for you: The lowest-cost, smallest Fracino. Plug it in, fill the tank, trade. Ideal for a kiosk, a small counter, or a back-up machine.

Fracino Cherub CHE1 — the classic small-shop workhorse

• Setup: 1 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 2.85kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 2.3 litres · 3-litre fill-up tank
• Water: Fill-up tank — no plumbing
• Size: 380 × 360 × 460mm · 18kg — sits on any counter
• Price: from £1,240
• View product & price → (Full review →)

What’s in it for you: A proven, no-fuss single group. Goes anywhere there’s a socket, and it’s the one most small shops cut their teeth on.

Classico — traditional looks, single group

• Setup: 1 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 2.85kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 2.3 litres · 3-litre fill-up tank
• Water: Fill-up tank — no plumbing
• Size: 380 × 360 × 460mm · 18kg — sits on any counter
• Price: from £1,380
• View product & price → (Full review →)

What’s in it for you: The traditional espresso-bar look on a tank-fed single group. A handsome centrepiece for a small artisan shop.

Little Gem Semi-Automatic — a bigger tank, still plug-in

• Setup: 1 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 2.7kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 4 litres · 3-litre fill-up tank
• Water: Fill-up tank — no plumbing
• Size: 535 × 380 × 500mm · 28kg
• Price: from £1,740
• View product & price → (Full review →)

What’s in it for you: A larger 4-litre boiler than the Cherub, so it holds steam better through a busy spell — still off a normal plug.

Little Gem LG1E Automatic — one-touch version

• Setup: 1 group, automatic (programmable doses)
• Power: 2.7kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 4 litres · 3-litre fill-up tank
• Water: Fill-up tank — no plumbing
• Size: 535 × 380 × 500mm · 28kg
• Price: from £1,780
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: The Little Gem with set-and-forget shot buttons — every cup the same, even when a new starter is on the machine.

Velocino VC1 — café performance in a small footprint

• Setup: 1 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 2.7kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 4 litres · 20 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 535 × 380 × 500mm · 35kg
• Output: around 80 cups (12oz) an hour
• Price: from £2,330
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: A full-size single group with proper plumbed-in water and strong steam, in a compact body. A step up from the tank machines for a busier small shop.

Bambino 1 Group Automatic (BAM1E) — plumb-in, one-touch

• Setup: 1 group, automatic
• Power: 2.7kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 4 litres · 20 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 535 × 380 × 500mm · 35kg
• Output: 120 cups an hour (200 on auto)
• Price: from £1,870
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: A plumbed-in single group, so no tank to refill through the day. Good for a shop with water at the counter but space for only one group.

Contempo 1 Group (CON1) — compact plumb-in semi-auto

• Setup: 1 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 2.7kW · 13A (or order the 4kW/20A build)
• Boiler: 7 litres · 30 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 575 × 380 × 500mm · 35kg
• Output: 120 cups an hour (200 on auto)
• Price: from £1,940
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: The compact Contempo body with a proper 7-litre boiler — a single group that won’t run out of steam on a morning rush.

Automatic 1 Group (CON1E) — Contempo, one-touch

• Setup: 1 group, automatic
• Power: 2.7kW · 13A (or the 4kW/20A build)
• Boiler: 7 litres · 30 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 575 × 380 × 500mm · 35kg
• Output: 200 cups an hour
• Price: from £2,050
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: The CON1 with programmable doses. Consistent shots from a compact, plumbed-in single group.

Retro 1 Group Electric (FCL1) — the lever look

• Setup: 1 group, lever-pull
• Power: 2.7kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 7 litres
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 830 × 375 × 500mm · 35kg — tall, allow shelf clearance
• Output: around 100 cups an hour
• Price: from £2,000
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: The spring-lever pull and tall chrome looks that pull a crowd. Espresso is excellent, but it takes a skilled hand.

2-group machines — the choice for most coffee shops

Bambino 2 Group Semi-Auto (BAM2) — a 2-group on a normal plug

• Setup: 2 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 2.85kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 10 litres · up to 50 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 535 × 580 × 500mm · 55kg
• Output: 240 cups an hour
• Price: from £2,280
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: Rare and useful — a two-group with a 10-litre boiler that still runs off a standard 13A socket. The easiest 2-group to drop into an existing shop with no rewiring.

Velocino VC2 — compact 2-group

• Setup: 2 group, semi-automatic, compact
• Power: 4.0kW · 20A supply
• Boiler: 10 litres · up to 60 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 535 × 810 × 550mm · 55kg
• Output: around 120 cups (12oz) an hour
• Price: from £3,930
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: Two-group capacity in a lower-height body. For a shop that wants two groups but likes the Velocino’s compact look.

Contempo 2 Group (CON2) — the all-round shop workhorse

• Setup: 2 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 4.0kW · 20A supply (or order the 2.85kW/13A build)
• Boiler: 14 litres · up to 80 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 575 × 580 × 500mm · 55kg
• Output: 240 cups an hour
• Price: from £2,490
• View product & price → (Full review →)

What’s in it for you: The machine most shops settle on — a big 14-litre boiler and steady steam for a real queue. If your counter only has a 13A spur, order the 13A version when you buy. View the Contempo 2 Group →

Bambino 2 Group Automatic (BAM2E) — one-touch, luxury finish

• Setup: 2 group, automatic
• Power: 2.85kW · 13A — plugs into a normal socket
• Boiler: 10 litres · up to 50 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 535 × 580 × 500mm · 55kg
• Output: 400 cups an hour
• Price: from £2,380
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: One-touch consistency and a luxury ivory finish, and it still runs off a 13A plug. A smart front-of-house machine any staff member can use.

Contempo 2 Group Automatic (CON2E) — the workhorse, one-touch

• Setup: 2 group, automatic
• Power: 4.0kW · 20A supply (or the 2.85kW/13A build)
• Boiler: 14 litres · up to 80 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 575 × 580 × 500mm · 55kg
• Output: 400 cups an hour
• Price: from £2,900
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: The 14-litre Contempo with programmed doses — capacity and consistency together. The safe pick for a steady, growing shop.

Retro 2 Group Electric (FCL2) — lever theatre, full size

• Setup: 2 group, lever-pull
• Power: 4.0kW · 20A supply
• Boiler: 14 litres
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 830 × 580 × 500mm · 55kg — tall, allow shelf clearance
• Output: around 200 cups an hour
• Price: from £2,900
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: The lever pull as a talking point, with two-group capacity behind it. For a shop selling the show as well as the coffee.

Romano Electronic 2 Group (FR2E-R) — premium automatic

• Setup: 2 group, automatic
• Power: 4.0kW · 20A supply (or 2.85kW/13A build)
• Boiler: 14 litres · up to 80 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 565 × 800 × 550mm · 70kg
• Output: 400 cups an hour
• Price: from £4,570
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: Fracino’s premium two-group — a heavier, more refined build for a specialty shop that lives on its coffee.

Romano PID 2 Group (PID2) — temperature control to the degree

• Setup: 2 group, automatic with PID temperature control
• Power: 4.0kW · 20A supply (or 2.85kW/13A build)
• Boiler: 14 litres · up to 80 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 565 × 800 × 550mm · 70kg
• Output: 400 cups an hour
• Price: from £4,870
• View product & price → (Full review →)

What’s in it for you: The Romano with PID — it holds each group’s brew water to within a degree, shown on a display. For specialty coffee where shot consistency is everything.

3-group machines — high-street and high-volume shops

Contempo 3 Group (CON3) — high volume, semi-auto

• Setup: 3 group, semi-automatic
• Power: 7.5kW · 30A supply (9kW/45A or 3-phase option)
• Boiler: 20 litres · up to 100 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 575 × 785 × 500mm · 84kg
• Output: 360 cups an hour
• Price: from £3,070
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: Three baristas, three groups, a 20-litre boiler that never flags. For a genuinely busy shop — budget for the 30A supply.

Contempo 3 Group Automatic (CONT3E) — one-touch at volume

• Setup: 3 group, automatic
• Power: 7.5kW · 30A supply (9kW/45A or 3-phase option)
• Boiler: 20 litres · up to 100 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 575 × 785 × 500mm · 84kg
• Output: 600 cups an hour
• Price: from £3,530
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: High volume with set doses — consistent cups through the lunch rush, whoever’s on the bar.

Retro 3 Group Electric (FCL3) — lever, full house

• Setup: 3 group, lever-pull
• Power: 7.5kW · 30A supply
• Boiler: 20 litres
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 830 × 785 × 500mm · 75kg — tall, allow shelf clearance
• Output: around 300 cups an hour
• Price: from £3,520
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: Lever theatre at three-group capacity. A statement machine for a flagship shop with skilled baristas.

Romano Electronic 3 Group Touch (FR3E-R) — touchscreen flagship

• Setup: 3 group, automatic, touchscreen
• Power: 7.5kW · 30A supply (9kW/45A option)
• Boiler: 20 litres · up to 100 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 565 × 1045 × 550mm · 90kg
• Output: 600 cups an hour
• Price: from £5,540
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: Touchscreen control of every drink, premium build, three groups. A flagship machine for a high-volume specialty shop.

Romano PID 3 Group (PID3) — top of the range

• Setup: 3 group, automatic with PID temperature control
• Power: 7.5kW · 30A supply (9kW/45A option)
• Boiler: 20 litres · up to 100 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 565 × 1045 × 550mm · 90kg
• Output: 600 cups an hour
• Price: from £5,830
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: The most capable machine here — three groups, per-group PID temperature control, top-tier build. For the busiest specialty shops.

4-group — the highest-volume sites

Contempo 4 Group Automatic (CON4E)

• Setup: 4 group, automatic
• Power: 7.5kW · 30A single phase (9kW/45A or 3-phase 415V option)
• Boiler: 25 litres · up to 120 litres of hot water an hour
• Water: Plumbed in — needs a mains feed
• Size: 575 × 1000 × 500mm · 94kg
• Output: 800 cups an hour
• Price: from £4,560
• View product & price →

What’s in it for you: Four groups for the highest-throughput sites — transport hubs, big high-street shops. Needs a serious power supply, single or three phase.

Before you order: three things shop owners ask

Will it fit my power? Single-group machines and several 2-group models (Bambino 2 Group, plus the 13A build of the Contempo and Romano) run off a standard 13A plug. The full-power 2-group needs a 20A supply and 3-group needs 30A — that’s an electrician and a dedicated spur. Check the Power line before you buy.

Warranty is back-to-base. If a small or medium machine needs a warranty repair, it goes back to the Fracino workshop — there’s no engineer visit for the likes of the Cherub, Bambino or Little Gem. Worth knowing before you buy, not after.

Spreading the cost. On the bigger machines — a 3-group Romano or a full fit-out — payment plans are available through our leasing referral, so you don’t pay it all up front.

Chosen your machine? Now set it up and keep it running

Picked one? These plain-English guides take you from delivery to daily service, so your machine keeps pulling good shots for years.

• Get the shot right: which grinder to pair with it, then semi-auto vs bean-to-cup explained.
• Right size for your covers: what size coffee machine your shop needs.
• Keep it clean: clean and descale your machine and stop limescale with a water filter.
• Fix common faults: no steam or low pressure, what the pressure gauge is telling you, and replacing worn group-head seals.
• Servicing and warranty: how Fracino back-to-base servicing works.

Frequently asked questions

Which electric coffee machine is best for a small coffee shop?
A single-group machine like the Fracino Cherub or a tank-fed Little Gem. They plug into a normal socket, need no plumbing, and handle 120–200 cups an hour.

What’s the best 2-group machine for a coffee shop?
The Contempo 2 Group is the all-round workhorse, with a 14-litre boiler for a steady queue. If you don’t have a 20A supply, the Bambino 2 Group runs off a standard 13A plug instead.

Do I need an electrician to install a coffee machine?
Not for single-group machines or the 13A two-group builds — they use a normal socket. The full-power 2-group needs a 20A supply and 3-group needs 30A, which an electrician fits as a dedicated spur.

Do all these machines need plumbing in?
No. The Cherub, Classico, Little Gem and Piccino are tank-fed — you fill a water tank, no plumbing. The Bambino, Velocino, Contempo and Romano ranges need a mains water feed.

Semi-automatic, automatic or bean-to-cup — which should I choose?
Semi-auto suits a trained barista who wants control. Automatic sets the shot for you, so cups stay consistent across staff. Bean-to-cup makes the whole drink at one touch — best where you don’t always have a barista.

What does PID temperature control do?
PID holds the brew water to within a degree and shows it on a display. It gives a more consistent shot cup after cup — worth it for specialty coffee, more than you need for everyday service.

How many cups an hour can each size make?
Fracino’s figures: a 1-group does 120–200 cups an hour, a 2-group 240–400, a 3-group 360–600, a 4-group up to 800. Size to your busiest hour.

How long does a machine take to warm up?
About 15 minutes from cold to come up to pressure. Switch it on before you open.

Do I need a water softener?
Yes. Limescale is the main killer of coffee-machine boilers. Tank-fed machines take a filter in the tank; plumbed-in machines take an inline softener. Change it at least every two months.