The Best Espresso Machines For Coffee Carts In 2025
I'm Ryan from Prima, and today we're going to be looking at the best espresso machines for coffee carts. If you're just getting started on your coffee cart journey, I'm so glad you're here—because Prima is a wealth of resources, from vlogs to courses to all the equipment and accessories you need to get your cart off the ground.
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What Makes a Great Mobile-Friendly Espresso Machine?
Here are five key features I'll be using to evaluate the machines we're looking at today:
- 110-volt power: Bonus points if it has 20-amp capability. 110-volt power lets you plug in just about anywhere.
- Direct-plumb capability: You don't want to be refilling a reservoir every 20 or 30 minutes when you're out on the road. Make sure your machine can be plumbed directly to a reservoir and pump.
- Volumetric or timed shot programming: These features help you stay consistent shot to shot, and maybe even turn your back to finish another drink while the shot is finishing.
- Steam capacity: If you're steaming drink after drink—especially in cold weather—you'll want a machine that can keep up.
- Small footprint: Space is precious on a cart, and we want maximum value per square inch.
El Rocio Zarre
If you're on a budget, this is the best-value cart-ready machine under $2,000. It's 110V, plumbable, and also has a built-in reservoir for flexibility. You get programmable brew-by-time with pre-infusion and pump pressure controls, so you can set full shot profiles and let the machine run them automatically. The 1.8L steam boiler runs on 800W—decent for moderate demand but not ideal for large drinks or nonstop traffic. It also has a clever preheat system that routes water through the steam boiler before hitting the group head for faster temp recovery. One bonus: the Zarre offers manual pressure profiling with an external rotary knob for total shot control. Overall, it's a perfect match for low-budget startups and lower-volume carts doing around 15-20 drinks per hour.
- Dual boiler operation
- 1.8L steam boiler at 800W
- Dual vibratory pumps - enables variable pressure control
- Automated brewing profiles - with pre-infusion & pump power control
- Brew boiler pre-heat system
- Compact and affordable
- Direct-plumb or reservoir capable
- Ideal for 15-20 drinks per hour
La Marzocco Linea Mini
If you've done any research on coffee carts, you already know this is a fan favorite. It's technically a home machine, but it's made entirely from commercial components. Inside is a massive 3.5L steam boiler running at 1600W, which means it can steam a lot of consecutive drinks without dropping pressure—perfect for busy carts. It doesn't have volumetric dosing, but there is a shot timer, and you can add a La Marzocco x Acaia brew-by-weight scale for extremely accurate weight-based dosing. Another standout is the internal rotary vane pump, commercial grade and rated for all-day use, much quieter and more durable than vibratory pumps. If you're running a mid- to high-volume cart, the Linea Mini is one of the best single-group machines you can buy and is well-equipped for 20-40 drinks per hour.
- Dual boiler operation
- 3.5L steam boiler at 1600W
- Internal rotary vane pump
- Manual paddle group actuator
- Shot timer + brew-by-weight (with optional Lunar scale)
- Auto-backflush
- Barista lights
- WiFi compatible via La Marzocco app
- Ideal for 20-40 drinks per hour
LUCCA A53 Direct Plumb
At under $3,000, this machine offers the best bang for your buck. It's a dual boiler with a 2.5L steam boiler, larger than the Zarre, and it runs at 1250W, giving you more steam power. It's not quite as powerful as the Linea Mini, but it's significantly stronger than typical home machines, making it ideal for carts doing 20-40 drinks per hour. It can handle higher-volume situations too—just maybe not 20oz lattes one after the other. Like the Linea Mini, it also has an internal rotary vane pump that's quiet, commercial-grade, and built to last. The A53 includes programmable volumetrics, letting you save up to two shot profiles for consistent dosing every time. One more bonus: it's 20-amp compatible, and the converter cable comes in the box, giving you quicker temperature recovery if you've got the power supply for it. For most carts, this machine is the sweet spot.
- Dual boiler operation
- 2.5L steam boiler at 1250W
- Internal rotary vane pump
- Volumetric shot programming
- Optional wood panels
- Ideal for 20-40 drinks per hour
Nuova Simonelli Appia Life Compact 2-Group
This is the most compact two-group machine on the market, and it runs on 110V. It's only 22 inches wide and still gives you two groups and two steam wands, meaning two baristas can work at once. The Appia Life Compact has a huge 7.5L single boiler running at 1500W. It doesn't have separate boilers, but instead brews using steam-heated water that's mixed with cool water to reach brew temperature. It's slightly less precise but makes up for it in raw capacity. This machine is built for volume—it can handle nonstop milk drinks without missing a beat. If you want the ability to run two baristas or use auto-steam, this machine is a top contender for mid-to high-volume operations pumping out 40+ drinks per hour.
- Single boiler operation
- 7.5L boiler at 1500W
- 2 group heads
- Only 22” wide
- Volumetric shot programming
- Optional auto-steam
- Internal rotary vane pump
- Ideal for 40+ drinks per hour
This has been an overview of the best espresso machines for coffee carts in 2025! If you're ready to take the next steps in your mobile coffee journey, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with one of our experts! Our mission is to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to launch the coffee cart of your dreams!
