Carimali Coffee Machine: 5 Top Picks From Our Experts
Carimali manufactures commercial espresso and coffee machines. Better known in Europe, the brand is now making inroads in North America thanks to its beautiful and high-performance designs.
Carimali builds traditional and super-automatic models. This review rounds up our favorites in both styles and helps you decide on the best option for your business.
At A Glance:
- Top Pick: DivaPro 2-Group
- Best Super-Automatic: Armonia Ultra
- Great Value: Bubble 1-Group
The 5 Best Carimali Espresso Machines in 2026
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DivaPRO 2-Group |
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Kicco 3-Group |
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Blue 26 |
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Armonia Ultra |
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Bubble 1-Group |
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Carimali offers an extensive line-up of commercial espresso machines for pros. We’ve chosen our top five based on suitability for different types of businesses. Whether you’re opening a specialty cafe or running a B&B, one is sure to meet your needs.
1. DivaPRO 2-Group
Type: Automatic
- Groups: 2 or 3
- Capacity: 11.5 L steam boiler
The DivaPRO coffee machine pairs high performance with ease of use. This pricey model is ideal in a coffee shop where specialty coffee is a priority. Your money will be well spent as discerning consumers will appreciate the coffee quality.
The patented Perfect Point temperature control system is the standout feature, letting you set a distinct brew temperature for each group.
Every coffee nerd knows that different beans extract best at different temperatures. The hot water tap has a hot/cold mixing valve, so tea geeks will be equally impressed.
The DivaPro uses programmable volumetric buttons and a large display screen to make brewing a breeze. The steam wands are operated by sliders that are more ergonomic than knobs or joysticks. Lastly, the back-lighting under the group is practical and adds stunning visual appeal.
2. Kicco 3-Group
Type: Automatic
- Groups: 1, 2, or 3
- Capacity: 20 L steam boiler
A busy coffee shop puts heavy demands on a coffee machine. It needs a large boiler and many groups; it needs to be efficient and ergonomic for the barista; and it should be attractive to customers. The Kicco 3-group is that and more.
The 3-group model has a massive 20-liter steam boiler housed in a sleek, modern shell that can be black, white, or red. You can pull a shot at the press of a button thanks to volumetric dosing technology.
The automatic milk frothing is an excellent option for a busy cafe. Automation is becoming increasingly popular in high-volume environments (1).
We’re now focusing more on the barista level, looking at human interaction and making sure the product is now delivered with more interaction.
Automating milk frothing allows the barista to be more efficient and attentive to customers.
3. Blue 26
Type: Super-Automatic
- Groups: 1
- Capacity: 75 cups/day
The Blue 26, formerly the BlueDot 26, is a super-automatic machine designed for small businesses where coffee is a necessity but not a priority (2). You can brew a coffee or milk-based drink using the 4.3” LCD touchscreen display – no barista needed.
Blue26 range is recognizable by its compactness, which allows even those with limited space to have a reliable machine, easy to use and clean.
This model brews up to 75 cups daily, perfect for a small business or large office. It offers 11 pre-programmed drinks, including options with freshly frothed milk. The Blue26 has two bean hoppers, so you can feature two coffees or provide a decaf option. But note that both use the same integrated coffee grinder.
4. Armonia Ultra
Type: Super-Automatic
- Groups: 1
- Capacity: 200 cups/day
The Armonia Ultra is the most expensive model on this list, but it delivers on its promise of “premium self-service.” This is a top-of-the-line super-automatic espresso machine, designed to serve up to 200 cups a day of espresso, coffee, and milk-based drinks.
It has a massive 10” full-color touchscreen that is easy to use and can be completely customized. Upgraded milk technology guarantees perfect hot or cold milk froth every time, and it can even be purchased with an additional milk reservoir if milky drinks are a priority.
The Armonia is internet-enabled and linked directly to Carimali to make maintenance, service, and upgrades easy. For this style of highly automated machine, this is a big time-saver.
5. Bubble 1-Group
Type: Automatic
- Groups: 1, 2, or 3
- Capacity: 4 L steam boiler
The Bubble is the most recognizable Carimali machine with unique bubbled side panels and group heads. Whether you opt for the 1, 2, or 3-group model, it offers incredible value for money with automatic volumetric controls, programmable pre-infusion, and a user-friendly display.
The single-group version is the most affordable. With a professional steam wand, dedicated hot water tap, 4-liter steam boiler, and rotary pump, it has the chops for a small cafe. However, the price is similar to other high-end prosumer models like the La Marzocco Linea Mini or La Spaziale Dream, putting it within reach of enthusiastic home brewers.
How To Choose The Best Carimali Espresso Machine
Choosing the best Carimali Espresso Machine comes down to evaluating your needs and budget. How central is coffee to your business? How many people do you plan to serve daily? Consider these questions as you read through this buyer’s guide.
Traditional Vs. Super-Automatic
Carimali makes two styles of espresso makers: Traditional and Super-Automatic. The two have very different use cases, so it’s an easy way to narrow your search.
- The Traditional models are what you see in a standard cafe with group heads, steam wands, and portafilters. They must be paired with a quality burr grinder and operated by a skilled barista.
- The Super-Automatics are user-operated via a touchscreen display. These bean-to-cup machines include a built-in grinder and milk frother. They are perfect in businesses that want to offer a coffee program without hiring a barista – for example, an art gallery, hotel, car dealership, etc.
How Many People Do You Plan To Serve?
Your expected number of customers dictates the capacity of machine you should buy. Higher capacity models are more expensive but worth it to satisfy your clientele.
The capacity of a traditional type is dictated by the size of its steam boiler and the number of group heads. With more group heads, you can make multiple drinks at a time.
A larger boiler means you can make many drinks in a row without running out of hot water or steam pressure.
The capacity of a super-automatic is more straightforward. Each is designed to serve a certain number of cups daily. Err on the side of higher capacity because pushing a smaller machine past its limit regularly will shorten its lifespan.
The Verdict
Carimali Coffee Machines are becoming better known in North America as more business owners recognize the brand’s quality, ease of use, and style. Our top pick this year is the Carimali DivaPRO. This versatile model offers the perfect blend of features, durability, and affordability to appeal to many cafe owners.
FAQs
Starbucks uses the Mastrena espresso machine, a super-automatic made in Switzerland. Mastrena machines have been exclusive to Starbucks since 2008. Before that, Starbucks famously used the iconic La Marzocco Linea (3).
Carimali machines are made in Italy and China. All machines are designed in Italy to European standards, and the models manufactured in China are produced under the supervision of an Italian engineer.
The history of Carimali coffee machines began with its founding in 1919. It was the first company to build espresso machines with vertical boilers and gas heating and was one of the early producers of fully automatic espresso machines. In the 1980s, they found more recognition with the Carimali Uno Espresso Machine. In recent years, they have acquired the well-known Elektra Espresso.
References
- Vittitow. D. (2021, June 24). How are super-automatic espresso machines evolving? Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2021/06/how-are-super-automatic-espresso-machines-evolving/
- Comunicaffe. (2022, November 16). Carimali BlueDot 26 becomes Blue 26. Retrieved from https://www.comunicaffe.com/carimali-launches-the-blue26-range/
- Reznick, A. (2013, May 13). Inside La Marzocco: Starbucks’ original espresso machine gets a high-tech makeover. Retrieved from https://www.geekwire.com/2013/meet-linea-pb-la-marzocco-unveils-generation-linea-classic/
