Comparing Ascaso Espresso Machine Models: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Café or Home

Ascaso espresso machines, made in Barcelona, blend artisanal Spanish design with modern technology. From single-group home machines to multi-group commercial brewers, Ascaso offers models for every need. For example, the Baby T Plus is built for small businesses or home baristas who want café-quality coffee without fuss, while the Steel DUO PID delivers café-level performance to serious home brewers. Below we compare the key features of each model line to guide you to the right Ascaso machine.

Barista Series (T One, T Plus, T Pro): High-End Multi-Group Machines

The Ascaso Barista series is Ascaso’s top-tier commercial line, offering 2- or 3-group machines built for maximum performance. All Barista machines use independent thermoblocks for each group, an 8.5 L insulated steam boiler, digital displays, and volumetric dosing with PID stability. The models differ mainly in technology and control options:

  • Barista T Pro (2024): The flagship model with a colour touchscreen and app connectivity. It adds fully insulated brew groups and integrated group heaters for ultimate stability. This is the most advanced Ascaso – ideal for cafés that want every cutting-edge feature.

  • Barista T (also called T Plus): Matches the Pro in build quality and has triple PID control and energy-saving pre-heating. It lacks the touchscreen and app, but retains the insulated boiler and preheating. It is a workhorse machine made for all-day use.

  • Barista T One: A streamlined, professional model with fewer frills. It shares the same basic platform but omits the Pro’s advanced insulation and touchscreen. It is ideal for small cafés or mobile setups that want pro-level consistency without the fancy UI.

All three Barista machines deliver identically excellent espresso quality, so choose T Pro for full digital control, T Plus for heavy-duty reliability, or T One as a simpler high-quality option.

We can install Ascaso Barista line machines on site for a demo before purchase, so you can trial the machine in your own café or workspace, giving you total peace of mind. Get in touch for details!

Baby T Plus: Compact Professional Machine for Small Cafés or Home

The Ascaso Baby T Plus is a compact 1-group machine designed for tight spaces. It is built for small businesses or home baristas who want café-quality coffee without fuss. Key features include professional-grade thermoblocks with PID control, an independent 2.5 L steam boiler, and a powerful rotary pump. Baby T Plus uses advanced thermoblock technology to cut energy use by around 50% compared to a traditional boiler. It also has the flexibility of both a 2 L water tank or mains plumbing, making it great for mobile carts or small cafés where a direct water line is not available.

Highlights of the Baby T Plus:

  • Thermal stability & control: Dual PID-controlled displays and dynamic pre-heating keep shot temperatures steady.

  • Energy-efficient: Advanced thermoblocks and independent boiler deliver significant energy savings.

  • Easy operation: Programmable volumetric dosing, pre-infusion, and optional flow-control levers for hands-on extraction.

  • Compact, versatile design: All-stainless body with walnut wood trim, and flexible tank or plumbed water supply.

This makes the Baby T Plus perfect for small cafés, offices, or serious home baristas who want professional results in a small footprint.

Ascaso Bar Series (Bar 1, Bar 2, Bar 3): Commercial Boilers for Offices and Cafés

The Ascaso Bar series (Bar 1G, 2G, 3G) are traditional multi-group machines with stainless-steel boilers, aimed at hospitality and office environments. Each model scales by group count but shares core design: sturdy stainless construction, PID-regulated thermoblocks, and an insulated steam boiler. For example, the Bar 1G (single group) is designed for hospitality spaces with low to moderate coffee consumption, while the Bar 3G is built to handle the busiest cafés and restaurants.

All Bar machines feature:

  • Thermoblock brew groups with PID temperature control.

  • Separate insulated steam boiler for continuous power.

  • Volumetric dosing & OPV for consistency.

  • LED barista lights and optional mains connection for convenience.

  • Capsule compatibility (KAP models) for ease of use, great for offices.

Choose a Bar machine if you need a reliable commercial brewer at a relatively affordable price. The number of groups determines capacity: Bar 1G for very low-volume (e.g. offices or kiosks), Bar 2G for small cafés, or Bar 3G for the busiest operations. These machines deliver excellent coffee quality with a more traditional boiler setup than the Barista line.

It's worth nothing that the BAR range is usually on backorder, so expect a 4-6 week lead time on any of these machines.

Ascaso Steel DUO PID: Premium Single-Group for Home or Light Commercial

The Ascaso Steel DUO PID is a home or small café machine with a striking industrial look. It is designed for serious coffee lovers who want café-level results at home or in a small commercial setting. Behind its elegant facade are two separate PID-controlled thermoblocks (one for brew, one for steam), so you can pull shots and steam milk simultaneously with excellent temperature stability.

Key points:

  • Dual PID Thermoblocks: Maintains brew and steam temperatures independently.

  • User-friendly controls: Digital display with shot timer, programmable volumes, adjustable pre-infusion, and OPV.

  • Professional steam: Powerful steam wand and pressure fine-tuning.

  • Convenience features: Removable 2 L water tank with cup-warming top, plus stats tracking on the display.

In practice, the Steel DUO PID offers as much control as many commercial machines but in a compact form. It excels in a high-end home kitchen or small café where space is limited, and its walnut accents and clean lines give it a handcrafted feel.

Choosing the Right Ascaso Machine

In summary, match the machine to your setting and needs:

  • Busy cafés or restaurants: Multi-group machines like the Barista T Pro/T Plus or Bar 2G/3G. The Barista line offers cutting-edge control, while the Bar series offers simplicity and value, but will have a 4-6 week lead time compared to the Barista line.

  • Small cafés or offices: A single-group or dual-group machine suffices. The Barista T One or Baby T Plus deliver professional results in a smaller footprint. The Bar 1G is also good for offices with its capsule option.

  • Home or light commercial use: The Baby T Plus or Steel DUO PID. Both bring PID temperature control and premium build to a compact size.

  • Budget vs features: If you want the latest tech (touchscreen, app), go for Barista T Pro. If you want high quality without the extras, Barista T or T One offer excellent value.

All Ascaso machines are built to perform and come with a 12-month warranty, so you can be confident in your investment. By comparing group count, control features, and intended use, you can pick the Ascaso model that best fits your café or home.

You can explore the range from our collection page here.

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