For a lot of people, thinking about good coffee is synonymous with thinking about Starbucks coffee. Starbucks offers a wide range of coffees, but if you ask me, I enjoy their espresso-based drinks the most. Because of this, I often wonde — what espresso machine does Starbucks use to make these delicious beverages?

Let’s be honest, the reason behind Starbucks’s popularity is their beverages that one simply cannot recreate or find elsewhere. The company has been around for years, and it seems like they only get better with time. That is probably because they spend a lot of time developing new and exciting beverages, but it’s also because they invest in great coffee machines!

In today’s guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about the espresso machine that Starbucks uses in all of their stores. You will learn what makes this machine better than others and if you can get it for yourself as well. If this sounds interesting, I urge you to stick around and read all about it!

What Type of Espresso Machine Does Starbucks Use?

I believe that a lot of people are interested in the type of espresso machine that Starbucks uses. If you have ever tried their coffee, you know that it is the most amazing thing ever and you can easily get hooked on such a good taste. Then, you will find yourself wondering what machine you need to get so that you can recreate that taste from the comfort of your home!

If this is something that you have thought about, I hate to say it, but getting the same espresso machine as Starbucks is impossible. They have a specific type of machine that they use in all their stores, and they hold the rights to that machine. This means that no one else can purchase or use the same machine.

When talking about this machine, I am talking about Thermoplan AG’s Mastrena. Mastrena is the name of the machine, whereas Thermoplan AG is the name of the manufacturer that makes the machine. They have a line of many great machines, but unfortunately, they are all commercial machines that cannot be used at home.

Before developing the Mastrena, Thermoplan AG had another espresso machine called Verismo, and that used to be Starbucks’s espresso machine. The famous beverage company used this machine until 2008 when they switched to the new and exciting Mastrena. They have used the Mastrena ever since, with slight changes to the design over time.

But what makes this machine different from other espresso machines? There are a lot of great ones on the market right now, so why exactly this one? To show you how amazing this machine is, I will have to give you a list of its features and characteristics. Let’s get right into the first one!

Super-Automatic Machine

Considering how busy most Starbucks shops are, there is no time to grind beans or make adjustments for every single espresso shot. You need something quick and efficient, something that will do most of the work on its own, something like… a super-automatic machine!

In case you do not know what this means, the machine will grind the beans, dose them, tamp them, pre-infuse them, brew the espresso shot at a consistent temperature with high pressure, steam the shot, and give you a perfect result at the end.

What makes the machine even better is the fact that it can memorize the adjustments that you make and use them for each new espresso shot it brews. How amazing is that?

What Type of Espresso Machine Does Starbucks Use?

Quick

If you do not know how quick the Mastrena is, I am here to tell you that it is quicker than you would expect. I have found information saying that this machine can prepare up to 240 espresso shots in just one hour. Imagine how much coffee that is!

No matter if you brew just one shot or more than 200 shots in an hour, the Mastrena will always give you an espresso shot with consistent taste and rich aroma. That means you will have a lot of satisfied customers! What is better than knowing you have made someone’s day better with the coffee you have prepared for them?

Features

Next, I want to tell you more about Mastrena and what you can expect from it. You should know that this machine is highly programmable, and it comes with a lot of items included with it.

First off, you have a built-in grinder that can work with all types of beans and bring them to the required grind level. Then, you have an enormous bean hopper that can hold more than 5 kg of coffee beans. That should be enough to make those 240 espressos per hour without needing to refill the hopper all the time.

Next, you should know that there is a frother on the machine, so you do not need to use a separate one. When brewing the espresso, you can choose between making one, two, or three shots at the same time. The fact that you can make three shots at the same time or make back-to-back shots means that you will save a lot of time!

Finally, you can rest assured that the machine will remind you to clean it whenever it becomes dirty. There is a reminder on the machine that automatically goes on when you need to clean it, but the maintenance is not difficult at all!

espresso machine

Should You Get This Starbucks Espresso Machine for Home?

As I have mentioned previously, Starbucks has exclusive rights to the Mastrena, so it will not be easy to get one for yourself. You will need to pull some strings or find a second-hand one if you wish to get the same machine.

With that being said, the Mastrena is a typical commercial machine with a large hopper, a warmer for more than 100 cups, back-to-back brew ability, enormous water container, and more. While it might be helpful to have it in a store, you do not need it for your home. No matter how many siblings you have under one roof, it is very unlikely that you will need up to 200 espresso shots in an hour!

Barista adding nitro foam

Even if it was available to the general public, the Mastrena is so expensive that only a few individuals would decide to get it. It is more expensive than any high-end espresso machine that you have seen on the market. No one knows exactly how powerful this machine is and what its full potential is, but I assume that it is way too much for a regular household.

Considering the size and the price, I do not recommend going through the burden of getting a Mastrena. You can enjoy its masterful brewing abilities when you go get some Starbucks coffee!

FAQs on Starbucks’s Machines

Now that you know all about the kind of espresso machine Starbucks uses, I want to give you a couple of other pieces of information before I wrap this guide up. Bear with me as I walk you through a couple of FAQs on the topic.

Does Starbucks sell espresso machines?

No, Starbucks does not create or sell any espresso machines. There is no “Starbucks espresso machine,” and they do not sell the type of machine that they use in their stores. You can certainly get some great coffee from them, but as far as machines go, you will have to get one elsewhere.

Can you order just espresso at Starbucks?

After learning all about Starbucks’s Mastrena, you might be dying to try out the espresso made with it. You can certainly go to a Starbucks and get an espresso – you can decide if you want a single, double, triple espresso, or maybe some other type of espresso.

Even if you are a fan of the simple espresso, I strongly recommend that you give all Starbucks espresso-based drinks a shot as they are truly amazing and irreplaceable. I think that you will never go back to regular espresso after tasting their special flavors, toppings, and sweeteners!!

Final Thoughts on the Mastrena

I hope that this friendly guide explained all about what espresso machine Starbucks uses to make their ambrosia. Bearing the ultra-modern name Mastrena, this espresso machine is a super-automatic, brew-to-cup machine that provides you with the greatest espresso shot you have ever tasted.

With that being said, you cannot and should not get this machine for your home. Whenever you want to taste Mastrena’s espresso shots, just visit your local Starbucks shop and get your favorite beverage. Trust me, it is worth the trip!