Description
Features and Benefits
- 175ml brew boiler (filled via heat exchanger)
- 3 Litre steam boiler
- PID
- Rotary pump
- Compact, with dimensions of 35.7cm wide, 45.3 deep & 37.7cm tall
- 2.5L Water Tank (Can be plumbed in)
- Brew Paddle
- No-burn steam wand
- Dedicated hot water tap
- Adjustable brew pressure
- App Connectivity via Bluetooth & Wifi
- Brew pressure gauge
- Steam pressure gauge
When we first got our hands on the Linea Mini, we were immediately struck by its stunning appearance and solid build quality.
However, we initially questioned whether this machine might prioritise style over substance.
There’s no denying that it’s a beautifully crafted piece of equipment with exceptional build quality, but our early experiences revealed a somewhat clunky app interface (though we understand it’s been significantly improved since our testing), a brew paddle that doesn’t provide the flow control we initially assumed, and a water tank that presented some practical challenges.
After spending several weeks with the machine in our testing kitchen, however, our perspective shifted dramatically.
We realised we’d been missing the fundamental point of the Linea Mini.
This isn’t a machine designed for everyone—it’s a classic, iconic espresso maker that serves as a home version of a legendary commercial machine familiar to many professional baristas and coffee aficionados.
The Linea Mini targets a specific type of coffee enthusiast.
It’s rather like certain iconic sports cars that casual drivers might admire from afar, but upon sitting behind the wheel might think, “Wait, where are all the fancy modern features I expected for this price?”
This machine speaks to purists who value heritage, craftsmanship, and the authentic espresso experience over cutting-edge bells and whistles.
In our collective opinion, those who truly connect with the La Marzocco philosophy likely wouldn’t question whether it’s the right machine for them.
They might worry about justifying the considerable investment to their partner, but if budget isn’t a constraint, the Linea Mini tends to choose its owners rather than the other way around.
Negatives?
While we can identify a few potential drawbacks to the Linea Mini, it’s crucial to emphasise that these are only genuine downsides if you’re not the target user for this particular machine.
The Brew Paddle
The brew paddle appears as though it should control water flow—and it can with modification—but straight from the factory, it simply functions as an on/off switch: slide one way to start pulling a shot, and slide back to stop.
Whether this represents a limitation depends entirely on your perspective and coffee goals.
For someone seeking classic espresso with minimal fuss, we don’t consider this a drawback at all.
In fact, the physical action of sliding the brew paddle becomes part of the tactile pleasure of using this machine, distinguishing it from button-operated alternatives.
Conversely, for those deeply invested in pressure profiling who desire flow control functionality, this might feel like a missed opportunity in a machine at this price point.
We understand comments comparing it to machines like the Lelit Bianca, which offers flow profiling at roughly half the price.
That’s a fair observation for those prioritising feature-to-value ratio, as the Bianca delivers dual boiler functionality, rotary pump operation, and flow profiling capabilities at a considerably lower cost.
But here’s the thing—if you’re torn between these options, it likely means the Linea Mini has captured your imagination for reasons beyond mere specifications.
It’s about the heritage, craftsmanship, and that indefinable quality that makes it uniquely a La Marzocco.
For those who desire flow profiling capabilities, several aftermarket modification kits exist that can transform the LMLM into a flow profiling machine.
The Water Tank
As this is a rotary pump machine, many owners will opt to plumb it directly into their water supply, bypassing the tank entirely.
During our testing period, we found the water tank somewhat cumbersome to fill, requiring removal of the drip tray—an operation we found mildly frustrating after repeated use.
The App
Our experience with the app connectivity was initially challenging, with connection stability issues arising during our testing period.
However, we understand these problems have been addressed in subsequent updates.
When successfully connected, we found the app interface quite valuable for precise operation control.
For our team, the app proved essential for temperature adjustments, as we found the physical adjustment wheel somewhat less intuitive than digital control.
We particularly appreciated the scheduling capabilities, remote operation, and customisable auto-standby settings available through the digital interface.
Is the LMLM Your Perfect Espresso Machine?
By this point in our review, we suspect most readers will have formed a clear impression of whether the Linea Mini aligns with their coffee philosophy.
If you’ve read this far and haven’t dismissed the machine based on its premium pricing relative to its feature set, there’s a good chance the Linea Mini has already won you over emotionally, even if logical considerations are giving you pause.
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