Linea Mini: High-quality espresso machine from La Marzocco

Espresso perfection for the home and the small office area

Discover the La Marzocco Linea Mini R, an espresso machine that combines tradition with modern technology. Developed for discerning home baristas and small cafés, it offers impressive espresso quality and flexibility in a compact design.

The unique features

The Linea Mini R features dual boiler technology, a saturated brew group and a new Cool Touch steam wand.

These features ensure temperature stability and exceptional steam performance that will satisfy even the most demanding barista. With the La Marzocco app, you can also conveniently control pre-infusion and timer functions via smartphone.

What's new in the R version?

The Linea Mini R comes with some significant innovations: An integrated shot timer above the paddle makes it easier to control the brewing process. The new, matt design of the operating elements provides a more elegant feel and look. In addition, the pre-brewing function has been revised and improved to enable even smoother extractions.

Simple operation makes all the difference

Operation of the Linea Mini R is intuitive and well thought out. With soft-touch components and a modern paddle design, every movement feels professional.

The machine can be effortlessly integrated into any kitchen and is a real eye-catcher with its clear lines. The modular portafilter makes it easy to adapt to different espresso recipes.

Easy to use

Intuitive user interface: The La Marzocco Linea Mini R has been designed so that both beginners and experienced baristas can quickly familiarise themselves with its operation. The paddle system, which you may already be familiar with from other La Marzocco models, is a central control component. With a simple twist of the paddle, you start and stop the brewing process, giving you control over every espresso extraction.

Soft-touch components: The control elements of the Linea Mini R, such as the steam button and the paddle, have a new, matt soft-touch coating. This not only ensures a pleasant feel, but also gives the machine a high-quality look. The matt surface minimises fingerprints and feels solid and comfortable with every touch.

Easy pressure adjustment: One of the practical new features of the Linea Mini R is the ability to adjust the pump pressure directly from the top of the machine using a screwdriver. This function is particularly useful if you are trying out different types of coffee and want to adjust the brewing pressure accordingly to get the best out of every bean.

Compatibility with Brew-by-Weight: The Brew-by-Weight function is operated seamlessly in conjunction with the La Marzocco Acaia scale. This can be easily paired with the machine and controlled either via the app or directly via the paddle. This integration allows you to make precise espressos without having to constantly keep an eye on the cups.

La Marzocco Home App: The machine can be comprehensively controlled via the La Marzocco Home App. Among other things, you can set the temperature for the brewing boiler in tenths of a degree increments, adjust the pre-infusion and programme the start and stop times. This app-based operation gives you the opportunity to optimise the machine to your needs, even when you are not directly in front of it.

The design follows the functions

Compact and timeless design: The Linea Mini R is designed for use in the kitchen or in small cafés. Its compact design fits into almost any environment without losing its presence. With a width of just 35 cm, it can even fit into tight spaces without you having to compromise on professional functions.

Matt surfaces and clear lines: The design of the Linea Mini R has been modernised and now features matt surfaces that give the device an elegant yet professional look. The clear lines and uniform colour scheme underline the high-quality workmanship and make the machine a visual highlight in any kitchen.

Shot timer and new controls: The shot timer, which has been integrated into the front above the paddle, displays the brewing time and allows you to monitor each shot precisely. The controls have a modern, matt black finish, which not only looks good but also feels high-quality. The paddle and rotary knobs have been ergonomically designed to ensure comfortable and intuitive handling.

High-quality materials: La Marzocco uses materials for the Linea Mini R that are both robust and durable. The machine is mainly made of stainless steel, which not only ensures a long service life, but is also easy to clean. The soft-touch components used are not only functional, but also contribute to the overall aesthetics of the machine.

Ergonomic details: Every detail of the Linea Mini R has been designed to optimise the user experience. The Cool Touch steam wand stays cool even after intensive use, minimising the risk of burns. The modular portafilter is not only functional, but also blends in visually with the rest of the machine's design. The newly designed drip tray and easily removable water tank are designed to maximise convenience and ease of use.

Conclusion on operation and design

The La Marzocco Linea Mini R combines intuitive operation with an elegant and well thought-out design. Every aspect of the machine is designed to maximise both the user experience and the aesthetic appearance.

Whether you are an experienced barista or an ambitious home barista, the Linea Mini R offers you a professional platform to prepare excellent espresso in your own kitchen or small café.

Technology and functions

Under the bonnet, the Linea Mini R offers advanced technology: a rotary pump ensures constant brewing pressure and the saturated brew group guarantees excellent temperature stability.

You can use the La Marzocco app to conveniently switch the machine on and off, set pre-infusion and brewing parameters and control the steam boiler. Here are the details:

Dual boiler technology

The Linea Mini R is equipped with two separate boilers: one for the brewing water and one for the steam. This dual boiler technology enables precise temperature control and ensures that the machine is always ready for both espresso preparation and milk frothing. The brewing boiler is relatively small at 200 ml, which enables a quick temperature change when you switch between different espresso roasts.

Brew boiler: The brew boiler is small (approx. 200 ml), which allows for a quick heat-up time and precise temperature control. This boiler is directly connected to the brew group, which keeps the temperature of the water constant. The design minimises temperature losses and ensures the stable conditions necessary for extracting high-quality espresso.

Steam boiler: The steam boiler is larger in size and provides steam and hot water. It has a high capacity, which means that you can froth milk without delay, even if you are preparing several drinks in succession. The steam boiler works at a pressure of up to 1.9 bar, allowing you to create perfect microfoam for latte art.

Saturated brew group

The saturated brew group is one of La Marzocco's trademarks and an essential component for the high quality of the espressos prepared with the Linea Mini R.

The brew group is directly connected to the brewing boiler, ensuring a constant temperature level during the entire brewing process. This design eliminates the typical temperature fluctuations that can occur with other machines and ensures a consistently high extraction quality.

Quiet rotary pump

The Linea Mini R is equipped with a rotary pump which, in contrast to the vibration pumps often used in household machines, enables a more even and quieter pressure output.

The rotary pump is known for its durability and reliability, making it ideal for intensive use both at home and in small cafés. It delivers a constant brewing pressure of 9 bar, which is required for optimum espresso extraction.

Pre-infusion system with direct water connection

The pre-infusion system of the Linea Mini R uses the natural water line pressure or the pump pressure to gently wet the coffee cake before the actual extraction.

This happens before the full pressure is built up, which saturates the coffee cake more evenly and enables a more consistent extraction. The pre-infusion system can be adjusted in duration and pressure via the La Marzocco app, allowing you to customise the pre-brewing time exactly to your needs.

The Brew-by-Weight function is new

The Brew-by-Weight technology of the Linea Mini R is one of the most advanced functions currently available on the market.

It works in conjunction with the La Marzocco Acaia scales, which have been specially developed for this machine. The scales are Bluetooth enabled and communicate directly with the machine to precisely control the brewing process by weight. This allows you to control the exact amount of water for each shot and ensures consistent and repeatable espresso quality.

Precise control with the PID control

The Linea Mini R uses PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control to regulate the water temperature in the boilers.

PID technology enables extremely precise control of the temperature, which is crucial for the quality of the espresso. You can adjust the temperature in 0.1 degree Celsius increments via the La Marzocco Home app, giving you the freedom to experiment with different temperature settings to get the best out of every bean.

The Cool Touch steam wand stays cool

The new Cool Touch steam wand stays cool even while steaming, minimising the risk of burns.

It is made of high-quality stainless steel and designed to be easy to clean. The design enables a powerful steam output, which is particularly ideal for preparing creamy milk foam. The Cool Touch design ensures that the steam wand cools down quickly after use, increasing safety and comfort during operation.

IoT capability and app control

The Linea Mini R is compatible with the La Marzocco Home app, which offers a variety of functions to control and monitor the machine remotely.

You can switch the machine on and off via the app, set the pre-infusion and temperatures and even monitor the brewing process in real time. The IoT functionality means that the machine can also receive updates to incorporate new features and improvements.

Great temperature stability

One of the outstanding technical features of the Linea Mini R is its exceptional temperature stability. Thanks to the saturated brew group and precise PID control, the brewing temperature remains constant even with successive brews .

This is crucial for the consistent quality of every espresso and ensures that you enjoy the full flavour of your beans with every cup.

Modular portafilter

The Linea Mini R's modular portafilter offers flexibility when preparing different quantities of espresso.

It comes with different spouts that can be easily exchanged to prepare either one or two portions. The portafilter itself is lightweight for easy handling and made from materials that maintain an even temperature, which contributes to better extraction.

Good energy efficiency

The Linea Mini R is designed to be energy efficient, even though it has two boilers. The brewing boiler is small, which reduces the heat-up time and lowers energy consumption.

The option to switch off the steam boiler when required also helps to reduce energy consumption when only preparing espresso. However, with an energy consumption of approx. 0.38 kWh for 5 double brews including heating, the machine is at the higher end of the range, which is due to its high performance and professional functions.

Improved user experience through design

The design of the machine also takes easy maintenance and cleaning into account. The drip tray and water tank are easy to remove and clean.

The machine is designed to be accessible to the user when maintenance is required, increasing service life and reliability.

Low noise level

Thanks to the rotary pump and solid construction, the Linea Mini R operates more quietly than many other machines in its class. This contributes to a more pleasant user experience, especially in a domestic environment where noisy machines can be annoying.

These technical refinements make the La Marzocco Linea Mini R a first-class choice for discerning home baristas and small commercial operations that demand the highest quality and reliability.

What we don't like

Even though the La Marzocco Linea Mini R offers many impressive features and technologies, there are some aspects that could be considered less ideal or in need of improvement:

High energy consumption

Although the machine is designed for efficiency, the energy consumption remains relatively high, especially when the steam boiler is activated.

When fully utilised, the machine consumes approximately 0.38 kWh for five double loads including heating, making it one of the less energy efficient options. For environmentally conscious users or those who use the machine daily, this could be a disadvantage. When the steam boiler is switched off, energy consumption is reduced, but the temperature stability of the brewing water suffers as a result.

Limited functionality without steam boiler

Switching off the steam boiler to save energy leads to a noticeable deterioration in temperature stability during the brewing process.

This means that the machine only achieves its optimum performance when both boilers are active. Users trying to save energy may therefore be confronted with lower coffee quality.

Complexity of the app control

The La Marzocco Home app offers many functions, but is not always intuitive. Connecting the machine to the app via Bluetooth can sometimes be prone to errors and it can be frustrating when the app does not work as expected. The need to control the machine via the app to fully utilise certain features such as brew-by-weight technology can be a hurdle for users who prefer ease of use.

Limited integration of the scale

While the brew-by-weight function is a highlight of the machine, the integration of the scale feels a bit of an afterthought.

The scale has to be positioned manually on the drip tray, which can slow down the workflow. Also, the scale is not permanently integrated, which means it can easily slip and handling is a little awkward, especially in a stressful environment.

High price

The Linea Mini R is an expensive machine, well above the price of many other home espresso machines.

The price of just under CHF 5,000 is off-putting for many potential users, especially if they don't need absolute professional performance or only make espresso occasionally. Whilst the machine is fairly priced for what it delivers, it may be oversized for many users.

Modular portafilter as a weak point

The new modular portafilter, which is made of plastic, is a point of criticism.

Although the portafilter is versatile, the plastic seems less high-quality and robust compared to the previous stainless steel portafilters. For a machine in this price range, many users expect all components to be extremely durable and of high quality. The plastic spout could also appear less heat-resistant and less stable, which could jeopardise its longevity.

Noise development

Although the rotary pump is quieter than a vibration pump, the machine can still be relatively loud at full power, especially when the steam boiler is in operation. For a home machine that is often operated in a quiet environment, this could be disturbing.

Lack of integration of volume control

While the brew-by-weight function is an interesting feature, the Linea Mini R lacks a simple volume control directly on the machine. Compared to other machines such as the La Marzocco GS3, which offers intuitive volume control, this can be seen as a disadvantage, especially if you prefer quick and uncomplicated preparation.

Maintenance requirements

Like all high-quality espresso machines, the Linea Mini R requires regular maintenance and cleaning to maintain its performance. Due to the complexity and variety of technical functions, some users may find the maintenance effort higher, especially compared to simpler machines. This can be particularly challenging for less technically savvy users.

Space requirements

Although the Linea Mini R is praised for its compact size, it still takes up more space than many simple domestic machines. This can be a problem in smaller kitchens or limited work areas, especially if additional equipment such as the scale or accessories need to be stored nearby.

These points make it clear that while the La Marzocco Linea Mini R is an excellent machine, it is not without its weaknesses. Potential buyers should consider these aspects to ensure that the machine meets their requirements and expectations.

Key features

The key features of the Linea Mini R include the Brew-by-Weight function, which enables particularly precise work, and the ability to easily adjust the pressure of the rotary pump from the outside. The new Cool Touch steam wand makes milk frothing even safer and more convenient.

Who is this machine for?

The Linea Mini R is ideal for home baristas who don't want to compromise on espresso quality. But it also cuts an excellent figure in small offices. It is aimed at anyone looking for professional performance and flexibility in a compact format without compromising on convenience and design.

Can the Linea Mini be compared with the Linea Mirca?

The La Marzocco Linea Micra and the La Marzocco Linea Mini are both great machines, but they have some key differences that make them suitable for different needs and preferences.

Size and space requirements

• Linea Micra: This machine is more compact and takes up less space. Ideal for households with limited space.
• Linea Mini: Slightly larger, making it more suitable for larger kitchens or semi-professional use.

Boiler and heating system

• Linea Micra: Has a smaller boiler, which results in a slightly lower steam output, but it heats up faster and is more energy efficient.
• Linea Mini: Has larger boilers and a more powerful steam lance, which makes it ideal for more intensive use, especially if milk is frequently frothed.<
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Operation and user-friendliness

• Linea Micra: Easier to use and ideal for beginners or users who want a straightforward machine.
• Linea Mini: Offers more fine-tuning options and is more suitable for those who want precise control and customisation.

Price

• LineaMicra: Generally less expensive than the Linea Mini, making it more attractive for home use.
• Linea Mini: More expensive, but more robust and durable, which can justify the higher price, especially for ambitious home baristas or professional use.

Design and aesthetics

• Linea Micra: Minimalist and space-saving, fits into modern, small kitchens.
• Linea Mini: Classic La Marzocco design, slightly more solid, with more options for personalisation.

The Linea Micra is ideal for compact, stylish home use with simple operation, while the Linea Mini offers more power and customisation options for the ambitious home barista or semi-professional use.