The Complete Guide to La Marzocco Espresso Machines

GS3 MP: Mechanical Paddle

The MP is built for serious espresso enthusiasts and professionals who want full, hands-on control over every shot. A mechanical paddle operates a conical valve that lets the barista ramp from low pre-infusion pressure up to full pump pressure, then hold or reduce it at any point during extraction. The feedback is immediate and tactile, much like driving a manual transmission. This makes the MP an outstanding tool for exploring how different coffees respond to varied pressure curves. The tradeoff is that consistency depends almost entirely on operator skill, making it less suited to a busy multi-barista cafe environment.

~$8,820

GS3 AV: Auto-Volumetric

The AV replaces the mechanical paddle with programmable volumetric buttons and a clean digital display. Once you have dialed in your dose and recipe, the machine measures water volume and stops extraction automatically, delivering consistent results regardless of who is operating it. This makes the AV far more practical for households with multiple users, small office environments, or light commercial settings where repeatable results matter more than manual control. It still benefits from all of the GS3's core hardware: dual boilers, saturated group, and PID temperature control.

~$8,400

Classic S AV: Auto-Volumetric

The AV is the most popular Linea Classic configuration: it gives busy cafes programmable, repeatable dosing without adding complexity to the bar. Each group has programmable volumetric buttons, allowing you to store your single, double, and custom shot volumes. Integrated digital shot timers help baristas stay consistent during service. For most cafes, from a neighborhood espresso bar to a mid-volume restaurant, the AV hits the ideal balance of simplicity, reliability, and consistent output. Worth noting: volumetric dosing measures water volume rather than yield weight, so pairing it with a standalone scale is still recommended for fine-tuning recipes.

~$16,670 (2-group)

Classic S EE: Semi-Automatic

The EE gives the barista manual control over shot timing: press to start, press again to stop. This appeals to cafe owners and baristas who prefer a hands-on workflow, or who pull a wider variety of shot lengths throughout the day. It is also a cost-effective entry point for operators who want La Marzocco build quality and temperature stability without paying for volumetric electronics they may not use. The EE requires attentive baristas to maintain consistency across a busy shift.

~$12,700 (2-group)

PB AV: Auto-Volumetric

The PB AV takes the Classic AV to the next level. You still get programmable volumetric buttons per group, but the PB adds programmable pre-brewing, a brief wetting phase before full extraction that improves uniformity across a wider range of roast levels and dosing styles. Piero group caps re-engineer the internal water path and flow-meter positioning for greater temperature stability, and dual PID lets you set coffee and steam boiler temperatures independently from the display. For cafes upgrading from a Classic who want meaningful technical advancement without the complexity of integrated scales, the PB AV is the natural step up.

~$22,000 (2-group)

PB ABR: Auto Brew Ratio

The ABR adds integrated precision scales into the drip tray beneath each group. Rather than measuring water volume, the machine measures the actual weight of espresso in the cup in real time, a fundamentally more accurate approach that accounts for variables like grind retention, puck density, and channeling that volumetric systems cannot detect. You program a target brew ratio (for example, 1:2, or 18g in and 36g out), and the machine stops extraction automatically when that weight is reached, using a Drip Prediction algorithm to compensate for liquid still dripping after the pump stops.

~$25,600 (2-group)

KB90 AV: Auto-Volumetric

The KB90 AV brings all of the machine's ergonomic and workflow innovations, including the straight-in portafilter and auto steam flush, paired with volumetric dosing. For flagship cafes that run high volumes but prefer a well-programmed volumetric system, the AV is an excellent choice. Baristas experience significantly less wrist strain over a long shift, and the steam flush after each shot keeps the group cleaner during rushes, extending the time between group cleanings. It is also more straightforward to train new staff on since there are no scales to maintain.

~$27,000 (2-group)

KB90 ABR: Auto Brew Ratio

The KB90 ABR layers La Marzocco's gravimetric dosing onto the KB90 platform, combining best-in-class workflow design with the precision of weight-based extraction control. Integrated drip-tray scales read the actual yield weight in real time, and the Drip Prediction algorithm stops the shot at the exact programmed ratio before the last drops fall. This is one of the most capable fully automated La Marzocco machines for standard commercial production, ideal for high-volume specialty cafes where the coffee program is taken as seriously as the speed of service.

~$31,000 (2-group)

GB5 S EE: Semi-Automatic

The EE is the manual entry point into the GB5 S family, suited to high-volume operations where skilled baristas are always behind the machine. Start and stop are controlled manually by the operator, who watches the shot and cuts it based on yield and timing. For cafes that value a hands-on workflow with experienced staff capable of maintaining consistency at pace, the EE is a cost-effective way to access the GB5 S's exceptional thermal capacity.

~$19,930 (2-group)

GB5 S AV: Auto-Volumetric

The AV adds programmable volumetric shot buttons per group, a digital display, and LED barista lights, a practical feature that helps baristas assess crema and shot color during service without depending on overhead lighting. The AV is the most popular GB5 S configuration for busy multi-barista operations: it removes the timing variable from dosing, keeps the workflow fast, and programmable buttons allow a straightforward setup across different recipe requirements.

~$23,370 (2-group)

GB5 S ABR: Auto Brew Ratio

The ABR is the GB5 S at its most precise. Integrated drip-tray scales measure yield weight in real time, and the Drip Prediction algorithm compensates for residual drip after extraction stops. For a machine operating at the volume the GB5 S is capable of, gravimetric control means even a small improvement in shot-to-shot consistency compounds dramatically across hundreds of drinks per day. The ABR also pairs with the La Marzocco Pro App and is Cropster Cafe ready, making it well-suited to multi-location operators who want detailed production data alongside consistent extraction.

~$26,980 (2-group)

Strada S AV: Auto-Volumetric

The Strada S AV delivers Strada-level ergonomics and performance with conventional volumetric dosing. Programmable buttons per group handle single, double, and custom volumes via flow meter measurement, and Pro Touch steam wands stay cool to the touch during long milk-forward services. This variant is the right choice for operators who want the low-profile Strada bar presence and ergonomic advantages without the complexity of gravimetric dosing.

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Strada S ABR: Auto Brew Ratio

The Strada S ABR adds optional integrated drip-tray scales to the Strada S, enabling weight-based brew ratio control across every shot. The machine reads real-time yield weight and cuts the shot automatically at your target ratio, with Drip Prediction compensating for post-extraction drip. Combined with the Strada S's low-profile chassis and generous bar space, the ABR is built for high-volume specialty shops that demand both speed and precision.

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Choose the Strada S

Your priority is high-volume consistency and ergonomics. You want AV or ABR automation without pressure profiling.

Choose the Strada X

You want straight-in portafilters, integrated scales, Smart Saturation, and paddle or mass-based profiling, and your baristas will actively use those tools every day.