The La Marzocco Linea Micra is the third single-group dual-boiler espresso machine from La Marzocco. With the Linea Micra, La Marzocco is targeting the home espresso bar, while the GS 3 and Linea Mini can certainly find their place in a commercial setting as well. This is also reflected in the price: the Linea Micra in stainless steel costs around 3,330 €, making it almost 2,000 € cheaper than the Linea Mini (5,271 € in stainless steel) and more than 4,000 € cheaper than the La Marzocco GS3 (7,675 €).
But the Micra isn't just supposed to be cheaper; it also brings additional features that make particular sense at home. Low power consumption is on the wish list, as are rapid heat-up behavior and compact dimensions.
In this test report, we take a close look at the Linea Micra and present the strengths and weaknesses of this newly launched machine. As always, there's a detailed test video as well as a summary of the video in a shorter format.
You might also be interested in: in the meantime, we've published a review of the new La Marzocco Linea Mini-R.
A milestone for boiler espresso machines
To be honest, we had written off boiler espresso machines. When it came to heat-up speed and power consumption, there had been little progress in recent years, while thermoblocks and thin-film heaters set new standards. Heat-up times of 5 minutes and power consumption reduced by a factor of five were quite a statement. We had already begun our farewell speech to espresso machines with boilers.
With the Micra, La Marzocco dismantles our assessment and once again proves that in Florence, espresso machines aren't being cobbled together from the same standard selection of components, but rather innovation is being driven forward.
The La Marzocco Linea Micra promises a heat-up time of 5 minutes. In other words: in the sixth minute after we've switched on the espresso machine, the machine should be ready to use. And what can we say?! Yes, our tests with the Micra confirm exactly that.
And that's not all. The Linea Micra also takes the top spot when it comes to power consumption. After heating up, with five double espressos extracted, the La Marzocco Linea Micra with the steam boiler switched off shows a power consumption of 0.07 kWh. This is the lowest value we've ever measured on an espresso machine!
In our new presentation, we show the energy consumption of the La Marzocco Linea Micra in more detail. The consumption for one espresso with the steam boiler switched off is 0.038 kWh. For a cappuccino, it's 0.206 kWh. Switching on the steam boiler significantly increases energy consumption.
Cooperating boilers and thermal stability
An important role is played by the interconnected boilers, which can operate independently of each other. The Linea Micra is equipped with a 1.6 l boiler that is responsible for the steam output of the machine and can also support temperature stability over longer periods of operation. In addition, there is a 0.23 l coffee boiler together with a saturated brew group that is responsible for the temperature of the brewing water.
What is crucial for the low power consumption is that the machine can operate without a steam boiler. Some manufacturers do allow the steam boiler to be switched off, but neglect the fact that this boiler must provide essential preliminary heating of the brewing water via a heat exchanger. And then the math doesn't add up if the control system doesn't pump enough power into the coffee boiler.
With the Linea Micra, the interplay works. The boiler and brew group reach the necessary temperature on their own to bring the brewing water to our target temperature. The steam boiler is in principle not necessary for this, but at higher frequency it contributes significantly to the thermal stability of the machine. So if you want to make more espressos, it's advisable to turn on the steam boiler, even if you're not planning to steam milk.
A heat exchanger is also the method of choice here. However, the still-cold brewing water is not fed through the steam boiler but rather spiraled around the insulated stainless steel boiler.
Brew temperature limitations
The limits of brew temperature become apparent without the boiler at the 4th extraction. The machine itself also signals this with an illuminated LED, indicating it wants to reheat. The app also chimes in correspondingly.
With the steam boiler switched on, we stay at full power for much longer. For this purpose, we subjected the La Marzocco Linea Micra to the WBC temperature test, which was developed for espresso machines approved for the World Barista Championship. Of course, these are espresso machines for professional use in commercial settings, but it's still interesting to investigate where and when an espresso machine reaches its limits.
With the Linea Micra, we were able to determine this during the transition to a 30-second idle interval. At this point, the espresso machine could no longer maintain temperature.
A portafilter with concept
The portafilter of the La Marzocco Linea Micra can be flexibly converted from a bottomless portafilter to a portafilter with 1 or 2 spouts. To achieve this, a portafilter was developed that features mounting points for two polymer spouts. This high-tech plastic primarily serves one purpose: it doesn't absorb heat and therefore doesn't draw it away from the espresso either. For this reason, it doesn't need to be heated during the machine's warm-up phase.
In reality, portafilters are often the slowest to heat when warming up espresso machines because they are far from the heat source. With the solution chosen here, La Marzocco bypasses this problem in an innovative way – though it does draw many discussions from metal purists among espresso machine enthusiasts.
In the cup, we have around 5 degrees more temperature when we compare the Linea Micra's portafilter to the classic La Marzocco portafilter.
Conceptually, the portafilter created this way is the logically extended solution for a quickly heating espresso machine. For those willing to wait 25 minutes for their espresso machine, there's no problem heating up a hefty stainless steel portafilter at the same time.
Compact, lighter, and accessories
The new La Marzocco Linea Micra weighs 18 kg, 14 kg less than the La Marzocco Linea Mini. With a width of 28.8 cm, a depth of 46.5 cm, and a height of 33.5 cm, the Micra is particularly narrower and deeper than the Linea Mini (35.7 cm wide, 37.7 cm high).
The smaller dimensions and especially the light weight make it possible for the machine to be shipped by UPS and don't require a freight company. An important factor when you consider the direct sales strategy that La Marzocco has chosen for the Micra.
Also included in the delivery are a 14 g and a 17 g basket, a tamper, cleaning powder, a 0.35 liter milk pitcher, and a blind basket. In principle, everything you need to get started with the machine is included.
However, La Marzocco doesn't cover itself in glory with the tamper and the two baskets. The tamper is a bit too small to sit flush with the baskets, and most importantly, there's no modern 17–19 gram basket. We immediately optimized the machine with a corresponding basket from IMS.
Espresso quality
The La Marzocco Linea Micra has everything it takes to make good espresso. A rotary pump that gets up to speed immediately and delivers consistent pressure. Consistent temperature across different usage scenarios, and that just minutes after starting the machine.
We've enjoyed many great espressos, from light specialty espresso to stronger dark espresso blends with a Robusta component.
Important to note: with the paddle at the front of the machine, one might get the impression that the Linea Micra can also run pressure profiles. However, that's not the case. The paddle is merely an on/off switch. No room for gimmicks and therefore no way to play with pressure or flow rate adjustments on complex coffees. The Linea Micra is not suited for that.
A real drawback is that the Linea Micra also lacks shot volume control and pre-programming. The espresso quantity in the cup must be manually stopped, making the use of a scale necessary. A shot timer is available in the app but is missing on the machine itself.
Milk frothing
The 1.6 liter steam boiler does its job solidly. The gauge indeed shows values of up to 2 bar, but it froths with slightly less punch than its sister models GS3 and Linea Mini. The performance is easily sufficient to get all the milk in a 0.6 liter pitcher into motion. Only the steam wand is somewhat short and requires a fairly high milk level in the pitcher.
Comparison Linea Mini and Linea Micra
Compared to the Linea Mini, the main visual differences besides the reduced size are cosmetic ones. The drip tray is also large on the Micra relative to many other espresso machines. A nice upgrade is that the 1.6 liter water reservoir behind the drip tray can be refilled easily without having to be pulled out. This is possible because a protruding part of the reservoir is recessed into the drip tray.
The Linea Micra is the first La Marzocco machine to have a float switch in the drip tray to warn of overflow. Inside the machine, there are some differences: the steam boiler holds 3.5 liters, almost double that of the Micra. The heat exchanger runs through the boiler rather than being wrapped around it.
The temperature of the Linea Micra is adjusted via the La Marzocco Home App.
App requirement
If you want to use the app, you first have to register. Why I should have to hand over my email address to the manufacturer to use my espresso machine is only partially clear to me. At least this ensures that I'm the one communicating with the machine and not my neighbor.
The app works well in itself and connects via Bluetooth without any issues. The machine is then integrated into the WiFi network, receives new updates, tutorial videos, and FAQs.
Additionally, you can adjust the brew temperature, preinfusion, and pre-infusion settings, as well as various other things. A morning start and stop time can be defined, as with the other IoT-capable La Marzocco espresso machines.
The steam boiler can also be switched on via the app. A cleaning program can also be started via the app – nice touch.
Sales strategy and availability
The Linea Micra is initially only being sold via direct sales from La Marzocco and through La Marzocco subsidiaries. The machine can be viewed in corresponding showrooms. In Germany, there are three of them: in Berlin, Munich, and Stuttgart. In Austria, the machine can be viewed in Vienna. In Switzerland, there is no such option. According to La Marzocco's website, online purchasing is currently also not possible in Switzerland.
Direct sales certainly have advantages in terms of selling price. There's no need to factor in reseller margins. However, online sales and sales at only a few showrooms and stores contradict what we recommend to espresso machine buyers. In regions where local dealers do good work and have also helped make the La Marzocco brand present in the markets, sales should always take place locally.
We also see the purchase of a machine as the start of a partnership with a local dealer who remains the point of contact for service and questions about the machines. A local dealer can also help assess the temperature of your own machine and might be the right place for home barista courses.
When buying a machine online, it's often forgotten that an espresso machine only makes good coffee when the person in front of it and the machine and grinder form a well-coordinated team. A local dealer can provide valuable help in mediating between the three.
La Marzocco is betting on sales through its own operational structure also because this allows feedback for a completely new machine to reach the parent company directly and unfiltered. After six months, it's planned for some markets that the machine will also be available through other dealers. Let's hope that applies to Switzerland as well.
