La Marzocco Linea Mini

Does that extra 2g of extraction matter? perhaps not - but I cannot get over it. * To read the pressure gauges - you have to bend down since unlike most other machines - the linea has the group head is boxed up and if you are taller, the group head enclosure will obstruct a view of the gauges. * Removing the water reservoir for cleaning - when it's not completely empty will spill water since the hose is connected to the reservoir at the bottom - wish there was a valve to prevent water leaking out.

La marzocco linea mini / Weber EG-1 gets my vote. Although they don’t really match.

La Marzocco Linea Mini may be your best bet, depending on your budget. It’s the perfect low-volume cafe espresso machine. Though depending on where you are you may need to get a machine that is NSF certified.

Even the 10k machines, which admittedly pour a great shot, are a pain in the ass and won’t age well. If you’ve got the cash I would pony up for a La Marzocco Linea Mini, get a decent grinder, good waterfilter and you will literally have the machine for the rest of your life. It’s a little messier and takes longer, but it is a craft you can hone.

I've gotten to the point where I make just as good espresso with that (total cost around $500) as my friend with a La Marzoco Linea Mini and an electric grinder (total cost around $5,000). There's not too much difference in grind quality between the Mini and the 1zpresso. Much less of a gap than from the blade grinder to the 1zpresso anyways.

La Marzocco Linea Mini, with maintenance, should last you multiple lifetimes. We've had ours for 2 years now and it's been rock solid. Flush every two weeks, clean the tank, change the gasket once a year and its fantastic. To be fair, we skipped its first annual service because of everything, but not a complaint (its rescheduled for a few weeks).

I own a La Marzocco Linea Mini, Monolith, and Niche Zero. That’s pretty end game, and the Linea Mini is super easy to use (it’s not very adjustable like the Decent or GS3). We picked it for that very reason, in fact. But what’s your budget?