Last October I upgraded from an ECM synchronika to a LM Línea micra and I don’t regret it one bit. The thermal stability, the bone dry steam it creates is on another level. I haven’t looked back. Love my Little Micra and the plastic bits were upgraded to Oak within the first week of owning 😂 Thanks for the video!
Not sure if pricing varies a lot globally, but in my part of the woods I can buy two E61 dual boiler machines (with zero plasticky bits and levers), e.g ECM or Profitec for the price of one Mini. The La Marzocco brand means a lot, but there should be a linear inverse relationship between the amount of plastic, and price.
The plastic isn't the same as a cheap throw away machines, it’s also what has been used for many years and is a look back to the heritage of what the Linea commercial machine which made them what they are today. There are some really nice after market timber kits to customise these machine too👍🏻
For me the look of Mini&Micra is just ancient. They are good machines, but I prefer to wait for release of Slayer Steam Single. That should be a better choice
Nice one Luke! In my thoughts, if you are looking for easy to use, repeatable & solid espresso performance with great steaming for the home, it's hard to see much of a case in going anything beyond the Micra. There are a few things that lend very nicely to the home situation on the Micra, like size and heat up times, and beyond the brew by weight & hybrid saturation, there's not so much the Mini really offers beyond the Micra. The new hybrid saturation with the secondary solenoid is cool and possibly it's main selling point over the Micra, but I'd still lean preference to a plumbed preinfusion which both machines do. Not to mention, the Micra is a good bit cheaper. They're probably each others biggest competition in many ways! 😀
Another difference between these machines is that the new Mini has a different group configuration and employs a secondary solenoid valve for its pre-brewing/infusion that the Micra does not have. I have read that this helps with puck integrity which is an issue with the Micra/GS3/etc.. I haven't seen a lot of video on the new Mini that address this difference.
Linea mini has and always had the same steam boiler as the GS3 and it’s a 3.5l boiler, not 3l. Check some old spec sheets of the machine to confirm because it seems la marzocco has a mistake on their Mini R page spec sheet…
Thanks for this helpful comparison. I would have liked if you included the following measurements for the two machines as these are raised as concerns on forums and other video's: 1. Space between drip tray and portafilter spout (with double spout in place) 2. Length of steam wand, distance between corner and steam tip
@@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters Thx for your response. I think the Mini is the better choice for me in the end. I also found out yesterday after comparing the internals of both machines that the preheating of the Micra is very different from the Mini. Whereas the Mini uses a short HX element to preheat the water going to the brew boiler, the Micra (to save space I guess) uses about 5 meters !! of copper tubing coiled around the boiler. This tubing has a volume of about the 250ml, so essentially working as a second copper boiler (but with 5 times the contact area compared to a normal boiler). For brewing espresso, I like my water fresh from the tank and also prefer stainless steel material over copper. Copper tends to corrode and leach more over time, especially when getting in contact with descaling solutions etc. I don't mind a short tube here and there, but 5 meters is something I have't seen in any machine really. With the Micra you would need to flush more than half a liter of water to get fresh water from the tank. The brew boiler of the Micra is 250ml and for some reason is also larger than that of the Mini (170ml).
Hoping the new additions to the Mini (shot timer etc) get added into the Micra in the near future. Would be a no brainer to upgrade over to the Micra for home use. Curious if I'm overthinking it's value there but I'm hoping to upgrade from my Rancilio Silva M to the Micra in the next few years.
Hey bud, how would you compare them to the gs3? I know they are different pair of shoes, especially with the flow control at the gs3. I’ve been also considering to go for a lelit Bianca.
Great review. Although briefly mentioned here, between the Mini and GS3, which one you think will be better in an espresso mobile cart type operation? I know the GS3 is more expensive but that means it will perform better? Recover faster and be able to produce more drinks (mostly lattes) hourly? Again, thanks for your review and awesome content. Saludos !!! 😎☕️
The mini over the mica for sure with any commercial applications. The gs3 again would be better than the mini if the price is not an issue. But you can get the the single group lines classic S which is a commercial machine that is designed for the cafe specifically
Really want to upgrade my Flair 58 to the Micra but the price in the US is extremely high, What in your opinion is the best machine at that compact size please. Thank You!
Water filters are specifically designed for a water test in your region. All towns and even different streets in towns have different water as you may have old rusty pipes. A kit will need a good filter, a pressure limiting valve and should be installed by a plumber or coffee tech as if it leaks and wrecks all your cupboards then you may not be insured. So above $500 aud is the starting point depending on the filters and the kit LM offer.
I'd say it's just an update away. Sooner or later perhaps. Although it would unlock that function and probably grab a bunch of LM x Acaia sales, it's one less string to thebow of the Mini over the Micra...
Haha! Like a plumber has bad water, a builder house is never finished, a coffee roastery owners home gear is used to get them out the door in the morning weekdays to make everyone else’s coffee world great! The weekend is where the love for the home machine comes in! 🤙🏻
Love my micra but the app is absolute TRASH. So frustrating every time I want to backflush or change a setting I have to re-pair the machine. They need to hire someone to develop something that works consistently
We don't like the portafilters that they provide. We want the FULL café experience with the ORIGINAL portafilters, NO PLASTIC involved!! They have NOT been serious about this. At least they could have provided both portafilters for the price!!
Boy do i have a surprise for you. Well wait until you see how much plastic they crammed inside. Plastic frame, plastic diffuser in the grouphead, plastic upon plastic upon plastic. Shameless shadow of the old Linea Mini’s glory, cost cutting, thinner metal sheets, what the hell is happening with La Marzocco under Bernardinelli is way beyond me.
Last October I upgraded from an ECM synchronika to a LM Línea micra and I don’t regret it one bit. The thermal stability, the bone dry steam it creates is on another level. I haven’t looked back. Love my Little Micra and the plastic bits were upgraded to Oak within the first week of owning 😂
Thanks for the video!
Great to hear you noticed the changes, yes timber highlights are a nice touch and make it looks beautiful
I hardly consider that an upgrade.
2:31 None of these have saturated groups, both have integrated groups.
Not sure if pricing varies a lot globally, but in my part of the woods I can buy two E61 dual boiler machines (with zero plasticky bits and levers), e.g ECM or Profitec for the price of one Mini. The La Marzocco brand means a lot, but there should be a linear inverse relationship between the amount of plastic, and price.
agree, the plastic isn’t a good look on premium machines
The plastic isn't the same as a cheap throw away machines, it’s also what has been used for many years and is a look back to the heritage of what the Linea commercial machine which made them what they are today. There are some really nice after market timber kits to customise these machine too👍🏻
For me the look of Mini&Micra is just ancient. They are good machines, but I prefer to wait for release of Slayer Steam Single. That should be a better choice
Man stop defending 😂
Nice one Luke! In my thoughts, if you are looking for easy to use, repeatable & solid espresso performance with great steaming for the home, it's hard to see much of a case in going anything beyond the Micra. There are a few things that lend very nicely to the home situation on the Micra, like size and heat up times, and beyond the brew by weight & hybrid saturation, there's not so much the Mini really offers beyond the Micra. The new hybrid saturation with the secondary solenoid is cool and possibly it's main selling point over the Micra, but I'd still lean preference to a plumbed preinfusion which both machines do. Not to mention, the Micra is a good bit cheaper. They're probably each others biggest competition in many ways! 😀
Yes a great summary. Volume output is a big key here, the mini is great for a bar or restaurant and the micra for home .👍🏻
there's also the height between the cup and the group, which is low on the Micra when you place a scale and the spout for 2 cups...
Another good review for all budgets keep up the great work.
Thank you. Yea there are machines for all budgets, this is a high price but if there was not the market the machines would not be made.
thank you for this video. Can you feel a difference in the quality of the cup?
Another difference between these machines is that the new Mini has a different group configuration and employs a secondary solenoid valve for its pre-brewing/infusion that the Micra does not have. I have read that this helps with puck integrity which is an issue with the Micra/GS3/etc.. I haven't seen a lot of video on the new Mini that address this difference.
Yes you are correct 👍🏻
Linea mini has and always had the same steam boiler as the GS3 and it’s a 3.5l boiler, not 3l. Check some old spec sheets of the machine to confirm because it seems la marzocco has a mistake on their Mini R page spec sheet…
Thanks for this helpful comparison. I would have liked if you included the following measurements for the two machines as these are raised as concerns on forums and other video's:
1. Space between drip tray and portafilter spout (with double spout in place)
2. Length of steam wand, distance between corner and steam tip
Noted! The removal of the spout helps with this height, and yes a small jug is best for steaming, a large jug is tricky
@@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters Thx for your response. I think the Mini is the better choice for me in the end. I also found out yesterday after comparing the internals of both machines that the preheating of the Micra is very different from the Mini. Whereas the Mini uses a short HX element to preheat the water going to the brew boiler, the Micra (to save space I guess) uses about 5 meters !! of copper tubing coiled around the boiler. This tubing has a volume of about the 250ml, so essentially working as a second copper boiler (but with 5 times the contact area compared to a normal boiler). For brewing espresso, I like my water fresh from the tank and also prefer stainless steel material over copper. Copper tends to corrode and leach more over time, especially when getting in contact with descaling solutions etc. I don't mind a short tube here and there, but 5 meters is something I have't seen in any machine really. With the Micra you would need to flush more than half a liter of water to get fresh water from the tank. The brew boiler of the Micra is 250ml and for some reason is also larger than that of the Mini (170ml).
Hoping the new additions to the Mini (shot timer etc) get added into the Micra in the near future. Would be a no brainer to upgrade over to the Micra for home use. Curious if I'm overthinking it's value there but I'm hoping to upgrade from my Rancilio Silva M to the Micra in the next few years.
Yes it would be nice to have the shot timer, you can always have the timer on a scale to help this.
Hey bud, how would you compare them to the gs3? I know they are different pair of shoes, especially with the flow control at the gs3.
I’ve been also considering to go for a lelit Bianca.
Can you do an in-depth review of the Breville Dual Boiler?
Coming soon, 🤙🏻
Great review. Although briefly mentioned here, between the Mini and GS3, which one you think will be better in an espresso mobile cart type operation? I know the GS3 is more expensive but that means it will perform better? Recover faster and be able to produce more drinks (mostly lattes) hourly? Again, thanks for your review and awesome content. Saludos !!! 😎☕️
The mini over the mica for sure with any commercial applications. The gs3 again would be better than the mini if the price is not an issue. But you can get the the single group lines classic S which is a commercial machine that is designed for the cafe specifically
@@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters Thanks for the advice. Saludos !!!
Really want to upgrade my Flair 58 to the Micra but the price in the US is extremely high, What in your opinion is the best machine at that compact size please. Thank You!
Not everyone needs a dual boiler for home, there are many HX machines that will make great coffee for under $3k Aud that would be good for you.
@@ArtistiCoffeeRoasters Thank you! What is your favorite compact model and brand.
Hi my question is what type of water filtration system is required for warranty purposes and what cost for the system?
Water filters are specifically designed for a water test in your region. All towns and even different streets in towns have different water as you may have old rusty pipes. A kit will need a good filter, a pressure limiting valve and should be installed by a plumber or coffee tech as if it leaks and wrecks all your cupboards then you may not be insured. So above $500 aud is the starting point depending on the filters and the kit LM offer.
no hints from LM to upgrade their Micra software to also connect to acaia scale?
Not that I am aware, I’ll keep you in the loop if I hear anything
I'd say it's just an update away. Sooner or later perhaps. Although it would unlock that function and probably grab a bunch of LM x Acaia sales, it's one less string to thebow of the Mini over the Micra...
Do you even pro Home Barista if you don’t empty the drip tray for a week?
Haha! Like a plumber has bad water, a builder house is never finished, a coffee roastery owners home gear is used to get them out the door in the morning weekdays to make everyone else’s coffee world great! The weekend is where the love for the home machine comes in! 🤙🏻
🤤🤤
Love my micra but the app is absolute TRASH. So frustrating every time I want to backflush or change a setting I have to re-pair the machine. They need to hire someone to develop something that works consistently
We don't like the portafilters that they provide. We want the FULL café experience with the ORIGINAL portafilters, NO PLASTIC involved!! They have NOT been serious about this. At least they could have provided both portafilters for the price!!
Boy do i have a surprise for you. Well wait until you see how much plastic they crammed inside. Plastic frame, plastic diffuser in the grouphead, plastic upon plastic upon plastic. Shameless shadow of the old Linea Mini’s glory, cost cutting, thinner metal sheets, what the hell is happening with La Marzocco under Bernardinelli is way beyond me.
@@jurgenzielmann1108 I only care about plastic or non-noble materials in hot water circuits to be honest...
Toxic plastic - disgusting 🤢