The Ferrari of Espresso Machines Is Fueling a Hot Resale Market
by mitchbob on 4/21/2026, 3:17:10 AM
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/dining/la-marzocco-espresso-machine.html
Comments
by: tmoertel
Before you spend many thousands of dollars on a machine better suited to a coffee shop, consider getting a minimalist lever machine.<p>I have (and love) my little Cafelat Robot [1]. It is small, draws no electricity, and relies upon my practiced hands to push preheated water through the coffee puck. There is nothing to get between me and the experience of making great espresso. I can <i>feel</i> the pressure, I can <i>hear</i> the stream of espresso, I can effortlessly adjust the flow in response to what the extraction is telling my senses.<p>Instead of a button press, pulling a shot is now a tactile experience that engages the senses. When the pull is done, I am primed to enjoy the results.<p>Yes, before getting an expensive commercial-style machine, consider what’s on the other end of the spectrum. Full manual has its benefits, both practical and aesthetic.<p>Plus, the money you will save will let you buy a better grinder. And that makes all the difference.<p>[1] <a href="http://www.cafelat.com/robot.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cafelat.com/robot.html</a>
4/23/2026, 6:15:14 PM
by: testfrequency
If only hip cafes that get custom built ones knew how to pull an actual espresso shot.<p>New rule should be La Marzocco judges every barista on their skills before being able to flip a paddle, which requires a bespoke NFC card linked to their certification.<p>Yes I’m salty about the amount of aesthetic cafes that have no idea what to do about their coffee program because all they care about is being a hip third space.
4/23/2026, 5:26:48 PM
by: realo
I used to have a decent espresso machine at home, and try , from time to time, supposedly "barista quality" espressos from cafes around here.<p>I agree wholeheartedly with those who say the coffee beans, the grinder and the barista are more important than the machine.<p>Nowadays at home I use a very simple Bialetti Brikka with exactly 200 ml of water and 20 g of coffee. God shots every single time.
4/23/2026, 5:59:44 PM
by: jasonjei
I love my La Marzocco Linea Micra. It’s exceptionally well-built and feels like an Apple product in its simplicity. The only downside is the app you have to use to use the programmed automated backflush.<p>But the user experience is remarkably simple. Turn the knob left to start the flow of water, turn the other way to stop. Move the dial to steam/froth milk. Fantastic default water pressure and even better tasting coffee. It’s a machine that will last a decade if not longer.
4/23/2026, 5:34:08 PM
by: caycep
I feel like this is where narrative/marketing does something independent of actual results. I mean, I'm sure a good engineer can figure out the fluid dynamics/pressures/seals/filtration reasonably easily.
4/23/2026, 6:22:46 PM
by: nicoritschel
If you're ever in Florence, Italy and love coffee (and La Marzocco) do yourself a favor and visit the museum <a href="https://lamarzocco.com/mktcenter/visit-us-in-italy/" rel="nofollow">https://lamarzocco.com/mktcenter/visit-us-in-italy/</a>
4/23/2026, 5:34:42 PM
by: cjr
Isn’t Kees van der Westen the ferrari of coffee machines?!
4/23/2026, 6:06:33 PM
by: FuriouslyAdrift
So... what is the Corolla of espresso machines?
4/23/2026, 6:01:34 PM
by: mitchbob
> The La Marzocco coffee maker has long been a sought-after classic. But used machines are now even more coveted by cafe owners and collectors.<p><a href="https://archive.ph/afj75" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/afj75</a>
4/21/2026, 3:17:10 AM
by: wslh
Since the thread is full of coffee enthusiasts: I recently stepped outside my espresso-only routine and started appreciating V60 and Origami pour-overs. It's been great realizing how much depth there is outside of espresso. Where does the rest of HN crowd land on pour-overs?
4/23/2026, 6:41:57 PM
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4/21/2026, 11:20:35 AM
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4/23/2026, 6:19:03 PM
by: gyanchawdhary
La Marzocco GS3 and Olympia Express owner here. LM isn't the Ferrari ... that title really should go to KVW and Slayer :)
4/23/2026, 6:07:22 PM