Linea Classic S, Linea PB, KB90 or Strada? A comparison

Comparison in one table

Data from La Marzocco product sheets. Boiler capacities are listed in order for each available number of groups.
Model	Groups	Versions	Height	Coffee boiler	Steam boiler	Key technology
Linea Classic S	1–4	EE, AV	44.4 cm	1.8 / 3.4 / 5 / 2 × 3.4 l	3.5 / 7 / 11 / 15 l	dual boiler, saturated groups, dual PID, ½-turn steam valve, timer and programmable doses on the AV
Linea PB	2–4	MP, AV, ABR	53.3 cm	3.4 / 5 / 2 × 3.4 l	7 / 11 / 15 l	saturated groups, dual PID, eco mode, automatic group rinsing, water sensor, conical paddle on the MP, drip tray scales on the ABR
Linea PB X	2–4	AV, ABR	53.3 cm	2 × 1.3 / 3 × 1.3 / 2 × 3.4 l	7 / 11 / 15 l	independent saturated coffee boilers, Piero group caps, Pro Touch steam wands, barista lights, water sensor, drip tray scales on the ABR
KB90	2–4	AV, ABR	45 cm	2 × 1.3 / 3 × 1.3 / 4 × 1.3 l	7 / 11 / 15 l	Straight-in portafilter, Steam Flush, independent boilers, front-serviceable steam valve, water sensor, drip tray scales on the ABR
Strada S	2 or 3	AV, ABR	50 cm	2.6 / 3.9 l	8.2 / 11.8 l	independent boilers with PID on each group, proportional steam valve, Pro Touch steam wands, drip tray scales on the ABR
Strada X	1–3	Manual, Profile, AV modes	50 cm	1.3 / 2.6 / 3.9 l	3.5 / 8.2 / 11.8 l	Smart Saturation, Mass-Based Profiling, independent pumps, pressure profiles, drip tray scales, Steam Flush

Read the table from the left: the number of groups tells you what traffic a model suits, and the technology column tells you what you get beyond the basics. All six models have a dual boiler, meaning a separate boiler for coffee and for steam. They differ in how they hold temperature at the groups, how fast you can work on them at peak times and how much control they give the barista.

Not sure how many groups you need? Work it out in the calculator or ask an adviser.

Group calculator Find your machine in 30 seconds

How do these machines differ?

The first difference is how temperature is maintained. The Linea Classic S and Linea PB have saturated groups, connected directly to the coffee boiler, in which the water circulates constantly. This design comes from the GS of 1970 and is still one of the most stable. The Linea PB X, KB90 and both Stradas have independent coffee boilers for each group, so each group can work at a different temperature.

The second difference is speed. The KB90 was rebuilt for the highest traffic: the portafilter goes in straight, with a simple movement, and after each extraction Steam Flush purges the group with steam and rinses it with hot water. The Strada X has Steam Flush as standard and Straight-in portafilters as an option.

The third difference is control over extraction. The Strada X has independent pumps for each group, pressure profiles, Smart Saturation (automatic pre-infusion) and Mass-Based Profiling controlled by beverage mass. The Linea PB MP has a conical paddle for manual pre-infusion. The ABR versions of the Linea PB, PB X, KB90 and Strada S have drip tray scales.

Choose the Linea Classic S if…

it is your first professional machine and you want a proven, simple design,
your menu is classic: espresso, americano, cappuccino, latte,
your traffic is up to about 300 coffees a day on 2 groups, or more on 3 or 4 groups,
you need a small machine: only the Linea Classic S and Strada X come in a 1-group version.

The Linea Classic S comes in EE and AV versions. With the AV you get programmable doses and an extraction timer above each group's buttons. For three decades it has worked in cafés, roasteries and chains.

Choose the Linea PB if…

you want classic saturated groups, but with new electronics and an eco mode,
automatic group rinsing and a water sensor matter to you, for example in a hotel or a chain,
your baristas want manual pre-infusion with a paddle (MP version),
you serve drinks in tall takeaway cups.

The Linea PB comes with 2, 3 and 4 groups, in MP, AV and ABR versions.

Choose the Linea PB X if…

you run a specialty café and brew coffees from different roasters at different temperatures,
you want drip tray scales and recipes in grams (ABR version),
you want Pro Touch steam wands, which stay cool to the touch.

The Linea PB X has independent saturated coffee boilers in its 2- and 3-group versions. The 4-group version has two 3.4 l coffee boilers. The height is the same as the Linea PB: 53.3 cm.

Choose the KB90 if…

you have queues at peak times and the highest traffic in the area,
you want your team to stop less often to clean the groups,
short downtime during service matters to you: the steam valve is replaced from the front.

The KB90 comes with 2, 3 and 4 groups, in AV and ABR versions. It is based on the Linea PB and shares many components with it, so servicing is simpler and parts are easy to get.

Queues from the morning on? Ask about a KB90 configured for your venue.

Ask about the KB90 KB90 page

Choose the Strada S or Strada X if…

you want a low machine, so the barista can see and talk to the customer,
you want to program the temperature of each group separately,
for the Strada X: you want pressure profiles, Smart Saturation and beverage mass control.

The Strada S comes with 2 and 3 groups, in AV and ABR versions. The Strada X comes with 1, 2 and 3 groups and has Manual, Profile and AV modes. Both are 50 cm high. There is no 4-group Strada, so for the highest traffic the options are the KB90 or two machines.

We recommend the Strada X for specialty cafés and roasteries that sell about 300 coffees a day or more and put quality first. With lower traffic its capabilities often go unused, and the Linea PB X or Strada S also give you a separate temperature on each group, with simpler operation.

What is the difference between the S and X versions?

At La Marzocco, the letter X marks a better-equipped version of the same family, but the difference looks a little different in each family:

Linea: the Linea PB X has independent saturated coffee boilers instead of the single coffee boiler in the Linea PB, plus Pro Touch steam wands and barista lights as standard.
GB5: the GB5 S has saturated groups, the GB5 X has independent coffee boilers and Pro Touch steam wands.
Strada: both versions have independent boilers, and the Strada X adds independent pumps, pressure profiles, Smart Saturation and Mass-Based Profiling.
Leva: the Leva X has independent boilers, smart PID and a pressure display on each group, the Leva S has dual PID and pressure gauges.

We explain version labels such as AV, ABR, EE and MP separately in the guide AV, ABR, EE, MP: what La Marzocco machine versions mean.

Where do the GB5 and Leva fit in this comparison?

The GB5 S and GB5 X are an alternative to the Linea PB and Linea PB X when the bar is the venue's showpiece. They have classic lines, a water sensor and a front-serviceable steam valve, with 2 to 4 groups. The Leva S and Leva X are lever machines with 2 or 3 groups. They are chosen by roasteries, showrooms and venues where brewing is part of the show. You will find full data for all models on the La Marzocco espresso machines page, and we cover how many groups you need in the guide How many groups does your venue need?.

KB90 or Linea PB?

This is the most common dilemma with high traffic. Both machines share the same base and many parts. The Linea PB means saturated groups and automatic group rinsing; the KB90 means independent boilers, a straight-in portafilter and Steam Flush. If a peak-time queue is part of daily life and several people work at the machine, choose the KB90. If traffic is high but steady, the Linea PB will do the same job with simpler means.

We write more about matching a family to your venue in the guide Which espresso machine for a café?.

frequently asked questions

How does the Linea PB differ from the Linea Classic S?

Both have a dual boiler and saturated groups. The Linea PB has new electronics, an eco mode, automatic group rinsing, a water sensor and more room for tall cups, plus MP and ABR versions. The Linea Classic S is simpler and is the only member of the Linea family available as a 1-group.

Is the KB90 a better Linea PB?

The KB90 is a Linea PB rebuilt for speed: a straight-in portafilter, Steam Flush and independent boilers. At the highest traffic it is faster to work with. With calmer traffic its advantage shrinks and the Linea PB is enough.

Which Strada for a specialty café?

Strada S if you want a low machine and separate temperatures on the groups. Strada X if your baristas want pressure profiles and beverage mass control, and your traffic is about 300 coffees a day or more.

Which of these machines come with 4 groups?

The Linea Classic S, Linea PB, Linea PB X and KB90 come in 4-group versions. The Strada S and Strada X have a maximum of 3 groups.

Do all of these models have drip tray scales?

No. Drip tray scales come on the ABR versions of the Linea PB, Linea PB X, KB90 and Strada S, and on the Strada X. The Linea Classic S comes in EE and AV versions, without drip tray scales.

Which model is the lowest?

The Linea Classic S is 44.4 cm high, the KB90 45 cm, the Strada S and X 50 cm each, and the Linea PB and PB X 53.3 cm each. With low cabinets above the counter, also check the space for cups on top of the machine.

read also

La Marzocco Polska. We help cafés, restaurants and hotels choose a La Marzocco espresso machine for their traffic and menu, set it up and keep it in good shape.

linea classic s, linea pb, kb90 or strada?