Do you want to learn more about famous espresso machine brands?
You don’t get much more well-known in the espresso world than La Marzocco or Victoria Arduino. That’s why we’ll be comparing and contrasting these two distinguished brands here.
We’ll cover:
- Basic history of La Marzocco and Victoria Arduino
- What either of these brands excels in
- Factors to consider before you choose which one to buy from
- Our choices for the best espresso machines from either brand
Let’s jump right in.
History
La Marzocco
This manufacturer was born in Florence, Italy, which is home of a few of history’s greatest artists, like Michelangelo. Like these artists, La Marzocco strives to incorporate innovation and beauty into their espresso machines.
They were the first company to design an espresso machine with a horizontal boiler. Since they pioneered that design, it has become a standard everywhere.
Fans of La Marzocco can take a look at their story here.
Victoria Arduino
Part of the Simonelli Group, this company is a world-class manufacturer with over 100 years of history. They were founded in Italy in 1905, and have consistently produced beautiful machines ever since.
Victoria Arduino strives to make machines that are both gorgeous and ergonomic. As a result, many of their designs are beloved by baristas around the world.
You can learn more about Victoria Arduino as a company here.
Brand Strengths
La Marzocco
For the most part, La Marzocco focuses on crafting top-tier home espresso machines.
You can expect to find compact models that can fit on kitchen counters at home. However, just because they are compact doesn’t mean they are inferior – a La Marzocco model will generally be filled with advanced features.
Furthermore, since they have been around for so long, they have a ton of options to choose from. They have also made commercial-grade machines that can speed through orders when you need it.
Victoria Arduino
If you’re in need of a commercial championship-quality espresso machine, this is a good company to look at.
Victoria Arduino espresso machines are absolutely luxurious. Not only do they tend to look like pieces of art, but they’re usually speedy and powerful.
Choose this brand if what you want is a fast espresso machine whose appearance will leave your customers amazed.
Which brand should you choose?
First, it’s important to mention that you’ll get a top-notch espresso machine from either La Marzocco or Victoria Arduino.
With that in mind, there are a few fine distinctions between them. The biggest one is each company’s main focus.
La Marzocco tends to focus on making home espresso machines. Because of this, users looking for a luxury home model will likely find what they need here.
But busy commercial settings, like large coffee shops, businesses, or restaurants, may want to look at Victoria Arduino. You’ll find cutting-edge and appealing machines with them.
It’s worth noting that La Marzocco also makes some commercial espresso machines. The main difference here is that Victoria Arduino’s are especially well-suited to high volume businesses or specialty coffee shops.
Victoria Arduino also makes comfortable machines for long days of use. This makes their designs perfect for baristas who will be making back-to-back drinks.
Top La Marzocco Espresso Machines
La Marzocco Linea Mini
This is a great example of a luxury home espresso machine. The La Marzocco Linea Mini is both small to fit on those packed home counters, and advanced to craft unforgettable espresso.
You can play with flavor profiles when you have control over temperature. You’ll get this control with the Linea Mini’s stepped adjustment wheel, which makes tweaking the temperature as easy as twisting a knob.
A paddle at the top will also let you pull longer or shorter shots as necessary. Simply move it from side to side to begin and end brewing.
- Machine Automation: Semiautomatic paddle
- Boiler System: Dual boiler
- Groups: 1
- Dimensions: 15 inches tall, 14 inches wide, 21 inches long
- Plumbing: Pour-over
- Best Use: Home
- Rotary Pump: The pump in the Linea Mini is built to last, so you won’t need to worry about repairing or replacing it soon.
- Barista Lights: Work safely even in low-light settings by the illumination of the barista lights built by the group. Because you can always see clearly, the risk of spills is also reduced.
- Integrated Group: Increased thermal stability is provided by the group head attached to the coffee boiler. Temperature fluctuations that could harm the taste of your drinks are minimized.
La Marzocco GS3 Volumetric
Want an espresso machine that can work in a home or small office and guarantee consistency? Then the La Marzocco GS3 Volumetric could be just what you need.
Because of its automation, you’ll get shots brewed for the same duration every time. This means that they’ll taste as good as every single one made before, no matter who’s using the machine.
Aside from being an automatic machine, the GS3 Volumetric is great for beginners because of its steam wand. The steam wand remains cool to the touch all day, keeping you or your employees safe during use.
- Machine Automation: Volumetric (automatic)
- Boiler System: Dual boiler
- Groups: 1
- Dimensions: 15 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 21 inches long
- Plumbing: Pour-over or direct-connect
- Best Use: Home or small office
- Cool Touch Steam Wand: The double-walled steam wand increases safety by protecting users from burns.
- Programmable Pre-Infusion: Pre-infusion helps you up your espresso game by settling the grounds before extraction. On the GS3 Volumetric, you’ll be able to program the duration of the pre-infusion, letting you tailor espresso to specific preferences.
- Large Boiler Capacities: A 1.5-liter coffee boiler and 3.5-liter steam boiler will give you the power to make numerous drinks in a row. You won’t run out of steam in the middle of making drinks for a crowd here.
If the GS3 seems like the perfect fit for you, you can turn to the La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi II for a great alternative. It also has an impressive dual boiler design and volumetric dosing system that's consistent and easy to introduce beginners to.
Top Victoria Arduino Espresso Machines
Victoria Arduino Black Eagle Gravimetric
The Black Eagle Gravimetric, like its name, is built to soar above its competition. This is the espresso machine for you if you need something that can effortlessly fly through drink orders.
Unlike most other automatic machines, the Black Eagle uses gravitech to ensure consistency. What this does is accurately weigh out the volume of each espresso shot instead of time them.
To further its precision, the Black Eagle uses T3 technology. Employees will be able to adjust the temperature in each individual boiler, giving them the tools to craft unique drinks.
- Majesty Coffee Price: $23,850 (2-group) and $30,105 (3-group)
- Machine Automation: Volumetric (automatic) + manual dosing options
- Boiler System: Multiple
- Groups: 2 or 3
- Dimensions: 20 inches tall, 28 inches wide, 33 (43 on the 3-group) inches long
- Plumbing: Direct-connect
- Best Use: High-volume coffee shops, restaurants, cafes, barista competitions
- Gravitech: Guarantees an even greater level of precision across multiple drinks by weighing each shot. This means customers will be able to enjoy their favorite drinks each time they visit your business regardless of who’s making them.
- Reverse Mirror: Employees will be able to visually monitor the espresso from all angles without having to hunch over with the reflective back plate.
- T3 Technology: Baristas can adjust the temperature in every single boiler, ensuring that thermal conditions are optimal for any kind of blend.
- Cool Touch Steam Wands: In addition to protecting users from burns, these steam wands reduce the time you need to spend cleaning. That’s because milk won’t burn onto their tips.
You’re getting an advanced espresso machine when you choose the White Eagle T3. In a way, it’s like a paintbrush, and put in the hands of a talented barista, it can craft masterpieces.
Its raised group heads will let you brew directly into taller cups. This preserves the crema from the disturbance of being transferred to these taller cups by hand.
The White Eagle also has a convenient centralized LCD display. Through this beautiful display, you or your employees will be able to control espresso doses, boiler pressure, or access energy-saving settings.
- Majesty Coffee Price: $16,200 (2-group) or $18,900 (3-group)
- Machine Automation: Volumetric (automatic) + manual dosing options
- Boiler System: Multiple
- Groups: 2 or 3
- Dimensions: 20 inches tall, 26 inches wide, and 33 (42 for the 3-group) inches long
- Plumbing: Direct-connect
- Best Use: High-volume coffee shops, restaurants, cafes, barista competitions
- Raised Group Heads: Fit just about any size cup beneath the group heads, so you can save time on having to transfer shots for larger drinks by hand to tall cups.
- LCD Display: Settings can be adjusted to your preferences all from one convenient clear LCD display.
- Energy-Saving Settings: Program the White Eagle to turn on or off at specific times. You’ll never need to worry about accidentally leaving the machine on again.
Interested in seeing more of Victoria Arduino? Take a look at Majesty Coffee's Victoria Arduino collection by clicking here. You can also check out our La Marzocco collection by clicking here.
If you have any questions about our products, feel free to give us a call at (888) 978-5224.
