On the KB90 the portafilter goes straight in: you push it into the group without twisting and release it with a button. La Marzocco built it for the busiest cafés, where baristas lock in hundreds of shots a day; according to La Marzocco, the straight-in system cuts the strain on the wrist twelvefold. After every shot, Steam Flush cleans the group with a burst of steam followed by hot water.
Behind that sits a 1.3 liter saturated coffee boiler per group, dual PID, Pro Touch steam wands, a water sensor and the La Marzocco Pro app. It comes with 2 or 3 groups, as AV (programmable doses) or with scales in the drip tray (ABR).
In this review
Our baristas’ verdict
- Best at: cafés that pull shots non-stop, where seconds and wrists count on every drink.
- Right size for: a high-volume bar with 2 or 3 groups and several baristas at work.
- Pick another model if: your bar has a calmer rhythm. A Linea PB or a GB5 does the same espresso work at a lower price.
- Plan for: a short adjustment for new baristas, and KB90 portafilters only.
Strengths and weak points
Strengths
- Straight-in portafilter: less strain and a faster workflow, for left- and right-handed baristas.
- Steam Flush cleans the group after every shot.
- A 1.3 liter coffee boiler per group, dual PID.
- Pro Touch steam wands; the steam valve opens fully in half a turn and is serviced from the front.
- Water sensor, Pro app, USB port, eco mode and LED barista lights.
Weak points
- Large and heavy: 81 cm wide, 77 kg (2 groups).
- KB90-specific portafilters; standard ones do not fit.
- More machine than a low-volume bar needs: the Linea PB does the same espresso work at a lower price.
Options and how to combine them
Options are ordered together with the machine, so they are fitted before it is installed.
- Auto Brew Ratio scales: scales in the drip tray under each group; with Drip Prediction the machine stops the shot on target weight. One set per machine, for 2 or 3 groups.
- High legs (Linea PB / KB90 kit, La Marzocco part C3007R): more clearance above the counter.
- Powder coating in a standard RAL color or a custom RAL color, confirmed with the order.
- Cup warmer: a special order, through your quote.
- Water treatment: the Brita Purity C1100 XtraSafe filter can go on the same quote.
How to combine them: barista lights are standard on the KB90. Decide early between AV and ABR: when several baristas work the bar, ABR stops every shot on weight, whoever pulls it. High legs and color are one choice per machine.
KB90, GB5 X or Linea PB?
| KB90 | GB5 X | Linea PB AV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groups | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 |
| Portafilter | Straight-in, release button | Classic, turn to lock | Classic, turn to lock |
| Coffee boiler (2 groups) | 2 × 1.3 L, one per group | 2 × 1.3 L, one per group | 3.4 L, shared |
| Steam boiler (2 groups) | 7 L | 7 L | 7 L |
| Scales in the drip tray (ABR) | Option | Option | Option |
| W × D × H (2 groups) | 81 × 62 × 45 cm | 77 × 64 × 47 cm | 71 × 59 × 53.3 cm |
| Weight (2 groups) | 77 kg | 70 kg | 61 kg |
| Power (2 groups) | up to 5,670 W | up to 5,670 W | 4,600 W |
The GB5 X has the same boiler per group with a classic portafilter. According to La Marzocco, the KB90 shares tested components with the Linea PB, so servicing needs no new parts inventory. Figures for the 2-group versions, from La Marzocco and our product pages.
Frequently asked questions
How many coffees a day can it make?
La Marzocco gives no cups-per-day figure for the KB90, so neither do we. It is built for the busiest cafés; the choice between 2 and 3 groups depends on your busiest hour and how many baristas work the bar at once. Tell us those numbers and we advise the size.
Does it need a water connection?
Yes. The KB90 is connected to the water supply; it has no water tank. Its water sensor measures the conductivity and hardness of the incoming water, so you see when your water treatment needs attention. Tell us what is available on site and we check it before installation.
How much maintenance does it need?
Steam Flush rinses the group and shower screen after each shot, so less coffee residue builds up during service; the cleaning at closing stays. The steam valve is serviced from the front. Our product page gives a warranty of 3 years, if professional maintenance is done twice a year.
What does installation involve?
La Marzocco builds the KB90 for 200 V single phase, 220 V single or three phase and 380 V three phase, up to 5,670 W (2 groups) or 7,790 W (3 groups). Have your electrician check the connection first. The machine comes with its own straight-in portafilters. We deliver within 2-3 working days and install by appointment.
Ordering through OR Coffee
Every KB90 from OR Coffee comes with 12 kg of OR specialty coffee for espresso, a Full Barista Training for two people from your team at OR Academy, and full installation of the machine with OR coffee beans. Delivery takes 2-3 working days; installation is by appointment.
Ready for a quote? Request one on the KB90 product page or mail us at webshop@orcoffee.be. Tell us the number of groups, how many drinks you make in your busiest hour and which options you have in mind, and we come back with a quote.
How we wrote this review
The specifications come from La Marzocco’s product page for the KB90 and from our own product page; the options and the machines they fit come from our option pages. All checked on 23 October 2026. We have not published our own measurements; if we add them, we will mark them as ours.
Wouter – OR Coffee. Wouter advises cafés, restaurants and offices on La Marzocco machines at OR Coffee.