The La Marzocco GS3 AV is considered by many to be one of the best home espresso machines – and affectionately called “the GS3” in expert circles. As testers, we were also excited: Michel had a GS3 model in his kitchen for many years, and I use a GS3 AV for coffee catering on our coffee bike. So, we tested the machine both in everyday home use and under tough real-world conditions at events. Spoiler alert: In many respects, the GS3 lives up to its legendary reputation, but it doesn't impress across the board. In the following review, we'll examine the strengths and weaknesses of the GS3 AV and take a close look at who this machine is really suitable for.
Buy La Marzocco GS/3 AV
The following specialty shops sell the La Marzocco GS/3 AV, and we recommend purchasing a machine from them. They all offer to adjust the machine's offset.
Germany: [Partner links] Stoll Espresso
Switzerland: [Partner links] deon
We look for specialist partners for you that we know provide good work and good service. We are in close contact with these dealers. These are affiliate links. If you order via these links, it won't cost you more, but we'll receive a small commission, which we'll invest in new testing equipment. We are still working on expanding, and are looking for competent partners for you in the DACH region.
Workmanship and quality
The workmanship of the GS3 AV leaves little to be desired. La Marzocco consistently used professional components in its construction – precisely those parts that are also used in its commercial machines like the GB5 or Strada. Compromises? None. The result is a single-group espresso machine that feels more like a full-fledged commercial workhorse. The frame and chassis are predominantly made of solid stainless steel, which you not only see but also feel: the GS3 weighs around 33 kg – you immediately notice that quality sometimes means weight.
Inside, professional technology is at work: two generously sized stainless steel boilers (brew boiler 1.5 liters, steam boiler 3.5 liters) and a saturated group head for optimal temperature stability. This dual boiler configuration comes directly from its big sister, the Strada, and ensures constant temperatures and plenty of steam power. The casing appears robust and durable. The only minor drawback in terms of quality might be the side panels: as standard, these are made of black plastic. Given the price, we would have liked full metal here – although La Marzocco optionally offers stylish glass sides or wooden panels. Be that as it may: the fundamental quality of the GS3 is hardly debatable. Everything feels solid and high-quality, from the smooth valves to the thick stainless steel drip tray with plastic inlay. This machine is clearly built to last decades and produce thousands of espressos.
Side view of the La Marzocco GS3 AV.
Usability and new IoT control
The usability of the GS3 AV is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it offers the experienced barista numerous setting options: brewing temperature (PID-controlled) and dispensing volume can be conveniently configured via the digital display, and a shot timer helps with extraction control. The AV variant (Auto-Volumetric) allows the desired water quantity per shot to be precisely programmed – afterwards, a single button press always delivers the same reproducible amount of espresso. This volumetric dose control is invaluable when simultaneously frothing milk or preparing several drinks in a row. In hectic catering operations, we enjoyed being able to briefly dedicate ourselves to other things thanks to the automation, while the GS3 automatically stopped the shot.
On the other hand, it's clear that the GS3's concept dates back to the 2000s. The menu navigation on the small display is functional but a bit old-fashioned. Those accustomed to modern touchscreens will initially scroll through nested menus – it's not intuitive. However, the machine responds promptly to inputs and changes, and thanks to PID, the temperature can be adjusted in fine increments. Newly added (and of course tested by us) is the IoT control via the La Marzocco app. Via Wi-Fi and smartphone, you can now remote control the GS3 – for example, program timers for switching on and off. We used this immediately: being able to switch on the machine from bed in the early morning is a luxury you quickly learn to appreciate. This way, the GS3 is preheated when you stumble sleepily into the kitchen – and you save waiting time. Temperature settings or brewing parameters can also be conveniently changed via the app. However, it must be clearly stated: this new IoT gadget only slightly improves usability and does not fundamentally change the machine's basic concept. Despite the app, the GS3 remains a workhorse, not a high-tech gimmick. Those who previously managed with the menu navigation will appreciate the app as a nice add-on; however, if you generally find the machine somewhat sluggish to use, IoT won't convert you into a fanboy. Still: programming and preheating via app somewhat mitigates one of the biggest criticisms – the long heat-up time.
Heating time and power consumption
Let's turn to the tangible disadvantages of the GS3 AV: its energy consumption and heating time. Here, the machine's professional heritage shows its flip side. In our test, our GS3 needed around 30 minutes to reach full operating temperature (group head, both boilers, casing heated). La Marzocco officially advertises a heating time of approx. 15 minutes, but this figure is likely very optimistic – perhaps it refers to the time until the boiler set temperature is reached. In practice, it takes about twice as long for the temperature in the saturated group head to stabilize and for the machine to be truly shot-ready. Half an hour of warm-up time is an eternity in everyday home barista life, especially since many more modern machines (e.g., thin-film heaters or lighter dual boilers) are ready to go much faster. Here, you pay the price for the massive metal components and the large boilers. If you want a spontaneous espresso in the morning, you need to plan ahead – or simply leave the GS3 running permanently.
However, the latter is also not ideal advice, because the GS3 AV had the highest power consumption of all single-group espresso machines tested so far. For heating up and pulling 5 double shots, it consumed 0.6 kWh, which is approximately six times that of a smaller thermoblock machine like the Ascaso Steel Duo PID. Even in idle mode, it continuously draws power to keep the 1.5 liters of brew water and 3.5 liters of steam water hot. The GS3 is therefore a true power-guzzler on the electricity meter – it takes what it needs without looking at the electricity bill. At least there is a programmable Eco mode or Half Power mode, which, for example, only heats one boiler or reduces power. In everyday life, however, even this is only of limited help: either you accept the increased consumption, or you consistently switch off the machine after use and use a timer/IoT to preheat it in good time. We opted for a middle ground – planning and preheating – because letting the GS3 run all day would be an expensive pleasure with today's electricity prices. In our rating, this thirst is reflected accordingly: heating time and power consumption are among the weaknesses (30 minutes ~ 3.5/10; very high consumption ~ 2/10 points).
Graphic from 2021
Temperature stability in espresso operation
Let's turn to more enjoyable aspects: the temperature stability and espresso potential of the GS3. Thanks to its saturated group head design and PID control, the GS3 maintains brewing temperature impressively consistently – especially over many extractions. In our endurance test, we pulled 30 espressos in one-minute intervals. The result: no significant performance fluctuations, the temperature rose by a maximum of 1 °C across all extractions. The 1.5-liter brew boiler doesn't falter even under continuous fire. In short: the GS3 is a workhorse that delivers almost constant temperature even with continuous use. In quantitative measurements according to the WBC protocol, the temperature fluctuation was a tiny 0.61 °C, and according to our KM protocol, an equally excellent 0.84 °C immediately after heating up. These are values that we classify as "very good". This puts the GS3 in the top league of espresso machines in terms of temperature consistency.
However, and here comes the critical barista's eye: within a single shot, the GS3 shows a slight tendency towards temperature-related "drift". We were able to confirm what we had heard before – during an espresso shot, the water temperature in the extraction rises slightly, by up to about 1°C from the first to the last drop. Now, to be fair: 1-1.5°C is not a drama in everyday life – most coffee drinkers won't notice anything. We mention it for the perfectionists and tech nerds who want to control every aspect. The bottom line remains: for consecutive shots, the GS3 is unbeatably stable; only those who scientifically dissect each shot individually will discover this minimal increase.
Consequently, in the espresso cup, the GS3 AV delivers what you would expect from a machine of this class: excellently extracted shots with rich aroma and finely nuanced flavor profiles. The combination of constant brewing temperature, powerful 9-bar pressure from the internal rotary pump, and volumetric precision ensures reproducible, café-quality results.
Every espresso we prepared with the GS3 was at least very good, many excellent. Crema, texture, sweetness – all there, provided the beans and grinder play along.
So why only 9/15 points for espresso potential? Well, the GS3 AV doesn't quite reach the absolute espresso perfection because there are still machines with additional refinements. For example, the GS3 MP (Manual Paddle) or other high-end devices with pressure profiling offer the possibility of manually controlling the pressure curve and pre-infusion. This allows a few more extraction percentages to be coaxed out of some coffees, which is not possible with the purely volumetric GS3 AV with its smooth 9-bar profile. Furthermore, the slight temperature increase during the shot remains a minimal flaw. Don't misunderstand us – the GS3 AV makes fantastic espresso, and the limiting factor in 99% of cases is the person using the portafilter, not the machine. But for the full 15 points, it still lacks the very last touch compared to truly uncompromising "espresso laboratories." The GS3 AV is the benchmark for consistent brewing with a 9-bar profile. However, in terms of flexibility, it cannot compete with profile-controlled machines.
Steam unit and milk frothing
When it comes to milk frothing, the GS3 AV shows what it can do with its huge steam boiler. The steam boiler holds a whopping 3.5 liters – a value that no other single-boiler machine achieves. In practice, this means: endless steam, powerful and dry. The GS3 blasts steam so powerfully through the four-hole steam nozzle that it's a joy. We were genuinely amazed at how quickly even larger 0.6-liter pitchers of milk are brought to temperature and into the finest microfoam texture, namely in 19 seconds. Frothing a 300ml milk pitcher? The GS3 does it in a few seconds, and there would probably still be room for more. This steam power is absolutely "at commercial level" – frothing large quantities of milk consecutively is a breeze for this machine. In home use, you have to be more careful: those coming from a smaller machine will be surprised by the intensity of the steam. Here you have to practice or reduce the pressure so as not to accidentally get the milk too hot or too foamy, because the GS3 works mercilessly efficiently. Once you get the hang of it, the GS3 conjures up fantastic barista-quality milk foam: velvety, fine-pored and beautifully shiny, perfect for latte art.
A nice bonus is the high-quality craftsmanship of the steam wand itself. It is made of stainless steel, fully articulated (360° swiveling), and insulated as a "no-burn" wand. This means you can safely touch it even after steaming without burning your fingers – a blessing for clumsy people like me who tend to clean the machine while steaming and accidentally touch the wand. Of course, the GS3 also has a hot water outlet, which mixes hot boiler water with some fresh water via a mixing valve. This provides slightly cooler 90 °C water for, say, tea or Americano, instead of boiling water, which works very well in practice. Such details show that the GS3 is thoughtful and aims to offer the user convenience.
In total, we award 8/10 points for frothing quality. The performance of the steam unit is unique. So why not 10/10? Because in 2025, we have reached a time of automatic steam wands that, with temperature probes in the tip, independently deliver very good milk foam quality. They are less powerful and usually falter, but for home use, this is still an exciting additional option for many home baristas. We additionally evaluate the strength and power of the GS3 AV's steam delivery in the category of commercial, volume, and catering performance.
Volume potential and catering suitability
Now we come to the core topic of the GS3 AV: its area of application. As we hinted in the title, this machine shows its greatest strengths outside of typical home barista routines. The GS3 was not originally designed as a classic household machine, but as a compact commercial or catering machine. All components, volumes, and performance data are designed to produce many espressos in a row with consistent quality. And that's exactly what it does – almost unflinchingly. Our own GS3, which we use for events, is the best example: for almost 8 years, we have sent it to trade fairs, weddings, and street festivals. There, it has to effortlessly pull 300–400 espressos in one day – and it still does so as reliably as on day one. That's a big deal, and the machine still shows no significant signs of aging. We have neither noticed noticeable performance drops nor had to carry out major repairs. And if a component does give up the ghost, it can be quickly replaced thanks to its modular design – the GS3 is made to run forever.
We reward this volume and catering potential with 10/10 points. In practice, this means: the GS3 is ideal for the small coffee truck, the coffee bar at the weekly market, or as a second machine in a small roastery. It can be operated with a fixed water connection (or via the internal 2.5 L tank, if necessary) and, thanks to its rotary pump, can also be connected to the drain – a real relief in continuous operation, so you don't have to worry about the water tank and drip tray. The temperature remains stable over dozens of shots, and the steam supply seems inexhaustible. With a GS3, we can prepare so many drinks in a short time that we run out of breath before the machine does. In our coffee mobile, it has shown many an astonished guest what a single group head can do when it comes from La Marzocco.
However, all this praise has a crucial catch: at home, very few will ever need this potential. In the home barista context, the GS3 AV is simply oversized. Anyone who makes two espressos in the morning and perhaps a cappuccino in the afternoon is only scratching the surface of what this machine was built for. The biggest weakness of the GS3 therefore lies in a misallocation: it can do an incredible amount – more than a home user ever needs – and has to make compromises for this (power consumption, heat-up time, price). You pay a high price for capabilities that you hardly use in everyday life. That's precisely why our conclusion is differentiated: for ambitious home baristas with a large budget and professional aspirations, the GS3 AV can of course be a dream. It's also fun to operate such a precision tool, and you feel the reserve and stability that slumbers in the machine with every shot. But purely rationally speaking, it's often "too much" for pure home use.
Accessories and scope of delivery
A quick look at the topic of accessories: here, La Marzocco unfortunately proves stingy – and that flows into our rating (3/10 points). Given the purchase price starting from 6900 Swiss Francs or 7600 Euros for the GS3 AV, we would have expected a somewhat more extensive or higher quality accessory package. The box only contains the bare essentials: a double and a single spout portafilter, four filter baskets (7g, 14g, 17g, 21g), a blind filter for backflushing, a simple stainless steel tamper, cleaning powder, a water hardness test kit, and a direct water connection kit. Don't get us wrong – this is solid and doesn't miss any essential components. But "premium" feels different. For example, a bottomless portafilter, which other manufacturers often include in this price range, is conspicuously absent. The included tamper, while metal, is rather simple and no match for the elegant precision tampers that many home baristas use today. No milk jug, no knock box, no other gimmicks – La Marzocco could have been a bit more generous here to offer the buyer a complete package. As it is, you still have to buy a few extras to complete the setup.
Conclusion: Who is the GS3 AV for?
The La Marzocco GS3 AV is, without a doubt, an exceptional machine. In our real-world tests, it impressively demonstrated its capabilities: first-class espresso quality, incredible performance over long shot series, robust construction, and professional-level steam power. As a home barista, the GS3 makes you feel almost like a small café owner – you can, if you wish, serve an entire party with cappuccinos in a short amount of time, without the machine batting an eyelid. This machine conveys a comforting feeling of unwavering stability and reserve. Its charming retro design with modern internal values also fits this perfectly, and it will undoubtedly elevate many kitchen setups (provided the massive device fits).
At the same time, it must be soberly noted that the GS3 AV is only truly sensible for home use in very specific cases. The machine's biggest advantages – its high throughput and continuous load capacity – are hardly utilized in normal household use. Instead, you have to manage the mentioned disadvantages: you need patience when heating up, accept very high power consumption, and invest a huge amount of money. Our price-performance ratio in home operation is accordingly drastic: we only award 1.2/10 points here. In other words: you primarily pay for the brand name and the professional reserves, less for your espresso being better than with a machine half the price. If you are purely looking at espresso quality for a few shots per day, you will be almost on par with significantly cheaper devices – simply because the GS3 cannot flex its muscles due to lack of opportunity.
Nevertheless, there is a niche where the GS3 AV excels: semi-professional applications. For passionate hobby baristas who regularly host larger coffee gatherings (e.g., the whole family and neighborhood on weekends), or for businesses with limited space (e.g., delicatessens, bars, or mobile coffee stands), the GS3 is a fantastic solution. It combines the performance of a commercial espresso machine with the size and handling of a household machine. In this context, the investment also amortizes much faster – we ourselves have experienced that our GS3 paid for itself within a year through catering income. And the lifespan of a GS3 is measured in decades, not years.
Our Tip: Think carefully about what "type of coffee drinker" you are. If your heart beats faster at the thought of enjoying every facet of espresso preparation with a genuine La Marzocco, and if the mentioned weaknesses play minor roles for you, then you will be very happy with the GS3 AV. It demands something from you (electricity, space, money, and commitment), but it also gives you an incredible amount back. Daily use simply feels professional – and that has its own unique charm. If, on the other hand, you are primarily interested in results with reasonable effort and perhaps only drink a few cups a day, then the GS3 can even be frustrating because its potential lies dormant and it seems rather cumbersome in everyday life. In that case, a smaller dual boiler machine or a good heat exchanger is probably a better choice.
Summary of La Marzocco GS3 AV Review: (As of Test 2025)
- Quality: 8/10
- Accessories: 3/10
- Usability: 5.5/10 (without IoT)
- Volumetrics (automatic dosing): 9/10
- Temperature Stability: Very good (WBC protocol: 0.61 °C; KM protocol: 0.84 °C)
- Heat-up time: approx. 30 min. (3.5/10)
- Power Consumption: Very high (2/10)
- Frothing Quality: 8/10
- Espresso Potential: 9/15
- Noise Level: 3/5 (~60 dB)
- Price-Performance: 1.2/10
- Volume/Catering Potential: 10/10
