The GB5 S brews from one large saturated coffee boiler shared by all groups: 3.4 liters on the 2-group, 5 liters on the 3-group. Every group runs at the same temperature, which suits a bar built around one house espresso. A built-in water sensor measures the hardness and conductivity of the incoming water, so you follow your water treatment without separate test tools.
Around that sit Piero group caps, dual PID, insulated boilers, 24V electronics, a USB port, the La Marzocco Pro app and dimmable barista lights. 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: a specialty bar that pulls the same house espresso on every group and wants to keep an eye on its water.
- Right size for: a busy bar with 2 groups, or a big counter with 3.
- Pick another model if: you serve two coffees at different temperatures or want Pro Touch wands as standard (GB5 X).
- Plan for: Pro Touch steam wands as a special order, and 70 kg and 77 cm of counter for the 2-group.
Strengths and weak points
Strengths
- Water sensor to check water quality and filter performance.
- Saturated groups, Piero group caps, dual PID and insulated boilers.
- AV, or ABR with scales in the drip tray and Drip Prediction.
- Easy-rebuild steam valve serviced from the front; 24V electronics, USB and Pro app.
- Dimmable barista lights and eco mode.
Weak points
- One coffee boiler for the groups, so one brew temperature. A boiler per group is the GB5 X.
- Pro Touch steam wands only on special order.
- From 70 kg and 77 cm wide (2 groups): check counter and access.
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; the machine stops the shot at the beverage weight you set. One set per machine, for 2 or 3 groups.
- High legs (GB5 S / GB5 X kit): more clearance above the counter.
- Powder coating in a standard RAL color or a custom RAL color, confirmed with the order.
- Pro Touch steam wands and a cup warmer: special orders, through your quote.
- Water treatment: the Brita Purity C1100 XtraSafe filter can go on the same quote; the water sensor then shows how it performs.
How to combine them: barista lights are standard. If you would add Pro Touch wands because your team steams a lot of milk, put the GB5 X next to it in the same quote: there the Pro Touch wands are standard and each group has its own boiler. High legs and color are one choice per machine.
GB5 S, GB5 X or Linea PB?
| GB5 S | GB5 X | Linea PB AV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groups | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 |
| Coffee boiler (2 groups) | 3.4 L, shared | 2 × 1.3 L, one per group | 3.4 L, shared |
| Brew temperature | One for all groups | One per group | One for all groups |
| Steam boiler (2 groups) | 7 L | 7 L | 7 L |
| Scales in the drip tray (ABR) | Option | Option | Option |
| W × D × H (2 groups) | 77 × 64 × 47 cm | 77 × 64 × 47 cm | 71 × 59 × 53.3 cm |
| Weight (2 groups) | 70 kg | 70 kg | 61 kg |
| Power (2 groups) | up to 5,445 W | up to 5,670 W | 4,600 W |
The Linea PB also shares one coffee boiler between its groups and adds an auto backflush program. 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 GB5 S, so neither do we. 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 GB5 S is connected to the water supply; it has no water tank. The water sensor measures the conductivity and hardness of the water entering the machine, 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?
The barista sets automatic cleaning cycles in the electronics, next to doses, boiler temperature and hot water. The steam valve is serviced from the front, and firmware updates go via USB. 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 GB5 S for 200 V single phase, 220 V single or three phase and 380 V three phase, up to 5,445 W (2 groups) or 7,240 W (3 groups). Have your electrician check the connection first. We deliver within 2-3 working days and install by appointment.
Ordering through OR Coffee
Every GB5 S 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 GB5 S 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 GB5 S 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.