Lavazza LB 300 Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Lavazza LB 300 is a single serve capsule espresso machine designed and manufactured by Lavazza, the iconic Italian coffee company. This compact and stylish machine allows you to brew delicious espresso, lungos and regular coffee using Lavazza's proprietary capsules.

The LB 300 features an elegant design with stainless steel and black plastic construction. It has a 0.7 liter water tank and a used capsule container with a 10 capsule capacity. The machine has simple one-touch button controls and indicator lights.

Overall, the Lavazza LB 300 aims to provide an easy way to enjoy Lavazza's premium coffee blends at home. It offers versatility to make espresso and regular coffee beverages using convenient capsules. Keep reading this review for an in-depth look at the features, performance and value offered by this single serve Lavazza coffee maker.

Design & Appearance

The Lavazza LB 300 has a sleek and modern design with dimensions of 13 x 11 x 14.5 inches and weighs 10.24 lbs. It comes in black, blue, and white color options with a high-gloss piano finish that gives it an elegant look.

The housing is made of durable engineered ABS plastic while the drip tray is stainless steel. The water tank has a capacity of 1.1 liters and is easy to access from the top. Overall, the design is quite compact which makes the LB 300 a good fit for small kitchen counters.

It has a simple and intuitive control panel with just 3 buttons - 1-cup, 2-cup, and steam. The buttons light up when activated which gives it a nice touch. There is also a removable drip tray to accommodate different cup sizes.

Brewing System

The Lavazza LB 300 uses a single-serve capsule brewing system designed for Lavazza's proprietary coffee capsules. The machine includes Lavazza's patented Lavasteam technology which optimizes water temperature and pressure to extract the ideal flavor from each capsule.

The LB 300 uses a 19-bar pressure system which allows for excellent extraction and crema from the capsules. 19 bars is at the higher end for home espresso machines and helps produce a rich, full-bodied espresso.

Unlike some single-serve machines, the LB 300 allows you to customize the dose or shot size being brewed. You can choose between short, standard, and long with just the press of a button on the control panel. This gives you flexibility to tailor the drink strength and volume to your preferences.

The LB 300 precisely controls water temperature during brewing. The thermoblock heating system heats water to the optimal temperature for that specific coffee capsule to extract the full flavor. This precision temperature control is a key component in brewing cafe-quality coffee at home.

Ease of Use

The Lavazza LB 300 is designed to be very simple and intuitive to use. The interface consists of just two buttons - one for espresso and one for lungo.

To brew, you simply lift the lever, insert a pod, close the lever, place a cup under the spout, and press either the espresso or lungo button. The buttons will blink while brewing is in progress. There are no complex programming options or settings to fiddle with.

The water tank is easy to access from the front of the machine and has markings to gauge the water level. The removable drip tray and waste container are similarly straightforward to remove, empty and clean.

Overall, the LB 300 couldn't be much simpler to operate on a daily basis. The streamlined interface and lack of complicated customization makes it a great choice for those who just want fuss-free coffee brewing. Its simple maintenance helps keep things user-friendly. The intuitive design allows you to enjoy quality espresso and lungo drinks with minimal effort.

Beverage Quality

The Lavazza LB 300 delivers excellent espresso with a rich, full-bodied taste and a nice layer of crema on top. The flavor is well-balanced, not too bitter or acidic. The temperature of the coffee is hot without being scalding.

Each shot pulls with a nice hazelnut color and creamy tan crema. The espresso has a smooth mouthfeel without any grittiness. The flavor profile leans more towards dark chocolate and earthy notes rather than fruity brightness.

The machine is very consistent with maintaining the temperature, pressure, and timing from shot to shot. As long as you use the same coffee blend and grind setting, the espresso will taste virtually identical every time. The consistency makes it easy to dial in the right parameters for your preferred flavor profile.

The pre-infusion cycle helps extract the full depth of flavors from the coffee grounds. Overall, the Lavazza LB 300 makes restaurant-quality espresso that rivals much more expensive machines. The beverages are on par with professional barista standards.

Milk Frothing

The Lavazza LB 300 comes with a manual steam wand that allows you to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The steam wand is easy to use and produces high-quality, creamy foam.

To use the steam wand, simply insert it into your milk pitcher and turn the steam knob. It only takes about 20-30 seconds for the wand to produce hot, steamy milk. The steam is powerful enough to create a rich, velvety microfoam on top of the milk.

The manual aspect gives you full control over the milk frothing process. With a little practice, you can learn to froth milk to the exact texture and temperature you prefer. The steam wand makes it easy to achieve the silky smooth foam required for latte art.

Overall, the LB 300 delivers excellent milk frothing capabilities for a single serve machine. The steam wand is simple to operate and yields cafe-quality foam. It's a great feature for those who enjoy milk-based espresso drinks.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Lavazza LB 300 has a built-in automatic cleaning and descaling cycle to help maintain the machine. After a set number of brews, the machine will prompt you to run a cleaning cycle using just water. This takes about 5 minutes and ensures the internal pipes stay clean.

Descaling is also prompted automatically by the machine based on water hardness and usage. The descaling process mixes descaling solution and water together to flush out mineral buildup in the system. It takes 15-20 minutes and is very straightforward following the on-screen instructions.

Overall, cleaning and maintenance are quite simple on the Lavazza LB 300. The automatic reminders ensure you don't forget these important steps, and the cycles are quick and easy to run. The water tank and drip tray are also removable and dishwasher safe for manual cleaning as needed. With regular descaling, the machine should continue brewing great coffee for a long time.

Pros & Cons

The Lavazza LB 300 has a number of positives as well as some drawbacks to consider:

Pros

• Sleek and compact design takes up minimal counter space
• Easy to use one-button operation
• Heats up quickly in under 1 minute
• Works with both ground coffee and Lavazza espresso pods
• Produces good espresso with thick crema
• Can make other coffee drinks besides espresso
• Removable water tank for easy filling
• Energy saving mode & automatic shut off

Cons

• Small 37oz water tank capacity
• Only makes one coffee at a time
• No option to customize espresso shot volumes
• Frothing wand produces foam but not silky milk microfoam
• Pod holder not adjustable so may not fit all brands
• Cleaning and descaling can be tricky

Overall, the Lavazza LB 300 provides solid espresso and versatility in a compact package. But the lack of customization options and small tank size are limitations to consider. It's a good option for those wanting basic espresso drinks without much fuss.

Value for Money

The Lavazza LB 300 single serve coffee maker offers comparable performance and features to more expensive models but at a more budget-friendly price point.

At around $150-$200, the Lavazza LB 300 is very competitively priced versus other single serve coffee makers with similar brewing capabilities and built-in milk frothers like the Nespresso Lattissima Plus which retails for $299. While more expensive models may have some more premium finishes and extra features, the Lavazza LB 300 focuses on delivering great coffee and espresso drinks without breaking the bank.

Considering the quality espresso and ability to make cappuccinos and lattes, the Lavazza LB 300 represents excellent value compared to getting comparable beverages from your local coffee shop. By using your own fresh beans and milk, you can recreate café-style drinks at home for a fraction of the cost.

Overall, while not the most inexpensive single cup model on the market, the Lavazza LB 300 strikes a great balance between affordability and performance. Customers get reliability, versatility, and consistent results without paying for unnecessary bells and whistles. For shoppers looking for an attractively priced, mid-range single serve machine with milk frothing, the Lavazza LB 300 is a great value option to consider.

Conclusion

Overall, the Lavazza LB 300 is a solid, straightforward single serve coffee maker that delivers consistent coffeehouse-style espresso drinks and drip coffee at an affordable price point.

The sleek and compact design allows it to fit well in most kitchens. The intuitive controls and auto-cleaning features make it easy to operate and maintain. It brews coffee quickly and the milk frother works nicely to produce creamy froth for cappuccinos and lattes.

The beverages it produces taste rich, balanced and flavorful. While experienced baristas can extract more nuance, the Lavazza LB 300 makes it simple for anyone to brew high-quality espresso and specialty coffee drinks at home. It may lack some customization options offered by higher-end models but provides excellent value given its capabilities.

For those seeking an all-in-one single serve coffee maker that can brew espresso, coffee and make milk froth at a reasonable price, the Lavazza LB 300 is an excellent choice worth considering. It reliably delivers delicious coffeehouse beverages with little effort. The Lavazza is easy to use, quick to clean, and excels at making all the coffee essentials from espresso shots to creamy cappuccinos.