Lelit Mara X oder Profitec Go?

#Siebträger #LelitMaraX #Lelit #Profitec #ProfitecGo

Lelit Victoria Espresso Machine

Out of the BoxLelit Victoria

The Lelit Victoria comes double boxed for protection, a good thing. The main box is black and fairly basic, but still features the outdated glossy painted finish that Lelit would do well to update to more environmentally friendly bits.

Inside, it doesn’t get much better: the machine is cocooned between two plastic-wrapped styrofoam forms. As always, we encourage companies to go 100% environmentally friendly packaging, ditching polystyrene, styrofoam, and other chemical-based materials. Plant-based is the way to go. Breville has now done it with their Oracle machine, Rancilio does it, time for Lelit to get on board here.

Pulled out of the box and styrene-y type materials removed, the Victoria is wrapped in more plastic, easily removed. On top of the machine is a thick manual, and a cardboard box holds most of the accessories; it is taped and saran-wrapped to the drip tray area. There’s also more goodies inside the reservoir area. Lastly, the plastic wrapped cup riser is also included.

With bits of tape removed, all that comes with the machine is revealed, including portafilter, baskets, a tamper, water filter starter kit, coffee scoop, blind filter and a power cord.

The “look” of the Lelit Victoria is industrial chic. I just made that up. It actually reminds me a lot of the grand daddy of overbuilt consumer espresso machines, the Rancilio Silvia. Brushed metal finish, hard angles, lots of metal. In some ways, it’s what many of us wish the Rancilio Silvia had evolved into today.

Up top, the brushed steel cup warming tray actually warms cups and has a large surface area. The reservoir has a matching steel lid for the back of the machine, with a plastic handle formed into the middle. The cup tray also has a rubber seal all around it to prevent any liquid from ingressing into the electronics and boiler area, in case you put wet cups on top of the machine.

Up front is the controls, pressure gauge, PID controller / OLED display panel and the red Lelit logo. When you power on the machine (via a rocker switch on the left side), the display panel lights up showing the firmware and startup sequence, and the three control buttons – brew, steam activation, hot water – all have their round LED rings light up. When you press one of the buttons, that one stays lit, and the other two turn off.

Unlike Lelit’s less expensive machines, the control buttons on the Victoria look premium (and in fact are the same as some of the push buttons on their flagship Bianca machine). They do have a slightly mushy feel when pressing, but the construction is all metal.

The pressure gauge and display panel – called the LCC (or LECS) system (Lelit Electronic Control System) – is the same diameter as the gauge, which gives the machine a good aesthetic look. The pressure gauge is black, with white numbers and a red dial; it matches the look further of the LCC. The gauge lights up when the machine is pulling a shot.

On the right side of the machine is the steam knob. It is one of the cheapest and most mismatched steam knob dials I’ve seen on any espresso machine. It’s almost as if they said “we give up” when they got to this component, especially when compared to the rest of the machine’s fit and finish.

Moving down the front of the Victoria, there’s the grouphead and steam wand, which doubles as a hot water tap. The wand is fully extendible, and also rotates a full 360 making it very easy to use. It is not a cool touch wand, but does have a silicone sleeve at the bend for handling during use. The wand is a single hole type, important since it also dispenses hot water.

The grouphead is directly attached to the boiler, and Lelit claims it is a “saturated” grouphead (what that means in this case, I’m not sure, as I do not think boiler water is flowing around a cavity in the grouphead; it is too small to do that). Being directly attached, it aids in temperature stability and gets the grouphead heated up to the boiler’s temperature. This means even stability in temperatures through the shot, and good recovery times between shot pulls.

Lelit includes a high end portafilter with a lower-end handle with the Victoria. It’s the same PF steel parts as the flagship Bianca’s PF, but instead of a nice wooden handle, it is an angular plastic model that’s weighted. I’m not a fan of the handle. It is angled, which, in conjunction with the wraparound spouts and flat base on the portafilter, let it sit flat on the counter when tamping.

The backsplash is plain and brushed metal, with a black anodized sticker showing the machine name and type. The drip tray is voluminous and all steel. Lelit cut some minor corners on the drip tray by not fully finishing the welds at the back, but they’re hidden most of the time. The drip tray cover is Lelit’s signature grid wire bars. I’ve seen some complaints about the grid-wire look of Lelit’s drip trays on many of their machines, but if I’m honest, I love the look. I also like how the espresso cup riser looks when placed on top of the main drip tray.

The back of the Victoria features a tastefully embossed Lelit L logo, two rather ugly product spec and certification stickers, and the power outlet at the middle bottom of the machine. Everything is very boxy, but it also is well put together and finished nicely.

When you buy a Victoria, it comes with a single and double filter baskets (both high end IMS baskets!), a blind filter, a water filter system, a thick manual, and a tamper and scoop. Surprisingly, it does not come with any cleaning tabs, or water hardness testers.

Both the scoop and tamper are basic plastic, and while these may have been acceptable with a machine in 2003, but in 2024, not so much. I don’t expect an ultra-premium tamper, but this doesn’t cut it. I’m hoping that Breville’s ownership of the company will see them upgrade this down the road, and possibly also include an entry level steam pitcher.

Lastly, some specs. The Lelit Victoria is 23cm wide (9”), 27.5cm deep (11”), and 38cm tall (14.8”). The machine weighs 11.4kg (25lb). Drip tray capacity is 950ml (30 fl.oz). The reservoir is listed as a 2.5l size, but I’ve measured it at 2.85l. It draws 1200W for the boiler, and another 100 or so for the pump and electronics. The warranty is 1 year, though I hear extended warranties may be available soon from the company if you buy direct.

Subscribe to
Coffee Pulse

Delivered twice monthly, CoffeeGeek's premier newsletter dives into a specific coffee topic each issue. The Pulse also occasionally features contests and giveaways. Subscribing is free, and your personal information is never shared.

First Name *

Last Name

Email *

Coffee Pulse Newsletter

Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from CoffeeGeek. (You can unsubscribe anytime)

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: CoffeeGeek. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Support CoffeeGeek

If you enjoy and learn from this resource, please consider making a one time or recurring donation to help support our work and fund purchases for future reviews.

Features of theLelit Victoria

The featureset for the Lelit Victoria is an impressive read. On top of the general build quality and materials built in, Lelit’s LCC offers a lot of advanced customizations and automations. Let’s go through the features, section by section.

LCC Controls

The brains of the machine offer a lot of control through the front display panel and the two soft-press button controls. Definitely a “read the manual” situation to get the most out of it.

• Full PID control of both brew and steam temperatures

Water Management

The Victoria comes with a very poor design for the actual water reservoir (more on that later) but has some brilliant water management controls built in.

• Auto purge function, going from steaming to brew temperatures

  Easy to steam first, brew later

Yeowsa, that is a lot of features. And many of them not found on the Profitec Go, such as auto-fill, auto-purge, hot water functionality, and programmable pre-infusion.

Despite both machines having nearly the same footprint, the Victoria offers much better visibility and cup clearance between the portafilter and drip tray, even including a grid stand to adjust cup height; a feature lacking in the Profitec Go. In fact, that’s one of the Go’s sore points: the spacing between the spouts and the cup tray is nearly as short as it is on a Gaggia Classic (that’s not a good thing).

It’s Not Perfect

The Lelit Victoria has its downsides. It is relatively loud, likely due to basic pump mounting. The vibration of the pump causes the reservoir lid and drip tray to rattle, to the point where your espresso cup dances across the drip tray grill during shots. It really is a problem, and we ended up purchasing tiny silicone sticky-bumpers to install between the drip tray and grid cover to reduce this issue; we’ll cover this more later.

The water reservoir is also problematic. Though it holds 2.8+ liters, it’s set deep inside the machine, making filling difficult without spilling. Removing it for sink filling is tricky due to the fill and overflow tubes, and water filter positioning. The design here could be much better.

The IMS baskets are a welcome upgrade, but the cheap plastic tamper with rough edges is a letdown, likely to keep the price under $1,000. Lastly, the Victoria’s design is very industrial, similar to the Rancilio Silvia. If you’re after multiple color options or a sleeker look, the brushed metal might feel too stark.

Using theLelit Victoria

The Victoria has a lot of automations built in, including the auto fill feature for the boiler, the first time you use the machine. It’s pretty straightforward: wipe everything down, fill the reservoir, turn the machine on, and let it do its thing. Press the hot water button after and open the wand to let more water flow through and flush out the system before its first use making coffee.

The preinfusion can be turned on or off, and programmed. I set our test unit up with a 4 second initial pump run, a 5 second pause, then full power for the rest of the manually controlled shot. Water flow in that first four seconds is gentle, and barely builds up pressure (to maybe 1.5 bar),

Water debit on this machine is nice and gentle, and we’ll measure that for the Full Review. What this means is, 4 seconds of pump action before pausing in the preinfusion mode won’t build up too much pressure before the pause. Even 3 seconds is enough to give a decent saturation of the bed of coffee.

I measured heat up times from a cold start on three occasions, and each time it took the machine about 9:30 to be stable at 201F. Because the grouphead is married to the boiler, the machine is good to go at 10 minutes in.

The PID was set to 201F and I didn’t fool around with the offset, figuring Lelit sets it properly at the factory. The double IMS basket is well suited for pulling 18-19g doubles. Honestly, my first shots with the machine were spot on. The machine just works. The pump noise is loud and could be dampened more by Lelit.

More annoyingly, out of the box, your espresso cup will ‘dance’ across the drip tray because it vibrates when the pump is operating. It was so bad, if left unattended, chances are the espresso streams will miss the cup entirely. I ended up buying some small sticky silicone bumpers to place on the ridges of the drip tray where the drip tray cover sits, and this remedied the issue.

What’s interesting here is that Lelit put some rubber bumpers between the frame of the machine and the removable drip tray, but didn’t further dampen the metal on metal contact between the drip tray and it’s wire grid metal cover. I can only imagine how bad the noise and vibrations would be without those factory installed rubber bumpers. I also think a lot of this could be solved just through better dampening of the machine’s vibratory pump mount.

Advanced Shot Pulling

The Lelit Victoria is one of several machines on the market that allow you to pull water through the steam arm nozzle when the pump is active for pulling a shot. You can’t do this on many machines, because various 3 way solenoids inside of them shut off the path to the wand (or hot water tap) anytime the pump is activated to make espresso.

Why is this notable? Because, in conjunction with the front pressure gauge, you can pressure profile your espresso shots and get a bonus of reducing brew temperature towards the end of a shot (that’s a good thing!). It works this way:

Set the machine up as normal for making espresso. Start your shot, let it run and build; at around the 25 second mark, with the steam wand pointed into the drip tray, slightly crack open the steam knob. Some pump-driven water will redirect out the steam arm, and you’ll note the pressure being measured in the grouphead starts declining, according to the pressure gauge. Open it gradually more towards the end of the shot, reducing the final shot pressure.

This also introduces more room-temperature water into the boiler than just through pulling a normal shot, which is a good thing: reducing the shot temperature towards the end will reduce the amount of bitters extracted from the coffee.

All this is ripe for experimentation and shot profiling by folks wishing to move into advanced barista technique territory.

Steaming Ability

The Lelit Victoria isn’t as good as a thermojet-equipped machine from Breville when it comes to steam performance. It’s not even as good as some thermoblock machines. After all, it is a 300ml boiler, and there’s only so much headspace in there to produce steam for milk.

That said, it’s better than a Rancilio Silvia at steaming milk (another machine with a 300ml boiler). Way better than the Gaggia Classic. And it seems even better than the Profitec Go in terms of steam performance. The only area the Profitec Go beats the Victoria is in actual steam heat up time: on the Victoria, I’ve timed it around 90 seconds; the Go takes about 75 seconds.

The Lelit Victoria also does two things that further enhance steaming.

First, when you put the machine into steam mode, the new boiler temperature target appears on the machine’s LCC, as well as a progress bar below it. This visual display can let you “supercharge” the steam power by beginning your milk steaming just before the progress bar fills out. What happens? This essentially forces the machine to leave the heating element on, as you use up the steam it’s producing. If you wait for the progress bar to end, the heating element would shut down for a short time, reducing the production of steam.

The only downside to this is you won’t see a steam timer, because the machine still thinks it’s getting up to steam temperatures.

Second, the machine has an auto-purge function after steaming, to quickly return the boiler water temperatures back down to brew temperatures. And it does so while displaying the progress on the LCC, again via a progress bar. This means the machine is well set up for steaming first, then brewing your shot second; the transition time is only around 30-45 seconds, and even less if you open the steam wand to purge out hot liquid into the drip tray to speed things up.

Long story short, this is a machine tailor made, with added functionality, to steam first, and brew second for the fastest cappuccino and latte drink builds.

Hot Water

I firmly believe every single espresso machine designed for consumer use should have a hot water function. Not only to help pre-heat cups, but for americanos, and for heated tea water. The Profitec Go does not have a hot water function. The Ninja Luxe Cafe, very bizarrely, does not either. But the Lelit Victoria does. I ran some tests to see how good it was.

In short, averages about 184F water in the cup for volumes less than 90ml (the water dose for an americano). I ran five tests, opening the steam valve to full open, and got measurements between 182.5F, and 186.3F across the range, filling a pre-heated cappuccino cup.

My second test was to pump out 200ml, and the results there were lower: about 164F in 3 tests. This is because the boiler is filling with room temperature water from the reservoir, and the heating element can’t keep up with heating the water.

However, the Victoria offers a trick up its sleeve: you can modulate and reduce the flow of hot water out of the steam wand, allowing the boiler to in effect “keep up” with the constant introduction of water from the reservoir. Reducing the flow rate to less than half, the 200ml cup fill averages 174.5F, a better result for tea or hot beverage use.

The Reservoir

Lelit’s design of the reservoir on the Victoria is the machine’s worst aspect. I suspect they just use the same plastic reservoir tank in all their non E61-equipped machines, and had to go with the shortest design that could fit their smallest machine (the Anna). Because of this, the reservoir tank sits very deep inside the Victoria’s reservoir cavity.

You can’t easily see the water level (I’ve taken to using a flashlight to check it, even in daytime, pointing down inside the reservoir). Refilling it is a huge mess if you just try to pour water from a pitcher directly into the reservoir’s small fill hole. Keep in mind, the power supply entry point is right below this reservoir, so there is potential for water damage. Removing the reservoir to fill at the sink is also a challenge, because you have to remove all the hoses etc from it before removing it from the machine.

My solution is definitely not elegant: I use a funnel to fill the reservoir. Even then, it’s hard to see the water level as this is going on, so I have to stop often, remove the funnel, check the water height, reinsert the funnel, and continue guessing at the top fill amount. (nb, I will include photos of this setup later).

Lelit needs to completely redesign this reservoir for the Victoria.

The only positives here is that the machine has a low-water sensor, with the aforementioned reserve, so at the very least you won’t run out of water in the middle of a shot. And the front panel tells you when you need to refill the reservoir.

ComparisonsLelit Victoria

For this First Look, I’ve decided to limit the comparisons to other machines, saving that for our Full Review of the Lelit Victoria. That said, I did do some very rudimentary head to head tests, mainly against the Profitec Go, but also against the Breville Infuser (a machine that’s half the price).

Vs. Profitec Go

I have a love-hate thing with the Profitec Go, and don’t quite understand the wild popularity of the machine. The two main issues I have with it is a) the limited cup height, and b) the lack of hot water delivery from the machine. I feel the latter is a serious omission, especially on a machine that retails for $1,200 or more.

The Victoria wins in terms of cup height, overall features (it has a lot more, detailed in a previous section), easier visibility of the pressure gauge, more advanced pre-infusion modes and the auto purge and reserve reservoir functions. The machine also comes with a water filter system, something the Go doesn’t have.

That said, the Profitec Go wins in several categories, first and foremost in style: it’s a much better looking machine than the Victoria, and comes in a wide range of colour choices. This is important to people in this day and age. A standout feature is the ability to change the machine’s OPV valve directly from the top of the machine. Also, the Go has better portafilters, comes with a better tamper, has a larger boiler (400ml), a faster claimed heat up time (the unit we have doesn’t have this feature), and has a 3 year warranty from some select vendors (the Lelit Victoria is 1 year).

Between the two, the Lelit Victoria is the clear winner for me. I just wish it came in different colour choices.

Vs. Breville Infuser

So this is an interesting choice because the Infuser is like the red headed stepchild (can I still use that phrase?) of the Breville lineup, but in many ways, is a machine that punches way above its weight class. And while it is half the price of the Victoria, it offers some features the Lelit machine can’t touch.

For instance, the Infuser turns on and heats up quicker because it is thermoblock-based. It also transitions from brew to steam a lot quicker, and has more powerful, sustained steaming ability. The Infuser also has a dedicated hot water tap, a much better water reservoir design, and is quieter in operation. Like the Victoria, the Infuser has a visible pressure gauge, but also has volumetric shot controls with Breville’s well tuned preinfusion mode that can also be used manually.

The Victoria moves past the Infuser in other ways. Where the Infuser only lets you set 5 brew temperatures up or down 1C, the Victoria lets you program in a wider range in more granular fahrenheit settings, and you can also set it for the steam temperatures. The Victoria has automatic shot timers, low water sensors, a “reserve” mode for the water tank, and much more advanced water management systems built in. The preinfusion system is more robust with more programming options, and the overall build quality and materials are much better, inside and out.

And of course, the Victoria is based on a 58mm commercial grouphead and portafilter system, not the 54mm found on the Infuser.

In our Full Review, we’ll have more on how the Victoria competes against these machines and others.

ConclusionLelit Victoria

With features like a 58mm high-end portafilter, advanced LCC controls, and automations such as auto-fill, auto-purge, auto-standby, and steam mode shutoff, the Lelit Victoria is undeniably a prosumer machine. Its all-metal construction and top-tier internal parts solidify its place in this category.

This machine is built to last for decades with proper care. Using water filters, especially aftermarket magnesium for calcium swapping systems like BWT, can help minimize scale buildup and extend the life of gaskets and o-rings. Even if repairs are needed, they’re easy for local service centers or can be done yourself with some help from YouTube.

The Victoria is an investment too: offering an amortized cost of about $75 per year over its projected lifespan, and that includes occasional service and repairs. They also have a good resale value when kept in good condition, often as much as 70% of the original cost.

The Victoria delivers exceptional, temperature-controlled espresso and reliable steaming for a few drinks per session; if you want more volume, you have to start looking at dual boilers, thermojet systems, or heat exchanger machines.

With its small footprint, impressive features – many rare in machines under $1,000 – and outstanding temperature stability, the Lelit Victoria is a top contender for anyone ready to level up their espresso game. We’ll be showcasing this machine to a select group in our focus groups going forward, and will do more regimented tests against competing machines, and will report back at a later date on these findings, along with a full score for the machine. Right now, I feel very comfortable recommending this machine, and it will be in our 2025 Best Espresso Machines guide.

If you’re already sold, consider buying it directly from Lelit USA via this link. Lelit has joined our pilot Affiliate Program, so purchasing it directly from them provides us a small commission (at no additional cost to you) which helps keep this website viable. But there’s other reasons to consider buying it direct from the manufacturer, including free shipping, better Tier 1 support for the machine, extended warranty options, and improved access to replacement and repair parts down the road.

We use affiliate links to a) Amazon, and b) manufacturers only. Any links to vendors (including CoffeeGeek Sponsors) are not income generating links. Further details about our commission and affiliate link policies can be found on our Terms and Conditions Page. The use of any affiliate links have no effect on our editorial policy or review objectivity.

Subscribe to
Coffee Pulse

Delivered twice monthly, CoffeeGeek's premier newsletter dives into a specific coffee topic each issue. The Pulse also occasionally features contests and giveaways. Subscribing is free, and your personal information is never shared.

First Name *

Last Name

Email *

Coffee Pulse Newsletter

Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from CoffeeGeek. (You can unsubscribe anytime)

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: CoffeeGeek. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

#firstLook #lelit #lelitVictoria #review #victoria

New up on CoffeeGeek this afternoon: an Introduction to an overlooked entry point prosumer espresso machine: the Lelit Victoria. Find out why this could be best in the sub $1,000 price point. It certainly has the features!

(nb, link may be down thanks. to MastoDDos, for about 5 min after posting).

cc @espresso @coffee

#espresso #espressomachines #lelit #lelitvictoria

https://coffeegeek.com/blog/new-products/lelit-victoria-an-overlooked-prosumer-espresso-machine/

Lelit Victoria: an Overlooked Prosumer Machine

The $1,000 price point for Italian espresso machines is a small but interesting market segment. At this level, machines transition from “consumer” to “prosumer” status with upgraded build quality, materials, and features. Some notable gear in this range include the Profitec Go, ECM Casa V, Rancilio Silvia (the top of the “consumer” category), Quickmill Pippa, and Lelit Grace and Victoria.

The most talked-about machine in this range is the Profitec Go, which we’ll review soon. While popular, it lacks one must-have feature: hot water on demand for tea, americanos, and cup preheating.

Another option, priced about $75 less than the Profitec Go, is the $999 Lelit Victoria. It doesn’t receive much attention, with few non-vendor reviews available. The closest comparison is Tom’s look at the Lelit Grace (Youtube video), which is nearly identical to the Victoria, except for a smaller portafilter. I’ve said this before on some other products, and I’ll say it again: the lack of attention given to this machine by popular influencers is a detriment to consumers, because the Lelit Victoria is stacked.

Lelit sent us a Victoria in early spring, understanding we’d be slotting it in for a late summer or early fall review. After using it for a few weeks, I regret not unboxing it sooner. It’s a fantastic machine at the $1K price point, and in some ways, I prefer it over the Profitec Go (though not in every way).

This is our introduction post for the Lelit Victoria; it is in no way a review or even our patented First Look. I just wanted to introduce you to a possible contender for an Italian made, generational quality “prosumer” espresso machine.

Lelit’s Lineup and History

Lelit, founded by Eduardo Epis in the 1980s in Brescia, Italy, initially focused on clothes iron appliances before expanding to espresso machines in the late 1990s. For a few years they made machines for third parties, but in 2002, they launched their first espresso machine under the Lelit name, the PL041 “Anna,” priced at $399. It remained their sole coffee machine for nearly a decade. By 2012, they collaborated with a U.S. importer to release a PID-controlled version of the Anna at $550, which stood out for its price point.

By 2015, Lelit expanded its lineup, introducing a dual boiler machine (the Diana) and their first E61-equipped machine, the Mara. The Anna received upgrades, including better PID controls and a pressure gauge.

2018 was a banner year for the company. They debuted the Bianca the year previously at Milan HOSTS Expo in 2017, and sold the machine globally in 2018. The Lelit Bianca was a groundbreaking dual boiler E61 machine with advanced PID controls, a rotary pump, and a unique flow pressure control paddle. The Bianca has since been updated three times, and today, we consider it to be one of the best espresso machines in the world.

Lelit’s lineup continued to grow with models like the Anna II, Anita, Diana, Kate, Elizabeth, MaraX, and Victoria between 2015 and 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for consumer espresso machines skyrocketed, and Lelit thrived, growing from 80 to 320 employees and selling 48,000 machines globally in 2020. Impressively, 80% of their workforce is women.

In 2022, based on Lelit’s impressive performance and product line, Breville acquired the manufacturer for well over $150 million dollars. Breville’s takeover is unique though: Lelit is still run (mostly) independent, retaining their leadership and engineering teams, with the prospect of future collaborations with Breville’s engineers.

The Machine in the Middle

I’m not sure if the Lelit Victoria is a dead set in the middle of Lelit’s lineup, but I needed a catchy title. At $999, (historically it’s lowest price – it was introduced at $1,079 back in 2016), it is in the lower third of Lelit’s offerings, but in many ways, it is the company’s flagship single boiler machine, putting it at the top of its own heap.

When introduced about eight years ago, this was a groundbreaking machine, and it remains class leading to this day. The machine has been slightly tweaked and improved since, but most of what was introduced in 2016 is still core to the Lelit Victoria today. Here’s some of the machine’s features.

• Full PID control of both brew and steam temperatures, via Lelit’s OLED “LCC” control panel
• Temperature control down to 1F / 1C, with a programmable offset
• Programmable preinfusion mode
• Shot timer during shot pulls
• Steam timer during steaming sessions
• Machine status updates (power on, warm up time, recovery time, cool down status, etc) via LCC
• Auto purge function, going from steaming to brew temperatures
• “Reserve Mode” is basically a two stage water level indicator, that will always complete your shot if the reservoir is running low.
• Auto fill function for the boiler, will never let the boiler run dry
• Auto steam mode “off” function (30min) to protect the boiler if you leave the machine in steam mode accidentally
• Full pressure gauge that’s backlit
• Hot water functionality via steam wand
• 58mm commercial portafilter with Lelit’s unique wrap around spouts
• IMS high quality filter baskets
• Water filter system included
• 300ml boiler sits directly above the brew group, leading to better temperature stability and quicker heat up times
• Claim of a “saturated group”, which I need to look into more. Saturated group = better temperature stability in shot pulls.
• Nearly 3l reservoir (though it is a pain to refill)
• All metal, all steel construction: only real plastic is the portafilter handle and the steam knob
• Drip tray is easily the biggest in its class.

Phew. That is a lot of features. And many of them not found on the Profitec Go, such as auto-fill, auto-purge, hot water functionality, and programmable pre-infusion. Despite both machines having nearly the same footprint (8” wide, 10” deep, 15” tall), the Victoria offers much better cup clearance between the portafilter and drip tray, even including a grid stand to adjust cup height—a feature lacking in the Profitec Go.

Here’s a gallery of photos highlighting aspects (and a few detriments) of the Lelit Victoria.

The Lelit Victoria has its downsides. Like the Profitec Go, it’s loud, likely due to basic pump mounting. The vibration of the pump causes the reservoir lid and drip tray to rattle, to the point where your espresso cup dances across the drip tray grill during shots. Rubber or silicone bumpers you install may help reduce this issue.

The water reservoir is also problematic. Though it holds 2.8 liters, it’s set deep inside the machine, making filling difficult without spilling. Removing it for sink filling is tricky due to the fill and overflow tubes, and water filter positioning. The design here could be much better.

While the IMS baskets are a welcome upgrade, the cheap plastic tamper with rough edges is a letdown, likely to keep the price under $1,000. Lastly, the Victoria’s design is very industrial, similar to the Rancilio Silvia. If you’re after multiple color options or a sleeker look, the brushed metal might feel too stark.

A Prosumer Machine

With features like a 58mm high-end portafilter, advanced LCC controls, and automations such as auto-fill, auto-purge, auto-standby, and steam mode shutoff, the Lelit Victoria is undeniably a prosumer machine. Its all-metal construction and top-tier internal parts solidify its place in this category.

This machine is built to last for decades with proper care. Using water filters, especially aftermarket magnesium/calcium swapping systems like BWT, can help minimize scale buildup and extend the life of gaskets and o-rings. Even if repairs are needed, they’re easy for local service centers or can be done yourself with some help from YouTube.

The Lelit Victoria is an investment, offering an amortized cost of about $75 per year over its lifespan. They also have a good resale value when kept in good condition, often as much as 70% of the original cost.  The Victoria delivers exceptional, temperature-controlled espresso and reliable steaming for a few drinks per session; if you want more volume, you have to start looking at dual boilers, thermojet systems, or heat exchanger machines.

With its small footprint, impressive features – many rare in machines under $1,000 – and outstanding temperature stability, the Lelit Victoria is a top contender for anyone ready to level up their espresso game. I can’t wait to put it through its paces in a full review.

If you’re already sold, consider buying it directly from Lelit USA via this link.

There’s several reasons why. First, in full transparency, we get a small commission from that link, and that money goes to our writers first, and to the site operation second. This allows us to bring your fresh coffee content. Using that link helps our website, at no cost to you.

But more important for you: buying direct from Lelit includes free shipping, and you are also registering directly into Lelit USA’s service support system, which, as of late 2023, is run by the best after sales service and support team in specialty coffee: the Baratza Service Team. That’s right: the Baratza support team expanded this past year, and now also covers all Lelit equipment sold in the USA.

#Espresso #espressoMachine #lelit #lelitVictoria #singleBoiler

Six months, a year from now, there's going to be a lot of very happy Lelit Bianca owners who will be bragging about the crazy deal they got on their machines. $2,400 is a TON of money for many. But considering that is a full $1,000 cheaper than the Bianca was a year ago... This sale's on till May 13.

#lelit #lelitbianca #espresso @espresso

https://coffeegeek.com/blog/lelit-espresso-machines-at-their-lowest-prices-ever/

As for the Lelit Bianca being the Best Espresso Machine available today, I give my reasons.

#espresso #lelit #lelitbianca cc @espresso

https://coffeegeek.com/opinions/state-of-coffee/the-best-espresso-machine/

All Lelit machines are on sale right now at 20% off (authorized by Lelit USA), which means "The Best Espresso Machine of All Time" (see my next post), the Lelit Bianca is at $2,399 at all authorized vendors.

This is an insane deal. Essentially, the machine is $1,000 cheaper than it was just 1.5yr ago, when it was $3,400 because of the previous importer.

It's an investment, but quite literally, the best. I recommend buying it from 1st in Coffee.

#espresso #lelit #lelitbianca cc @espresso
https://www.1stincoffee.com/lelit-bianca.htm

Right now seems like a really good time if you want to get a premier espresso machine. A machine filled with all the latest tech and parts. A machine that could easily serve for decades on your kitchen counter as long as you do regular maintenance and are religious about using good filtered water. 

That’s because for the first time ever, and part of Breville’s full push of a brand they recently bought and have completed the transfer of, Lelit espresso machines are on sale across the board, for 20% off their list price. But you need to hurry if you want one, because the sale ends on May 13, 2024.

NB – none of the links below are affiliate links. This is not a paid product announcement. We make no income from this post. The post exists to inform our readers about a fantastic short term sale on great products.

Lelit Bianca V3

This 20% off sale includes the Best Espresso Machine (yes, very subjective), the Lelit Bianca V3 machine. 

In fact, because of this sale, the Bianca, brand new, and in black or white (or the original brushed steel) is a full $1,000 cheaper than it was just a year ago. $3,000 might seem like a lot to drop on an espresso machine, but what do you think about spending $2,399 on one of the best machines ever built for the home? ‘

To be frank, $2,400 for the Lelit Bianca V3–a machine that in many ways puts the $9,000 La Marzocco GS3 MP to shame–is an unbelievable bargain.

Everything about this machine is amazing, from the built in rotary pump and dual boilers, to how it manages 110V power more efficiently than almost any other machine in its class. The wealth of preinfusion, low flow, and manually controlled pressure options are staggering. The machine can even be plumbed in, and doing so opens up even more brewing options. 

This machine is available from two of our sponsors:

• Lelit Bianca V3 at 1st in Coffee
• Lelit Bianca V3 at Whole Latte Love

Entry Point Lelit Anna

If $2,400 is crazy to you, how does $559 sound? Because that’s how much the full PID equipped Lelit Anna is right now. We’re just starting our full review process on this machine (First Look expected in early summer); the build quality is excellent, and overall functionality leaves machines like the Rancilio Silvia in the dust.

The Anna has all the premium bells and whistles you’d want, including a 3 way solenoid valve, a pressure gauge, full PID controls up front, a stainless steel outer body, and top grade parts inside. The only slight knock is the portafilter is a 57mm version, which means 3rd party accessories are a bit more limited, compared to 58mm and 54mm equipped machines.

This machine is available from one of CoffeeGeek’s Sponsors:

• Lelit Anna at Whole Latte Love

The Premium Single Boiler Lelit Victoria

We are also in the process right now of reviewing the Lelit Victora, and at $1,000, it truly gives the Profitec GO, (also $1,000) a run for its money. But at the sale price of $799? It’s nearly a steal.

There’s a lot going on with the Victoria. 58mm portafilter with Lelit’s uber premium wrap around spout system. Full advanced PID controls and programmable preinfusion (something the Profitec doesn’t have). Fill and level sensors in the boiler so it never runs dry. The machine even has an auto-flush system to cool down the boiler after steaming milk so you can steam, then pull shots almost back to back. The Victoria even comes with a proper water filter system, something the Profitec GO does not.

In a lot of ways, this machine is the natural successor to the Rancilio Silvia… or what the Silvia should have become after 20 years on the market. 

This machine is available at two of CoffeeGeek’s sponsors:

• Lelit Victoria at 1st in Coffee
• Lelit Victoria at Whole Latte Love

Advanced E61 at an Entry Point Price: Lelit Mara X

If you want a very compact machine that punches entirely above its weight class, and want to get into the world of E61 groups (including the ability to modify them down the road to include a pressure profiling lever), a machine that’s well loved is the Lelit Mara X.

At $1,700, this E61 equipped, PID controlled machine based around a ginormous 1.8litre single boiler is absolutely state of the art, and well worth the price. During this sale, the Mara X is down to $1,359, which kind of boggles the mind. And that includes the premium painted white or black models, both of which feature premium wood accents.

We do not have one of these machines for review… yet (that’s planned for this fall). But I have worked on one. The first thing you note is just how “pro” every single thing about this tiny machine seems to say. Build quality is through the roof. Everything fits nicely together and looks polished and finished. Then you realise this machine has a lot of tech inside. There’s three settings for brew temperatures, a steam priority mode, and even if you have it brew priority mode, there’s a kick on super heater when you activate the steam function. The machine is also so quiet, I thought perhaps they had a rotary pump inside (it’s a vibration pump, but well insulated). 

This machine is available from two of CoffeeGeek’s sponsors:

• Lelit Mara X (in white with wood accents) from Whole Latte Love
• Lelit Mara X (in polished steel) from 1st in Coffee

Other Choices in the Lelit Line

Of course, there are other machines in the Lelit line to consider, from the Kate (a Victoria with a built in grinder), to the Elizabeth machines. Both are also 20% off at every official vendor in the US of Lelit products. 

Lelit also makes grinders; in fact, we’ll be getting one to review later this year. They have the budget friendly Fred Grinder (just $207 during this sale), and the advanced William Grinder (that’s the one we’re reviewing, it is $480 during the sale period). Both also have the 20% discount applied.

Every authorised vendor of Lelit products in the USA is offering these discounts, so you can pick and choose where you want to buy them. We ask you to consider one of CoffeeGeek’s sponsors if you are in the market for one of these machines.

• Lelit Products at Whole Latte Love
• Lelit Products at 1st in Coffee

Without their support, our website would not exist. If you do buy from one of them, please let them know where you heard about them. The links above are not affiliate links. We make absolutely no income from this post or the links.

https://coffeegeek.com/blog/lelit-espresso-machines-at-their-lowest-prices-ever/

#deals #espressoDeals #espressoMachines #lelit #lelitBianca