The $1,000 worth level for Italian espresso machines is a small however attention-grabbing market phase. At this stage, machines transition from “client” to “prosumer” standing with upgraded construct high quality, supplies, and options. Some notable gear on this vary embody the Profitec Go, ECM Casa V, Rancilio Silvia (the highest of the “client” class), Quickmill Pippa, and Lelit Grace and Victoria.
Essentially the most talked-about machine on this vary is the Profitec Go, which we’ll evaluation quickly. Whereas in style, it lacks one must-have function: sizzling water on demand for tea, americanos, and cup preheating.
Another choice, priced about $75 lower than the Profitec Go, is the $999 Lelit Victoria. It doesn’t obtain a lot consideration, with few non-vendor opinions out there. The closest comparability is Tom’s have a look at the Lelit Grace (Youtube video), which is almost an identical to the Victoria, aside from a smaller portafilter. I’ve stated this earlier than on another merchandise, and I’ll say it once more: the shortage of consideration given to this machine by in style influencers is a detriment to customers, as a result of the Lelit Victoria is stacked.
Lelit despatched us a Victoria in early spring, understanding we’d be slotting it in for a late summer time or early fall evaluation. After utilizing it for just a few weeks, I remorse not unboxing it sooner. It’s a implausible machine on the $1K worth level, and in some methods, I desire it over the Profitec Go (although not in each manner).
That is our introduction put up for the Lelit Victoria; it’s by no means a evaluation and even our patented First Look. I simply wished to introduce you to a attainable contender for an Italian made, generational high quality “prosumer” espresso machine.
Lelit’s Lineup and Historical past
Lelit, based by Eduardo Epis within the Eighties in Brescia, Italy, initially centered on garments iron home equipment earlier than increasing to espresso machines within the late Nineteen Nineties. For just a few years they made machines for third events, however in 2002, they launched their first espresso machine beneath the Lelit title, the PL041 “Anna,” priced at $399. It remained their sole espresso machine for almost a decade. By 2012, they collaborated with a U.S. importer to launch a PID-controlled model of the Anna at $550, which stood out for its worth level.
By 2015, Lelit expanded its lineup, introducing a twin boiler machine (the Diana) and their first E61-equipped machine, the Mara. The Anna obtained upgrades, together with higher PID controls and a strain gauge.
2018 was a banner yr for the corporate. They debuted the Bianca the yr beforehand at Milan HOSTS Expo in 2017, and offered the machine globally in 2018. The Lelit Bianca was a groundbreaking twin boiler E61 machine with superior PID controls, a rotary pump, and a singular stream strain management paddle. The Bianca has since been up to date thrice, and at present, we contemplate it to be top-of-the-line espresso machines on the planet.
Lelit’s lineup continued to develop with fashions just like the Anna II, Anita, Diana, Kate, Elizabeth, MaraX, and Victoria between 2015 and 2020. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for client espresso machines skyrocketed, and Lelit thrived, rising from 80 to 320 staff and promoting 48,000 machines globally in 2020. Impressively, 80% of their workforce is ladies.
In 2022, primarily based on Lelit’s spectacular efficiency and product line, Breville acquired the producer for properly over $150 million {dollars}. Breville’s takeover is exclusive although: Lelit continues to be run (largely) impartial, retaining their management and engineering groups, with the prospect of future collaborations with Breville’s engineers.
The Machine within the Center
I’m unsure if the Lelit Victoria is a lifeless set in the midst of Lelit’s lineup, however I wanted a catchy title. At $999, (traditionally it’s lowest worth – it was launched at $1,079 again in 2016), it’s within the decrease third of Lelit’s choices, however in some ways, it’s the firm’s flagship single boiler machine, placing it on the prime of its personal heap.
When launched about eight years in the past, this was a groundbreaking machine, and it stays class resulting in at the present time. The machine has been barely tweaked and improved since, however most of what was launched in 2016 continues to be core to the Lelit Victoria at present. Right here’s a number of the machine’s options.
- Full PID management of each brew and steam temperatures, by way of Lelit’s OLED “LCC” management panel
- Temperature management all the way down to 1F / 1C, with a programmable offset
- Programmable preinfusion mode
- Shot timer throughout shot pulls
- Steam timer throughout steaming periods
- Machine standing updates (energy on, heat up time, restoration time, quiet down standing, and so forth) by way of LCC
- Auto purge operate, going from steaming to brew temperatures
- “Reserve Mode” is principally a two stage water stage indicator, that may at all times full your shot if the reservoir is working low.
- Auto fill operate for the boiler, won’t ever let the boiler run dry
- Auto steam mode “off” operate (30min) to guard the boiler in the event you depart the machine in steam mode by chance
- Full strain gauge that’s backlit
- Sizzling water performance by way of steam wand
- 58mm industrial portafilter with Lelit’s distinctive wrap round spouts
- IMS prime quality filter baskets
- Water filter system included
- 300ml boiler sits instantly above the brew group, main to higher temperature stability and faster warmth up instances
- Declare of a “saturated group”, which I have to look into extra. Saturated group = higher temperature stability in shot pulls.
- Almost 3l reservoir (although it’s a ache to refill)
- All metallic, all metal development: solely actual plastic is the portafilter deal with and the steam knob
- Drip tray is well the most important in its class.
Phew. That’s plenty of options. And lots of of them not discovered on the Profitec Go, resembling auto-fill, auto-purge, sizzling water performance, and programmable pre-infusion. Regardless of each machines having almost the identical footprint (8” large, 10” deep, 15” tall), the Victoria affords significantly better cup clearance between the portafilter and drip tray, even together with a grid stand to regulate cup top—a function missing within the Profitec Go.
Right here’s a gallery of images highlighting features (and some detriments) of the Lelit Victoria.
Again of the machine from the steam knob aspect. Very clear strains, all metallic development.
Again of the machine, displaying (detachable) information label, and low-mount plug.
The management buttons have good tactile really feel and lightweight up.
The Lelit Victoria has an enormous drip tray, which slots deep into the machine. A particular perk
The Lelit 58mm portafilter is all enterprise.
Tremendous beefy, all metal portafilter with Lelit’s distinctive wrap round spouts.
The strain gauge is backlit when the machine is on.
Two IMS filter baskets (together with this 16-18g model) are included.
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One other missed oppo: the steam knob is among the least expensive components of the machine (together with the tamper).
Some really feel the facility button placement isn’t any so “feng shui”, and peculiar (many count on this on the again).
The grouphead mount and portafilter; all enterprise.
Added by Lelit prior to now few years to attempt to reduce a number of the machine’s vibrations on the drip tray
Included with the Victoria is a cup riser to convey espresso cups nearer to the portafilter.
One of many few areas the place the match and end shouldn’t be the very best (however you by no means see this)
The Lelit Victoria has its downsides. Just like the Profitec Go, it’s loud, probably on account of primary pump mounting. The vibration of the pump causes the reservoir lid and drip tray to rattle, to the purpose the place your espresso cup dances throughout the drip tray grill throughout photographs. Rubber or silicone bumpers you put in could assist cut back this challenge.
The water reservoir can be problematic. Although it holds 2.8 liters, it’s set deep contained in the machine, making filling tough with out spilling. Eradicating it for sink filling is difficult as a result of fill and overflow tubes, and water filter positioning. The design right here could possibly be significantly better.
Whereas the IMS baskets are a welcome improve, a budget plastic tamper with tough edges is a letdown, more likely to maintain the value beneath $1,000. Lastly, the Victoria’s design may be very industrial, just like the Rancilio Silvia. In case you’re after a number of shade choices or a sleeker look, the brushed metallic may really feel too stark.
A Prosumer Machine
With options like a 58mm high-end portafilter, superior LCC controls, and automations resembling auto-fill, auto-purge, auto-standby, and steam mode shutoff, the Lelit Victoria is undeniably a prosumer machine. Its all-metal development and top-tier inside components solidify its place on this class.
This machine is constructed to final for many years with correct care. Utilizing water filters, particularly aftermarket magnesium/calcium swapping programs like BWT, might help reduce scale buildup and lengthen the lifetime of gaskets and o-rings. Even when repairs are wanted, they’re simple for native service facilities or may be achieved your self with some assist from YouTube.
The Lelit Victoria is an funding, providing an amortized value of about $75 per yr over its lifespan. Additionally they have a very good resale worth when stored in good situation, typically as a lot as 70% of the unique value. The Victoria delivers distinctive, temperature-controlled espresso and dependable steaming for just a few drinks per session; in order for you extra quantity, you need to begin taking a look at twin boilers, thermojet programs, or warmth exchanger machines.
With its small footprint, spectacular options – many uncommon in machines beneath $1,000 – and excellent temperature stability, the Lelit Victoria is a prime contender for anybody able to stage up their espresso sport. I can’t wait to place it by its paces in a full evaluation.
In case you’re already offered, contemplate shopping for it instantly from Lelit USA by way of this hyperlink.
There’s a number of the explanation why. First, in full transparency, we get a small fee from that hyperlink, and that cash goes to our writers first, and to the location operation second. This enables us to convey your recent espresso content material. Utilizing that hyperlink helps our web site, without charge to you.
However extra necessary for you: shopping for direct from Lelit consists of free delivery, and you might be additionally registering instantly into Lelit USA’s service assist system, which, as of late 2023, is run by the greatest after gross sales service and assist group in specialty espresso: the Baratza Service Crew. That’s proper: the Baratza assist group expanded this previous yr, and now additionally covers all Lelit tools offered within the USA.
