Lelit

Lelit Switzerland – Italian Prosumer Espresso Machines from Castegnato

You place your hand on the wood accent of the Bianca V3's Flow Control paddle. Six minutes of heat-up time, the dual boiler has stabilized, the L58E thermosiphon brew group is at temperature. You start the shot with the lever – low pressure, the LCC indicates pre-infusion, the puck soaks up. Then you slowly turn the paddle, the Needle Valve releases the flow. On the manometer, the pressure rises to 9 Bar, the first drop emerges from the bottomless portafilter – dark, viscous, with a crema that builds up like honey. This is Lelit Bianca: Italian craftsmanship with full flow profiling control, built for home baristas who want to control every parameter themselves.

Lelit was founded in 1985 by Edoardo Epis in Castegnato (Brescia province), Italy. Initially, the company was involved in the ironing system business. From 2002, expansion into the world of espresso machines began. Since then, Lelit has evolved from a niche brand to one of the most innovative manufacturers in the prosumer segment. In 2017, the Bianca debuted at the Milan HOST Expo – in 2018, it went global and redefined what home espresso means with its Flow Control Paddle and Lelit Control Center (LCC). In 2022, Lelit was acquired by the Australian Breville Group for approximately €113 million, but remains operationally with its own engineering team in Castegnato. Coffee Coaching Club is a partner of Lelit in Switzerland – the current portfolio is directly available, delivery in a few days, showrooms in Bern and Zurich.

What defines Lelit

Three things. Firstly: Italian craftsmanship. Every Lelit is hand-built in Castegnato (Brescia province). Secondly: deliberate model strategy. Lelit covers the entire prosumer spectrum – from the compact heat exchanger Anna PL 41 EM to the dual boiler flagship Bianca V3 with Flow Control. Unlike brands that perfect a single concept, Lelit builds a dedicated machine for each step of the learning curve. Thirdly: technological innovation. The Mara X with temperature-controlled E61 and three adjustable brewing temperatures, the Bianca with Needle-Valve Flow Control and LCC – these are technical concepts that only reached other manufacturers years later.

All Lelit espresso machines from the Mara X onwards use 58 mm portafilters – industry standard, compatible with IMS and other precision baskets.

The Lelit family at a glance

Lelit Anna PL 41 EM

The entry into the Lelit world. Heat exchanger, compact footprint, classic mechanics without PID complexity. For home baristas who want to dive into the Italian espresso world with a manageable budget. The Anna is one of the oldest and continuously maintained models in the Lelit portfolio. Brewing and steaming simultaneously thanks to its heat exchanger architecture.

Lelit Anna PL 41 TEM

The TEM (Total Electronic Management) variant brings PID temperature control to the Anna concept. This precisely maintains a constant brewing temperature – relevant for those who experiment with light roasts or consciously switch between beans. Otherwise architecturally close to the PL 41 EM, but with significantly more control.

Lelit PL 42 EMI Anita

The Anita is the Anna with an integrated grinder – an all-in-one setup for compact kitchens where a separate grinder doesn't fit. For anyone who wants to enter the Lelit world and at the same time is looking for a simple grinding solution.

Lelit PL 41 PLUS Glenda

The Glenda expands the PL 41 platform with additional comfort features. Heat exchanger architecture, classically Italian, positioned slightly above the Anna level. For home baristas looking for more than just a pure entry-level machine.

Lelit PL 42 TEMD

The larger sister model to the Anita with integrated grinder and electronic control (TEMD). Heat exchanger with PID temperature control, integrated grinding area, compact footprint despite the all-in-one architecture. For those who want to combine the integrated concept with precise temperature control.

Lelit Mara X

The modern E61 heat exchanger – and one of the most discussed home espresso machines of recent years. What makes the Mara X different: A temperature probe directly on the E61 brew group actively controls the heating system, instead of just controlling boiler pressure. Three adjustable brewing temperature profiles (around 92 °C for darker roasts, 94 °C for classic blends, 96 °C for light roasts) can be switched. Heat-up time significantly shorter than with classic E61 architectures. For those who want E61 tradition with modern temperature control without moving to the dual boiler class. Several color variants available.

Lelit PL 62-W

The larger heat exchanger model with extended boiler capacity and a representative housing format. For home baristas who regularly prepare several milk drinks one after another or who are looking for the Lelit heat exchanger architecture in a slightly more generous format.

Lelit Bianca V3 – the Flagship with Flow Control

The dual boiler flagship and for many the defining machine in the prosumer segment. Dual stainless steel boilers: 0.8 L brew boiler, 1.5 L steam boiler, both PID controlled, separately adjustable. L58E thermosiphon brew group with manometer directly on the group. Rotary pump – quiet, plumbable or via the removable 2.5 L water tank. 58 mm portafilter in professional format.

The signature feature: the Flow Control Paddle with Needle Valve. Unlike purely digital pressure profiling systems, the Bianca paddle allows you to control the water flow through the puck in real time – long pre-infusion, fast full load, gentle run-off, whatever you want. The Lelit Control Center (LCC) allows programmable brew and steam temperature in tenths of a degree, pre-brew phases of defined duration, late extraction pressure reduction, and profile storage. Wood accents on the paddle, knobs, feet, and portafilter handle. Stainless steel housing with Walnut wood (stainless steel variant) or Maple wood (color variants). Heat-up time around 6 minutes thanks to optimized heating system. Economy Mode deactivates the steam boiler when only espresso is being pulled. Several color variants available.

Who is Lelit for?

Lelit is suitable for anyone who wants to combine Italian craftsmanship with modern espresso technology. For beginners who want to start with a compact footprint and classic heat exchanger concept: Anna PL 41 EM or TEM. For setups with an integrated grinder: Anita or PL 42 TEMD. For E61 tradition with modern temperature probe: Mara X. For maximum flow profiling control and dual boiler stability: Bianca V3.

If you prefer Italian portafilter tradition with chrome and visible mechanics: Rocket Espresso. If you're looking for German E61 engineering: ECM or Profitec. If you want a saturated brew group and app control: La Marzocco. If you're looking for manual lever extraction without electronics: Flair Espresso. That's up to you to decide.

What goes with it

A Lelit requires a suitable grinder. For starters: Varia VS3 or VS4 (VS4 with SCA Best New Product Award 2026, exclusive Swiss importer) as an honest entry. For flagship setups with the Bianca V3: Weber Workshops EG-1 or Option-O Lagom P80. For classic Italian Mignon grinders: Eureka Mignon Specialita or Libra. For grind-by-weight: Mahlkönig E64 WS or X64 SD for single-dose.

For scales: Acaia Lunar with flow rate display or affordable from the Normcore Collection. For puck prep: Normcore for everyday use, Weber Workshops for premium. For airtight bean storage: Airscape (exclusive Swiss importer). For precise brewing water: Apax Labs (exclusive Swiss importer).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Lelit machine is right for me?

For beginners with a compact budget: Anna PL 41 EM (CHF 569.95). For beginners with PID temperature control: Anna PL 41 TEM. For all-in-one with integrated grinder: Anita or PL 42 TEMD. For E61 tradition with modern temperature probe and three brew temperature profiles: Mara X. For a larger heat exchanger workflow: PL 62-W or PL 41 PLUS Glenda. For dual boiler stability with Flow Control Paddle and LCC: Bianca V3.

What is the Lelit Bianca – and what makes it special?

The Bianca V3 is Lelit's dual boiler flagship. It combines an L58E thermosiphon brew group (related to E61, with a manometer directly on the group) and a rotary pump with two key innovations: the Flow Control Paddle with Needle Valve, which allows you to manually control the water flow in real-time (similar to Slayer-style Flow Profiling, but for home use), and the Lelit Control Center (LCC), which enables programmable brew/steam temperature in 0.1 °C increments, pre-brew profiles, and late extraction pressure reduction.

What distinguishes the Mara X from a classic E61 machine?

The Mara X has a temperature probe directly on the E61 brew group that actively regulates the heating system. This allows you to select three adjustable brewing temperature profiles (typically around 92 / 94 / 96 °C) and thus specifically cater to the roast level – light roasts benefit from higher temperatures, dark roasts from lower ones. Classic E61 architectures without a probe only regulate via boiler pressure. The Mara X also shortens the heat-up time compared to traditional E61 setups.

Lelit Bianca V3 vs. Rocket R Nine One – what's different?

Both offer manual flow or pressure profiling in the home. The Bianca (Lelit) uses an L58E thermosiphon group with a Flow Control Paddle (Needle Valve) that regulates water flow. The R Nine One (Rocket Espresso) uses a saturated brew group with a Pressure Profiling Paddle and profile storage for up to five programmed pressure curves. Bianca: Flow Control with LCC programming. R Nine One: Pressure Profiling with record-and-playback. Both approaches are legitimate – the decision depends on whether you choose flow or pressure as the primary profiling parameter.

Has Lelit changed after the Breville takeover?

In 2022, Lelit was acquired by the Australian Breville Group for approximately €113 million. Lelit continues to be operated from Castegnato (Brescia province), the engineering team remains, and the machines continue to be built in Italy. The Bianca V3, Mara X, and current Anna models are still Lelit's own developments – Breville has not changed the model strategy so far.

Which Lelit machine is suitable for light roasts?

Precise temperature control is crucial for light roasts. In the Lelit lineup, this means: Anna PL 41 TEM (PID at entry-level), Mara X (three adjustable brewing temperatures via the E61 probe) or Bianca V3 (programmable brewing temperature in the LCC in 0.1 °C increments, plus Flow Control for extended pre-infusion). Classic models without PID quickly reach their limits with light roasts.

Can I see Lelit machines before purchasing?

Yes. Several Lelit models are available in the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). Bringing your own beans is welcome. The weight of the Bianca Flow Control Paddle, the Mara X operating logic with the temperature switch, the feel of an Anna in a compact kitchen – these cannot be conveyed through photos. Not all variants are simultaneously on site in both showrooms; a quick inquiry is sufficient.

How are Lelit machines delivered in Switzerland?

Standard shipping throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. Click and Collect in Bern and Zurich. For machines like the Bianca V3, an on-site setup with installation, advice on plumbing connections, and on-site introduction can be booked upon request for an additional charge – a quick inquiry is sufficient. Financing possible via Heylight.

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Personal Consultation: +41 76 789 15 79 · office@coffeecoachingclub.ch
Showrooms: Bern, Gerberngasse 44 | Zurich Oerlikon, Hagenholzstrasse 50b
Delivery: 2–4 business days nationwide in Switzerland · Click and Collect · Free shipping for orders over CHF 60