Lelit water filter set of 2, 70 l – softening filter for the water tank
Same coffee, same grinder, same machine – and yet the cup tastes different somewhere else. It's almost always the water.
Water makes up more than ninety percent of an espresso. It's not just a carrier; it's the solvent that decides what comes out of the ground coffee in the first place. Minerals in the water bind aroma compounds and carry them into the cup; too few of them and the espresso tastes thin and empty, too many and it turns flat. A mineral content of 50 to 100 milligrams per litre is considered the ideal range.
These two filters work on the principle of sodium-based cation exchange. They bind calcium and magnesium salts from the water and release sodium salts in return. This lowers the carbonate hardness that would otherwise build up as limescale on the heating element, thermoblock and group head – and at the same time changes how the water extracts.
Each filter is designed for 70 litres and goes into the water tank. Two are included, so you have a replacement in reserve right away. And because water varies greatly from region to region: a softener changes the composition, it doesn't replace a water analysis. If you want to know exactly what comes out of your tap, measure it. Our opinion is one of many.
At a glance
| In the box |
2 filters |
| Capacity |
70 l per filter |
| Operating principle |
Sodium-based cation exchange |
| Function |
Binds calcium and magnesium salts, releases sodium salts |
| Where it goes |
Water tank |
| Item number |
PLA930M |
| Origin |
Lelit, Italy |
Who it's made for
For anyone with a Lelit tank machine in an area with hard water – in large parts of Switzerland, that's the norm. For anyone who wants their machine to keep running the same way for a long time. And for anyone who wants to experience how clearly a cup changes when only the water changes.
It's a small accessory with a big effect, and small purchases deserve the same respect as big ones. No budget is just a beginning.
Matching machines are in the Lelit espresso machines collection. You'll find more water filters and cartridges at Brita.
What goes with it
Water is one lever, the grind is the other. Burr sets are like car engines – subjective, there's no best one. For anyone who wants an affordable, precise grinder: the Varia VS3 or a Comandante C40 from the coffee grinders collection. If you want more, go for the Varia VS6, the EG-1 from Weber Workshops or an Option-O Lagom.
And because changes to the water only show when everything else stays the same, a scale belongs in the setup: for anyone who wants an affordable, precise scale, the Normcore coffee scales; if you want more, go for the Acaia coffee scales with app, flow-rate display and Bluetooth. You measure extraction by weight ratio, for us usually below 1:2, never by time alone.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a filter last?
Each filter is designed for 70 litres of water. Two are included in the set, so the next replacement is already on hand. How quickly 70 litres run through depends on how much you brew and how often you flush.
What does the filter do to the water?
It exchanges ions: calcium and magnesium salts are bound, sodium salts are released. This lowers the hardness that would otherwise build up as limescale and changes how the water extracts from the ground coffee.
Where does the filter go?
In the machine's water tank. It works there continuously without you having to do anything day to day.
Does the filter replace recipe-based water treatment?
No. It changes the composition of tap water; it doesn't let you set it freely. If you want to compose your water deliberately, you work with distilled water and mineral salts. Both are valid routes.
Can I see the product before buying?
Our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) show a wide selection, but not our entire range – the display changes. Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the product you have in mind is currently there. Delivery to Switzerland and Liechtenstein takes 2 to 4 working days.
From the roastery
When the water changes, you notice it most clearly with a bean you know well. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight are good references for that – dense, round, with caramel and chocolate, and they tell you straight away when something shifts. If you're looking for maximum body without any acidity, go for Very Nutty. For a fruity experience on the side, there's Wild Peach. That's our recommendation, one of many; any other bean works just as well.
