The $1,000 value level for Italian coffee machines is a small however fascinating marketplace section. At this stage, machines transition from “shopper” to “prosumer” standing with upgraded construct high quality, fabrics, and contours. Some notable tools on this vary come with the Profitec Pass, ECM Casa V, Rancilio Silvia (the highest of the “shopper” class), Quickmill Pippa, and Lelit Grace and Victoria.
Essentially the most talked-about device on this vary is the Profitec Pass, which we’ll evaluation quickly. Whilst widespread, it lacks one must-have characteristic: sizzling water on call for for tea, americanos, and cup preheating.
An alternative choice, priced about $75 not up to the Profitec Pass, is the $999 Lelit Victoria. It doesn’t obtain a lot consideration, with few non-vendor opinions to be had. The nearest comparability is Tom’s have a look at the Lelit Grace (Youtube video), which is just about just like the Victoria, excluding for a smaller portafilter. I’ve stated this earlier than on any other merchandise, and I’ll say it once more: the loss of consideration given to this device via widespread influencers is a detriment to customers, for the reason that Lelit Victoria is stacked.
Lelit despatched us a Victoria in early spring, working out we’d be slotting it in for a past due summer time or early fall evaluation. After the usage of it for a couple of weeks, I be apologetic about no longer unboxing it faster. It’s an implausible device on the $1K value level, and in many ways, I like it over the Profitec Pass (despite the fact that no longer in each manner).
That is our advent publish for the Lelit Victoria; it’s on no account a evaluation and even our patented First Glance. I simply sought after to introduce you to a imaginable contender for an Italian made, generational high quality “prosumer” coffee device.
Lelit’s Lineup and Historical past
Lelit, based via Eduardo Epis within the Eighties in Brescia, Italy, to begin with fascinated about garments iron home equipment earlier than increasing to coffee machines within the past due Nineteen Nineties. For a couple of years they made machines for 3rd events, however in 2002, they introduced their first coffee device underneath the Lelit title, the PL041 “Anna,” priced at $399. It remained their sole espresso device for just about a decade. Via 2012, they collaborated with a U.S. importer to unlock a PID-controlled model of the Anna at $550, which stood out for its value level.
Via 2015, Lelit expanded its lineup, introducing a twin boiler device (the Diana) and their first E61-equipped device, the Mara. The Anna won upgrades, together with higher PID controls and a drive gauge.
2018 used to be a banner 12 months for the corporate. They debuted the Bianca the 12 months up to now at Milan HOSTS Expo in 2017, and offered the device globally in 2018. The Lelit Bianca used to be a groundbreaking twin boiler E61 device with complex PID controls, a rotary pump, and a novel drift drive keep an eye on paddle. The Bianca has since been up to date 3 times, and these days, we imagine it to be some of the best possible coffee machines on the planet.
Lelit’s lineup persevered to develop with fashions just like the Anna II, Anita, Diana, Kate, Elizabeth, MaraX, and Victoria between 2015 and 2020. All through the COVID-19 pandemic, call for for shopper coffee machines skyrocketed, and Lelit thrived, rising from 80 to 320 workers and promoting 48,000 machines globally in 2020. Impressively, 80% in their body of workers is ladies.
In 2022, in accordance with Lelit’s spectacular efficiency and product line, Breville received the producer for neatly over $150 million greenbacks. Breville’s takeover is exclusive despite the fact that: Lelit remains to be run (most commonly) unbiased, conserving their management and engineering groups, with the possibility of long run collaborations with Breville’s engineers.
The Device within the Heart
I’m no longer positive if the Lelit Victoria is a lifeless set in the course of Lelit’s lineup, however I wished a catchy identify. At $999, (traditionally it’s lowest value – it used to be presented at $1,079 again in 2016), it’s within the decrease 3rd of Lelit’s choices, however in some ways, it’s the corporate’s flagship unmarried boiler device, hanging it on the peak of its personal heap.
When presented about 8 years in the past, this used to be a groundbreaking device, and it stays elegance resulting in these days. The device has been fairly tweaked and progressed since, however maximum of what used to be presented in 2016 remains to be core to the Lelit Victoria these days. Right here’s one of the most device’s options.
- Complete PID keep an eye on of each brew and steam temperatures, by the use of Lelit’s OLED “LCC” keep an eye on panel
- Temperature keep an eye on all the way down to 1F / 1C, with a programmable offset
- Programmable preinfusion mode
- Shot timer all through shot pulls
- Steam timer all through steaming periods
- Device standing updates (energy on, heat up time, restoration time, calm down standing, and so on) by the use of LCC
- Auto purge serve as, going from steaming to brew temperatures
- “Reserve Mode” is mainly a two degree water stage indicator, that may at all times entire your shot if the reservoir is operating low.
- Auto fill serve as for the boiler, won’t ever let the boiler run dry
- Auto steam mode “off” serve as (30min) to give protection to the boiler should you go away the device in steam mode by chance
- Complete drive gauge that’s backlit
- Sizzling water capability by the use of steam wand
- 58mm business portafilter with Lelit’s distinctive wrap round spouts
- IMS top quality clear out baskets
- Water clear out gadget incorporated
- 300ml boiler sits without delay above the brew crew, main to higher temperature balance and faster warmth up instances
- Declare of a “saturated crew”, which I want to glance into extra. Saturated crew = higher temperature balance in shot pulls.
- Just about 3l reservoir (despite the fact that this can be a ache to replenish)
- All metallic, all metal development: most effective actual plastic is the portafilter maintain and the steam knob
- Drip tray is definitely the largest in its elegance.
Phew. This is a large number of options. And lots of of them no longer discovered at the Profitec Pass, akin to auto-fill, auto-purge, sizzling water capability, and programmable pre-infusion. In spite of each machines having just about the similar footprint (8” vast, 10” deep, 15” tall), the Victoria gives significantly better cup clearance between the portafilter and drip tray, even together with a grid stand to regulate cup peak—a characteristic missing within the Profitec Pass.
Right here’s a gallery of pictures highlighting facets (and a couple of detriments) of the Lelit Victoria.
Again of the device from the steam knob aspect. Very blank traces, all metallic development.
Again of the device, appearing (detachable) knowledge label, and low-mount plug.
The keep an eye on buttons have just right tactile really feel and remove darkness from.
The Lelit Victoria has a large drip tray, which slots deep into the device. A certain perk
The Lelit 58mm portafilter is all trade.
Tremendous beefy, all metal portafilter with Lelit’s distinctive wrap round spouts.
The drive gauge is backlit when the device is on.
Two IMS clear out baskets (together with this 16-18g model) are incorporated.
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Any other ignored oppo: the steam knob is among the least expensive portions of the device (together with the tamper).
Some really feel the facility button placement is not any so “feng shui”, and bizarre (many be expecting this at the again).
The grouphead mount and portafilter; all trade.
Added via Lelit previously few years to take a look at and decrease one of the most device’s vibrations at the drip tray
Integrated with the Victoria is a cup riser to convey coffee cups nearer to the portafilter.
Probably the most few spaces the place the have compatibility and end isn’t the most productive (however you by no means see this)
The Lelit Victoria has its downsides. Just like the Profitec Pass, it’s loud, most probably because of elementary pump mounting. The vibration of the pump reasons the reservoir lid and drip tray to rattle, to the purpose the place your coffee cup dances around the drip tray grill all through photographs. Rubber or silicone bumpers you put in might assist cut back this factor.
The water reservoir may be problematic. Despite the fact that it holds 2.8 liters, it’s set deep throughout the device, making filling tough with out spilling. Putting off it for sink filling is hard because of the fill and overflow tubes, and water clear out positioning. The design right here might be significantly better.
Whilst the IMS baskets are a welcome improve, the inexpensive plastic tamper with tough edges is a letdown, prone to stay the cost underneath $1,000. Finally, the Victoria’s design could be very commercial, very similar to the Rancilio Silvia. For those who’re after more than one colour choices or a sleeker glance, the brushed metallic would possibly really feel too stark.
A Prosumer Device
With options like a 58mm high-end portafilter, complex LCC controls, and automations akin to auto-fill, auto-purge, auto-standby, and steam mode shutoff, the Lelit Victoria is undeniably a prosumer device. Its all-metal development and top-tier inside portions solidify its position on this class.
This device is constructed to final for many years with correct care. The use of water filters, particularly aftermarket magnesium/calcium swapping methods like BWT, can assist decrease scale buildup and prolong the lifetime of gaskets and o-rings. Although maintenance are wanted, they’re simple for native carrier facilities or can also be finished your self with some assist from YouTube.
The Lelit Victoria is an funding, providing an amortized value of about $75 in keeping with 12 months over its lifespan. They actually have a just right resale price when saved in just right situation, ceaselessly up to 70% of the unique value. The Victoria delivers outstanding, temperature-controlled coffee and dependable steaming for a couple of beverages in keeping with consultation; if you need extra quantity, you need to get started taking a look at twin boilers, thermojet methods, or warmth exchanger machines.
With its small footprint, spectacular options – many uncommon in machines underneath $1,000 – and exceptional temperature balance, the Lelit Victoria is a peak contender for any person in a position to stage up their coffee sport. I will’t wait to place it via its paces in a complete evaluation.
For those who’re already offered, imagine purchasing it without delay from Lelit USA by the use of this hyperlink.
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However extra necessary for you: purchasing direct from Lelit contains unfastened transport, and you’re additionally registering without delay into Lelit USA’s carrier make stronger gadget, which, these days 2023, is administered via the best possible after gross sales carrier and make stronger crew in distinctiveness espresso: the Baratza Provider Group. That’s proper: the Baratza make stronger crew expanded this previous 12 months, and now additionally covers all Lelit apparatus offered in the United States.
