“Lelit makes the most beautiful E61s. If you're for a machine that won't kill your wallet and still want great espresso: the Mara X has the most stable heat-exchanger on the market and the quietest vibratory pump on the market. Easy pick for a home espresso machine with a small footprint.
You are buying a heat-exchanger machine... so you need to be aware of the drawbacks. Note that these drawbacks likely won't be any better with a different heat-exchanger machine:
- temperature stability is still an issue: it does tend to overheat if left on too long. The Mara X does attempt to regulate the temperature, but doesn't get it quite right sometimes. If the steam pressure too high, I recommend releasing some steam before extracting your espresso
- boiler capacity is limited: in addition to being one of the most compact machines on the market, the heat exchanger boiler is shared. From my experience, I can usually only get 2 small cappuccinos back-to-back or 1 large latte with stable steam before pressure runs too low.”
Thank you for sharing such a detailed review of the Lelit Mara X! We’re delighted to hear that you appreciate its beauty and recognize its value as a home espresso machine, especially with its stable heat-exchanger and quiet vibratory pump.
You bring up some great points about the nature of heat-exchanger machines. While the Mara X excels in many areas, it’s true that like all heat-exchanger machines, there are certain nuances to be aware of. We appreciate you highlighting the importance of managing steam pressure and understanding the boiler capacity. Your tips will surely help others get the best performance from their Mara X.
We’re always here if you have any questions or need further assistance. Thank you for choosing us for your espresso journey!
“Upgraded from the BBE and everything from the design of the machine of the machine, ease of use and the quality of the coffee it produces is unmatched. This will be a long term purchase that I will reap the benefits of for a very long time”
“I was debating for a long time on which espresso machine to go with and finally pulled the trigger on the Mara X. Thankfully I did. Capable of doing everything I need. Making multiple milk drinks back to back, decently compact in size and looks fantastic!”
