Six years and countless espressos and cappuccinos later, it’s time for an honest verdict: was spending more than 2,000 euros on a Lelit Bianca the best decision of our coffee life? Short answer: yes, absolutely. The long answer is below.
If you’re thinking about taking your home barista setup to the next level, you’re in the right place. We’ll walk you through the highs and lows of living with a high-end espresso machine – and answer the question of who this investment is really worth it for.
Why we chose the Lelit Bianca
Like many people, our coffee journey happened step by step. It started with the convenience of Nespresso capsules, moved on to the rustic charm of a stovetop moka pot and ended with the wish to recreate the quality of our favourite café at home. After months of research, our wish list looked like this:
- Dual boiler: brew and steam at the same time without losing temperature.
- PID control: a precise and stable brew temperature.
- Rotary pump: quiet operation and the option to plumb the machine in.
- Pressure profiling: the ability to vary brew pressure during extraction.
The Lelit Bianca was one of the few machines that offered all of this in a (relatively) compact and good-looking package. The alternative would have been a much more expensive machine from La Marzocco or Slayer – overkill for home use.
The Lelit Bianca in detail: specs and features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Boiler type | Dual boiler (stainless steel) |
| Boiler volume | 0.8 L (brew boiler) / 1.5 L (steam boiler) |
| Pump | Rotary pump |
| Water tank | 2.5 L (removable, can be placed on either side or behind the machine) |
| Plumb-in option | Yes |
| Group head | E61 |
| PID control | Yes |
| Pressure profiling | Yes, via manual paddle |
| Heat-up time | approx. 20–25 minutes |
| Price | approx. 2,400 euros |
→ Check the current price on Amazon*
Highlight 1: the paddle for pressure profiling
The Bianca’s most distinctive feature is the wooden paddle above the group head. It lets you control the brew pressure by hand during the 25 to 30 seconds of extraction. You can start with a gentle low-pressure pre-infusion, ramp up to the full 9 bar and ease off again towards the end to avoid bitterness. That opens up a whole new world of experimenting and is ideal for getting the best out of light-roasted beans.
Highlight 2: the flexible water tank
A clever move by Lelit: the water tank isn’t built into the housing but can sit on the left, on the right or behind the machine. That makes it much easier to fit into a kitchen and to refill.
Daily use: what we love and what bothers us
What we love
- Fantastic espresso: temperature stability plus pressure profiling give you espresso that can hold its own against any café.
- Endless experimenting: the paddle invites you to play. Every coffee can be prepared in countless ways.
- Serious steam power: the 1.5-litre steam boiler delivers dry, powerful steam for silky microfoam for latte art in under 20 seconds.
- Build quality: everything about the Bianca feels solid and built to last. Polished stainless steel, wooden handles – it’s a beautiful machine.
- Quiet: compared with the vibration pumps of cheaper machines, the rotary pump is whisper-quiet.
What bothers us
- Heat-up time: 20 to 25 minutes is a long time when you need a coffee fast in the morning. A timer plug is a must.
- Price: over 2,000 euros is a statement. You have to really love coffee to justify it.
- Learning curve: this is not a beginner’s machine. You need to get to grips with the basics of espresso to get good results.
- Cleaning: an E61 group head needs regular backflushing. It’s not complicated, but it has to be done.
Who is the Lelit Bianca for (and who not)?
A great fit if you…
- want café-quality espresso at home
- enjoy experimenting and want full control over every shot
- regularly drink milk drinks like cappuccino or flat white
- are happy to learn and put time into your hobby
Look elsewhere if you…
- just want to press a button in the morning (a bean-to-cup machine is better)
- are on a limited budget (look at entry-level espresso machines)
- don’t fancy regular cleaning and maintenance
Verdict
Would we buy the Lelit Bianca again? Yes, without a second’s hesitation. It has completely changed the way we experience coffee and has become a much-loved hobby. The quality and flexibility it offers are hard to beat in its price range.
If you’re ready to take the leap into high-end home espresso, the Lelit Bianca is probably the best all-round machine you can buy for under 2,500 euros. And don’t forget the grinder – it matters even more than the machine. Our grinder guide for beginners helps you choose.
Our recommendation
Lelit Bianca PL162T
The ultimate machine for home baristas who don’t want to compromise.
* Affiliate link: if you buy through it, we receive a small commission. The price stays the same for you.
More about coffee at home: our Home Barista page.
* Links marked with an asterisk are affiliate links: if you buy through them, we receive a small commission – the price stays the same for you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. How we fund this site