The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T is applying with strong test performance for the title "Best entry-level dual boiler espresso machine." We are pleasantly surprised and yet also feel validated. For Lelit goes the extra mile with the Elizabeth in the dual boiler segment as well and does many things right. That's why our view of the Lelit Elizabeth is similarly positive as our earlier test of the two-circuit Lelit Mara X.
The Lelit Elizabeth is one of many dual boiler espresso machines that we have tested and will continue to test. You can find an overview here.
With our current protocol today, the test is stricter than in 2022. The Elizabeth needs 25 to 30 minutes instead of 20 in our measurements before it truly reaches temperature, and the temperature rises noticeably during a shot. We measured the same machine that has been in our test operation for nearly three years now. A new machine may behave differently. An interim test in May 2025 was much closer to our 2022 results.
Classification of the Lelit Elizabeth Dual Boiler
The Lelit Elizabeth is one of the cheapest dual boilers on the market. At the time of testing in 2022, prices in Switzerland ranged between 1,100 francs at large online platforms and 1,600 francs in local retail. In Germany, the Lelit Elizabeth was available from 1,050 euros. Today you can get it for around 1,000 euros. That's really affordable!
Many dual boilers enter the price range at more than 1,800 francs or euros, which makes the Lelit Elizabeth's price even more competitive. Pointing out that these prices are realized due to high production volumes and especially through online sales doesn't change anything: the Lelit Elizabeth is very affordable for a dual boiler!
At the same time, it comes with a range of functions and refinements that much more expensive models don't have in their arsenal. Various pre-infusion modes, a shot timer, and thoughtful controls make the Lelit Elizabeth an exciting espresso machine for entering the dual boiler class!
Lelit Elizabeth at a Glance
Don't want to read the entire article? Here you'll find the most important strengths and weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth summarized.
Facts
- Dual boiler with PID temperature controller and vibration pump as well as pump gauge.
- The Elizabeth weighs 12 kilograms, is 32.2 cm wide (with portafilter), 38.2 cm tall, and the body is 26 cm deep. If you add the portafilter and the protruding power cord, the Lelit Elizabeth reaches a depth of 43 cm.
- The drip tray holds 1.4 liters.
- The water tank has a capacity of 2.5 liters. The machine cannot be connected to mains water.
- Steam boiler volume: 0.6 liters (can be switched off)
- Brew boiler volume: 0.3 liters
- The machine's housing is made of brushed stainless steel.
- Lelit is an Italian manufacturer and belongs to the Breville Group.
Strengths of the Lelit Elizabeth
- The Lelit Elizabeth combines the strengths of a dual boiler espresso machine with a relatively affordable price. The separate boilers allow precise adjustment of the espresso machine for its two main purposes: making espresso and steaming milk.
- The temperature of the Lelit Elizabeth is consistent from shot to shot when the machine is properly heated. According to our 2026 retest, this is the case after 25 to 30 minutes, not after 20 as stated in 2022.
- The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T has low power consumption. For heating and one espresso, we measure 0.171 kWh with steam boiler today; without steam boiler it was 0.082 kWh.
- The steam performance of the Lelit Elizabeth is good. It steams powerfully but heats up slowly, allowing for a long steaming phase and thus creamy foam. The boiler can be regulated up to 145 degrees Celsius.
- Practical shot timer to see the shot length in seconds.
- Two different pre-infusion modes that offer plenty of room to get the perfect result from each espresso.
- Clear LCC (Lelit Control Center) for controlling the machine and displaying the shot timer. Additional control and programming functions for the machine in expert mode.
- Good basket with 18-gram capacity included.
- Programmable buttons that can also be used for an automated backflush and cleaning program.
The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T allows control at multiple levels. On the surface, temperature and, for example, shot duration can be programmed. Pre-infusion settings are also possible. Through advanced control, many PID details can be adjusted. At this level, hardly any manufacturers allow access.
Weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth
- The build quality of the machine could be higher. The stainless steel body feels thin compared to other dual boilers.
- The portafilter is functionally good, but not balanced. The plastic of the handle looks cheap.
- A plastic tamper is included, but it's not suitable as a tamper.
- The plastic steam knob feels like a stopgap solution and reflects the lower quality of the portafilter handle.
- The Lelit Elizabeth has relatively sharp edges in various places, which can even lead to unpleasant cuts during everyday use.
- The machine becomes quite loud when the water level in the tank is too low. The pump itself is rather quiet.
- The water tank feels like a relic from an earlier time. Unlike the Lelit Mara X, water is not drawn from below, but rather through tubes that need to be re-threaded each time after refilling.
- The heating time is 25 to 30 minutes when the machine should truly reach temperature. In 2022 we measured 20 minutes. The machine itself indicates it's ready for use earlier, but this doesn't match our measurements.
- The temperature optimum is reached when the machine has been running longer. For this reason, it's important to know your own machine and to check and adjust the actual current temperature with a local dealer.
- The buttons sometimes don't respond sensitively.
Low power consumption without steam boiler
Compared to other dual boilers, the Lelit Elizabeth with the steam boiler switched off has relatively low power consumption. However, it should be noted that the power was measured here at a protocol of only 15 minutes. At this time, the machine had not yet reached full temperature. The actual power will be slightly higher and still rather low. It's not comparable to some thermoblocks that achieve consumption of only 0.1 kWh. Yet approximately 0.13 to 0.15 kWh is still a good result.
With steam boiler we measure 0.24 kWh, which corresponds to the result of the Rancilio Silvia Pro X. With many dual boilers we reach high values of more than 0.35 kWh in the comparison measurement.
Meanwhile we measure according to our revised power measurement: heating up and one espresso, because most of you turn on the machine and then make one or two shots. With steam boiler and 25 minutes heating time, the Elizabeth reaches 0.171 kWh in the retest; without steam boiler it was 0.082 kWh in our 2023 measurement. Standby with steam boiler costs 0.084 kWh per hour. The power curve is interesting: like the Elizabeth 3, the machine only heats at full power for about seven minutes, then the PID maintains it with only short pulses. The 2022 values (0.13 and 0.24 kWh for heating plus five shots) cannot be directly compared with today's.
Heating time of the Lelit Elizabeth PL92T
We've read a lot about the Elizabeth's short heating time. We don't agree. At 10 and 15 minutes, the PL92T is not yet at target temperature. We recommend heating the machine for at least 20 minutes.
Today, 20 minutes is no longer enough for us. In the retest, the first shot after 20 minutes was only 84.8 °C, with 94 °C set. After 25 minutes it was 90.7 °C, so still a good three degrees below the following shots. From the second shot on, the Elizabeth then remains stable at one-minute intervals between 92.5 and 94.0 °C. In the interim test from May 2025, it reached temperature after 30 minutes. We therefore recommend 25 to 30 minutes today. The Elizabeth 3 is somewhat faster at 20 minutes.
The Lelit Elizabeth is truly in the comfort zone when it's been running longer. This is also shown by our measurement using the WBC protocol. We have the feeling that the machine was optimized for the goal of "running for 1 hour." This seems to us only partially suitable for everyday scenarios at home. Because at least we very much like to have an espresso when the machine has just reached temperature. Subsequently, in everyday use, we turn the machine off after the shot and turn it on again a few hours later for the next espresso.
To clarify: The Lelit is within the temperature range earlier. However, it becomes truly stable in the factory programming when it runs longer. It's possible that this could be adjusted through the LCC's advanced settings.
In the time window up to 30 minutes, we would set the machine about two degrees above the indicated target temperature.
In the video we said in 2022 that small boilers wouldn't falter even in the WBC protocol. In the retest, the Elizabeth maintains the first eleven of 14 shots between 92.8 and 94.6 °C and then drops to 89.5 °C. In May 2025, all 14 shots were still within one degree. Within individual shots, the temperature today rises by four to five degrees. In our temperature rating, that gives 2.7 out of 10 points. The Elizabeth 3 loses temperature earlier in the WBC test but maintains it more quietly within the shot.
The 2022 measurements were made with the Lelit Elizabeth's factory default settings. These were for us: KPc 2.0; KIc 0.04; KDc 1.0; BC 30; KPs 2.0; KIs 0.00; KDs 20.0; BS 30; Ec 10; Es 0; F01 1; Tr 0.
These settings can be controlled through the Lelit's advanced settings via the LCC. Lelit provides everything here to adjust many details in the PID behavior and control. The length of the pump phase in pre-infusion can also be adjusted. A good explanation for this is provided by Dave Corbey in a blog post.
Pre-infusion and Espresso Quality
Even in standard mode, the Lelit Elizabeth allows us to brew good espresso. When the machine is properly heated, we get good results. However, we set the machine two degrees higher if we want to drink espresso 20 minutes after turning it on!
Additionally, the espresso machine allows the use of two different pre-infusion modes. On one hand, we can use the steam boiler turned on to provide gentle pressure to the coffee bed after stopping the pump after 3 seconds for up to 20 seconds.
On the other hand, a kind of blooming pre-infusion can be used. For this, the steam boiler must not be running. Now the pump stops after 6 seconds of operation by default and then enters a definable pause phase.
Advanced Pre-infusion Settings
The pump's pause phase can be defined for both modes in the advanced settings. To access this menu:
BLS1 stands for Button 1 and BLS2 stands for Button 2. The following number defines the activated pump phase before the steam pressure pre-infusion. In the example above, we chose 3 seconds, which seems like a sensible value to us.
BLP1 sets Button 1 for blooming pre-infusion and BLP2 sets Button 2. In the example above, we chose 6 seconds before stopping the pump.
In both modes, the activated pump time is subtracted from the total pre-infusion time set. So if we choose a 10-second pre-infusion in the menu, it will be 7 or 4 seconds, since the pump pressure time is counted as part of the pre-infusion.
Effects of Pre-infusion on Different Espressos
We've played a lot with pre-infusion and tried both modes with different espresso roasts and times. The possibilities here are enormous. We've obtained better results with steam pressure pre-infusion. Especially lighter roasted specialty coffee espressos have become sweeter and more balanced through it. In our video test, we taste, for example, Toca from our bio project partner in Mexico.
With a darker roasted Robusta espresso, the difference was small—it also ran well without pre-infusion. The Lelit Elizabeth offers a playground with its adjustment options for curious coffee aficionados. But it also carries the danger of getting lost. Then taking a step back to the standard profile makes sense.
Regarding pre-infusion, the Elizabeth 3 made a big step. Instead of the second values in BLS1 and BLP2, you store up to five-stage pressure profiles on two buttons there and can additionally regulate flow manually with the Pagaia lever. In our current protocol, the espresso potential comes to 5.0 points for the PL92T and 6.5 for the Elizabeth 3. The temperature makes the difference alongside profiling.
Steaming Behavior
The base pressure of the steam boiler is rather low. However, the temperature can be raised to 145 degrees Celsius, and then the Lelit Elizabeth makes steaming really fun. It steams powerfully without heating too quickly. This allows for a long steaming phase and is the prerequisite for very good milk foam.
Especially for those beginning to steam milk, the Lelit is also an interesting choice from a steaming perspective. The long steaming phase helps break down the large bubbles created during inexperienced steaming.
Only the steam knob frustrates a bit every time we start steaming again. From the community, we received the tip that there are nice custom-made wooden versions, turned in small series.
We will provide the steaming measurement according to our current protocol afterward. It's already clear: The Elizabeth 3 steams much faster with the same boiler size and brings 300 milliliters of milk to 60 °C in 30 seconds. With the PL92T it takes noticeably longer, which explains the long steaming phase we praised so much in 2022. The steam knob on the Elizabeth 3 is made of wood, by the way.
Elizabeth PL92T or Elizabeth 3?
With the Elizabeth 3, Lelit has tackled much of what we criticized in 2022: portafilter handle, steam knob, Pagaia, and tamper are made of wood, the water tank cover sits in a guide, and pre-infusion becomes storable pressure profiles. In return, the brew boiler is smaller, and the price is significantly higher at 1,650 euros.
| Retest 2026 | Elizabeth PL92T | Elizabeth 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | approx. 1,000 euros | approx. 1,650 euros |
| Brew/Steam boiler | 0.3 l / 0.6 l | 0.2 l / 0.6 l |
| Profiling | 2 pre-infusion modes, time adjustable | 2 buttons with 5 pressure levels each, Pagaia lever |
| Heating time | 25–30 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Shot 1 after 20 minutes | 84.8 °C | 93.6 °C |
| 5 shots at one-minute intervals | stable from shot 2 (after 25 min.) | drops 2 °C, stable with 2 min. pause |
| Power: heating + espresso, with steam | 0.171 kWh | 0.154 kWh |
| Control parts | Plastic | Wood |
| Tamper | Plastic, not suitable | 58.55 mm, wood handle, flush |
| Weight | 12 kg | 15 kg |
If you mainly drink espresso, are looking for a dual boiler with a budget of around 1,000 euros, and can live with plastic parts, you get a lot of machine with the PL92T. If you want to store pressure profiles, heat up faster, and value higher-quality controls, you should look at the Elizabeth 3. We explain how Pagaia works in the overview of the Lelit Pagaia.
You can get the Lelit Elizabeth PL92T from, for example, Stoll Espresso*, our recommended specialist dealer for Lelit.
* Affiliate link: If you buy through this link, we receive a small commission. The price doesn't change for you.
KM Rating (Retest 2026)
0 – 100
Two categories are still missing: steaming quality and noise level. We'll add both and then complete the overall score. Based on today's status, the Elizabeth PL92T lands in the "Compromise" to just "Good / Standard" range. This is more sober than our 2022 conclusion and is mainly due to temperature and heating time. A newer or freshly descaled machine might score better here.
Conclusion and Further Tips
What an exciting espresso machine. Not only in terms of value for money, the Lelit Elizabeth makes a real statement. The various pre-infusion modes, the overall good performance, and Lelit's opportunity to dig deep into machine control in an advanced mode allows for a steep learning curve.
The Lelit Elizabeth is a very exciting entry-level dual boiler espresso machine with the potential to outperform many more expensive machines in terms of performance. Already in the default settings. With the many tips and tricks from the Lelit community and if you work your way into the machine, the Elizabeth opens up realms that are distant future sounds for espresso machines with classic E61 brew groups.
Classification 2026: With our current protocol and a three-year-old machine, the rating is stricter. The Elizabeth needs 25 to 30 minutes, the plastic control parts remain its weakness, and in temperature the retest shows more fluctuation than 2022. At around 1,000 euros it still remains a serious entry into the dual boiler class, especially for those who like to tinker with settings. Anyone wanting more comfort and pressure profiles will find the modern successor in the Elizabeth 3. Which architecture fundamentally suits you, we've summarized in our buying guide for espresso machines.
Warm regards, your Benjamin
Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Lelit Elizabeth PL92T |
|---|---|
| Price | approx. 1,000 euros (as of October 2026) |
| Type | Dual boiler with PID |
| Boiler | Brew boiler 0.3 l, steam boiler 0.6 l (switchable off) |
| Pump | Vibration pump with adjustable OPV |
| Profiling | Steam pressure pre-infusion (up to 20 s) and blooming pre-infusion |
| Volumetrics | Time control, shot timer |
| Heating time | 25–30 minutes (Retest 2026) |
| Brew temperature | after 25 min.: shot 1 90.7 °C, then 92.5–94.0 °C (set to 94 °C) |
| Power consumption | 0.171 kWh heating + espresso with steam (2026), 0.082 kWh without steam (2023); standby 0.084 kWh/h |
| Noise level | Measurement to follow |
| Water tank | 2.5 l |
| Drip tray | 1.4 l |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 32.2 × 38.2 × 26 cm (43 cm with portafilter) |
| Weight | 12 kg |
And what are your experiences with the Lelit Elizabeth? Feel free to tell us in the comments.
By the way, this machine applies too: We bought it, we conduct our tests independently, and we test to the best of our knowledge and ability.
