Lelit Elizabeth PL92T in the Test: Dual Boiler from 1,050 €

The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T is making a strong case for itself in our testing for the title "Best Entry-Level Dual Boiler Espresso Machine." We are pleasantly surprised and feel confirmed in our assessment. Because Lelit goes the extra mile with the Elizabeth among dual boiler espresso machines and gets many things right. That's why our view of the Lelit Elizabeth is similarly positive to our earlier test of the dual-circuit Lelit Mara X.

The Lelit Elizabeth is one of many dual boiler espresso machines we have tested and will continue to test. You can find an overview here.

Classification of the Lelit Elizabeth Dual Boiler

The Lelit Elizabeth is one of the most affordable dual boilers on the market. In Switzerland, prices range between 1,100 francs on major online platforms and 1,600 francs in local retail. In Germany, the Lelit Elizabeth can be found from 1,050 euros. That's really cheap!

Many dual boilers start at prices above 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 volumes and especially through online retail doesn't change anything: the Lelit Elizabeth is very affordable for a dual boiler!

At the same time, it comes with a wealth of features and refinements that much more expensive models don't have. Multiple 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 whole article? Then 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 pressure 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 count the portafilter and the protruding power cable, 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)
• Brewing 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 once the machine is well heated up. This occurs after more than 20 minutes of heating time.
• The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T has low power consumption of approximately 0.13 kWh for 5 double espresso shots with heating but without steam boiler. With the steam boiler switched on, we measure 0.24 kWh.
• The steam performance of the Lelit Elizabeth is good. It rolls powerfully but heats slowly, allowing for a long rolling phase and thus creamy foam. The boiler can be controlled up to 145 degrees Celsius.
• Practical shot timer to see the shot duration in seconds.
• Two different pre-infusion modes that provide plenty of room to get the perfect result from every espresso.
• Clear LCC (Lelit Control Center) for controlling the machine and displaying the shot timer. Additional functions for controlling and programming the machine in expert mode.
• Good basket with 18 grams capacity included in the delivery.
• Programmable buttons that can also be used for automated backflushing and cleaning programs.

The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T allows control on various levels. On the surface, temperature and, for example, shot duration can be programmed. Pre-infusion adjustment is also possible. Through the advanced control, many details of the PID can be managed. At this level, few manufacturers allow access.

Weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth

• The build quality of the machine could be more premium. The stainless steel body feels thin compared to other dual boilers.
• The portafilter is functionally good, but not balanced. The plastic grip feels cheap.
• A plastic tamper is included but is not suitable as a tamper.
• The plastic steam wand feels like a temporary solution and reflects the lower quality of the portafilter handle.
• In various places, the Lelit Elizabeth has relatively sharp edges that can lead to nasty cuts during daily use.
• The machine becomes quite loud when the water level in the tank gets too low. The pump itself is relatively quiet.
• The water tank feels like a relic from an earlier era. Unlike the Lelit Mara X, water is not drawn from below but through hoses that must be rethreaded each time after refilling.
• The heating time is 20 minutes for the machine to truly reach temperature. The machine itself indicates readiness earlier, but this doesn't match our measurements.
• Optimal temperature is reached when the machine has been running longer. Therefore, it's important to know your own machine and check the actual current temperature with a local dealer and adjust accordingly.
• The buttons sometimes don't respond sensitively.

Low Power Consumption Without Steam Boiler

Compared to other dual boilers, the Lelit Elizabeth has relatively low power consumption with the steam boiler switched off. However, it should be noted that power was measured here for only 15 minutes of operation. At that point, the machine had not yet reached full temperature. So the actual power consumption will be slightly higher but still relatively 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. We will repeat the power measurement without steam boiler with an operating time of 20 minutes.

With steam boiler, we measure 0.24 kWh, which matches the result of the Rancilio Silvia Pro X. With many dual boilers, we get high values of more than 0.35 kWh in the comparative measurement.

Heating Time of the Lelit Elizabeth PL92T

We've read a lot about the Elizabeth's short heating time. We disagree. At 10 and 15 minutes, the PL92T hasn't reached target temperature yet. We recommend heating the machine for at least 20 minutes.

The Lelit Elizabeth is really in its comfort zone when it's been on longer. This is also shown by our WBC Protocol measurement. We have the feeling the machine was optimized for the goal of "on for 1 hour." This seems only partially suitable for everyday use at home. Because at least we really like to drink an espresso when the machine has just reached temperature. Afterwards, in everyday use, we turn off the machine after the shot and turn it back on a few hours later for the next espresso.

To be precise: the Lelit reaches the temperature range earlier. But with the factory programming, it only becomes truly stable when it's been on longer. This could possibly be adjusted through the advanced LCC settings.

The measurements were made with the Lelit Elizabeth factory default settings. These were: 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 in the Lelit's advanced settings via the LCC. Lelit provides everything here to adjust many details in the behavior of the PID and control. The length of the pump phase in pre-infusion can also be adjusted. Dave Corbey provides a good explanation in a blog post. We will discuss the adjustment options in another video and check the Lelit's temperature with the settings Dave suggested as well.

Pre-infusion and Espresso Quality

Even in standard mode, the Lelit Elizabeth allows us to brew good espresso. When the machine is well 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, with steam boiler switched on, we can use the steam to apply gentle pressure to the coffee bed for 3 to 20 seconds after stopping the pump.

On the other hand, a type of blooming pre-infusion can be run. For this, the steam boiler must not be running. Now the pump stops after 6 seconds of working time by default and then enters a definable pause phase.

Advanced Pre-infusion Settings

The pump stop phase can be defined for both modes in the advanced settings. Here's how to access the menu:

BLS1 stands for Button 1 and BLS2 stands for Button 2. The number following defines the active pump phase before the steam pressure pre-infusion. In the example above, we chose 3 seconds, which seems like a reasonable 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 the pump stops.

In both modes, the active pump time is subtracted from the total pre-infusion time set. So if we set a ten-second pre-infusion in the menu, it will be 7 or 4 seconds respectively, since the pump 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 are enormous here. We achieved better results with steam pressure pre-infusion. Especially lighter roasted specialty coffee espressos became sweeter and more balanced. In the 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 ran well without pre-infusion too. The Lelit Elizabeth offers its adjustment options as a playground for curious coffee aficionados. But it also carries the risk of getting lost. Then a step back to the standard profile makes sense.

New: Lelit Elizabeth 3 with Pagaia

At the World of Coffee 2026 in Brussels, Lelit showed the Elizabeth in a new version. Lelit calls it the Elizabeth 3, and it brings the Pagaia—that little lever for controlling flow rate that we first tested on the Lelit Mara X3. Pagaia doesn't mechanically control a valve; it electronically controls the pump's power. So you control the flow, and the pressure results accordingly.

For the Elizabeth, this is more than just an add-on. Earlier, we described how cumbersome it is to adjust pre-infusion through the advanced LCC settings—BLS1, BLP2, and second values that are subtracted from the total time. With Pagaia, it becomes a lever movement.

And the Elizabeth 3 goes even further than the Mara X3. It additionally has a pressure sensor whose value is displayed and two buttons, each of which can store a profile with multiple stages. A gentle pre-infusion at low pressure, then the second stage, then the third, callable at the push of a button. This is the point that really interests us: on the Mara X3, flow profiling is manual work and therefore not reproducible; on the Elizabeth 3, it would be storable. However, there's no volumetric or time-based control here either.

Lelit stated the upcharge for the Pagaia function at 300 euros at the Brussels show.

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 becomes really fun for steaming. It rolls powerfully without heating too quickly. This allows for a long rolling phase and is the prerequisite for very good milk foam.

Especially for those who are starting to steam milk, the Lelit is also an interesting choice from a steaming perspective. The long rolling phase helps to break down the bubbles that form during inexperienced steaming.

Only the steam wand frustrates a bit each time we start steaming again. But there will surely soon be some nice upgrades from tinkerers.

This rotary knob controls the steam for steaming milk. From the community, we received the tip that there are nice custom-made wooden versions, turned in small batches.

And what are your experiences with the Lelit Elizabeth? Feel free to write to us in the comments.

By the way, this applies to this machine too: we bought it, we conduct our tests independently, and we test to the best of our knowledge and conscience.

Recommended Specialist Workshop for Lelit

Lelit Elizabeth PL92T at Stoll Espresso

* We search for specialist partners for you that we know do good work and provide good service. We are in close contact with the dealers. These are affiliate links. If you order through this link, it doesn't cost you more, but we receive a small commission that we invest in new testing equipment.