As a community, you've pointed us to the Lelit Mara X again and again. We bought it, tested it, and then worked with numerous additional units in our Home Barista courses over the years. The result in one sentence: It's almost cheeky what Lelit delivers here in terms of value for money, but you need to understand the temperature control, or the machine will frustrate you.
This article combines both the Mara X test and all the temperature tips we've collected over the years.
Which Mara X do you have? V1, V2 and X3 at a glance
Before we get into temperature, you need to know which machine you have. With the Mara X, this is not a minor detail, but rather something that affects how you operate it.
| Version | Identifying feature | What's different |
|---|---|---|
| Mara X V1 | red logo | first generation with the second temperature sensor in the heat exchanger |
| Mara X V2 | no red logo | technically nearly identical, changed control logic |
| Mara X3 (PL62X3) | Pagaia lever on the side | Pagaia flow control, 1,699 euros, different temperature management |
The X3 is a separate device and not an intermediate step. It controls flow electronically via Pagaia instead of pressure and costs around 500 euros more than its predecessor. In our temperature measurements, it behaves similarly to the V2, except that the flow control adds another layer that can additionally influence temperature. Everything about this in the Lelit Mara X3 test and in the technical article on Lelit Pagaia.
You can find all Lelit devices we've measured bundled on our overview page Lelit at a glance.
Lots of features for relatively little money
The feature package is astounding. No other dual boiler espresso machine we know of delivers this much functionality for so little money: dual pressure gauges, PID control, cool-touch tubes, and it's very quiet.
The list price in Switzerland was 1,490 francs; in the EU, we found numerous offers below 1,000 euros. These are prices from our testing period—Lelit prices fluctuate significantly, so a comparison is worthwhile.
We tested the Mara X as part of our comparison of 12 dual boiler espresso machines. How we measure is explained in our espresso machine testing protocol.
Compact, small, and purrs like a kitten
"Are you brewing yet?" I asked Michel Indelicato in our test. "Yes, it's just so quiet!" answered the Swiss vice barista champion.
For comparison, we ran two other dual boilers in parallel. The Lelit was up to 10 decibels quieter. This is due to the type of vibration pump installed and the fact that Lelit has used rubber at the typical rattling points. The drip tray doesn't rest directly on the metal, but rather on small rubber tabs, and the same goes for the espresso cup stand.
Less rattling thanks to rubber padding.
A tip from daily use: Make sure the cups on the machine don't touch each other. Otherwise, you've created a new rattling surface.
The Mara X is just 22 centimeters wide, about 5 centimeters less than a Rocket Appartamento. Against that, it measures 41 centimeters deep and 35 centimeters high. At 18 kilograms, it stands firmly; the rubber feet prevent it from rotating when pulling the portafilter.
The drip tray is noticeably large and deep, holding more than a liter. Don't empty it at the last second though. Full drip trays can't be carried without making a mess.
Two temperature sensors: what makes the Mara X different
The temperature control of the Mara X differs from all other dual boilers. If you operate it like a classic dual boiler, you'll have trouble getting the temperature under control.
A classic dual boiler with E61 thermosiphon has a probe in the steam boiler. The boiler transfers its heat to the brewing water via the heat exchanger, which flows through a separate tube. The control is correspondingly imprecise. It varies when a lot of water rushes through the heat exchanger, and the thermosiphon tends to overheat during longer periods of standby. That's why you need to flush sufficiently before brewing with such machines.
Lelit has installed a second temperature sensor directly in the heat exchanger. It checks the incoming temperature and heats up as needed. What this group head fundamentally does is explained in our article on the Faema E61 group head.
Switching brew priority and steam priority correctly
The Mara X has two operating modes, and you control them via two different switches. This is the most common confusion.
On older machines and in some instruction manuals, the assignment of switch positions is described differently, and some Mara X units were shipped with instructions for the previous version. So don't rely on the label, but rather on the pressure gauge. In steam priority mode, the machine regulates to a boiler pressure of 1 bar, 1.2 bar, or 1.5 bar depending on the setting. In brew priority mode, it instead regulates to the brewing temperature, and the boiler pressure is the result—it doesn't target one of these three values.
When switching modes, plan for at least 15 minutes until the machine stabilizes in the new mode.
The temperature settings of the Lelit Mara X.
Which temperature does each setting deliver?
This is where it gets interesting, because we have two measurement series with different results. That's not a contradiction, but rather the explanation for why such different values circulate online.
| Setting | First measurement series (flushing before extraction) | Second measurement series (flushing after extraction) |
|---|---|---|
| Setting 0 | 93 to 94 °C | 90 to 91 °C |
| Setting 1 | 96 °C | 91 to 92 °C |
| Setting 2 | 98 °C | 93 to 95 °C |
The difference comes solely from the flushing routine. In the first measurement series, we flushed between extractions, as you would with a classic dual boiler. This pushed the temperature above the target value because the sensor in the heat exchanger reacts to the flowing water and heats up. The result was extractions that were too hot and, in our dual boiler comparison video, a considerable temperature crash.
We then contacted Lelit. The answer was short: flush briefly after extraction, not before. And really briefly. This routine produced the second measurement series values, and those are the reliable ones.
The interval between extractions was shortened. This reduced the brewing temperature.
The Mara X's intelligent solution compensates for some typical problems of dual boilers with thermosiphon. It's worth adapting your own rhythm to the machine rather than the other way around.
Updated temperature measurements
We took the following measurements with two additional Mara X units. We've had the same experiences in our Home Barista courses with numerous other machines.
Monitoring temperature at home yourself
We compared the temperature in the thermosiphon against our measurement portafilter and screwed a small thermometer from Coffee Sensor into the group head for that. The result is clear and reproducible multiple times: The Coffee Sensor reads 1 to 2 degrees higher than what actually reaches the basket. At the start of an extraction, it's around two degrees apart, then it settles to about 1.5 degrees.
Subtract 1 to 2 degrees from the displayed value, and you have the temperature that actually reaches the coffee. If the sensor shows 95 degrees, you're brewing at approximately 93 to 94 degrees. It might sound like a small thing, but it determines whether you're in your target window or two degrees above it.
Such a sensor makes more sense for the Mara X than for most other machines. Because the temperature rises during extraction and falls at short intervals between extractions, the sensor immediately shows you whether the machine is running in your desired range or has climbed too high. For the price of a thermometer, it's the most sensible addition you can make to this machine.
Steaming milk and making cappuccino
The Mara X impressed us with steaming, even in brew priority mode. We were impressed by the power. The rolling phase is so forceful that small and larger bubbles are broken down, creating a creamy microfoam.
Interestingly, the milk heats up slowly. This gives you extra time for steaming and makes the machine attractive for beginners in milk frothing.
Because steaming in brew priority mode works practically as well as in steam mode, we see no reason to switch. The only reason would be if you wanted to deliberately operate the machine in the classic way like other dual boilers on the market.
Cool-touch and other good ideas
The steam wand and hot water outlet have cool-touch tubes and don't get hot on the outside. The E61 group head is heated through, and there is a burn hazard there. Rubber sleeves or plastic grips on the wand are typical at this price point. That Lelit installs the more expensive tubes in manufacturing is a real plus and shows they're thinking of the user.
The steam boiler holds 1.8 liters and provides temperature stability. It transfers heat to the brewing water via the heat exchanger.
Side view of the Lelit Mara X.
The dual pressure gauge shows the boiler pressure and brew pressure; it's attractive and practical. The water tank can be removed and filled directly at the tap. Use soft water for this. The accessories include a wooden tamper in 58-millimeter size and a raise for the espresso extraction surface. An automatic standby function is integrated, as with all new espresso machines with EU certification.
Dual pressure gauge of the Lelit Mara X.
The finish is of high quality; stainless steel reduces the risk of rust. With unbroken metal edges, the Mara X is average.
Where you can buy the Lelit Mara X
We don't sell espresso machines ourselves. We haven't for three years now, so we can write about machines without our own sales figures influencing us.
What we do: We search for specialist partners whose work and service we trust, and we stay in close contact with these retailers. For the Mara X, that's Stoll Espresso, who run a very competent workshop and remain a good contact even after the purchase.
This is a referral link. If you order through it, it won't cost you more, but we receive a small commission that we put into new testing equipment.
Conclusion on the Lelit Mara X
It's almost cheeky what this delivers in terms of value for money. PID temperature control, two temperature sensors, a dual pressure gauge, and cool-touch tubes in a machine sold as a starter machine. And it's very, very quiet. As a result, the rest of the house won't be woken by the pump but by the grinder.
The espresso and milk frothing quality is good to excellent. Lelit has thought things through at many points and implemented ideas from the community. The machine is compact anyway; at 22 centimeters wide, it fits in kitchens where other E61 machines can't stand.
The price for that is that you have to embrace its logic. Flush after extraction instead of before, two minutes between extractions, and patience after a long session. If you do that, you get a very precise and reliable espresso machine. If you operate it like a classic dual boiler, you'll be frustrated with the temperature.
Who it's not right for: If you regularly brew for multiple people in succession, a dual boiler like the Lelit Elizabeth is the better choice. If you want flow profiling, look at the Bianca V3 before turning to the Mara X3.
Great, that brings joy.
As always, we bought these espresso machines ourselves. This test was not requested by Lelit.
