The Lelit Mara PL62 X is an espresso machine with dual-boiler technology and three-stage temperature control. The developers have integrated an astonishing number of good features and accessories and demand relatively little for it compared to other dual-boiler machines.
As a community, you have repeatedly drawn our attention to the Lelit Mara X. The latest model was released in March, and we have examined the machine in detail. This test is part of a test series. In the coming weeks, we will be testing a total of 12 dual-boiler espresso machines. We are pursuing two goals: we are looking for the best dual-boiler espresso machine on the market and want to provide you with assistance. At the same time, we will include the three machines we consider to be the best in our
We tested the V2 version of the Lelit Mara X. This article is currently being revised.
NEW: Our temperature tips for the Lelit Mara X. Please note that the Lelit Mara X V2 functions differently from the Lelit Mara X V1. The most important change can also be found in this article under Temperature Control in Stages."
We have also now tested the dual-boiler Lelit Elizabeth and have come to a positive conclusion.
Are you looking for a specialist dealer who sells the Lelit Mara X?
We recommend Stoll Espresso, who run a very competent workshop and are a good point of contact for the machine even after your purchase.
To the machine at Stoll Espresso.
We search for specialist partners for you whom we know provide good work and good service. We are in close contact with these dealers. These are affiliate links. If you order via this link, it won't cost you more, but we'll receive a small commission, which we'll invest in new test equipment.
Many functions for a relatively small price
The Lelit's performance package is astonishing. No other dual-boiler espresso machine we know offers so much performance promise and functionality for so little money. The list price of the espresso machine in Switzerland is 1490 Swiss francs. That alone would be cheap. However, there are often much cheaper offers. In the EU, you can find numerous offers where the Mara X is available for less than 1000 euros.
That's quite a statement, considering the comprehensive range of functions. Dual manometer, PID control, cold touch tubes, super quiet. But one thing at a time.
Compact, small, and purrs like a kitten
"Are you brewing already?" I asked Michel Aeschbacher in our test. "Yes, it's just so quiet!" replied the Swiss Vice Barista Champion. For comparison, we ran two other dual-boiler machines. The Lelit emitted up to 10 decibels less noise. This is partly due to the type of vibratory pump installed. On the other hand, Lelit has integrated rubber connections at typically rattling points. For example, the drip tray does not rest directly on the machine's metal but on small rubber flaps. The same applies to the standing surface for espresso cups. Less rattling is the result. As with all espresso machines, it is only important that the cups on the machine do not touch each other to avoid creating another clattering and rattling surface.
Less rattling thanks to rubber support.
The Lelit Mara X is very compact. It is only 22 cm wide. That's about 5 cm narrower than the Appartamento. This is offset by a depth of 41 cm and a height of 35 cm.
The drip tray is noticeably large and deep, holding more than a liter of water. Nevertheless, it is important not to empty it at the last minute. Drip trays cannot be carried without making a mess.
The rubber feet ensure that the 18 kg machine does not easily twist when clamped.
Temperature Control in Stages
The Lelit Mara X has a built-in temperature control. In addition to the temperature sensor in the steam boiler, a second sensor is installed directly in the heat exchanger. The 3-stage toggle switch behind the drip tray allows this temperature to be controlled.
However, it is important to first switch to brewing priority mode. This can be activated via a second toggle switch on the right side. To ensure that the wrong mode is not activated, please first determine which version of the Mara X you have!!!
For version Lelit Mara X V1, identifiable by a red logo, brewing priority mode is activated when you set the toggle switch to level 1. For the Mara X V2, brewing mode is activated when you set the switch to level 0!
Some Mara X V2 machines were still delivered with old instruction manuals containing incorrect instructions. We recently even found online instruction manuals from some dealers that referred to version 1, which is no longer delivered today!
So again... version V2 runs in brewing priority mode when level 0 is activated. V1 runs in brewing priority on level 1.
The other switch position activates steam priority. The temperature of the steam boiler is then controlled via a sensor in the hot water area, heating the machine so that the temperature is very suitable for steaming but not for brewing! It is then far too hot, over 98 degrees Celsius!
Brewing Priority of the Mara X
The operating manual does not fully explain the precise function of the temperature settings. However, position 0 delivers the lowest temperature, position 1 is supposed to provide a medium temperature, and position 2 a higher/hot temperature.
In our initial test, we measured overall very high temperatures. In position 0, the Mara X consistently delivered 93 – 94 degrees, and that very stably. The other two positions, in our test, served us temperatures of 96 and 98 degrees, which were too high. Here, we boosted the temperature beyond the desired level through flushing and our routine. Dave Corbey also points this out in a very good test report on the machine.
He writes that you should not flush between espresso shots. Flushing is an empty draw of water that has two effects. On the one hand, for many espresso machines, it stabilizes the brewing temperature, and on the other hand, it cleans the shower screen of the brew group. We absolutely cannot recommend skipping the latter.
We then contacted Lelit. The brief answer was: flush briefly after brewing, not before. And really briefly. We did this in our large dual-boiler comparison video. Well... the result was a pretty significant temperature crash, regardless of brewing priority or steam priority.
We still need to work on this and will make a tips video on how to operate the Lelit Mara X, as we like it for many other attributes.
Frothing milk and making cappuccino with the Mara X
The Mara X performed superbly in terms of frothing behavior, even in "brewing priority mode." We were particularly impressed by the machine's power. The rolling phase, explained in our latte courses and videos, was so powerful that any small and larger bubbles were crushed, resulting in a creamy foam. Interestingly, the milk did not heat up quickly. This gives extra time for frothing, making it particularly appealing for milk frothing beginners.
If you remove the drip tray, the espresso machine can be set to a steam priority mode. Instead of focusing on the brewing water temperature, the espresso machine then aims for a boiler pressure of 1 bar, 1.2 bar, or 1.5 bar, depending on the stage selection. This also bypasses the machine's complex temperature programming, making a cooling flush possible again (and very sensible!)
Cool-Touch and other great features
Both the steam wand and the hot water spout are built with so-called Cool-Touch tubes. As the name suggests, the tubes do not get hot on the outside. Every espresso machine has enough spots that get really hot. Especially the Faema brew group is thoroughly heated, and you always have to be careful not to accidentally burn your fingers. However, a brew group is usually not touched. The steam wand tube is different. Usually, rubber covers or plastic grips are clamped to the tube to allow the wand to move. The Cool-Touch tubes are a smart solution to avoid this. It's truly bold of Lelit to install these more expensive steam wands in terms of manufacturing costs on this "entry-level machine." But it's an absolute plus and truly designed with the user in mind.
Side view of the Lelit Mara X.
The brew boiler holds 1.8 liters and ensures temperature stability. The entire machine's construction is high-quality. Stainless steel reduces the risk of rust. In terms of unbroken metal edges, the Lelit Mara PL62 X performs on average.
The water tank can be easily removed and filled directly at the tap. Caution, use soft water!
The dual manometer is sleek and practical – it shows the boiler pressure and the brewing pressure. A 58mm wooden tamper is also included with the machine, as is a riser for the espresso cup stand.
As with all new espresso machines approved in the EU, an automatic standby function is integrated.
Dual manometer of the Lelit Mara X
Conclusion on the Lelit Mara X and what particularly impresses
We are only at the beginning of our dual-boiler espresso machine tests. But the other espresso machines will really have to pull out all the stops to knock the Lelit Mara PL62 X off the podium.
It's almost cheeky what's delivered here in terms of price-performance. PID control of the temperature. The machine is very, very quiet. As a result, the rest of the house is no longer woken up by the espresso machine's pump, but by the noise of the grinder.
The espresso and milk foam quality is good to excellent. Lelit has considered many details and implemented ideas from the community. The machine is compact and looks good with its brushed chrome steel appearance.
Excellent, that's a joy!
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Update Lelit Mara X V2
The update to the Lelit Mara X V2 doesn't change much about the espresso machine itself. The truly important thing is just the altered control. Version V2 runs in brewing mode on position 0! If you keep this and our tips in mind, you can make good espresso with the Mara.
Here are the updated temperature measurements that we obtained with two other Lelit Maras (V2). By the way, we've had the same experiences in our Home Barista courses with numerous other Lelit Maras.
As always, we bought these espresso machines. This test was not requested by Lelit, etc.
