The Lelit Elizabeth and the Breville Dual Boiler are two of the most popular dual boiler espresso machines for home use, but they cater to different priorities. Made by the Italian brand Lelit, the Elizabeth is a premium, compact machine focused on European craftsmanship and aesthetics, while the Breville offers a larger feature set and exceptional value at a more accessible price point.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which high-performance espresso machine is the right fit for your counter.
Lelit Elizabeth Dual Boiler
The Lelit Elizabeth is a "prosumer" espresso machine that packs professional-grade components into a sleek and compact design. It's known for its refined Italian aesthetic, precise temperature control via its advanced LCC (Lelit Control Center), and high-quality build, making it a favorite among serious home baristas who prioritize both performance and design.
- What it is: A dual boiler espresso machine designed for home enthusiasts seeking café-quality results.
- Key features: Dedicated brass boilers for brewing and steaming, PID temperature control, programmable pre-infusion, LCC digital interface for settings control, and a commercial-grade 58mm portafilter.
- Price: Typically $2,200 - $2,500
- Dimensions: 12" W x 12" D x 14" H
- Materials/Construction: Polished stainless steel body, brass boilers, and commercial-grade internal components for durability and temperature stability.
- Style: Sleek, minimalist, and classic Italian. It features a clean look with a compact footprint that fits well in modern kitchens.
- Pros: Excellent build quality and craftsmanship. Extremely precise temperature and pressure control. Very quiet operation compared to many rivals. Its compact size saves counter space without sacrificing performance. Heats up relatively quickly for a dual boiler.
- Cons: Carries a premium price tag. The water tank can be awkward to access and refill. Less widely available in big-box retail stores.
The Elizabeth is perfect for the espresso aficionado who values Italian engineering, a beautiful aesthetic, and fine-tuned control over their brewing variables.
Shop this product: clivecoffee.com/products/lelit-elizabeth-dual-boiler-espresso-machine
Breville Dual Boiler (BES920)
The Breville Dual Boiler is a titan in the home espresso world, famous for its feature-rich design and incredible value. It brings a host of professional features - like precise PID control, a heated group head, and extensive programmability - to a user-friendly package that makes consistently great espresso accessible to both beginners and experts.
- What it is: A user-friendly dual boiler espresso machine loaded with smart technology.
- Key features: Dual stainless steel boilers, PID temperature control on both the boiler and group head, programmable shot temperature and pressure, auto-start function, and a high-resolution LCD screen.
- Price: Around $1,200 - $1,500
- Dimensions: 12.5" W x 12.5" D x 15" H
- Materials/Construction: A brushed stainless steel exterior houses dual stainless steel boilers. The design focuses on robust construction and user-serviceable parts.
- Style: Modern and functional. It has a slightly more utilitarian look than the Lelit but is still handsome and fits well in contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Unbeatable value for the price. Packed with features that simplify the espresso-making process. Fast heat-up for a dual boiler design. Very easy to use, thanks to its intuitive LCD interface and guided maintenance. Widely available and supported.
- Cons: Slightly larger footprint. While durable, it may not have the same long-term longevity as traditionally built Italian machines without routine upkeep. The aesthetic is more functional than elegant.
This machine is for the home barista who wants the best performance-to-price ratio, appreciates smart features for consistency, and values user-friendliness over brand heritage.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes920.html
Lelit Elizabeth vs. Breville Dual Boiler Comparison
Performance & Control
Both machines deliver superb performance due to their dual boiler and PID temperature control systems, allowing you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously without any loss in temperature or pressure. The Lelit Elizabeth offers more hands-on, precise control over pre-infusion time directly through its LCC, appealing to hobbyists who like to fine-tune every shot.
The Breville Dual Boiler achieves similar thermal stability, with the added benefit of a PID-controlled heated group head, a feature usually reserved for much more expensive machines. Its programmability is excellent, offering control over pre-infusion pressure and duration, shot temperature, and an auto-start feature to have the machine ready when you wake up. For most users, Breville's mix of automated features and manual overrides offers more day-to-day convenience.
Build Quality & Materials
This is where the Italian heritage of the Lelit Elizabeth shines. It features brass boilers, which are known for excellent heat retention, and a robust internal build with commercial-grade components. The overall impression is one of quality craftsmanship designed for longevity, a common trait in premium Italian machines.
The Breville Dual Boiler uses stainless steel boilers, which heat up faster but may not retain heat quite as well as brass. The brand is known for building machines with smart, user-serviceable designs, but it does incorporate more plastic in its internal construction. While it's a very durable machine, the Lelit is generally considered the more heavy-duty option built for a longer lifespan.
Design & Footprint
The Lelit Elizabeth boasts a minimalist, elegant aesthetic with a polished stainless steel finish. Its compact footprint (12" wide) makes it one of the most space-efficient dual boiler machines on the market, perfect for smaller kitchens where counter space is at a premium. It has a timeless, clean look that feels sophisticated.
The Breville Dual Boiler is slightly larger and has a more modern, tech-forward appearance with its prominent LCD screen and pressure gauge. Its brushed stainless steel finish is attractive but leans more functional than artisanal. Both are well-designed, but if your priority is a refined visual statement, the Lelit has the clear advantage.
Price & Value
Price is the most significant differentiator. The Breville Dual Boiler is often almost $1,000 cheaper than the Lelit Elizabeth. For its price, the Breville provides an incredible set of features - dual PIDs, heated group head, vast programmability - that are unmatched in its class. It represents one of the best value propositions in home espresso.
The higher cost of the Lelit Elizabeth is justified by its superior build quality, Italian craftsmanship, compact design, and premium components. You are paying for longevity, aesthetic refinement, and brand heritage. The "value" in the Lelit is in its feel and potential lifespan rather than its feature list alone.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are excellent choices for making café-quality coffee at home, but they are built for different types of users.
Choose the Lelit Elizabeth if:
- You prioritize authentic Italian craftsmanship and high-end build quality.
- A sleek, minimalist aesthetic is important for your kitchen space.
- You have limited counter space and need a more compact machine.
- You are an enthusiast who values precise, hands-on control and wants a machine built for a long life.
Choose the Breville Dual Boiler if:
- You want the most features and performance for your money.
- User-friendliness, helpful screen prompts, and automation are important to you.
- You want a machine that heats up fast and has convenient features like an auto-start timer.
- Widespread availability, easy customer support, and user-serviceable design are priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Lelit Elizabeth and Breville Dual Boiler?
The primary differences are price, build philosophy, and design. The Elizabeth is a premium Italian machine focused on craftsmanship and aesthetics at a higher price (~$2,200), while the Dual Boiler provides exceptional features and user-friendliness for significantly less (~$1,500).
Which machine heats up faster?
The Breville Dual Boiler is generally known for its remarkably fast heat-up time, often ready to brew in under 10 minutes. The Lelit Elizabeth is also quite fast for a dual boiler but may take slightly longer to reach stable temperature.
Is the Lelit Elizabeth worth the extra money?
For users who value durability, premium materials (like brass boilers), and a refined Italian aesthetic, the higher cost is often worth it. However, if your focus is purely on shot quality and a large feature set, the Breville provides much of the same performance for far less money.
Which machine is better for beginners?
The Breville Dual Boiler is widely considered more beginner-friendly. Its LCD screen provides clear instructions, it has helpful pre-programmed settings, and its workflow simplifies the learning process. The Lelit is still easy to use but offers a more classic manual experience.
Can you pull a shot and steam milk at the same time?
Yes. That is the main benefit of a dual boiler machine. Both the Lelit Elizabeth and Breville Dual Boiler have separate boilers for brewing and steaming, allowing you to do both tasks simultaneously without any performance issues.
How is the steam power on these machines?
Both machines offer powerful, dry steam for creating excellent microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. The Lelit is often praised for its particularly strong and consistent steam pressure, on par with commercial equipment.
What's the difference between brass and stainless steel boilers?
Brass boilers, like those in the Lelit, offer superior heat retention, leading to excellent temperature stability once hot. Stainless steel boilers, found in the Breville, heat up more quickly, resist scale buildup better, and are often seen in more modern machines.
Which one is more durable long-term?
The general consensus among espresso enthusiasts is that the Lelit Elizabeth, with its traditional Italian construction and commercial-grade components, is built for a longer service life. Breville machines are reliable but may require more routine maintenance or parts replacement over many years of use.
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