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    Hi, I can't decide on which espresso machine to buy.
    I would be the only user of the machine and will be drinking 2-3 milk drink / espresso everyday. Small factor, fast heat up time is a good consideration.
    I first thought I would be okay with a bambino and a eureka specialita but after tons of reviews I'm not confident the coffee will be good. There seems to be temperature inconsistencies in the group head.
    Now I'm hesitating between a Breville dynamic duo (they don't sell the bdb alone anymore). There is also a gift worth $400 of coffee and glasses at the moment. I probably wouldn't buy the eureka grinder yet since it already comes with a grinder.
    My other idea would be a lelit elizabeth v3 and eureka specialita which would double the budget. The reason is build quality compare to the Breville one and smaller form factor.

    Do you think the lelit is worth the double expenses?
    Should I get the profitec pro 300 instead? The quality looks much better and I'm a beginner but it's even more expensive.


    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

  • #2
    Get the best one that your money will buy. You will quickly grow into the machines. Of the ones you mentioned I would go with the profitec.

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    • #3
      I suggest you set a budget and look to purchase 2nd hand, unless you are buying your dream machine at the outset and don't plan to upgrade in the future.

      Lelit are good starter machines and have good resale. The Lelit Combi is popular as a 1st machine and available from one of the site's sponsors. If the budget allows, consider the Lelit Mara X.

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      • #4
        Thanks, why should I consider the marax vs Elizabeth? Is it just because of the build quality (pro vs VIP)?

        Same why would you consider the profitec pro 300 over the elizabeth?
        Thanks

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        • #5
          The Mara X uses the e61 group which when it reaches temperature may be more stable. The e61 is a standard across the industry. The Mara X is more compact than the Elizabeth. There is a price advantage of the Mara X over the Elizabeth. Search youtube for comparisons of the Mara X vs the Elizabeth. At the end of the day, the differences are not a dealbreaker but come down to personal preferences and priorities. Speak with site sponsor Jetblack to better understand the pros and cons.

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          • #6
            I spoke with jetblackespresso and they recommended the elizabeth over the marax and profitec pro 300. Not sure if that's the reality or just because they have better margin on the elizabeth??
            Ive used the e61 group head before, I like it and there is no need for preinfusion as far as I understand however it takes much longer to heat up.
            ​​​​​​

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            • #7
              JDE have a good reputation. I would be inclined to trust their advice.

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              • #8
                The Elizabeth and Mara X are both great machines but also very different. The Mara X is a HX with E61 but is very temperature stable because it has PID and some clever heating logic in its control board. Mechanical pre-infusion is built into the E61 group head. The Lelit Elizabeth is a DB with adjustable PID and digital pre-infusion. It is also very temperature stable but allows more adjustment. One isn't better than the other, it's more a case of which one suits you better. They are both capable of excellent espresso.

                charlie

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                • #9
                  There's no right or wrong choice in the prosumer category of coffee machines.

                  It comes down to your specific needs and preferences. Best to start with the end result you are wanting to achieve and then finding the best machine to achieve that result within the constraints of your budget.

                  If you are comfortable with the e61 and understand that it will take 25 minutes to heat up and that works for you, then, there's no reason to choose something else. If you are wanting a quicker heat up time, then, the Elizabeth may be worth looking at.

                  I wouldn't over think it.

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                  • #10
                    You can always buy a wifi smart plug for your coffee machine so you can set a time for the machine to turn on, that way it is up to temperature when you need it to be. Don't need to worry about how long it takes to warm up. Works a treat in the mornings or when you're on your way home and you want the machine to be ready

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Grumpybarista View Post
                      You can always buy a wifi smart plug for your coffee machine so you can set a time for the machine to turn on, that way it is up to temperature when you need it to be. Don't need to worry about how long it takes to warm up. Works a treat in the mornings or when you're on your way home and you want the machine to be ready
                      In other words you need to plan for your coffee, which may not always work well. There are times when there is an unexpected coffee request (visitors etc).

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                      • Grumpybarista
                        Grumpybarista commented
                        Editing a comment
                        I keep my machine on pretty much all day so any unexpected visitors are not really an issue for me. The wifi smart plug means you can set up a schedule for when it turns on and off and it means if you are not home you can turn it on remotely to be warm by the time you get home

                    • #12
                      Originally posted by tompoland View Post
                      JDE have a good reputation. I would be inclined to trust their advice.
                      Sorry ... JBE (not sure who JDE are :-( )

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                      • #13
                        Originally posted by tompoland View Post
                        Sorry ... JBE (not sure who JDE are :-( )
                        JDE = Jacobs Douwe Egberts. A global giant in food and beverages that’s 50/50 owned by two bigger giants - Mondelez and JAB. …..so quite different to JetBlack.

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                        • #14
                          James Hoffmann has just posted a review of machines under £1500.

                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0kQ5WqjcU8&t=26s

                          Maybe of interest.

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