About this video

• Video Title: Sage (Breville) Dual Boiler Vs Lelit Elizabeth
• Channel: Coffee Kev
• Speakers: Kev
• Duration: 00:14:46

Overview

This video compares two dual boiler espresso machines: the Lelit Elizabeth V3 and the Sage/Breville Dual Boiler. The presenter, Kev, details their pricing, dimensions, and key features, including boiler sizes, group heads, user interfaces, water tank accessibility, pre-infusion capabilities, and steam controls. He also discusses who each machine might be best suited for, considering factors like counter space, user-friendliness, maintenance, and specific brewing preferences.

Key takeaways

• Pricing Varies by Region: The Sage Dual Boiler is generally priced around £1,250 in the UK/Europe, while the Lelit Elizabeth is slightly less at £1,200 in the UK but more expensive in other European countries. In the US, the Elizabeth is around $1,800 and the Dual Boiler is $1,600, with Canadian and Australian prices also detailed.
• Dimensions and Design: The Elizabeth is more compact, while the Dual Boiler is wider and taller. The Dual Boiler features a front-fill water tank, while the Elizabeth requires rear access unless a specialized filler is used.
• Internal Components and Heating: The Dual Boiler has larger stainless steel boilers (450ml brew, 950ml steam) and a heated stainless steel group head. The Elizabeth has a 300ml brass brew boiler and a 600ml stainless steel steam boiler with a brass group head.
• User Interface and Features: The Dual Boiler uses an LCD screen with a more intuitive interface and offers an auto-on schedule. The Elizabeth has an LCC (Lelit Control Center) interface and a standby mode that can be disabled. Both have dedicated hot water spouts.
• Pre-infusion and Control: The Elizabeth offers bloom pre-infusion and low-pressure steam-powered pre-infusion with extensive control. The Dual Boiler allows pump power and time control for pre-infusion, and can be modified for manual flow profiling via the water knob.
• Steam Control: The Dual Boiler features a steam lever, while the Elizabeth has a circular steam knob.
• Who is Each Machine For?: The Elizabeth is suggested for those seeking a more traditional Italian-style machine, those with limited counter space, or users who frequently need hot water for tea or americanos (as the steam boiler can be disabled). The Dual Boiler is recommended for its user-friendliness, convenient features like the auto-on schedule, front-fill tank, and potentially for beginners.
• Maintenance and Repair: The Elizabeth is considered easier for long-term maintenance and repair due to more standard components.
• Aesthetic Preference: Ultimately, the choice may come down to personal preference for the machine's look, as both are capable dual boiler machines.

The Lelit Elizabeth V3 offers bloom pre-infusion and low-pressure steam-powered pre-infusion with significant control. The Sage/Breville Dual Boiler has pump power control for dimmed, low-pressure pre-infusion, allowing users to adjust both the pre-infusion pump power and the pre-infusion time, up to 90 seconds. Additionally, the Dual Boiler can be modified with the "slayer mod" to enable manual flow profiling using the water knob.

Here are the suggested use cases for each machine:

Lelit Elizabeth V3:

• Traditional Dual Boiler Experience: For those who prefer the "classic Italian look and operation" and are comfortable with a machine that heats up and idles.
• Space-Saving: Ideal for users with limited counter space due to its smaller footprint.
• Infrequent Milk Drinkers: Suitable if you don't always make milk-based drinks, as it can be used as a single boiler, dispensing hot water without the steam boiler on.
• Frequent Hot Water Users: A good choice if you often need hot water for tea or americanos, as it can provide cooler hot water from the brew boiler when the steam boiler is off, or hotter water (up to 96-97°C) when it's on.
• Easier Maintenance: For those who prioritize simpler long-term maintenance and repairs, as it uses more standard components.

Sage/Breville Dual Boiler:

• User-Friendliness: Recommended for beginners or those prioritizing ease of use, as it's packed with user-friendly features.
• Convenience Features: Appeals to users who want features like an auto-on schedule and a front-fill water tank.
• Quick Use Cycles: Better suited if you tend to turn the machine on, make a few coffees, and then turn it off, as its heated group head and 20-minute auto-off are beneficial.
• Under Cabinet Placement: Easier to position under wall cupboards because the water tank can be filled from the front or the machine can be spun around using its wheel for rear access.
• Modding Potential: For users interested in modifying the machine for advanced features like manual flow profiling (slayer mod).
• Intuitive Interface: Its LCD screen and interface are considered slightly more intuitive for some users.