Lelit

Lelit is an Italian manufacturer of coffee equipment and ironing products whose public identity is now closely associated with semi-automatic espresso machines. The company was established in 1986 by Maria Bellini and Edoardo Epis in Baitella, an area near Brescia in northern Italy. Its original business focused on ironing products, reflecting the company’s broader domestic-appliance heritage rather than a coffee-only starting point. Lelit entered coffee equipment in 2002, when the business came under the management of the founders’ four sons: Emanuele, Giorgio, Marco and Mauro Epis. The move into espresso machines became the company’s defining strategic direction. Lelit concentrated on machines aimed at consumers who wanted more control than fully automatic appliances typically offered, while retaining a relatively compact format and a strong emphasis on metal construction, serviceability and Italian production identity. Its portfolio spans entry-level and mid-range single-boiler machines, integrated-grinder models, heat-exchanger machines, dual-boiler prosumer machines, coffee grinders and accessories. Ironing products remain part of the company’s product scope, although espresso equipment is the brand’s most visible category. The brand’s product architecture is organized around several group formats. Consumer-oriented single-boiler models use Lelit’s proprietary 57 mm group, while other machines use a standard 58 mm group or Lelit’s 58 mm L58E group, an E61-derived design used in its more advanced prosumer machines. This structure lets Lelit serve a progression of users, from people buying an accessible home espresso machine to enthusiasts seeking pressure adjustment, temperature control, heat-exchanger operation or separate brewing and steaming boilers. Two machines were especially important in the brand’s move upmarket. The Bianca, introduced in 2017, positioned Lelit in the prosumer segment with a dual-boiler configuration and advanced control features. The more compact MaraX followed in 2019 as a comparatively accessible heat-exchanger machine. These products helped make Lelit more visible among specialty-coffee enthusiasts and reviewers. The Anna, MaraX, Victoria and Elizabeth families likewise gave the company a presence across different price and capability levels. Independent reviews have frequently highlighted the value, compact dimensions and construction quality of selected Lelit machines, while also noting model-specific issues such as steam performance, thermal behavior, documentation, pressure settings and component details. Lelit experienced a sharp increase in demand during the early 2020s. According to the company information summarized in its Wikipedia article, revenue rose 82 percent in 2020 compared with 2019 and a further 65 percent in 2021 compared with 2020. The company sold approximately 48,000 espresso machines in 2020 and expanded its workforce rapidly to meet demand. These figures describe a period of exceptional growth rather than a continuing current performance level. In 2022, Breville acquired Lelit for US$124 million, reported as €113 million. Lelit subsequently operated as part of the Breville Group. The transaction combined an Italian espresso-machine specialist with an Australian coffee-appliance group, while the acquiring company stated that Lelit’s Italian identity and underlying values would be preserved. Lelit continues to be presented as a distinct brand within the group rather than being renamed as Breville. As of February 2025, women represented 74 percent of Lelit's workforce according to the referenced company information. The brand’s current identity therefore combines Italian manufacturing heritage, enthusiast-oriented espresso equipment and ownership by a larger international coffee-appliance group. Its principal competitive space is the home and prosumer semi-automatic espresso market, where it competes through machine variety, traditional brewing formats, compact desig…

Lelit was founded in 1986 by Maria Bellini and Edoardo Epis in Baitella, near Brescia, Italy. The company initially concentrated on ironing products, establishing itself as a domestic-appliance manufacturer before it entered the coffee-equipment field. Its later identity was shaped by the founders’ four sons—Emanuele, Giorgio, Marco and Mauro Epis—who assumed management of the business in 2002, the same period in which Lelit began developing semi-automatic espresso machines. The move into coffee equipment gave Lelit access to a growing enthusiast market built around manual preparation, grinder quality, temperature management and pressure control. Rather than focusing exclusively on low-cost appliances, the company developed a ladder of machines using different group formats and boiler arrangements. Its 57 mm machines, including the Anna and Anita, addressed the home segment with relatively compact single-boiler designs. Other models used a standard 58 mm group, while the MaraX and Bianca adopted Lelit’s L58E E61-derived architecture for more advanced users. This product strategy allowed the company to cover both accessible home espresso and prosumer use without abandoning its Italian design and manufacturing identity. Lelit’s upmarket transition became particularly visible with the Bianca, launched in 2017. The dual-boiler machine placed the brand in direct consideration for serious home baristas seeking independent brewing and steaming systems and more sophisticated control. In 2019, Lelit added the MaraX, a compact heat-exchanger model designed to offer prosumer features at a lower price and with a smaller footprint. These machines helped broaden recognition of Lelit beyond its earlier domestic-appliance activities. The company experienced strong demand in 2020 and 2021. Referenced company information reports an 82 percent revenue increase in 2020 over 2019 and an additional 65 percent increase in 2021 over 2020. Lelit sold approximately 48,000 espresso machines in 2020. It also expanded its workforce rapidly, increasing employment from 80 people in March 2020 to 230 in April of that year in response to demand. The reported growth occurred during a period when home consumption and home coffee preparation received increased attention, although the available reference does not establish that this was the sole cause. In 2022, Breville acquired Lelit for US$124 million, reported as €113 million. Breville described the transaction as combining Italian and Australian coffee cultures and stated that it intended to work with Lelit while preserving the values associated with the brand’s Italian identity. Following the transaction, Lelit operated as part of the Breville Group while retaining its own name and product portfolio. Lelit’s subsequent market profile has been reinforced by specialist coffee coverage. Reviewers have praised selected models, including the Anna, MaraX and Elizabeth, for value, build quality, compactness and performance relative to competing machines. At the same time, commentary has identified limitations or ownership considerations involving steam power, thermal management, pressure calibration, rubber feet, portafilter design and documentation. Such assessments are model-specific rather than evidence of a general defect affecting the brand. By February 2025, women were reported to account for 74 percent of the Lelit workforce. The company’s history therefore extends from Italian ironing products to a recognized espresso-equipment specialist and, most recently, to a distinct brand within a larger international coffee group. Its continuing product strategy centers on semi-automatic machines for home users and prosumers, supported by grinders, accessories and a remaining ironing-products business.

• 2025

  Workforce gender composition reported

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  As of February 2025, women are reported to represent 74 percent of Lelit's workforce.

• 2022

  Acquisition by Breville

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  Breville acquires Lelit for US$124 million, reported as €113 million, and incorporates it into the Breville Group.

• 2021

  Further revenue growth

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  Reported revenue rises by a further 65 percent compared with 2020.

• 2020

  Strong growth in espresso-machine demand

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  Lelit reports an 82 percent revenue increase over 2019 and sells approximately 48,000 espresso machines.

• 2019

  Launch of the MaraX

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  Lelit adds the compact MaraX heat-exchanger machine as a less expensive prosumer alternative.

• 2017

  Launch of the Bianca

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  Lelit enters the prosumer espresso-machine segment with the Bianca dual-boiler platform.

• 2002

  Entry into coffee equipment

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  Under the management of the founders’ four sons, Lelit begins developing coffee equipment, with semi-automatic espresso machines becoming central to its business.

• 1986

  Lelit is founded near Brescia

  [1]Leliten.wikipedia.org

  Maria Bellini and Edoardo Epis establish Lelit in Baitella, Italy. The company initially focuses on ironing products.

Italian enthusiast-oriented coffee-equipment brand spanning accessible home machines and premium prosumer espresso systems, with an emphasis on manual control, compact design and traditional machine architecture.

• 57 mm single-boiler espresso machine

  Anna

  The Anna family is one of Lelit’s compact home espresso platforms. Current versions such as the PL41TEM use a 250 cc brass boiler, Lelit’s proprietary 57 mm group, a PID temperature controller, a pressure gauge, a three-way solenoid valve, a commercial-style steam wand and an adjustable overpressure valve. Earlier versions vary in their controls and steam-wand design. The machine is positioned as an accessible manual espresso option for users who want more control than an automatic appliance.

• Integrated-grinder 57 mm espresso machine

  Anita

  Anita combines the compact 57 mm single-boiler platform with a built-in conical-burr grinder. Current versions such as the PL042TEMD include PID temperature management, a pressure gauge, an adjustable overpressure valve, a brass boiler, a three-way solenoid valve and a commercial steam wand. It is intended for home users seeking an integrated grinding and brewing setup without moving to a larger prosumer machine.

• 58 mm single-boiler espresso machine

  Victoria

  The Victoria is a single-boiler home machine using a standard 58 mm group. It belongs to Lelit’s more conventional 58 mm range and uses a 300 cc brass boiler. The platform is designed for users who want a familiar commercial-style group format in a relatively compact domestic machine, with electronic temperature management and manual control depending on the specific configuration.

• Integrated-grinder 58 mm espresso machine

  Kate

  Kate is Lelit’s 58 mm integrated-grinder platform. It combines a home espresso machine with a built-in conical-burr grinder, reducing counter-space requirements for users who want a consolidated preparation station. It is part of the company’s standard 58 mm family and is aimed at domestic users who value workflow convenience while retaining manual espresso preparation.

• Dual-boiler prosumer espresso machine

  Elizabeth

  Elizabeth is a dual-boiler machine using a standard 58 mm group. It has a 300 cc brass brew boiler and a separate 600 cc brass steam boiler, allowing brewing and steaming functions to operate with greater independence than on a single-boiler machine. The model occupies the prosumer end of Lelit's range and is designed for enthusiasts who want advanced domestic performance without moving to the larger footprint of some commercial-style systems.

• Heat-exchanger prosumer espresso machine · 2019

  MaraX

  MaraX is a compact heat-exchanger machine using Lelit’s 58 mm L58E E61-derived group. Introduced in 2019, it was conceived as a more accessible and smaller prosumer option than the company’s dual-boiler Bianca. Its appeal is based on traditional heat-exchanger operation, a compact footprint and metal construction. Reviews have praised its value and build quality while also discussing pressure adjustment, thermal management, documentation and small hardware details.

• Dual-boiler prosumer espresso machine · 2017

  Bianca

  Bianca is Lelit’s flagship-oriented prosumer espresso platform and was introduced in 2017. It uses a dual-boiler architecture and an E61-derived 58 mm group, targeting experienced home baristas who want independent control of brewing and steaming along with advanced espresso preparation features. The model marked Lelit’s entry into a higher-end enthusiast segment and became one of the brand’s most recognizable machines.

• 57 mm single-boiler espresso machine

  Grace

  Grace was a member of Lelit’s 57 mm single-boiler range. It shared the compact domestic orientation of the Anna and Anita families but is identified in the available reference material as discontinued. The model illustrates Lelit’s use of several closely related form factors to address different styling, feature and price requirements within the home espresso category.

• 58 mm single-boiler espresso machine

  Glenda

  Glenda was a 58 mm single-boiler model in Lelit’s product family. It used the company’s domestic 58 mm format and is identified in the available reference material as discontinued.

• Coffee equipment

  Coffee grinders and accessories

  Alongside espresso machines, Lelit markets standalone coffee grinders and accessories used for espresso preparation. These products extend the brand’s role from machine maker to broader coffee-equipment supplier, although the available reference material does not provide a complete current catalogue or detailed specifications for each accessory line.

• Domestic appliances · 1986

  Ironing products

  Ironing products were Lelit’s original business category and remain part of its manufacturing scope. The company’s later reputation is substantially more connected with espresso machines, but the ironing range is important to understanding its origins as a broader Italian domestic-appliance manufacturer.

• 2022

  Sale to BrevilleM&A

  Background

  Lelit had undergone rapid growth and had become an established specialist in home and prosumer espresso equipment.

  Action taken

  Breville acquired Lelit for US$124 million, reported as €113 million, and brought the company into the Breville Group.

  Aftermath

  Lelit continued operating as a distinct brand, with Breville stating that its Italian identity and underlying values would be preserved.

  Acquisition consideration. US$124 million (reported as €113 million) (2022)

  Source

• 2019

  Launch of the MaraXProduct launch

  Background

  Lelit needed a more compact and less expensive route into the prosumer segment than the Bianca.

  Action taken

  The company launched the MaraX heat-exchanger machine with an E61-derived group and a compact format.

  Aftermath

  The MaraX became a prominent value-oriented prosumer offering and received substantial attention from specialist reviewers.

  Source

• 2017

  Launch of the Bianca prosumer platformProduct launch

  Background

  Lelit sought to compete more directly in the enthusiast and prosumer espresso-machine segment.

  Action taken

  It introduced the Bianca, a dual-boiler machine using an E61-derived 58 mm group.

  Aftermath

  The Bianca became one of Lelit’s flagship products and strengthened the company’s position among advanced home baristas.

  Source

• 2002

  Diversification into coffee equipmentStrategy

  Background

  Lelit had originally focused on ironing products. Under the management of the founders’ four sons, the company entered coffee equipment and began concentrating on semi-automatic espresso machines.

  Action taken

  The company developed a coffee-equipment portfolio centered on manual and semi-automatic espresso preparation.

  Aftermath

  Coffee equipment became the defining public identity of the brand and eventually its principal area of recognition.

  Source

1. 1Leliten.wikipedia.org