Lelit Elizabeth PL92T in Test: Dual Boiler from 1,050 Francs - Retest

The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T is applying for the title "Best dual boiler espresso machine for beginners" with strong test performance. We are positively surprised and feel confirmed. Because Lelit goes the extra mile with the Elizabeth even with dual boiler espresso machines and gets many things right. That's why our view of the Lelit Elizabeth is similarly positive as our review of the dual circuit Lelit Mara X at the time.

The Lelit Elizabeth is one of many dual boiler espresso machines we have tested and will continue to test. Go here for an overview.

Lelit Elizabeth Dual Boiler Classification

The Lelit Elizabeth is one of the cheapest dual boilers on the market. At the time of testing in 2022, prices in Switzerland ranged between 1,100 francs at major online platforms and 1,600 francs at local retailers. In Germany, the Lelit Elizabeth was available from 1,050 euros. Today you can get it for around 1,000 euros. That's really cheap!

Many dual boilers start in the price range of more than 1,800 francs or euros, which makes the price of the Lelit Elizabeth all the more competitive. Pointing out that these prices are achieved due to high volumes and especially via online retail doesn't change anything: The Lelit Elizabeth is very inexpensive for a dual boiler!

At the same time, it comes with a backpack of functions and refinements that much more expensive models don't have in their baggage. Various pre-infusion modes, a shot timer, and thoughtful controls make the Lelit Elizabeth a compelling espresso machine for entering the dual boiler class!

Lelit Elizabeth Quick Check

Don't want to read the whole article? Then you'll find the most important strengths and weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth summarized here.

Facts

• Dual boiler with PID temperature controller and vibration pump as well as pump gauge.
• The Elizabeth weighs 12 kilograms, is 32.2 cm wide (with lance), 38.2 cm high, and the body is 26 cm deep. If you include the portafilter and the protruding power cable, the Lelit Elizabeth reaches a depth of 43 cm.
• The drip tray holds 1.4 liters.
• The water tank has a capacity of 2.5 liters. The machine cannot be connected to mains water.
• Steam boiler volume: 0.6 liters (can be switched off)
• Brew boiler volume: 0.3 liters
• The machine's housing is brushed stainless steel.
• Lelit is an Italian manufacturer and belongs to the Breville Group.

Strengths of the Lelit Elizabeth

• The Lelit Elizabeth combines the strengths of a dual boiler espresso machine with a comparatively affordable price. The separate boilers allow precise adjustment of the espresso machine for its two main purposes: making espresso and steaming milk.
• The temperature of the Lelit Elizabeth is consistent from shot to shot when the machine is properly heated. According to our 2026 retest, this is the case after 25 to 30 minutes, not after 20 as indicated in 2022.
• The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T has low power consumption. For heating and one espresso, we measure 0.171 kWh with steam boiler today; without steam boiler it was 0.082 kWh.
• The steaming performance of the Lelit Elizabeth is good. It rolls powerfully but heats slowly, allowing for a long rolling phase and thus silky milk foam. The boiler can be regulated up to 145 degrees Celsius.
• Practical shot timer to see the shot length in seconds.
• Two different pre-infusion modes that offer plenty of room for timing to extract the perfect result from every espresso.
• Clear LCC (Lelit Control Center) for controlling the machine as well as displaying the shot timer. Additional functions for controlling and programming the machine in expert mode.
• Good basket with 18-gram capacity included in the package.
• Programmable buttons that can also be used for automated flushing and cleaning programs.

The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T allows control on multiple levels. On the surface, you can program temperature and, for example, shot times. Pre-infusion settings are also possible. Through the advanced control, many PID details can be adjusted. Hardly any manufacturers allow access to this level of detail.

Weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth

• The build quality of the machine could be more premium. The stainless steel body feels thin compared to other dual boilers.
• The portafilter is functionally good but not balanced. The plastic grip looks cheap.
• It comes with a plastic tamper that isn't actually suitable as a tamper.
• The plastic steam knob feels like a temporary solution and radiates the lower quality of the portafilter grip.
• At various points, the Lelit Elizabeth has relatively sharp edges that can cause nasty cuts even during everyday use.
• The machine gets quite loud when the water level in the water tank is too low. The pump itself is fairly quiet.
• The water tank looks like a relic from an earlier era. Unlike the Lelit Mara X, water isn't drawn from below but through tubes that need to be re-threaded each time after refilling.
• The heating time is 25 to 30 minutes for the machine to really reach temperature. In 2022, we measured 20 minutes. The machine itself indicates readiness earlier, which doesn't match our measurements.
• Temperature optimum is achieved when the machine has been running longer. Therefore, it's important to know your own machine and to check and adjust it with a local dealer to the actual current temperature.
• The buttons sometimes don't respond sensitively.

Low Power Consumption Without Steam Boiler

Compared to other dual boilers, the Lelit Elizabeth with the steam boiler switched off has relatively low power consumption. Note, however, that power is measured here at a protocol of only 15 minutes. At that time, the machine hadn't yet reached full temperature. So the actual power consumption will be slightly higher, though still relatively low. It's not comparable to some thermoblocks that achieve consumption of only 0.1 kWh. Yet approximately 0.13 to 0.15 kWh is still a good result.

With steam boiler, we measure 0.24 kWh, which corresponds to the result of the Rancilio Silvia Pro X. With many dual boilers, we get high values of more than 0.35 kWh in comparative measurements.

Heating Time of the Lelit Elizabeth PL92T

We've read a lot about the Elizabeth's short heating time. We don't agree. At 10 and 15 minutes, the PL92T hasn't yet reached its target temperature. We recommend warming up the machine for at least 20 minutes.

The Lelit Elizabeth truly hits its comfort zone when it's been on longer. Our measurement with the WBC protocol shows this as well. We have the impression that the machine was optimized for the "running for 1 hour" scenario. That seems only partially suitable for everyday use at home. Because at least we really enjoy an espresso when the machine has just reached temperature. In everyday life, we typically switch the machine off after the shot and turn it back on a few hours later for the next espresso.

To be precise: the Lelit is also in the temperature corridor earlier. However, it only becomes truly stable with the factory default programming when it's been running longer. This might be possible to adjust through the advanced settings of the LCC.

The measurements in 2022 were taken with the Lelit Elizabeth's factory default settings. These were: KPc 2.0; KIc 0.04; KDc 1.0; BC 30; KPs 2.0; KIs 0.00; KDs 20.0; BS 30; Ec 10; Es 0; F01 1; Tr 0.

These settings can be controlled in the Lelit's advanced settings via the LCC. Lelit provides everything here to adjust many details in PID behavior and control. You can also adjust the length of the pump phase in pre-infusion. A good explanation is provided by Dave Corbey in a blog post.

Pre-infusion and Espresso Quality

Even in standard mode, the Lelit Elizabeth allows us to brew good espresso. When the machine is well heated, we get good results. However, we set the machine two degrees higher if we want espresso 20 minutes after turning it on!

Additionally, the espresso machine allows the use of two different pre-infusion modes. On the one hand, with the steam boiler switched on, we can use the steam to gently apply pressure to the coffee puck after stopping the pump for 3 seconds up to 20 seconds.

On the other hand, a sort of blooming pre-infusion can be run. For this, the steam boiler must not be running. Now the pump stops after 6 seconds of operation and then enters a definable pause phase.

Advanced Pre-infusion Settings

The pump stop phase can be defined for both modes in the advanced settings. Here's how to access the menu:

BLS1 stands for Button 1 and BLS2 stands for Button 2. The following number defines the activated pump phase before the steam pressure pre-infusion. In the example above, we chose 3 seconds, which seems like a reasonable value to us.

BLP1 sets Button 1 for blooming pre-infusion and BLP2 sets Button 2. In the example above, we chose 6 seconds before the pump stops.

In both modes, the activated pump time is subtracted from the total pre-infusion time set. So if we choose a 10-second pre-infusion in the menu, it will be 7 or 4 seconds, since the pump pressure time counts as part of the pre-infusion.

Effects of Pre-infusion on Different Espressos

We've experimented extensively with pre-infusion and tried the modes with different espresso roasts and times. The possibilities are enormous here. We achieved better results with steam pressure pre-infusion. Lighter roasted specialty coffee espressos in particular became sweeter and more balanced. In the video test, for example, we taste Toca from our bio project partner in Mexico.

With a darker roasted Robusta espresso, the difference was small—it worked well without pre-infusion too. The Lelit Elizabeth offers with its adjustment options a playground for curious coffee aficionados. But it also carries the risk of getting lost. In that case, a step back to the standard profile makes sense.

Steaming Behavior

The base pressure of the steam boiler is rather low. However, the temperature can be increased to 145 degrees Celsius, and then the Lelit Elizabeth becomes really fun to steam with. It rolls powerfully without heating up too quickly. This allows for a long rolling phase and is the prerequisite for very good milk foam.

Especially for those just beginning to steam milk, the Lelit is also an interesting choice steamwise. The long rolling phase helps break down any large bubbles created by inexperienced steaming.

Only the steam knob frustrates a bit every time we start steaming again. We've received tips from the community that there are nice custom wooden versions, turned in small series.

Elizabeth PL92T or Elizabeth 3?

With the Elizabeth 3, Lelit has tackled much of what we criticized in 2022: portafilter grip, steam knob, Pagaia, and tamper are made of wood, the water tank lid sits in a guide, and pre-infusion becomes saveable pressure profiles. In return, the brew boiler is smaller and the price is around 1,650 euros—significantly higher.

If you primarily drink espresso, are looking for a dual boiler with a budget around 1,000 euros, and can live with plastic parts, the PL92T still gives you a lot of machine for your money. If you want to save pressure profiles, prefer faster heating, and value more premium controls, you should check out the Elizabeth 3. We explain how Pagaia works in the overview of the Lelit Pagaia.

KM Rating (Retest 2026)

Two categories are still missing: steaming quality and noise. We'll add both and then update the overall score. Based on current findings, the Elizabeth PL92T lands in the "Compromise" to "Good / Standard" range. This is more sober than our 2022 conclusion, mainly due to temperature and heating time. A newer or freshly descaled unit might score better here.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

And what are your experiences with the Lelit Elizabeth? Feel free to share in the comments.

By the way, this applies to this machine too: we bought it, we conduct our tests independently, and we test to the best of our knowledge and belief.