ECM Synchronika or Lelit Bianca V3

Dennis70

I hope that the wise minds in this forum can help me. I’m sure the question has been asked many times, well it’s 2024….maybe more experience and wisdom to share than the last similar post.

I’m at the point where I need to decide which one of the two to buy. I’ve narrowed down my choice to ECM Sychronika Anthracite and black Lelit Bicana V3. The ECM Synchronika is € 100 lower in price than the Bianca. A price difference of € 100 will not play a big role in my decision. I’m buying a grinder also.

The profiling possibility that the Bianca has from the box is a plus but I think in the beginning I’m going to be more interested in just straightforward shots and milk drinks, with pre-infusion.

Why I am having a hard time deciding is what I have so far picked up on by looking at reviews (a lot of them, over 2 months now) is that the ECM is better quality than the Bianca, but in my opinion, the Bianca looks so much better.

My question to this forum is this: Is the ECM so much better quality than the Bianca and which one would you choose and why?

DavecUK

Welcome to the forum…I am sure plenty of people will give you an opinion and it’s possible some may have owned both machines?

Dennis70

DavecUK Thanks Dave, would love to have your input also.

Cuprajake

go with what you like the looks of at this level both machines will perform great, the bianca will prob edge if for tech and heat up times, not to up on the new tech in the ecm machines.

Dennis70

Cuprajake Good points, leaning towards the Bianca.

delta76

as an owner of Bianca v3

I hardly use the paddle, at all. sometimes I grind too coarse and can’t even think of using the paddle until it’s too late
Build quality is good enough - typical for Lelit, it is actually better than Elizabeth. Most people said it’s nowhere close to Synchronika and I can see why
Moveable water tank is a godsend. Absolutely like it
Very quick heatup time for an E61. Mine is ready in 15 minutes at 94*C (I scheduled the smart plug at 6AM today for a special occasion. When I walked in at 6:15am it is already ready). People usually says like it’s nothing but it actually matters quite a lot - to me at least
LCC is league ahead of the Synchronika PID.

I got it very cheap so the price difference was a major factor for me. another major factor is how more “exciting” it is. Synchronika is well built, works as it should and that’s about it. Bianca is more of “experimental”, “trying new thing” etc. Either way you can’t go wrong, both are very good prosumer machines.

Dennis70

delta76 Great feedback, thanks!

It just might that the decision will be made for me. Called the retailer and asked him when he will get the black Bianca in stock again, he said it might take a couple of months.

However, he had a return which the customer complained about a “hissing” noise. according to the sales guy all machines of this sort “hiss” some. It’s with the technician now for a check…and i might be able to get a good price for it. All guarantees and so on valid.

ValentinoAzzurro

The build quality of the Syn is truly phenomenal. Look under the “hood” and observe the logic of the layout, the neatness of the wiring, the well thought-out electronics. The metalwork is exquisite, chunk ymetal, no sharp edges.I’m not knocking the Bianca (I’ve never used one) but anyone unhappy with the Synchronika has got a distorted sense of priorities.

delta76

ValentinoAzzurro two different things, people buy other machines do not mean they are unhappy with Synchronika, they just prefer that machine for whatever reason (price, size, features etc.). It is a good machine, very good even but it is not for every one and fits every home

I did not really think about it but Synchronika will be a tight fit to my kitchen top and for that it will be much more cramped/less enjoyable to use

ValentinoAzzurro

You are preaching to the converted, friend. And such a pity if we all bought the same machine.
When I bought the Syn I don’t think I was aware of the existence of the Bianca. I fancied an E 61 machine and before buying, did my homework as is my wont, inspecting the fit and features of a number of machines. Apart from some poor metalwork at the cheaper end of the spectrum, what caused the Synchronika to jump out at me was the well thought out and put together interior. I had to find a few extra pennies in order to purchase this top of the range machine and I’m well glad that I did.
None of which is to say that you won’t be equally happy with your Bianca or whatever machine you finally settle on. I look forward to reading of your experiences with the new kit.

Dennis70

So, i had to make a decision a bit faster then i thought. Currently the only black bianca in my country is a return from a customer that has not used it, but noticed a hissing sound from the machine when he turned it on. Talked yesterday with the guys and it was the vacuum breaker, which just needed to be adjusted, technician checked everything and the machine is ok. They also offered me to do a pressure testing and overall check of the machine before shipping to me. I think we all know that just because something is direct from the factory it is not a guarantee that it’s flawless. Discount will be around € 250.

Another thing that got me thinking regarding ECM Synchronika vs Bianca was how it will look in my kitchen. I recently renovated my kitchen, leaned a lot towards black this time, wall tile is black, most appliances are black, fridge, stow, owen etc. i just felt that putting that amount of chrome even if sides anthracite would stand out to much in the kitchen, had my kitchen been more white or grey it would look nice. The contrast between chrome and black is a bit to much i believe.

I had a budget for machine and grinder, and it was never that much about trying to get under budget as for getting the best i can within the budget. So now instead of a Eureka Specialita i will upgrade to a Eureka Stark with 65 mm diamond coated burrs and stronger motor. Not seen many reviews of it online but i hope it’s going to do the job, and well.

I’m placing my order today for mentioned setup. Will let you know how everything goes and initial experience.

Thanks a lot to you all for the input, it has been helpful.

delta76

Regarding the grinder, if I were you I probably look at single dose options. Niche Duo if you can, or Niche Zero. Assuming you are not from UK maybe look for used ones. If not, try DF64 Gen 2.

The Eureka Mignon Stark is fine, nothing is (particularly) wrong with it. I used to own the turbo which is basically the same grinder without the diamond coated burr. Only when I switched to NZ I realized how smoother the process is with single dose. You can do some single dose with Eureka Mignon but it’s nowhere as pleasant and easy as with a grinder built for that.

Can’t imagine buying another hoper dose (Unless a very high end one at deep discount, just to try it)

Cuprajake

all that style of eureka are a pita, the adjustment isnt perfect, i had two as they were cheap, but not amazing

delta76

Cuprajake ah yes the dial wheel. fine if you use the hopper and rarely change the bean. terrible if you single dosing and/or change your beans a lot.

Dennis70

This is how it went in the end. They were out of the Eureka Stark and patience is not a word I’m familiar with. So I settled with a Dolce Vita.

Happy so far. Still struggling a bit with dialing in, but I think I’m almost there.

Guys, once again….thanks for all the great input.

Waitforme

@Dennis70

Take that sticker off of the group head 👍

Dennis70

Waitforme Will do :)

jgordon

That looks amazing! I got the Bianca and it arrives in a couple days.

Cant wait!