Hello everyone! Super new here. Have some questions regarding the ACS Minima and the Lelit Mara X and thought joining this forum would be the best place to find the answer with @DavecUK’s extensive knowledge on both machines.

Essentially I am in the market for my first espresso machine and I am looking to get either the ACS Minima or the Lelit Mara X. I like both the looks (preferably with wooden finishes!) but slightly prefer the Minima’s unique aesthetic.

Where I stay (Singapore) the approximate price difference (Minima being more expensive) is as follows:
450.00 SGD / 332.69 USD / 293.53 EUR

I am wondering if the extra 450 SGD is worth the price upgrade from the HX to DB given that the Mara X doesn’t have the issues of a typical HX? And from my research, the Minima’s finishes (water tank, thinner metal, hot wand) are not as polished as the Mara X’s? I am also wondering about the items that comes with the machine (i.e. the extras I need to buy after getting the machine). I understand the Minima comes with a plastic tamper that I would likely need to switch out.

Some info in case it might help you guys help me:

  • I am intending to use this machine for the long term
  • I make 2 to 3 cups of black coffee (currently filtered, would be changing to Americanos / Long Blacks)
  • I prefer milk coffees on the weekends (also 2 to 3 cups per day)
  • If I have a group of people coming over I might need to make up to 5 cups of milk drinks, but this is rare and far between
  • I am using a manual 1zpresso JX grinder now which I intend to upgrade to a Niche Zero later this year - Side question, will the 1zpresso JX suffice as an espresso grinder or the grinder upgrade should come before the espresso machine?

Thank you everyone for reading! And nice to meet everyone! :)

ACS Minima vs Lelit Mara X (for my case!)

ACS Minima92%
Lelit Mara X8%

    Ixorya I make 2 to 3 cups of black coffee (currently filtered, would be changing to Americanos / Long Blacks)

    For me, this is deterministic. Minima it is. Run the machine without the service/steam boiler on during the weekdays, and with the boiler on at the weekend. You have better temp control and virtually no maintenance.

        Hi

        Ive owned both and went from the Mara X to the Minima. I didn’t regret that decision.

        Ixorya I should mention the Minima has much thicker metal than the MaraX, the metal is only thin on the drip tray, to make it a little springy, so it doesn’t vibrate. Nist AISI 316L stainless boilers as well!

        Contact me

          A question about the Minima. I will be probably using it to make coffees twice a day say 11am and 1pm and steaming both times.

          Ive seen that the steam boiler takes about 5 mins to get to temperature so presumably I should turn on the brew boiler at say 10.30 and then just flick the brew and steam boiler on 5 mins before I want to make my first drink?

          Is it worth switching back to just the brew boiler only after making my first coffee and leaving this on until I want to make my afternoon coffee again switching on the steam boiler 5 mins before I plan to make my coffee, or better to leave both boilers switched on?

          I used to turn mine off, takes minutes to get back up to temp

          Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

            It takes 8-9 mins to warm up to 130C from cold. Will take less time for your second coffee as it will be still be warm.

            MediumRoastSteam Run the machine without the service/steam boiler on during the weekdays, and with the boiler on at the weekend. You have better temp control and virtually no maintenance.

            I’ve just confirmed my order with ACS for a Minima and will be doing exactly this. The maintenance point was also a big + for me.

              Thank you everyone for your input. I didn’t expect a 100% vote on the minima. But this definitely help make my decision easier. 😁 I look forward to getting my white minima with wooden finish!

              Ixorya Side question, will the 1zpresso JX suffice as an espresso grinder or the grinder upgrade should come before the espresso machine?

              Minima is a great choice.

              I have a JX Pro. It will make great espressos. It takes 30s to grind 18g. You are fine to use it until you get your Niche.

                  the minima is becoming a very popular machine indeed. 😊

                  There’s one on the classifieds for 850… bargain.

                    MediumRoastSteam

                    Unfortunately, I stay in Singapore. I think after adding the shipment it will be too expensive. 😅

                      id love to explore the possibility of adding a roatary pump, or one of the quietx pumps to see the difference it makes

                      Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                        a month later

                        Cuprajake I’m curious, you went from Minima to Bianca. I know this thread is about MaraX vs Minima but I’m on the fence between all these machines. What made you switch to the Bianca?

                        Thanks!!

                          I went minima - londinium - crem one profiler- lr24 - bianca 🤣

                          Im very sound sensitive and the pump noise plus loaction of my machine really got on my nerves, then a londinium came up which are near silent, i then wanted to play with lighter roasts so got the crem, which was faulty, then the lr24 which was faulty. So settled on the bianca,

                          Its rotary pump is quiet and not intrusive, its just as temo stable as the minima, looks better imo and is a bit better built. As a full list of accessories with it.

                          If im honest i kinda feel board with it🤣 its just that good at what it does its kinda boring, just in a very good way.

                          It has some clever tricks, and the new v3 is even better by all accounts

                          Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                            Cuprajake thanks for the response.

                            I’m deep in the rabbit hole right now so your input is helpful.

                            It all started because I had a MaraX for few days and really liked it compared to my Oscar II when using lighter roast. It was really sweeter and I’ve been trying to understand why exactly. So I’m in a similar position then you were. I’ve installed the MaraX pump in my Oscar II to reduce the noise so I’m worried the Minima would be similarly loud to the Oscar II. I also hopes the slow pressure ramp up would do some sort of preinfusion and allow finer grounds but it’s not as the MaraX (also installed an OPV in my Oscar II).

                            It all closed the gap between the Oscar II and MaraX but still not there. But the steam of the MaraX was a bit slow. I like putting a tad of milk (Cortado/Piccolo latte). So I do steam a small amount of milk.

                            The cost of the Minima is a big incentive but at the same time I may be better getting an “end game” machine like the Bianca instead of getting the cheaper option.

                            Anyhow, if you have other inputs to share, I’m all ears!

                              I’m glad my wife won’t read this. I’mtelling her the Minima is end game! I don’t want her to know there is an upgrade path 🤫