Hi everyone. First post here! I’ve read a lot of information on Lelit MaraX and Bianca and I’m really torn between the two. I have an opportunity to have a Bianca V2 at a very good price but still more expansive than the MaraX. I usually drink cortado so always steam milk and I understand that the Bianca would have the edge on that although I understand also that the MaraX kinds of correct the problems of HX machine and May make a DB less necessary. So, except the flow profile, why would someone get the Bianca over the MaraX considering that the MaraX is a much simpler design. I would like to keep my machine for a very long time and hopefully be my latest upgrade ideally. Reliability is important but also having features that May allows me to grow with the machine. Any inputs will be appreciated!! Matt

Bianca all day, dual boiler better stability better pump

@"Cuprajake"#p8667 thanks for the reply. I thought that a vibration pump like in the MaraX was better than a rotary (based on @"DavecUK"#1 posts here) in some instances.

Out of those 2 I'd vote Bianca aswell if you can stump up the extra wonga.

Given the Bianca is almost twice the price of the MaraX, if money is no objection, I’d buy the Bianca for the reasons above. However, if you don’t care about the Bianca functionality (ability to be plumbed in, quieter pump, flow control, etc, etc) and you want to save or spend the money saved on a grinder, then the MaraX will do the trick nicely.

Do you guys know if there is a V3 of the Bianca in work or available soon?

@"Snooze"#p8698 think Dave said there’s been a recent release of the Bianca in November 2021 with some small features.

Maybe I should add that my grinder is Mignon Silenzio and I don’t intend to upgrade. So if you guys think it’s a smarter move to by MaraX and keep money to upgrade the grinder too, if that was to make a more noticeable difference, let me know!

Lelit MaraX V2 vs Bianca V2

Cuprajake

Depends how much more the bianca is over the mara

Snooze

Cuprajake it’s more but in my book, not by much so the Bianca becomes a very good deal.

Snooze

@DavecUK, is there a link to this information? I would really want to know what these changes will be.

Thanks!

Matt

spasypaddy

Snooze i watched a video on it the other day it was a slightly different water tank (purely cosmetic) and the arms that the steam wand and water tap are on are slightly longer. think that was it.

Snooze

spasypaddy that is the V2 or the V3 that has that change?

LMSC

If you can afford, get Bianca. Spend a couple of hundreds more, you get Vesuvius direct from @Paolo_Cortese of ACS.

As @MediumRoastSteam advised you, if you want to save money, Mara X is also pretty good.

Have you considered Liz or ACS Minima ?

Snooze

LMSC thanks for the response.

No I did not since I had a great deal on the Bianca so it was really worth it to consider. Would have normally been totally out of my budget.

Doram

Snooze Any inputs will be appreciated!!

You haven’t mentioned size, so I assume this isn’t an issue? I came to look at Mara because it was one of the smallest machines. For me this was, and still is, important. But I love my Mara X regardless of it’s footprint. 😘

Snooze

Thanks everyone. I decided to go with the Bianca V2 although it is most likely overkill for my need! It was a great deal that I could not pass on. I hope it will be my last machine ever!!

MediumRoastSteam

Snooze - Good choice!

DavecUK

I don’t know but some of the ones I remember off the top of my head as I have a preproduction and a current version, not the one in between. So some changes may have been on the previous model

Thomas101

Bloom phase added with pump on and wait times
Low flow or high flow preinfusion
I think low and high flow shots (can’t remember exactly, but it has low and high flow capabilities)
Declining shot profile (heaters can turn off during the shot)
Few other bits and bobs

Snooze

DavecUK thanks! But is that for a V3 or that is part of the V2?

thecatch33

DavecUK Seems like interesting changes but almost redundant with flow control? Are these changes for those of us who basically set flow control to max and then let the machine automatically do low/high flow? How is Lelit achieving this?

Cuprajake

Mine has the new taps so thats not v3 specific

DavecUK

Whatever the one they released very recently (within the last few months) is. I had it about 10 months+ before it launched

Snooze

DavecUK well after digging a bit it sounds like a version 3 is coming or already available. But I’m not sure how to identify it though. I’ll contact my reseller.

DavecUK

It has a black logo, not a raised red one

Snooze

DavecUK ok good to know. Like the new MaraX.

DavecUK

thecatch33 It’s a very useful feature…I liked it a lot, especially as you can use it in only part of a shot, if you want.. It will be achieved by passing the water via a different route (with a restriction), using a solenoid

thecatch33

DavecUK Interesting…how does it differ from simply setting low flow via the flow control?

This new version doesn’t seem like it’s on sale yet at Bella Barista, is this new version a “coming soon” or already in production in some countries and gradually rolling out to other countries?

DavecUK

thecatch33 Interesting…how does it differ from simply setting low flow via the flow control?

With the flow control on low, the ramp with the top valve was different, It was slower, without having to have such a tight restriction, when I recommission the machine again I will put up a video…it’s irritating because I have not used it for a long time, as I was testing other machines. I also admit to forgetting some functions. As I am not sure if I took video or not…. I think I may have done but have not been able to find it.

This is one of the problem with reviewing machines….you don’t get to use a machine you really like for very long…loads of my machines have only been used for a month or so.