The Lelit Bianca (model PL162T, sold as the Bianca V3) is a dual boiler espresso machine with a paddle that lets you change water flow, and so pressure, while the shot runs. Lelit's US store lists it at $2,999.95, and it has no built-in grinder.
What is the Lelit Bianca V3 PL162T?
It is a semi-automatic machine with a 58 mm group that Lelit calls the L58E, a stainless steel body and walnut details on the knobs, lever, paddle and feet. Lelit's US page and sheets name it Bianca, with US model code PL162T-120 and a 120 V plug. The V3 name appears in retailer and Lelit documents for this generation, while the US product page itself says only Bianca. Black and white versions with maple details exist as well.
A separate steam boiler and coffee boiler let you pull a shot and steam milk at the same time. The group has its own pressure gauge, a second gauge shows steam boiler and pump pressure, and an OLED display (the LCC) shows temperature and lets you set pre-infusion, low flow, brew temperature offset and stand-by times.
Lelit Bianca specs
| Model | PL162T-120 (US), Bianca |
|---|---|
| Price | $2,999.95 on lelit.com US store |
| Boilers | Dual: 1.5 l steam, 800 ml coffee, stainless steel |
| Group and portafilter | L58E, 58 mm LELIT58 |
| Water tank | 2.5 l, can sit on three sides; can also connect to the water mains |
| Heat-up | Less than 24 minutes |
| Gauges | Group gauge, plus steam and pump gauge |
| Shot timer | Yes, coffee delivery timer on the LCC |
| Size | 29 x 58.5 x 39 cm (L x D x H) |
| Weight | 27.2 kg |
| Voltage | 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Made in | Italy |
Lelit does not publish a wattage, a pump type or a warranty length for the US model on the pages and manuals saved here, so none is stated.
How the Bianca paddle and temperature controls work
The paddle is the feature that gives the Bianca its place in the range. Lelit says that as it rotates, the water flow on the coffee changes until the highest pressure is reached, so pressure can be shaped by hand during extraction and watched on the group gauge. The LCC can also store a low flow and pre-infusion profile, with pre-infusion time settable from 1 to 20 seconds, and replays it each time.
Temperature is managed by two PIDs, one per boiler, according to Lelit's manual. The coffee boiler range runs from 80 to 115 C, and a brew temperature offset of plus or minus 20 C adjusts what reaches the coffee. The steam boiler can be set from 115 to 135 C or switched off. Sleepy mode turns the steam boiler off and drops the coffee boiler to 70 C.
Lelit Bianca vs Lelit Mara X V2
The Lelit Mara X V2 PL62X costs $1,699.95 and is a heat exchanger machine with a 1.8 l boiler. The Bianca costs about $1,300 more and adds two boilers, the flow paddle, programmable pre-infusion and a delivery timer on the display. Lelit publishes a 24 minute warm-up for the Mara X and states under 24 minutes for the Bianca, so neither is a quick starter. If you want to profile shots and pull a shot while steaming, the Bianca is the model built for it. If you want a smaller, cheaper way into the same L58E 58 mm group, the Mara X is the pick.
Lelit Bianca vs Rancilio Silvia Pro X
The Rancilio Silvia Pro X is $2,195.00, also a dual boiler with two PID controllers, a pressure gauge and a digital display that doubles as a shot timer. Its boilers are smaller (0.3 l coffee, 1 l steam) and its tank is 2 l, against the Bianca's 800 ml coffee boiler, 1.5 l steam boiler and 2.5 l tank. The Bianca weighs 27.2 kg to the Silvia Pro X's 20 kg. The Bianca adds a manual flow paddle and costs about $805 more.
Is the Lelit Bianca worth it?
At $2,999.95 the Bianca is a serious purchase, and you also need a grinder. What the price buys on paper is dual boilers, hand control of flow and pressure, programmable pre-infusion, two gauges and a plumb-in option. Nobody on this site has tested it, so shot quality, build feel and reliability are not claimed here. Compare it with the other espresso machines before you decide.
Who should buy the Lelit Bianca (and who should not)
It suits someone who already owns a good grinder, enjoys changing variables shot to shot and wants to steam milk while a shot pulls. It is a poor fit if you want push button or automatic milk, a built-in grinder, or a machine that is ready in a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Lelit Bianca cost?
Lelit's US store lists the Bianca at $2,999.95.
Does the Lelit Bianca have a built-in grinder?
No. It is a machine only, so you need a separate espresso grinder.
Is the Bianca a dual boiler machine?
Yes. It has a 1.5 l steam boiler and an 800 ml coffee boiler, each with its own PID control according to Lelit's manual.
What does the paddle do?
It changes the water flow during extraction, which changes the pressure on the coffee. The group gauge shows the result.
Can the Bianca be plumbed in?
Yes. Lelit says it can connect directly to the water mains and recommends an authorized technician for that. It also has a 2.5 l tank.
How long does the Bianca take to heat up?
Lelit's US page says less than 24 minutes.
How big is the Lelit Bianca's water tank?
Lelit gives 2.5 l for the tank. Behind it are two stainless steel boilers, 1.5 l for steam and 800 ml for coffee, so brewing and steaming do not wait for each other, and the machine can also be plumbed in.
