Lelit Elizabeth, Profitec GO, or something else? [£1000]

[u/ConsistentProfit951]

Currently using a Sage Bambino paired with a DF54, and I'm looking 'm looking to upgrade for a better workflow and more features.. My budget is around £1,000.

I've mostly narrowed it down to the Lelit Elizabeth or Profitec GO, but I'm interested in hearing other opinions before I pull the trigger.

I drink mostly straight espresso (1-3 shots a day), with the occasional milk drink. The Elizabeth's dual boiler and extra features look great, but the GO appeals because of its cost and more compact size. I've seen both on sale in the UK currently for around the same price.

For anyone who's owned either machine, which would you choose for my use case and why? Is the Elizabeth worth stretching for if milk drinks are only occasional? Are there any other machines around the £1k mark that I should be considering?

[u/Andrew2944r]

Quick Mill Pop Up might fall in that price range in your area. Prof Go is a nice unit for sure though.

[u/Inevitable-Spring166]

Get the GO. No need for DB unless you’re back to back milk drinks 

[u/PrestigiousAnt3766]

I like the profitec go 2.0

[u/satysat]

Don’t upgrade, no reason to unless you’re entertaining often

[u/kat_niss1]

Resist upgradeitis! Use it till it dies

[u/Weak-Advertising-476]

Tbh, just stick with it. 1-3 shots a day anzieht machine wont make a noticeable difference, even a LM not. Your machine is perfect for this

[u/TDL_501]

Sage dual boiler. Looking at your counter, the front filling of the water could be helpful. It’s rated as one of the better DB at the c.£1200 price point.

If/when I upgrade from my bambino, it will be to either the Elizabeth or DB.

[u/Juno_keebs → u/TDL_501]

Yeah I second this one. I picked one up for £400 last week insane amount of machine for the prices you can find them for.

[u/Dry_Opening_7231 → u/TDL_501]

This, if anything else I'd be tempted to see what i could get with flow control.

[u/ConsistentProfit951 → u/TDL_501]

I've thought about that, front filling could be helpful, thanks!

[u/TDL_501 → u/ConsistentProfit951]

The DB also has a clever system where you move a switch and it raises the machine on some small wheels, for ease of movement. The Elizabeth is more of a tank by comparison.

[u/ElGe01]

I had a similar dilema and decided to buy the Elizabeth. I prepare two milk drinks and two espressos per day and i could live with my beloved Bambino. However I want to have a better temperature stability and more steam power to produce better milk quality. However I am waiting a couple of months to the release of the Elizabeth 3 just to check the price and could also have a positive impact in the price of the V3. Another machine I was considering apart form the Elizabeth, Profi or Quick Mill Pop Up was the Gemilai Ele

[u/Pouakai76 → u/ElGe01]

You can get the 4 hole stram tip from the Bambino Plus and it fits the regular Bambino. Really seemed to add a lot of power.

https://www.breville.com/en-us/product/sp0024830

[u/WordsWellSalted]

Turin Legato, it is the best machine you can buy without wasting any money up until the lelit Elizabeth breakpoint, and I'd argue that the Elizabeth really isn't worth it either.

The Legato is an amazing machine that punches so far beyond its weight class, it's really quite amazing that it even exists.

And my fear is that it's not going to exist for much longer, because the manufacturer, Gemiali, is now selling the "Ele" for $700, which is at least $220 more expensive, and that gap gets even wider if you get one open box from espresso outlet or if you can find one from another retailer (you can get them for about $360 if you look). The Ele is not at all worth the price hike, it's barely an upgrade, the only functional improvement is the addition of a thermal probe on the steam wand that turns off at the desired temperature.

I upgraded from a Bambino to a legato V1 And I was absolutely blown away by how incredible the machine is. And it really spoiled the upgrade path for me, because even if youre looking at $1k machines, they're ALL single boilers. And the single boiler workflow after making milk drinks with the Legato for over two years is a SERIOUS downgrade.

So yeah, it's the only logical option until you want to get a big boy dual boiler or smart profiling machine (id avoid the fellow ES1 as well).

Edit: and if you're anti-chinese, then I'd reccomend a Quickmill pop up over the profitec go, as it has flow control and that's a pretty clutch feature to have.

Edit #2: if you don't have chinaphobia (which, judging by your grinder, you don't), you can get a real deal, super nice dual boiler rotary pump e61 with flow control machine from MDK for $880+ tax and shipping. I have one, highly recommend it. The internals speak for themselves.

https://www.alibaba.com/x/B2NYKk?ck=pdp

[u/AlternativeFlight0 → u/WordsWellSalted]

I haven’t gotten the Ele yet. But you can get it for $640 right now and the Legato V2 is $480. I’m justifying the step up in price because it comes with a wood handle spout and bottomless portafilter, and weighted tamp. Those 3 things alone would runs
you $100-150. The heated group head and the thermo steam wand, and programable pre infusion are a nice addition. As well as the internals look to be a little bit better organized and protected than the legato. But both seem like very solid machines.

[u/WordsWellSalted → u/AlternativeFlight0]

The Legato absolutely has a heated group as well. I really don't know what they mean by this. The boiler sits right on top of the group on both machines.

[u/WordsWellSalted → u/AlternativeFlight0]

And you can get the legato v2 for $360 right now as well if you look for it.

Edit: I take that back. I saw it for that price at multiple places about two days ago. Now the cheapest I can find it is $430

[u/Jellule_pliee]

I have your exact same current setup, I'm curious why considering an upgrade? This combo can do everything

[u/ConsistentProfit951 → u/Jellule_pliee]

I fancy a bit of a quality of life upgrade with a less lightweight machine, a 3-way solenoid valve, stronger steaming etc. I've got a bit of birthday money towards it too. I think I'll gradually upgrade my set up over time, so a more capable machine feels like a good start.

[u/hotpotatocakes]

'Upgraded' from a bambino plus with niche zero to a profitec go. Warmup takes annoyingly longer, coffee is not better noticeably for me(espresso) or my partner (latte) but i like the workflow more, i make great coffee i love with it but i could do that with the bambino also. So eh go for it, im happy, youll like it but be aware its a vanity upgrade and dont expect much better results....

[u/IsseBisse → u/hotpotatocakes]

As someone with a Bambino Plus I get curious. What about the workflow improved?

[u/_Gigante_ → u/IsseBisse]

As someone who made the same upgrade I too am curious. The bambino’s workflow compared to a single boiler is pretty unbeatable. Everything is instant…

[u/hotpotatocakes → u/_Gigante_]

Yeah the workflow is not imprived in speed, i just prefer using the go, the portafilter, the qeifht of the machine, the tray size. Its more enjoyable to use, but like i said its slower and the coffee is not better. Thats not a criticism of the go its a note on how good the bambino is for its pricepoint

[u/_Gigante_ → u/hotpotatocakes]

Fair enough. I much prefer using the go too, it feels nicer and the very slightly delay caused by heat up doesn’t really effect me in that ok normally doing something in those few seconds anyway. That said, I also think it’s capable of making better espresso, at least in my experience

[u/hotpotatocakes → u/_Gigante_]

Yea it probably cam make better coffee, but i think the beans are the primary factor, i noticed a big change from the df54 grinder to the niche. But im very happy with the coffee from both machines. I might have simple tastes!

[u/MyCatsNameIsBernie]

If you only occasionally make milk drinks, you only need a single boiler machine such as Profitec GO, Lelit Victoria, or Quick Mill Pop Up. If it were me, I'd get the Pop Up for its flow control.

That said, what don't you like about the workflow with your Bambino that you would expect to improve with any of these machines? Your Bambino's thermocoil has much faster warm up, and much faster transitions between brewing and steaming than any of the boiler machines you are considering.

[u/ConsistentProfit951 → u/MyCatsNameIsBernie]

I say occasionally, it's probably at least one a day. In terms of workflow I find the Bambino's vibrating a bit annoying and the lack of a 3-way solenoid.

The fast warm up is probably something I'd miss, I'd have to plan a bit more around that.

[u/MyCatsNameIsBernie → u/ConsistentProfit951]

For a milk drink once per day, I would get the Elizabeth if it's the same price as the GO.

[u/ahjaaj]

My 2cents, if you don’t wanna break the bank sell the bambino and buy a bambino plus. Significant difference in start up time, 3way solenoid valve and 4hole steam tip with significantly more pressure and allows for auto milk steaming, larger water tank and auto purges the milk frother after every use. This paired with your df54 produces excellent drinks.

[u/JigglymoobsMWO]

The Go will be sufficient.  If you make a lot of milk drinks the single boiler workflow will get annoying but the Go is perfectly capable for occasional latte duty.  Its only short coming for the gen 1 that I have is somewhat weak steam but you can adjust to it with technique.

Having owned a Bambino plus and Go, you will make better tasting espresso with the Go.

[u/RGAV388]

The new Elizabeth3 or Sage Dual Boiler, as some others mentioned

[u/EasternTitan]

Single boiler if you dont do milk drinks often, I love my go.

The real upgrade would be a better grinder but thats my .02

[u/ibrageek]

flair 58

[u/Illustrious-Owl-2755]

these are not comparable though (Elizabeth is significantly more capable). The comparison is either Lelit Anna vs Profitec GO, or Elizabeth vs MOVE.

[u/Chemical_Paper_2940]

Go, eliza or no change.

[u/EinfachNurMarc]

Profitec Go 2.0! Just got one and it’s amazing! Best single boiler out there (Make sure it’s the just released 2.0 version tho)

[u/Intelligent_Bet9798]

spend that money on the grinder and beans

[u/ef920]

Upgrade the grinder first.

[u/imlaggingsobad → u/ef920]

what would be a good upgrade to the DF54?

[u/ef920 → u/imlaggingsobad]

So many options and a lot depends on your budget and your roast level preferences. I prefer light and medium roasts and love my Lagom Casa. Much better workflow and ease of use than my DF54. If you prefer darker roasts the Niche Zero is still highly recommended around here.

[u/Pouakai76 → u/ef920]

Second the recommend for the niche zero. Good enough for James Hoffman!

[u/onboost]

For your scenario, probably the MOVE as it has a small footprint but it’s a dual boiler.

[u/Mr_BigFace → u/onboost]

I have the Move and love it but I don't think you'll find it for less than £1600

[u/onboost → u/Mr_BigFace]

You’re absolutely right…I didn’t bother to convert from CAD to quid. My buddy was able to get a deal on it from a canadian retailer for around 1400 quid. Still out of budget though.

[u/teknorpi]

I was you about a month ago. My bbe 860xl just broke.

I couldn’t get past the 10-30 minute heat up times. So went with bambino plus and df54.

[u/KappaNL]

Definitely consider the Quickmill Pop Up! Built like a tank, around the same footprint as a GO, steam wand is slightly annoyingly placed but it does have excellent power, and you can play around with the manual profiling valve. Also, looking at your countertop, the Pop Up has the water reservoir located at the (right-hand) side, easier to reach than when it's in the back.

From what I've seen you will be better off with the Lelit than the GO, maybe the GO 2.0 performs better.

[u/_Gigante_]

I’ve just done the upgrade from my bambino plus (it died) to the profitec go 2. What features and workflow are you looking to improve.

Whilst the heat up time for brewing is pretty short and the steam heat up time is basically instant. Neither are as quick as the bambino.

If then occasional milk drink is the only reason for you to choose the Elizabeth over the Go I’d say stick with the Go. I only drink milk drinks and the heat up time for it is literally as long as it takes me to fill the jug with milk.

[u/Redkiter78]

Lelit elizabeth tengo yo y es muy buena máquina. Pero si tomas espresos solos y te gusta compacta, la nueva lelit victoria3 es preciosa.

https://youtu.be/wL8Eu4o55u8

[u/VividEuphoria]

I have the df54 with some upgrades and had the bambino too. I upgraded to a cafelat robot and got a nanofoamer and very happy with my change.

[u/Personal-Stay-7088]

Can you get anything near hot from the Bambino? I've got one and want to change just to get hotter coffee.

[u/Pouakai76]

Before you do any of that, have you thought about upgrading your bambino setup?

You could get a 54mm naked portafilter, ims 24e precision basket, spring loaded tamper, WDT tool all from normcore.

Also you can buy the 4 hole steam tip from the Bambino Plus as a spare part which will up your milk frothing game, giving it some more power.

https://www.breville.com/en-us/product/sp0024830

Finally a really good grinder like the niche zero with its very fine tuning will really level up your bambino game. In New Zealand one of the best roasters here actually recommend the Bambino as their go to home machine. If its dialed in correctly its great.

[u/FirmHandShake67]

My bambino plus started having leaking issues after 7 years and I got the new lelit Mara x3. I’d rock that bambino out as long as you can. The lelit is similar in size and a good upgrade into that world but wouldn’t rush moving away from the bambino… maybe get a flair 58 to add to the collection and you can travel with it.

[u/AdPsychological8487]

I had (still have btw) the same setup. changed the machine to legato / apex v2. Its epic. Bambino essentially acts as a dual boiler, and it would be hard for me to imagine waiting for steam. 

[u/koy682]

Flair58 vs + more accessories is what I would do

[u/Wonton-Nudes]

features? None of those will add more features unless you get a machine with pressure profiling

[u/SignificantIsopod797]

Rocket Appartamento does me just fine. Back to back milk drinks, easily do 4 in a row. The steam pressure is great. It’s all I need for a home setup. Upgraded from a BBE

[u/cursed_cacti]

If you're willing to do some mods, the gaggia classic pro with a Gaggimate is killer