Family-owned Lelit is still a relative newcomer to making espresso machines but has quickly stormed the market with machines that offer a full suite of professional features to the home barista at a compelling price. The Italian company's latest offering, the Mara X, is no exception. Quiet, compact, and stylish, the Mara X delivers an advanced espresso brewing experience at excellent value, in a surprisingly small package. About the Lelit MaraX Home Espresso Machine The Lelit MaraX is perhaps the definitive example of the "prosumer" home espresso machine. Exceedingly functional, this E61 home espresso machine packs in a bevvy of features that peers in its price range would envy. This has to some extent always been Lelit's strategy, but it may have just perfected it here. The MaraX is a heat exchange machine, a cut above the rest. Lelit has built-in a "priority" system, allowing you to configure the machine to optimise its boiler for either steaming milk -- which requires more heat and pressure than brewing -- or for pulling shots, which favours a slightly lower and more stable temperature. You're also able to influence the temperature more generally with a toggle between three temperature settings hidden beside the drip tray. The additional control given to the home barista here is complemented by the additional information the machine provides. The double manometer on the front face of the machine displays both steam and brew temperature, giving the user more insight into what's going on inside the boiler. The MaraX doesn't cut corners on quality-of-life features, either. One noteworthy addition to the machine is the cool touch steam wand, allowing you to adjust the position of the wand without burning yourself. It also makes milk residue form less quickly than on a hot steam wand. The machine shouldn't make much noise when it's running, either, owing to the uniquely quiet vibration pump inside. The boiler takes roughly 24 minutes to warm up, but the eco switch-off function of the machine will start reducing heat and pressure inside it after enough inactivity; saving you precious electricity (though you can switch this off if you don't want it to go into standby mode). All of this comes in a remarkably compact package, too, with the MaraX utilising a tall form factor to reduce its footprint on your table. It still packs space for a few cups to be warmed up on top, and the machine boasts an appealing brushed stainless steel finish, making it a welcome aesthetic addition to your brew bar or kitchen. The Lelit MaraX is not the sort of one-click coffee machine you'll find targeted at the average consumer. Rather, if you're a discerning home barista who is serious about perfecting your recipes, this machine provides you with the information and control you need, while packing in a few more premium features than you might expect, too. We think it's a great option for many serious home baristas. Included with the Lelit MaraX Espresso Machine LELIT58 2-way portafilter with classic polished black handle and Coffee Slide spout LELIT58 single filter basket (9-11 g), IMS LELIT58 double filter basket (14-18 g), IMS LELIT58 triple filter basket (18-21 g), IMS LELIT58 blind filter, IMS LELIT58 stainless steel tamper with red wooden handle Spoon for coffee Cup rack 35 l water softener filter First cleaning kit Small brush with nylon bristles Lelit MaraX Espresso Machine features Cup warmer Attractive brushed stainless steel finish Double manometer for coffee/steam pressure Multidirectional, anti-burn steam/water wands 1.8L stainless steel boiler with heat exchanger Built-in 2.5L water tank Traditional E61 type group head (Lelit L58E) Group heating through thermo-syphon circulation (patent pending) Professional water-steam taps with spring closure Mechanical pre-infusion compatible Double probe heat exchange system Temperature configuration button (Warm - Hot - Extra Hot) Steam boost Standby function Mug friendly I-O round, stainless steel ba