Which Lelit MaraX Espresso Machine Belongs in Your Home? The MaraX V2 and MaraX3 Review

There is something undeniably appealing about brewing coffee with an espresso machine. Often, the feeling of using a mechanical lever and watching the pressure build up feels more rewarding than pressing a button on an automatic coffee machine. It becomes a morning ritual that you want to wake up to. 

Yet espresso machines can also demand patience, practice and a surprising amount of temperature management.This is where the Lelit MaraX series comes in. It kept the traditional barista experience but added more intelligent temperature management, making it easier to use at home. All of the models are great for perfecting your espresso brewing skills, it’s just important to choose the one that is the best for you in the long run. 

What Both Lelit MaraX Espresso Machines Have in Common 

• Heat-exchanger boiler: Lets you brew espresso and steam milk without waiting for the boiler to change temperature.
• 58 mm brewing group: Works with professional-size portafilters, baskets and accessories.
• Mechanical pre-infusion: Gently wets the coffee before full pressure, helping create a more even extraction.
• Temperature management:  Keeps brewing conditions more stable and reduces the need for cooling flushes.
• Three temperature settings:  Makes it easier to match the machine to different coffee roasts.
• Coffee and steam modes: Lets you prioritise either espresso temperature stability or stronger steam performance.
• Manual brewing controls: Gives you full control over when the extraction starts and stops.

Features That Vary Across the Lelit MaraX Models

• Flow control: Available on the MaraX3, letting you adjust water flow during extraction.
• Steam nozzle: The MaraX3 uses a three-hole nozzle for faster and more powerful milk steaming.
• Warm-up time: The MaraX3 heats up faster than earlier MaraX models.
• Pump system: The MaraX3 features an updated, quieter pump.
• Pressure gauge: The newest model (MaraX3 PL62X3) uses a redesigned gauge for clearer pressure monitoring. 
• Machine size: The MaraX3 is slightly larger than the MaraX and MaraX V2.
• Water filter capacity: The supplied filter size differs depending on the model and market.

Key Similarities and Differences Between Lelit MaraX Models

Lelit MaraX V2: The Everyday Classic

The MaraX PL62X brings the traditional espresso-making experience into a compact and easy-to-manage machine. It keeps the hands-on brewing ritual, while making everyday coffee preparation feel smoother and less demanding.

Key features

• 1.8-litre heat-exchanger boiler: Lets you brew and steam without long waits.
• Three temperature profiles: Helps you choose the right heat for your coffee.
• Xmode Coffee and Xmode Steam: Prioritises either espresso stability or steam power.
• L58E brewing group: Works with professional-size 58 mm accessories.
• Mechanical pre-infusion: Helps the coffee extract more evenly.
• Quiet pump: Makes the brewing process less noisy.
• Double pressure gauge: Shows brewing and steam pressure.

Pros and Cons of The Lelit MaraX V2

The MaraX V2 combines everyday usability with dependable performance. Like any manual espresso machine, it also comes with a few trade-offs to consider. 

Best for: The MaraX V2 is best for cappuccino, latte and flat-white lovers who also want to prepare high-quality espresso. It best suits people with a small kitchen counter and home baristas who want reliable results.

Why does it stand out: It combines traditional espresso preparation with easier temperature management. 

Final verdict: The MaraX V2 is the best choice for most users. It offers a strong balance of performance, compact size and easy operations.

Lelit MaraX3: More Control, More Possibilities

The MaraX3 takes the familiar Mara design and adds more room to experiment. It keeps the same hands-on feel, but gives you greater control over each espresso and more power for milk frothing.

Key features

• Pagaia electronic flow control: Lets you change the water flow during extraction.
• Approximately 15-minute warm-up: Makes the machine ready sooner.
• Three-hole steam nozzle: Textures milk faster and more powerfully.
• Updated quiet pump: Keeps operation smooth and quiet.
• L58E brewing group: Uses professional-size 58 mm accessories.
• Mechanical pre-infusion: Gently wets the coffee for a more even extraction.
• Redesigned double pressure gauge: Clearly shows brewing and steam pressure.

Pros and Cons of The Lelit MaraX3

The MaraX3 offers a more advanced espresso experience with greater control and premium features. Its wider range of adjustments also means there is more to learn and the size increases.

Best for: The MaraX3 is best for experienced home baristas, light-roast lovers and people who regularly try different coffee beans and recipes. It also suits latte-art lovers who want faster milk steaming and users who enjoy adjusting the extraction process in detail.

Why does it stand out: Its Pagaia system lets you change the water flow during extraction, giving you more control over pre-infusion, pressure and flavour. The faster warm-up and three-hole steam nozzle also make it more convenient for daily use.

Final verdict: Choose the MaraX3 if you want more control and enjoy experimenting with espresso. For a simpler and smaller setup, the MaraX V2 may be the more suitable choice. 

How to Choose

Both machines offer the same hands-on espresso experience, but they differ in how much control they give you during brewing.

• Choose the Lelit MaraX V2 for a more straightforward daily setup with fewer adjustments.
• Choose the Lelit MaraX3 for greater control over extraction and more room to experiment.

Lelit MaraX V2 and MaraX3 FAQ

What is the main difference between the Lelit MaraX V2 and MaraX3?

The MaraX V2 offers a simpler brewing experience. The MaraX3 adds Pagaia water-flow control, a three-hole steam nozzle and an updated design. Both use a 1.8-litre heat-exchanger boiler and a 2.5-litre water tank.

What exactly is the “Pagaia” on the MaraX3, and does it justify the higher price over the V2?

Pagaia lets you change the water flow during extraction. It may be useful when experimenting with different beans and recipes, including lighter roasts. This makes the X3 worth the premium if you like to experiment. For standard roasts, the V2 is fine.

How does “Xmode” actually work?

It monitors temperatures to prevent the group head from overheating. “Xmode Steam” prioritizes steam power over brew temperature stability, acting more like a traditional heat exchanger.

Why did Lelit change the steam tip on the MaraX3 to a 3-hole nozzle?

The MaraX3 has a three-hole nozzle designed for faster and more effective milk frothing. The X3’s 3-hole tip textures milk faster than the V2’s forgiving 2-hole tip, though it requires slightly more skill to control.

Does the Mara work well with modern, highly acidic light roasts?

Yes, but the MaraX3 is better for this. Its flow control allows for slow, low-pressure pre-infusion, making it much easier to dial in tricky light roasts compared to the V2.

Is the MaraX3’s pump actually quieter than the V2’s?

Both machines use exceptionally quiet vibration pumps compared to standard espresso machines. However, the X3 features an updated pump system specifically designed to operate smoothly with its electronic flow control, making the extraction process slightly quieter and smoother.

Why is the MaraX3 slightly wider than the MaraX V2?

The V2 is incredibly compact at just 22.5 cm wide, designed for tight spaces. The X3 increases the width to 25.5 cm to accommodate its internal upgrades, specifically the hardware required for the new Pagaia electronic pump-control system.

Can the Lelit MaraX brew espresso and steam milk at the same time?

Yes. The heat-exchanger system allows you to brew espresso and use steam during the same coffee-making session without waiting for the boiler to change temperature.

Does the Lelit MaraX need a separate grinder?

Yes. Neither model has a built-in grinder. A proper espresso grinder is important because grind size strongly affects brewing time and flavour.