LELIT BIANCA V3 VS MARAX3 COMPARISON | WHICH ESPRESSO MACHINE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Between the Lelit Bianca V3 and the MaraX3 — which one should you go for?

Lelit is an Italian espresso machine brand well known for its high-quality home machines. Their product lines have typically been clearly differentiated in both features and design, making it easy for users to choose.

However, Lelit recently launched an upgrade to the MaraX in early 2026 — the MaraX3, with electronic flow control via the Pagaia inverter system. This upgrade pushes the MaraX3 into direct competition with a higher segment that has long been dominated by the Bianca — one of the most sought-after home machines in the mid-to-upper dual boiler category.

The two machines look quite similar and are both beloved by the home coffee community. That said, they are designed for users with different brewing styles, as their features differ in meaningful ways.

In this article, iCup will help you understand the similarities and differences between the two before you make your decision.

LELIT BIANCA VS MARAX3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS COMPARISON

The specs tell a lot — if you know how to read them:

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE LELIT BIANCA AND MARAX3

From the images and comparison above, both machines are E61 group head espresso machines with flow control capability — allowing pressure profiling intervention. The finish quality of both is comparable, with natural wood accessories throughout. Both can brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously to optimize your workflow.

The differences are what follow below.

SIZE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LELIT BIANCA AND MARAX3

This is one of the criteria most people care about, since not every household has a generous counter space:

• MaraX3: At just 22cm wide x 41cm deep x 35cm tall, it is one of the most compact E61 machines on the market. The advantage is that it fits into tight spaces. The tradeoff is that the brewing workflow can feel a little cramped.
• Bianca sits at a medium footprint: 29cm wide x 40cm deep x 40cm tall (add 8.5cm depth if the reservoir is placed at the back).

The MaraX3 has the clear advantage in limited counter space. If space is not a constraint, the Bianca offers a more proportional and visually harmonious presence.

DIFFERENCES IN FLOW CONTROL BETWEEN THE LELIT MARAX3 AND BIANCA

By controlling water flow, users can influence extraction and shape the flavor of the coffee. This is why the same coffee brewed on two different machines can taste different.

This is a feature primarily enjoyed by those who love to explore. Both machines have it — but the mechanism is different.

The Lelit Bianca uses a mechanical needle valve paddle while the MaraX3 uses the Pagaia electronic inverter to control water flow.

• The Bianca controls flow through a needle valve paddle directly above the group head. This valve responds to extremely small mechanical inputs, enabling very nuanced pressure profiles. However, it requires considerable practice to master fully.
• The MaraX3 uses an electronic inverter connected to the vibration pump, responding immediately to changes. Higher or lower voltage speeds or slows the pump, changing the flow rate into the group head. The advantage is ease of use. The drawback is that the adjustment range is coarser and the flow changes in discrete steps rather than the smooth, seamless transitions of a mechanical needle valve.

The reason MaraX3 doesn’t use a mechanical paddle is that with a low-flow mechanical valve, the pump still runs at full power and excess water cycles back into the reservoir. If sustained, this causes heat loss and inconsistent extraction.

In terms of feel during extraction, the Pagaia on the MaraX3 is easier to control. The Bianca requires more practice to use effectively and precisely — but once mastered, it can create more subtle and refined pressure profiles.

DIFFERENCES IN PROGRAMMABLE FLOW FEATURES

Neither machine is fully automatic, but the Bianca has a distinct edge with its programmable low-flow start and end stages for extraction. These can be toggled on or off as needed.

On the Bianca, the Low Flow Start is activated the moment the lever is pulled, simulating a soft pre-infusion. The Low Flow Final kicks in at a user-defined point later in the shot and holds until the lever is returned.

Users can reproduce a declining pressure profile at the start and end of extraction — optimized for light roasts — without manually operating the flow paddle on the Bianca.

The MaraX3 cannot do this.

The Bianca has a slight edge here, suited to users who have found their ideal brew profile and want to replicate it consistently without manually engaging the paddle. The MaraX3 suits those who prefer fully hands-on control.

DIFFERENCES IN REAL-TIME PRESSURE MONITORING

Adjusting flow always produces a corresponding change in pressure. The Lelit Bianca adds a group head pressure gauge that displays the actual extraction pressure acting on the coffee in real time. If pressure is too low or too high, the next shot needs a grind adjustment. The gauge also makes it far easier to reproduce a brew profile with greater precision compared to using the MaraX3.

The MaraX3 does not include this. The front-mounted pressure gauge on the MaraX3 shows the pressure generated by the pump — not the actual pressure at the coffee puck.

The Bianca is clearly superior in monitoring and controlling the actual pressure on the coffee. That said, users can easily add an aftermarket group head gauge to the MaraX3 to close this gap.

The Lelit Bianca has a real-time pressure gauge mounted on the E61 group head — the MaraX3 does not.

DIFFERENCES IN TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND STABILITY

Both machines offer temperature control settings. However, the control mechanisms are very different and represent one of the most significant feature distinctions between them — pointing to different types of users.

• The Bianca has a full dual PID system allowing completely independent precise temperature control of both the brew boiler and the steam boiler. Users can set brew water at a low 88°C for espresso while pushing the steam boiler to a maximum of 135°C for milk. This independence also helps the Bianca maintain long-term thermal stability.
• The MaraX3 uses a heat exchanger boiler, meaning brew water and steam share the same system and inevitably influence each other. It doesn’t have a full PID — instead it offers two priority modes: XMode Coffee for stable low-temperature espresso extraction, and XMode Steam for maximum steam power. You can have one or the other optimized, but not both at the same time. The dual probe on the MaraX3 is a meaningful improvement over standard HX machines, but it is not a comprehensive solution for all needs.

The Bianca is clearly superior in simultaneously controlling brew temperature and steam power with precision. Users can have it all with the Bianca — but MaraX3 users must decide their priority when turning on the machine.

DIFFERENCES IN SIMULTANEOUS BREWING AND STEAMING

For latte and cappuccino drinkers, both machines can brew and steam at the same time — but the experience is not identical.

• The Bianca’s independent steam boiler ensures stable steam pressure throughout the extraction. The powerful steam output delivers professional-grade results for smooth, well-defined latte art.
• The MaraX3 in XMode Steam mode produces good and usable steam — though not as powerful as the Bianca. The 3-hole steam tip delivers noticeably better steaming performance than the MaraX V2. However, the higher water temperature in this mode can overheat the brew water during espresso extraction. Conversely, in XMode Coffee mode espresso is excellent but steam is too weak for a satisfying latte.

The Bianca again wins clearly in simultaneous brew-and-steam workflow. There seems to be no real ceiling when using the Bianca, while MaraX3 users need to decide their priority before the machine even warms up.

PUMP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LELIT MARAX3 AND BIANCA

The pump is one of the most frequently used components in an espresso machine. The two pumps are very different:

• Bianca: Uses a rotary pump — powerful, extremely quiet, and long-lasting. A rotary pump can exceed 20 years of use without maintenance. The Bianca’s external reservoir can also be removed and replaced with a direct plumbing connection, so users never have to think about refilling.
• MaraX3: Uses a vibration pump — slightly noisier with a shorter lifespan. Lelit rates the pump at approximately 7 years under normal use. The machine only connects to its internal reservoir and cannot be plumbed directly to an external water source. Worth noting: the vibration pump used on the MaraX3 is the Olab Silent Green — significantly quieter than the widely used Ulka pumps on the market.

The Bianca clearly has higher pump quality and more flexible water connection options. With a longer pump lifespan, it has the durability advantage for users who demand long-term reliability.

ACCESSORIES COMPARISON

Previously, the Bianca came standard with walnut wood accessories, giving it a clear aesthetic edge over the original MaraX. By 2026, that gap has narrowed considerably.

• The MaraX3 has been upgraded with full natural wood accessories: knobs, lever, portafilter handle. The addition of wooden feet in particular gives the machine a more balanced, refined appearance — now on par with the Bianca, which has always shipped with wood accessories. The MaraX3 also includes a spare group head gasket — something few machines bother to include.
• The Bianca includes an additional bottomless portafilter for monitoring extraction, but no spare group head gasket. It also comes with a drain hose for direct plumbing users. The Bianca’s external reservoir can be repositioned to the back or either side.

Overall, both machines come with a solid set of accessories. Recommended additions for either: an OCD distribution tool, a WDT needle tool, a milk pitcher, and periodic cleaning powder.

PRICING

• Lelit MaraX3: 46,700,000 VND for the steel version | 48,700,000 VND for black and white versions
• Lelit Bianca: 56,800,000 VND for the steel version | 62,000,000 VND for color versions

The price difference is clear. The harder decision is figuring out which machine actually fits your needs.

SHOULD YOU CHOOSE THE LELIT BIANCA OR THE MARAX3?

Having walked through every difference above, you probably have a sense of which E61 machine suits you better.

The MaraX3 is the right fit for:

• Users with limited counter space.
• Those who prefer intuitive and straightforward flow adjustment.
• Those who typically brew one familiar coffee type and rarely change temperatures.
• Those who know in advance whether they’re pulling an espresso or making a latte.
• Those on a tighter budget, or who want to put the savings toward a better grinder.
• Those who are comfortable with the possibility of replacing a vibration pump after 5–7 years.

The Bianca is the right fit for those who want:

• A stable, fully-featured machine with virtually no limitations.
• Precise flow profiling and pressure control.
• The flexibility to brew both espresso and milk-based drinks at their best.
• A wide range of coffees at different roast levels.
• The option for direct plumbing.
• Long-term durability — 10 to 20 years of use.

Both are genuinely excellent machines. The Bianca offers everything a user could need (or not yet know they need), while the MaraX3 delivers more than enough at a price 10 million VND lower. That difference could buy a quality grinder to complete your home setup. Either way, the espresso machine is only one piece of this game.

iCup is an official Lelit distributor for both the MaraX3 and the Bianca, with a full 1-year warranty. If you need further advice, feel free to reach out via the contact information at the bottom of the website.