Lelit Anna and Rancilio Silvia Comparison

The Rancilio Silvia is the classic single-boiler, semi-automatic home espresso machine; but the Lelit Anna is an up-and-coming contender. In this video, Steve discusses the key differences between them--including grouphead size (58mm vs. 57mm), steam wand and steaming capabilities, and pressure gauge--so you can make an informed decision.
Find the Silvia and Anna espresso machines at the links below:
Anna
prima-coffee.c...
Silvia
prima-coffee.c...
0:16 Similarities
2:17 Differences -- Grouphead / Portafilter
3:18 Differences -- Boiler
4:20 Differences -- Steaming
4:55 Differences -- Water Reservoir
5:41 Differences -- Pressure Gauge
5:52 Using the Machines

[@gingercat777]

Just bought a Lelit after having Rancilios for over a decade and it is more accurate and finnese. Plus my steam arm on the Lelit is as adjustable as the Rancilio plus the catcher tray is bigger.

[@daamcat]

Thanks for the video. But the pressure gauge is not "cosmetic". Especially for the beginners it is a huge help to see the brew pressure in order to adjust grind size. That gauge is a big advantage in Anna in my opinion.

[@bluemystic7501]

If your shots are pulling correctly (time + weight) then you could assume pressures are normal.

[@mab]

you won't need the pressure gauge after a month ...

[@It-b-Blair]

@@mab only if you don’t explore different beans and recipes. It’s also a tool to diagnose faults that may arise, and is on all professional machines. It’s not cosmetic.

[@ihpihp]

The latest version of the Lelit Anna comes with a built in PID. It’s odd that that version was not reviewed since this video is only two weeks old.

[@willqin4628]

Both are available, the Pid one is tem and this one is ‘em

[@primacoffeeequipment]

We currently don't have the latest version of the Anna in our stock just yet, but soon we will!

[@jakk.7489]

​​@@primacoffeeequipment thanks for the review! Would have been nice to mention that there is also a version of the Anna with PID. It took me a while to find that out. In Germany the PID-version costs 430€ vs 599€ for the Silvia. Given the PID AND the fact that it is cheaper make it a no-brainer for me, if you re deciding between those two machines.

[@MB-rc8ie]

What's the point of buying Anna version without PID?? With PID it's still cheaper than Rancilio

[@Gabe-hz2cn]

Which one would you get? Rancilio or lelit (pid) I’m just about to get one but i can’t decide 😅

[@mab]

Silvia all the way. Bought mine over 20 years ago and still making perfect espressos.

[@gingercat777]

No Ulka pump will last that long ...😅

[@woxiduswoxidus1167]

@@gingercat777 ulka declares lifetime up to 15000 shots or 4-6 year, so no big deal to replace pump

[@jakobw135]

How does the Lelit Anna 2 compare to the Rancilio Silvia? How much do each of these machines cost?

[@sportsnut2442]

I found what seems to be a great deal $350 used for the Lelit Anna in perfect condition. What are your thoughts on the price of this for a used machine? I’m debating between this and the Gaggia Classic Pro or the Breville Barista Express

[@Andre_1910]

I’m torn between the exact same 3 machines right now. I’m thinking the Lelit looks better Thant the Gaggia on my kitchen counter as aesthetics go. But also the Breville Express has got the option to program your dose - which is convenient I think :)

[@xWrongButtonx]

New one on amazon goes for 300$ atm.

[@DaiNguyen-hd1im]

Thank you for the video! Which one of these two espresso machines has a better built quality? I've heard that the Lelit is a bit rickety and shakey compared to the Silvia. Can you confirm that?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

The Silvia is the more reliable of the two.

[@Hello-itsme9]

Hello sir, I wanna ask you a question about the shower screen of my machine, it is loose not tight, is that normal? does it affect the extraction or not? thanks

[@danman281]

I’m sad that breville bought Lelit

[@Yirgamalabar]

No reason to be sad. They're still the good old Lelit, even if Breville is paying the bills. Same with Baratza which was acquired a couple of years earlier.

[@woxiduswoxidus1167]

lelit w/ pid blows away rancillio w/o pid, plus with anna you get +pid +shot timer and pressure gauge- overall measurement setup for correct espresso. with rancilio you get almost 20y support and 'naked" machine made from professional parts inside.

[@primacoffeeequipment]

The best part about the Silvia for us is its reliability. They go for decades with hardly any intervention. No other home machine in our catalog to date has the same track record!

[@woxiduswoxidus1167]

@@primacoffeeequipment Silvia simplicity had made impossible cost cuts during manufacturing process. For thermostability silvia required PID. simple calculation shows that mixing 240 ml hot water (100C) with doubleshot 60 ml (25 C room temp) gives water temperature drop up to 85C, for 300 ml boiler. So pid installation push sylvia to the next level -only way to go.

[@kosiekoos9408]

You need to refill the boilers after steaming, failure to do so will damage the boilers.

[@drewkennewell4267]

This is a huge one that a lot of people aren't told about. After you brew/steam, you need to open the steam wand and let it pump water through in order to fill the boiler back up, otherwise the element is going to be hovering in a barely filled boiler heating up well beyond it's safe range with no thermostat to save it.

[@Fenar_]

If it takes time on these machines for the water to heat up to a suitable level for steam. Why can I start steaming on my single boiler Breville as soon as my shot has pulled?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

Hey Fenar, it's most likely because the Brevilles don't use a boiler, they use a heat block which defers what needs to happen for steam. We don't currently carry Breville, so we aren't incredibly knowledgable on how they work, but that is our best guess.

[@Fenar_]

@@primacoffeeequipment ohhhh that makes sense. What are the advantages/disadvantages of both? I've been keeping my eye out for my next machine (was thinking lelit) but it seems a cap could take me like 5-10 minutes to make because of the boiler.

[@martinserva6582]

I like only esspresso what is better on this?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

Both machines will produce about the same results for espresso.

[@martinserva6582]

Who is better? Same? 😂