Given that the Anna PID comes with all this, right out of the box, and it's cheaper than the Classic E24, and you'd need to spend another hundred quid or so modding the Classic to get it up to similar specs to the Anna, I think it's a very tempting proposition to anyone considering the Classic.
I'm not saying Anna is better than the Gaggia classic, this is very subjective, but for someone who wouldn't want to mod a machine, and who is focussed more on performance than anything else, I can see the pull of Anna vs the Classic.
Features and Benefits
• 2.7 Litre water tank
• 250ml brass boiler
• Adjustable brew temperature from 80-130C
• Adjustable steam temperature from 120-140C
• 57mm portafilter
• 57mm brass group
• Pro steam wand with single hole steam tip
• Toggle switches
• 15 bar pump with OPV (approx. 10 bar, but can be adjusted
• 3 way solenoid valve
57mm Portafilter
If there's one thing that is going to put people off the Anna, it's this, and I don't know why Lelit made this decision.
I'm sure Gaggia are very glad they did, though ;-), because Anna has so much going for her, if there was no catch at all I think it would prove incredibly competitive vs the Classic, given the price point!
It's not actually quite as bad as it might seem, it's just that certain accessories are harder to get, however some 58mm accessories do fit.
For example, the dosing cups on the DF grinders, do fit. The 58mm MHW-3Bomber cyclone WDT tool, also fits, and the wooden handled Gaggia classic tamper also fits (although you can get Lelit 57mm tampers.
But 57mm will mean that there's less third party accessory choice, vs 58mm, including stuff like upgraded baskets, puck screens and so on.
One Heck of a Machine for £450!
Other than the 57mm portafilter snag, this really is a lot of machine for the money.
You have a huge range of brew temperature options, in 1C increments, and also a really nice range of steam temp options.
This means if you want a slower steady steam power while you're learning, you can just leave it at the default 125C, but if you're a seasoned home barista, you can just knock it on full tilt to 140C, for maximum steam power.
If you pair this with a decent grinder, for example Lelit Fred, Baratza Encore ESP, DF40+, or better still, Eureka Mignon Libra, Eureka Mignon Zero, DF54, DF64 etc., you're in for some flipping good espresso with this machine, with very little faff.
It's not all perfect, it's not likely to be for this price, but other than the 57mm portafilter, there's really no deal breakers for me.
If I'm nit-picking, I think the water tank could be more transparent, which would make the cut-out on the side work better for being able to see the water level, and the water tank would benefit from a handle, like the tanks in the Lelit Mara X and Bianca V3.
The Best Lelit Espresso Machines
Also the water tank would benefit from a handle, it's a bit faffy to put the tank back in the machine as there's no way to hold the water tank as you're dropping it into the frame, without putting your fingers actually inside the water tank.
But for a machine with a 250ml brass boiler and brass group, and great steam power, and big range of brew temp and steam temp adjustments, for about £450, I think this would be very high on my shortlist if I was looking for a sub £500 espresso machine.
Re the OPV adjustment, by the way, it's actually very simple to do - I do wish more brands would take the lead of the likes of Profitec and La Marzocco, and put the OPV adjustment on the outside, but it's only a case of taking the lid off, pulling off the water pipe, and adjusting a screw, even I could do that.
For loads more options, see: