All-in-one espresso machines have become pretty common, and they make for a great way to get started for new enthusiasts. We're excited to welcome the Lelit Kate to Seattle Coffee Gear with its fresh take on the all-in-one concept. Let's give it a look!

The Basics

The Lelit Kate combines the Victoria semi-automatic espresso machine and the Fred, which is their stepless espresso grinder. The Kate cleverly mashes these two machines together to provide that all-in-one setup that we see more and more of. What's really different here is the form factor and traditional casing and design of the Victoria.

Most all-in-one espresso machines are pretty wide, taking up at least as much space as a machine and grinder might side by side. The Kate smartly uses case space to produce an all-in-on machine that is roughly the same size as the Victoria. This is a much slimmer form factor than what we're used to with this style of machine, and it might make it the perfect choice for many interested coffee fans. 

Aside from the size and shape of this machine it is a pretty standard offering. A single 300mL brass boiler handles brewing and steaming, so there's a bit of time between these modes for warmup/cooldown. The grinder features 38mm conical burrs and a stepless grind adjust, meaning that it has effectively infinite grind settings, making it perfect for those tricky to brew lighter roasts. 

A PID controller manages boiler temps, and can be adjusted with the Lelit Control Center screen on the front of the machine. This is a great feature that we don't always see on all-in-ones or machines in this price range. 

The grinder and the brewer also offer limited programming functionality including adjustable preinfusion and dose programming for the grinder. Brewing is controled with a simple button press to start and stop the flow of water.

What Makes it Special?

Often all-in-ones feel compromised in some way, whether its case quality, a lack of certain features, or just the wider footprint. What we really like about the Lelit Kate is that it doesn't feel like a compromised experience to use it. It offers the same component quality and performance of their standalone machine but in a much simpler package that will fit nicely on just about any counter top. 

With all of this in mind, we're also big fans of the price. Clocking in at a similar price point to other machines in its category, we find that the Kate stands on its own as a great alternative for those looking for something with that premium/prosumer feel. 

Is the Lelit Kate Right for You?

The biggest question in determining whether this machine will be a good fit for you is whether or not you'll be happy with an espresso dedicated grinder. The grinder on this machine isn't very well suited to slow brew methods, and we recommend against using it as your all around grinding solution.

That said, if you want a unit that is very self complimentary, the Kate might just be perfect for you. The grinder works wonderfully with the brewer half of the machine, and with all of the features outlined above we feel confident in recommending it to any new users looking for a more traditional Italian machine for their all-in-one purchase.

Want to learn more? Check out our video review of the Lelit Kate below!