By Owen PalmerQuick answer
Our overall pick is the Aercana ST-699B, which lists a 20 bar pump, a steam wand and a 1350W-class heating system in a compact body. The Chefman CraftBrew suits buyers who want programmable touch controls and the largest water tank here, while the Neretva suits those who want a portafilter kit with a tamper and dosing funnel included.
Searching for a lelit espresso coffee machine? None of the three listings compared here is a Lelit, so this roundup offers alternatives from Aercana, Chefman and Neretva that home drinkers can consider instead. For more options, browse our espresso machines category.
Each pick suits a different kind of buyer, from a compact all-rounder with a milk frother to a machine with programmable controls and a fuller portafilter kit.
Our picks at a glance
Pros
- 20 bar pump with a visible pressure gauge
- Steam wand listed for microfoam and latte art
- Compact footprint with a removable 34oz tank
- Cup warmer and hot water dispenser listed
Cons
- Listed capacity is 1 liter
- Listing says to preheat, and to let the machine cool after frothing before brewing, as the user manual directs
- The listing does not mention a programmable timer
Pros
- Touch control panel with built-in timer
- Adjustable shot volume, lungo and ristretto options
- 1.5-liter removable reservoir
- Two shot baskets plus a built-in steam wand
Cons
- Listed pressure is 15 bar, below the 20 bar listed for the other two picks
- The listing does not mention a pressure gauge
- The listing does not mention portafilter size
Pros
- 51mm portafilter, tamper and dosing funnel included
- Listed temperature display and pre-infusion
- 20 bar pressure with a steam wand
- 1.31-liter removable tank
Cons
- The listing gives a 17-pound item weight and a larger footprint than the Aercana
- The listing does not mention a programmable timer; it lists button input
- The listing does not mention a warranty
How we chose
We compared manufacturer listings and specifications on Amazon as of November 2026. We did not test any of these machines by hand. Every fact in this article comes from the listing data, and where a listing leaves a detail out, we say so.
We looked at the criteria a home buyer can check on paper: listed output pressure, water tank capacity, wattage, dimensions, included parts, and the brewing and milk features each listing describes. We also noted listed cautions, such as preheating and cool-down steps, and left out any spec that looked implausible for the product.
Best Lelit Espresso Coffee Machine: our picks in detail
1. Best overall: Aercana ST-699B
The Aercana ST-699B is our overall pick in this set. Its listing describes a 20 bar pump with a visible pressure gauge, a steam wand for silky microfoam, and a high-efficiency 1450W heating system. The listing says the unit finishes preheating in only 20 seconds.
It also lists a cup warmer, a hot water dispenser, auto shut-off, and a removable 34oz water tank with a drip tray. The machine is semi-automatic and takes ground coffee, with a listed capacity of 1 liter. Its listed footprint is 12.2 by 5.32 by 11.5 inches, which the listing presents as countertop-friendly.
Best for: Best for shoppers who want a compact, semi-automatic machine with a visible pressure gauge and listed extras like a cup warmer and hot water dispenser.
Pros
- 20 bar pump with a visible pressure gauge
- Steam wand listed for microfoam and latte art
- Compact footprint with a removable 34oz tank
- Cup warmer and hot water dispenser listed
Cons
- Listed capacity is 1 liter
- Listing says to preheat, and to let the machine cool after frothing before brewing, as the user manual directs
- The listing does not mention a programmable timer
2. Best for programmable controls: Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D-BLK
The Chefman CraftBrew Espresso Machine (model RJ54-SS-15-D-BLK) lists a 15 bar pump, a built-in steam wand, and a 1350-watt, 120-volt rating. Its touch control panel and built-in timer let you adjust shot volume, and the listing mentions options for a mellow lungo-style shot or a concentrated ristretto.
The removable reservoir holds 1.5 liters, the largest capacity among the three picks. Two shot baskets allow single or double shots. The listing says the machine is cETL approved and comes with a 1-year assurance from Chefman. It describes a wipe-down with a damp cloth for the exterior and a descale alert that appears after 500 brewing cycles.
Best for: Best for buyers who want programmable touch controls, adjustable shot volume and the largest water reservoir in this set.
Pros
- Touch control panel with built-in timer
- Adjustable shot volume, lungo and ristretto options
- 1.5-liter removable reservoir
- Two shot baskets plus a built-in steam wand
Cons
- Listed pressure is 15 bar, below the 20 bar listed for the other two picks
- The listing does not mention a pressure gauge
- The listing does not mention portafilter size
3. Best for portafilter accessories: Neretva 20 Bar Espresso Machine
The Neretva espresso machine lists a 20 bar pressure system, a 1350W boiler, and a temperature display that shows readings on the unit. Its listing also describes low-pressure pre-infusion, which it says gradually increases pressure at the start of extraction, and a powerful steam wand for milk foam.
The package lists a 51mm portafilter, a single and double shot pressurized filter, a dosing funnel, a spoon and tamper, and a reusable 1 cup filter. The removable tank holds 1.31 liters. The unit is listed at 11 by 12 by 9.1 inches and 17 pounds, so plan for a larger footprint than the other two picks.
Best for: Best for shoppers who want a portafilter setup with a tamper and dosing funnel included, plus a listed temperature display and pre-infusion.
Pros
- 51mm portafilter, tamper and dosing funnel included
- Listed temperature display and pre-infusion
- 20 bar pressure with a steam wand
- 1.31-liter removable tank
Cons
- The listing gives a 17-pound item weight and a larger footprint than the Aercana
- The listing does not mention a programmable timer; it lists button input
- The listing does not mention a warranty
Our picks at a glance
| Model | Output pressure | Water capacity | Wattage | Dimensions (D x W x H) | Item weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aercana ST-699B | 20 bar | 1 liter | 1450 W | 12.2 x 5.32 x 11.5 in | Not listed |
| Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D-BLK | 15 bar | 1.5 liters | 1350 W | 10.8 x 8.9 x 11.9 in | Not listed |
| Neretva 20 Bar Espresso Machine | 20 bar | 1.31 liters | 1350 W | 11 x 12 x 9.1 in | 17 pounds |
How to choose a lelit espresso coffee machine alternative
If you are shopping for a Lelit or any other portafilter machine, start by deciding how much of the shot you want to control yourself. Semi-automatic machines like the three in this roundup leave much of the grinding, dosing and timing to you, which many home drinkers prefer. Fully automatic models take over more of that work. Our guide to home machine types explains those trade-offs in more detail: Home Espresso Machines: A Complete Guide to Types, Features and Costs.
Read listed pressure with care. A higher output pressure figure is one spec among several, and no listing can show how a machine will perform with your beans. Compare it with what the listing says about pre-infusion, temperature display and steam output. The same goes for capacity: a larger tank means fewer refills, but it also takes more counter space, which the dimensions reveal. Check the included parts too. A portafilter, tamper and dosing funnel matter if you want to work with ground coffee the traditional way. If a listing leaves them out, plan to buy them separately.
Consider the milk side next. If you drink lattes or cappuccinos, look for a steam wand and read how the listing describes foam. Some listings also describe preheating or cool-down steps before brewing. Follow the manufacturer’s manual for those steps and for all electrical and heating guidance, since ratings and safety instructions differ from one model to the next. Finally, measure your counter against the listed dimensions, and leave room for cups and the drip tray.
If you want to see how another brand’s semi-automatic machine is presented, our review of the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine Review: Features and Performance is a useful reference.
What to look for
- Listed output pressure, read alongside pre-infusion and temperature details
- Water tank capacity and whether the tank is removable
- Wattage, voltage and any preheating or cool-down steps in the manual
- Included portafilter, tamper, filter and dosing parts
- Listed dimensions measured against your counter space
FAQ
Are any of these machines made by Lelit?
No. The three listings we compared are from Aercana, Chefman and Neretva. We did not include any Lelit listing in this set, so the picks are alternatives rather than Lelit models.
Which pick lists the highest pressure?
The Aercana ST-699B and the Neretva both list 20 bar. The Chefman CraftBrew lists 15 bar. A higher figure is not automatically better for every drink, so weigh it with the other features in each listing.
Do these machines need preheating?
The Aercana listing says to preheat the unit before use and to let it cool, as the user manual guides, before brewing after frothing milk. The Chefman and Neretva listings do not mention preheating steps in the data we reviewed.
Where can I check for safety notices?
Follow the manufacturer’s manual for electrical and heating safety. You can also check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall listings for any product notices.
References
- Amazon product listings and manufacturer specifications (accessed November 2026)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls
About Owen Palmer
Owen Palmer is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our coffee machines guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
