Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso vs Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso

9.4/10 Excellent

4.7★ (980 owners)

Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home.

Full Review

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
247Verdict Score	9.4/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (980)	4.5★ (3,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso edges ahead with a 9.4/10 vs 8.8/10. Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home. That said, the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is worth considering if Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso

Flow profiling paddle controls water pressure during extraction for advanced espresso technique
Dual boiler PID allows precise simultaneous brewing and steaming temperature control
E61 group head thermal stability is the professional extraction standard
Italian manufactured by Lelit — family espresso equipment brand since 1993
Flow profiling unlocks extraction variables that fixed-pressure machines can't access

£2,200+ — flow profiling is an advanced feature requiring espresso skill to benefit from
Flow paddle requires technique development to extract meaningful improvement

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

FAQ

Which is better, Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual or Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup?

Is the Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual worth the extra cost?

Yes — Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso scores higher at 9.4/10 vs 8.8/10.

Who is the Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual best suited to?

Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home.

Who is the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

What are the main downsides of each?

Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso: £2,200+ — flow profiling is an advanced feature requiring espresso skill to benefit from; Flow paddle requires technique development to extract meaningful improvement. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso sits at 4.7★ from 980 verified Amazon owners, and Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker at 4.5★ from 3,800.

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