Italian prosumer quality squeezed into a tiny frame.
The Lelit Anna 2 is what happens when an Italian manufacturer takes a 57mm group head, adds PID temperature control, and wraps it in the smallest possible stainless steel body. It's Lelit's entry-level machine but it doesn't feel entry-level — the build quality is noticeably above machines at this price. The PID display shows brew and steam temperatures, and you get programmable pre-infusion. The one quirk: it uses a 57mm portafilter, not 58mm, so aftermarket baskets are slightly more limited than the Gaggia's ecosystem. In practice, Lelit's included IMS baskets are excellent.
Italian machine, Italian grinder. The Specialita's 55mm flat burrs and near-silent operation pair beautifully with the Anna's precise PID control.
You want Italian build quality and PID control at the lowest possible price. The Anna 2 gives you 90% of what the more expensive Victoria offers in a slightly smaller package. If you can stretch to the Victoria, do — the 58mm group opens up more accessories. But the Anna 2 is no compromise.