People who love caffeine and appreciate a great cup of coffee need an excellent espresso machine.
Espresso machines are the best way to achieve the desired strength and flavor, as they are designed to extract the best aroma and flavor from coffee beans.
Espresso machines offer a unique way to make coffee, as espresso is made by pushing hot water through packed, finely ground coffee.
This process creates an intense flavor and a thicker texture.
Additionally, espresso contains more caffeine per ounce than traditional drip coffee, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a concentrated energy boost.
With an espresso machine, it is easy to make coffee at home that rivals the quality of coffee made in cafes.
If you’re a coffee fanatic, you know that having the right espresso machine can make all the difference.
But when it comes to choosing between Breville vs. Gaggia, it can take time to decide which is best.
In this blog post, we look at both brands in detail so you can determine which one is right for you and your kitchen.
Breville Overview
Breville is an Australian brand of kitchen appliances with a rich and long history.
Founded in Sydney in 1932 by Bill O’Brien and Harry Norville, the company started by selling radios and eventually became known for its high-quality and innovative appliances.
Over the years, Breville has developed a reputation for providing quality, dependable products and has gained global recognition for its thoughtful design and brilliant innovation.
Today, Breville is well-known for its blenders, toasters, espresso machines, and other small home appliances.
The brand has evolved over the years to become the go-to kitchen appliance brand for many people worldwide who appreciate their commitment to creating quality products that make life easier in the kitchen.
Gaggia Overview
Gaggia is an Italian company that produces coffee machines, particularly espresso machines and small kitchen appliances.
It has been supplying bars and homes with innovative, state-of-the-art coffee machines for over half a century.
It all started in Milan in 1947 when Giovanni Achille Gaggia (1895-1961) began Gaggia.
The brand is well-known for introducing the world to “coffee crema” and creating innovative espresso machines.
Gaggia’s range of espresso machines includes manual and automatic models, all of which boast sleek, stainless steel designs.
The company is owned by Saeco but retains its own line of espresso machines.
Gaggia is committed to providing good coffee without requiring much experimentation.
We found the Gaggia Classic simple to use, allowing users to brew intense, smooth espressos with little effort.
Breville vs. Gaggia: Showdown Of Their Machines
Semi-automatic espresso machines are an excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts.
Unlike fully automatic machines, they allow users to control shot timing and adjust the brewing pressure according to their preferences.
These machines are also incredibly reliable compared to automatic machines, making them a great choice.
Furthermore, semi-automatic machines can be very affordable, with entry-level machines like the Gaggia Classic Pro proving popular amongst novice baristas.
In addition, if users have any questions, plenty of online resources provide guidance and support.
On the other hand, people are drawn to super-automatic machines for their convenience, reliability, and modern design.
These machines offer home users the chance to quickly and easily make a range of espresso-based drinks with little effort.
Super-automatic machines are designed to do the work for you without compromising on quality.
Many models come with built-in milk carafes that not only froth the milk but also clean themselves, making them even more attractive.
For coffee shops, super-automatic machines can help improve efficiency and output capacity while providing a modern touch with their touchscreen interfaces.
Ultimately, super-automatic machines are an ideal choice for those looking for convenience, time efficiency, and a great range of coffee drinks.
In this section, we will compare some of the best machines from these two brands, including semi-automatic and super-automatic machines, so keep reading!
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines: Breville Barista Express vs. Gaggia Classic Pro
The Breville Barista Express and Gaggia Classic Pro are popular machines among coffee lovers.
They can produce a great-tasting coffee and offer a variety of features that make creating the perfect espresso effortless.
We will go into the finer details of these two espresso machines in the next section, but first, we want to quickly go over their similarities:
- The Breville Barista Express and Gaggia Classic Pro are semi-automatic espresso machines that offer features for the budget-conscious buyer.
- Both machines feature genuine metal construction for a sturdy feel and come with a portafilter for tamping and extracting espresso shots.
- Both machines also have an in-built water tank for ease of use.
- They are both user-friendly and easy for beginners to use, even if you’ve never used a coffee machine before
- The Breville Barista Express and Gaggia Classic Pro espresso machines come with commercial steam wands.
- The Breville Barista Express and the Gaggia Classic Pro both feature a hot water dispenser for making Americanos or tea and a built-in cup warmer.
- They also offer quick heat-up, with the Breville heating time of around 30 seconds and the Gaggia at around 45 seconds.
Now that you are aware of some of their key similarities, we will dive into each machine more in-depth to help you decide which espresso machine is more suitable for you.
Breville Barista Express Overview
The Breville Barista Express is a top-of-the-line espresso machine designed to deliver barista-quality espresso drinks in the comfort of your own home.
It features a powerful 15-bar Italian pump and thermocoil heating system that offers excellent temperature stability and control.
With its integrated steam wand, you can make creamy microfoam milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
The included burr grinder allows for precise grinding, delivering the freshest and most flavourful coffee grounds for your espresso.
With all these features, the Breville Barista Express is an excellent choice for barista-quality espresso drinks at home.
The Barista Express is an impressive combination of design and size.
The machine fits comfortably on any kitchen countertop, measuring 13.5 inches tall, 11 inches wide, and 12 inches deep.
It is made from high-quality materials, making it a sturdy and stylish addition to any home.
The reviews online about the Breville Barista Express are overwhelmingly positive.
Many reviewers have commented that its easy operation, stylish design, and high-quality workmanship make it an excellent choice for anyone wanting to take their espresso-making prowess to the next level.
Self-professed coffee snobs especially appreciate the consistently great-quality coffees that it can produce.
The one drawback of the Breville Barista Express is its price.
While still an affordable option for a mid-priced home espresso machine, it retails for around $699, making it an investment.
This may be too much for those looking for an espresso machine on a budget.
However, if you’re serious about your espresso, the Barista Express might be worth the price.
Pros
- Easy-to-use compact espresso machine
- The superb quality of the material
- High-quality pressure pump and milk frother for cafe-level quality
- Updated thermal coil with LCD screen for timing
- Convenient all-in-one design
- Capable of making excellent coffee
- Built-in grinder saves you money from having to buy a separate grinder
Cons
- Pricey compared to other machines and pricier than the Gaggia Classic Pro
- The machine can get dirty relatively fast, so cleaning it regularly can be annoying
Gaggia Classic Pro Overview
The Gaggia Classic Pro is the perfect espresso machine for first-time buyers, with its combination of affordability and quality components.
This semi-automatic machine is under $500 and features dual heating elements that ensure the hot espresso is ready within five minutes and steaming capability in under a minute.
It is a single boiler machine controlled by simple switches, and the main chassis is built to last.
With the Gaggia Classic Pro, you can access an espresso machine that does all of the work for you, allowing you to enjoy authentic espresso without any training.
Most people will be pleased with the espresso it produces, which comes out relatively rich and bold once you’ve got the hang of the machine.
The steam wand on this machine also allows you to experiment with different coffee drinks.
It doesn’t include a built-in grinder, so if you are not using ESE pods, you’ll need to buy a grinder separately or settle for pre-ground coffee.
It also has a three-way solenoid valve, which is common in commercial machines and helps relieve pressure from the coffee, resulting in a dry, easily discarded puck.
This valve is an essential feature of the Gaggia Classic Pro because it aids in releasing pressure from the group head after a shot.
Regarding usability, the Gaggia Classic Pro coffee machine has a very intuitive control panel.
It features three rocker switches for power, brewing, and steaming. Each switch also includes an indicator light that allows you to determine when the machine is ready.
This makes it easy to operate, even for beginners.
The steam knob on the side is also user-friendly and adds to the machine’s convenience.
The Gaggia Classic Pro is designed to be a sleek and stylish espresso machine.
The machine is constructed with an aluminum boiler smaller than the previous model and made of stainless steel.
The Gaggia Classic Pro also features several color options, making it easy to match any kitchen decor.
In addition to the stainless steel body, the machine also features a vibration pump mounted for superior sound dampening.
This means the Classic Pro produces excellent espresso with minimal noise.
The Gaggia Classic Pro has a larger water tank than the Breville Barista Express.
The Gaggia Classic Pro’s water tank has a capacity of 72 ounces (2.1 liters), making it slightly bigger than the 67.6 ounces (2 liters) capacity of the Breville Barista Express.
This larger size can benefit those making multiple espressos in one go.
However, the Barista Express also has a built-in grinder which the Gaggia Classic Pro doesn’t have, so this balances out.
All in all, the Gaggia Classic Pro is an excellent espresso machine that offers sensible money and great value for those looking to get into making espresso.
Pros
- Facelift and significant internal surgery.
- Reliable for morning Americanos and after-dinner affogato.
- Reasonably priced.
- Can grow with you.
- Can start without a grinder.
- Makes excellent espresso.
- Simple to use.
- Classic, minimalist looks.
- The dual steam wand allows you to heat milk much more evenly
Cons
- The plastic accessories that come with the machine feel cheap
- For those that want advanced features, this machine isn’t the most suitable due to the basic analog system
Super-Automatic Espresso Machines: Breville Barista Touch vs. Gaggia Anima Prestige
Super-automatic espresso machines are ideal for anyone who wants to make delicious espresso-based drinks quickly and easily.
This type of machine simplifies the process of brewing espresso, eliminating the need to grind and tamp coffee grounds and manually pull shots.
They also allow baristas to focus on creating better drinks, as they offer greater consistency and reduce waste.
Suppose you are more of a Super-automatic type of person.
In that case, Breville and Gaggia also offer excellent Super-automatic espresso machines, the Breville Barista Touch and the Gaggia Anima Prestige.
Both these machines are quite pricey; however, if you are a coffee lover, these machines will pay for themselves in the long run.
Especially for those who buy coffee every day from a coffee shop.
Furthermore, having one of these machines in your home eliminates the need to visit a coffee shop and allows you to make coffee shop-style coffee from the comfort of your home!
Here are some of the similarities between these two coffee machines:
- Both the Breville Barista Touch and Gaggia Anima Prestige are automatic espresso machines that can be used to make coffee with the push of a button.
- The Breville Barista Touch and Gaggia Anima Prestige come with a milk frother for creating lattes and cappuccinos.
- They both have a robust coffee flavor and stable temperature.
- Both machines feature a modern design with a sleek finish.
- Both machines offer LCD screens for monitoring and controlling the machine settings.
- Both machines also come with built-in grinders
Breville Barista Touch Overview
The Breville Barista Touch is a user-friendly espresso machine that makes it easy to enjoy barista-quality coffee drinks.
Featuring a touchscreen display with a pre-programmed coffee menu and automatic milk texturing, the Breville Barista Touch eliminates the need for barista skills and can prepare coffee within seconds.
The machine also features a Panarello-style steam wand that introduces air into the milk as it froths, creating consistently frothy results.
The Barista Touch is an exceptionally designed mid-range espresso maker with a sleek stainless steel housing that is durable and easy to clean.
It has a compact footprint, weighing just 26 pounds and measuring only 12.2 kilograms.
It is available in four neutral color options: Brushed Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel, Damson Blue, and Black Truffle.
In addition, the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine is equipped with an integrated grinder, making it easy to get a consistent coffee grind for the perfect espresso every time.
The grinder is adjustable, with 30 different sizes, allowing you to dial in the perfect grind for your coffee.
The machine has an automatic steam wand that makes it easy to create the perfect milk texture, temperature, and foam quality.
The device has an automatic cleaning function that ensures your steam wand is always in top condition.
All these features make the Breville Barista Touch an excellent choice for those serious about making café-quality drinks.
The last feature we want to go over is the ThermoJet heating system which is made of aluminum-lined stainless steel.
This system can heat up in just three seconds, making it perfect for those who need their coffee fast.
It works at 110-1120V and provides the ideal temperature of 200°F for the perfect coffee flavor.
The ThermoJet heating system in the Barista Touch is also found in the Barista Pro, which gives users the same great results.
This system allows users to enjoy a cup of coffee quickly and with great flavor every time.
Despite its automated features, the Barista Touch does not include an auto coffee tamper which can only be found in the Breville Oracle.
Nonetheless, the Barista Touch is still a fantastic coffee machine with an excellent user interface, design, and many features.
Pros
- User-friendly and very easy to use.
- Allows for customization of drink profiles.
- Quality Shots and Grinder
- Adjustable milk temperature and texture control.
- Excellent stepping stone for better espresso-making.
- Seamless Combination of Convenience and Control
Cons
- Expensive if you are planning to use it sparingly.
- Doesn’t have a preheating system for mugs
- The water tank cannot be accessed from the front
Gaggia Anima Prestige Overview
The Gaggia Anima Prestige is an excellent choice for those looking for a one-touch coffee and latte machine.
This machine is well-crafted and sturdy with steel accents, and it is easy to use with its LCD screen, one-touch interface, and integrated milk carafe.
It has a customizable grinder so you can adjust the intensity of your coffee to your liking.
It also looks great, with its sleek and modern design.
In addition to the impressive array of features, it offers a fantastic pre-infusion function which helps to extract the maximum flavor from your coffee.
This machine allows you to program the pre-infusion time and the Optiaroma dosing system (6.5-11.5 grams) for optimal strength.
The pre-infusion enables the water to be in contact with freshly ground coffee, giving body and taste to all coffee-based drinks.
With this machine, you can also enjoy on-demand espresso and espresso lungo simply by pressing and holding the buttons.
The Pre-Brew aroma system further enhances the pre-infusion process, allowing you to enjoy every espresso’s unique body and taste.
The Gaggia Anima Prestige offers a wide range of adjustable temperatures, allowing users to customize their espresso shots and other coffee drinks to their exact liking.
From the three water temperature settings to the five dose sizes and five grind size settings, the Anima Prestige can produce the perfect cup of coffee.
In addition, each drink button can be programmed with a preferred beverage volume, strength, and temperature.
This makes it easier than ever to craft the perfect cup of coffee.
The brew temperature can be adjusted on the Anima to ensure that each espresso shot is just right.
With all these adjustable settings, baristas and coffee lovers can easily create their favorite drinks.
Another critical aspect of the Anima Prestige is that it’s an energy-conscious coffee machine designed to help save energy and reduce costs.
It features a low-energy standby mode that kicks in after one hour of idle time.
This standby mode helps conserve energy and keep the machine running efficiently.
The Anima Prestige also boasts a large, 60-oz removable water tank on the machine’s top left side.
This allows you to easily pour in freshwater or empty the tank when necessary.
The removable tank makes it easy to clean and maintain, as it can be washed under the tap and re-inserted back into its place.
This machine is perfect for those who want to make multiple drinks in a row, as it holds enough water to produce several beverages without needing to refill.
The standout feature of this machine is the innovative Gaggia Adapting System, which adjusts the grinding process to ensure that an optimal quantity of ground coffee is used for each cup.
This system will even learn the user’s preferences over time, resulting in a higher level of convenience.
One of the main drawbacks with the Gaggia, though, is not even to do with the machine as it has more to do with the customer support, which can be poor at times if you do have an issue with the device, which is unlikely, getting the machine repaired might be a hassle.
However, the Gaggia Anima Prestige is still an excellent coffee machine with many features that allow you to consistently make the perfect cup of coffee.
Pros
- LCD screen and buttons make it easy to use
- Very good milk frothing
- Pulls excellent espresso shots
- Automated cleaning and descaling cycles
- Coffee strength adjustable
- Adjustable coffee temperature
- Quiet operation
- Aesthetic and compact design
Cons
- No airtight bean hopper lid
- Oily beans don’t work well with the grinder and will require frequent cleaning
Breville vs. Gaggia: The Verdict
Now it’s time to decide which brand produces the better line of products.
The truth is this, both brands make excellent products, and whichever brand you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
Breville and Gaggia make high-quality machines that are simple to use and require just a few seconds to get a delicious cup of coffee.
Plus, both brands include a bunch of features in their machines that make the process of making your preferred beverage so effortless with minimal hassle.
However, if we had to pick a winner between these two brands, it would be the Breville for us.
We have always been huge fans of Breville, and their attention to detail in their coffee machines puts them above the rest.
On top of this, Breville always listens to its customers and has a loyal customer base because they listen to customer feedback and uses this to constantly improve their line of machines.
This is something that we love, and this is why Breville is one of the leaders in the market when it comes to coffee makers.
FAQ’s
Are Cheaper Espresso Machines Worth It?
Cheaper espresso machines can be an excellent option for those on a budget, but it’s essential to research before making a purchase.
Many more affordable machines don’t offer the same quality of espresso as their more expensive counterparts.
However, some provide excellent quality for a fraction of the price.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for an espresso machine on a budget, some great options are available that don’t sacrifice quality.
Is Gaggia Made In China?
No, Gaggia espresso machines are not made in China.
All coffee machines (super-automatic, manual, etc.) are manufactured in Gaggio Montano, Italy.
However, some models of the Gaggia coffee machines are made in China, while others are not.
Sunbeam and Breville machines sold locally are all made in China, although they are designed in Italy.
Gaggia also returned the manufacturing of the Classic Pro to Italy.
How To Clean A Breville And Gaggia Machine?
Cleaning and maintaining a Breville or Gaggia espresso machine is simple and easy.
First, remove the filter and wipe away any remaining grounds and oils.
Then, fill the water tank with a 50:50 mixture of water and white vinegar to descale the machine, or use a descaling solution like Caffenu if you have hard water.
Run a cleaning cycle every two to three months or after every 200 cups of coffee brewed.
To deep clean the spouts, use the brushes that come with the machine.
Also, wash the portafilter each time you knock out the grounds.
Finally, always dry any residual water before locking the filter back in.
Following these steps will help ensure that your Breville or Gaggia espresso machine is always functioning optimally.
Why Is The Gaggia Classic So Popular?
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a popular choice among home users because of its reliable performance and great value for money.
For a relatively low price of around $449, it offers excellent features that make it easy to use and capable of producing cafe-quality espresso.
