The Best Gaggia Espresso Machine Reviews

Older and wiser: That’s how I would describe Gaggia. The brand has been around for so long, and throughout that time they have refined their appliances into masterpieces. But I don’t expect you to take my word for it, so I came up with these Gaggia espresso machine reviews to get you started.

One thing’s for sure though: All Gaggia machines have style and unmatched steaming capabilities. Looking at how their line-up of espresso machines has grown in recent years, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

You can take the risk and get yourself the first best unit you come across, but chances are that this won’t end well for you. You may end up with a model that can’t serve your family or make the brew of your dreams.

First of all, pen down your needs and preferences and then come back to check which unit suits you best. Not sure how to do that? I got you covered with a guide towards the end of the article.

Meanwhile, I narrowed down my reviews to models that stood out among their peers based on tests, peer reviews, and consumer feedback. Let’s start with the crème de la crème!

TOP PICK

Gaggia Classic Pro is pretty much a jack of all trades. It’s designed for home use, but the commercial components make it more capable and able to take on harder brewing tasks. You also get decent control over the brewing process and plenty of accessories that will intensify your brewing experience.

My Gaggia Espresso Machine Reviews

Product	Key Features
Best Gaggia Espresso Machine	Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Semi-automatic Commercial steam wand 72-ounce water tank	Check Amazon
	Gaggia Babila Super-automatic Super-automatic 50-oz water tank	Check Amazon
	Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Super-automatic 40-oz water capacity Programmable	Check Amazon
	Gaggia Accademia Super-automatic 54-oz water tank Dual frother and boiler	Check Amazon

1. Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro

Very few Gaggia models match up to the versatility of the Classic Pro. It’s not your average entry-level semi-automatic unit because a few of its components are built to match the standard of commercial espresso machines. This is actually the trick behind its versatility and superior brewing capabilities.

Espresso lovers have another reason to smile because Gaggia Classic Pro perfects the usability and simplicity of its predecessor, the Gaggia Classic. You only have three rocker switches on the entire control panel: one for brewing and the other two for steaming and power. They all come complete with indicator lights that let you know when the coffee maker is on.

Like me, you probably hate the noise most espresso machines make while brewing, but that should be the least of your concerns with this unit. Thanks to the improved pump mounts, brewing with it is a quiet affair.

It would also be unfair not to mention the beauty of its steam wand, which is commercial-grade and just what you need to produce that desired microfoam for eye-catching latte art.

Pros

• Single, double shot, and pressurized basket for different brewing styles
• Upgraded look makes it fit for any decor
• Easy to operate, making it beginner-friendly
• Package includes accessories that improve your brewing experience
• Plenty of control over steaming

Cons

• Can’t take larger cups
• Relatively longer brewing time

There’s very little to hate in this espresso machine. It brews well and makes barista-level beverages with little effort. Investing in one is an idea I would encourage you to consider, especially if you are a beginner.

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2. Gaggia Anima Coffee and Espresso Machine

In the bean-to-cup class, Gaggia Anima goes toe to toe with the best. Maybe you love to be fully immersed in the brewing process, but trust me, the other side where everything is automated doesn’t disappoint either. The Gaggia Anima takes away 99% of the effort you would have used while manually brewing coffee without compromising the quality of your shot.

Anima’s LCD screen will show you brewing options so that you can personalize your drink. It lets you customize the grind size, temperature, and coffee strength to your specific preferences before the machine takes over the rest of the brewing work.

This machines has been upgraded from the last model and now features significant improvements, including a convenient one-touch brewing and frothing option. With this feature, the machine takes care of everything, from grinding the beans to frothing the milk, ensuring you can effortlessly prepare cappuccinos, macchiatos, and lattes. It also features a clever adapting system that’s going to study your brewing style and coffee beans and then grind them to your satisfaction in subsequent brewing sessions.

As for looks, this machine is a head-turner. It’s sleek and finished in a shiny black color that will lend your kitchen the sophistication of modernity. Anima is also slim enough to easily fit in your cabinet.

Pros

• Programmable brewing options add to ease of use
• Brews with both whole bean and pre-ground coffee, making it versatile
• Low-energy standby mode saves power
• Improved usability due to easy-to-access bean hopper and water tank
• Steam wand that also dispenses hot water

Cons

• Very little control over the brewing process, but you wouldn’t expect any less from an automatic unit

Gaggia Anima is a consumer favorite because of its performance and brewing capabilities. Look no further if you are looking to upgrade your brewing experience.

3. Gaggia Babila Espresso Machine

Gaggia Babila shares a lot with the Anima model, but it goes the extra mile to give you a better performance. Its brewing options go way deeper, and this feature is complemented with a milk carafe that makes producing specialty coffee seamless. But that’s not everything; there’s more!

Manual espresso makers are the kings when it comes to control over the brewing process, no doubt about that. But if you think semi-automatics don’t come close, Gaggia Babila may just tame your doubts. It’s so versatile that you get to control not just the grind size and temperature but also the flow rate and milk texture.

Larger cups and traveling mugs can fit into it if you remove the brew spouts. And if at some point you get tired of using whole beans, you can simply switch to pre-ground coffee.

Brewing is a touch-and-go affair, all the way to milk frothing. But for those like me who still like to have a bit of control over the steaming part, the steaming wand on the left has you covered. Even better, it doubles up as a hot water dispenser that could come in handy when you want to make long black.

Pros

• Lots of brewing options to match your unique brewing needs
• Easy to use as almost everything has been automated
• You can save settings for future reference
• Self-cleaning carafe saves you time and effort
• Cleaning alerts for descaling and cleaning selected parts

Cons

• Relatively expensive

It’s easy to be discouraged by Gaggia Babila’s higher price, but if you can afford it, I would recommend it as the go-to espresso machine for a seamless brewing experience.

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4. Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Its compact size means this is a smaller-capacity espresso machine, which should be good news if you stay alone or don’t plan on serving many people. The best part is that it’s fully automated, so no more hands-on operation. Press the brew button and ten seconds later, you will have a shot ready to be served. Who wouldn’t love that?

It’s fair to want your coffee made to your satisfaction. Maybe you prefer it less strong in a larger cup or rich but in a smaller cup. Whichever your preference, this machine knows how to deliver just what you need.

The intuitive LED display and push-control buttons make operating this unit a breeze. Even a novice who is brewing coffee for the first time in their life wouldn’t take long to get the hang of it.

However, be ready to endure the smaller drip tray and water and bean hopper tanks. That shouldn’t be a surprise considering how compact this coffee maker is. But there’s still more to enjoy, such as the rapid steam technology that lets you steam your milk right after you pull a shot. No more waiting times!

Pros

• Removable components that make cleaning easier
• Rapid steam technology saves you time
• Warning alerts for descaling your machine
• Compact size makes it perfect for smaller spaces
• Stylish design and timeless looks that will complement your kitchen decor
• Easy to use interface makes it ideal for starters
• Saves your brewing settings for future sessions

Cons

• Expensive, but still relatively affordable compared to other high-end super-automatic models

Gaggia Brera takes the lead in the entry-level super-automatic class. It’s just as capable as the high-end units and will make whatever cup of joe you desire in seconds.

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5. Gaggia Accademia Espresso Machine

Gaggia Accademia is one of the brand’s flagship espresso makers, so your guess is as good as mine about its price. It’s north of $1,000, but the great thing is that you are assured of absolute value for your money. Expect a lot, from premier performance to seamless operation.

Gaggia Accademia shares the deep programmability of Babila. The level of control you have over brewing is almost unmatched. You can set grind settings, strength, taste, temperature, density, flow rate, and other things to your specific preferences.

You also don’t have to refill beans as often because Accademia’s 12-oz hopper can store enough coffee for a day or two. And guess what? The freshness won’t change at all because of its double-lid design. Meanwhile, should your preference change to pre-ground coffee, there’s a bypass dozer to cater to that.

There’s also a milk carafe for your specialty brews. Even though it doesn’t make the hottest milk, you can at least take joy in the fact it’s detachable, just in case you decide to keep the milk in the fridge for later use.

Pros

• Accommodates different cup sizes
• Deep programmability for your different brewing needs
• Easy to use as everything’s automated
• Dual frothers make it versatile
• Cleaning alerts for different parts

Cons

• Relatively expensive

Gaggia Accademia espresso machine has plenty to offer for the person who wants to delve deeper into coffee brewing without too much effort. It’s built to match your brewing needs and make it easy for you to make a drink to your liking.

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About Gaggia

Gaggia officially came to life in 1947 and is based in Italy, which is the world’s capital of coffee. You therefore can’t expect anything but excellence in how Gaggia machines operate. From the start, the company has been making premium appliances that have come to be widely used beyond Italy.

The United States is now one of the big markets where Gaggia has massively sold its units.

One interesting fact about this brand is that they hold the patent for the original steamless espresso maker. This was done back in 1938 by Achille Gaggia, a cafe owner in Milan who invented the idea. Before then, crema was unheard of because of lower steam pressure, but his invention brought that and what we now call authentic espresso.

This invention is a huge part of the history of espresso and is actually what marked the start of Gaggia’s present esteemed status.

Even though it’s based in Italy, Gaggia has an extensive customer service network spread out across the world. So no matter where you are, you will have access to their representatives for help with anything related to your Gaggia machine.

Gaggia units are all espresso makers, but as you are probably aware, espresso machines come in various forms. For Gaggia, you have two options to choose from:

• Bean-to-cup models
• Manual espresso machines

Bean-to-Cup Models

Just as the name says, these are machines that require very little effort from you to make a brew. They have an integrated grinder and milk frother as well. You only need to press a button and the unit will do the brewing work in seconds.

Under this class, you also have two major options to choose from:

• Standard bean-to-cup espresso machines
• One-touch bean-to-cup espresso machines

Standard units are mostly semi-automatic. They will handle the grinding and brewing, but you may have to do the steaming. Some popular models include:

• Classic Pro
• Carreza
• Viva

One-touch models, on the other hand, take care of brewing, grinding, and steaming. They are either automatic or super-automatic. Popular options include:

• Amina
• Babila
• Brera
• Velasca
• Cardona
• Magenta

Common features present in nearly all of Gaggia bean-to-cup models include:

• Integrated coffee grinder with ceramic burrs
• Removable brew unit
• Opti-Dose system for perfecting the pressure required for extraction
• Descaling and cleaning alerts

Traditional Espresso Makers

Gaggia initially made semi-automatic machines before embracing automatic and super-automatic espresso makers. Semi-automatic units come in various forms, and as you can already tell, they are more hands-on. You may be confused when looking at their product lineup because they may call the semi-automatics their “manual” models.

Unlike the semi-automatics which need user action to shut the water off when the shot has been made, you can leave the automatic models to do their thing and stop the water flow when done.

Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine is one of their popular semi-automatic options. Others include:

• Classic 30
• Carezza deluxe
• Viva Chic
• Gran Gaggia Style

It’s also worth noting that Gaggia models are available in different versions. For most categories, you are going to have the base, middle, and high-end version that they refer to as “prestige.”

It would also be wise to put into consideration the following factors as they will help you find the best Gaggia espresso machine:

• Reservoir capacity for water tank and bean hopper
• Frother type
• Programmability
• Machine size
• Bars of pressure
• Gaggia espresso machine reviews from consumers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaggia a Good Espresso Machine?

The simple answer is yes. Gaggia has been making espresso machines for decades in which they have earned the trust of consumers across the world. Their coffee makers are built to last as they make great-tasting espresso and other specialty coffee brews. No matter the model you choose, expect A-level performance.

How Long Do Gaggia Espresso Machines Last?

How long your Gaggia machine lasts depends on how well you take care of it. If you look after it as the manufacturer recommends, then you can count on a decade or two of solid performance.

Which Gaggia Should I Buy?

There’s no specific one-size-fits-all Gaggia model that impresses everyone; it all boils down to your needs and preferences. Gaggia machines come in various forms to suit your unique needs and tastes.

Whether you are a novice or experienced coffee user, more hands-on than the touch-and-go person, or have a large family that could use a higher capacity unit, Gaggia has a model for you.

Obviously, our list isn’t exhaustive, so if your preferred model isn’t present on it, go ahead and search on Gaggia’s website.

Gaga Over Gaggia

If a Hall of Fame for coffee existed, Gaggia would be a distinguished member. This is a brand that has won the hearts of coffee lovers the world over for years and still continues to do so.

Gaggia Classic Pro has long taken the lead in the brand’s huge line-up because of its versatility and brewing capabilities. This model is fairly priced yet rich with features that every coffee connoisseur desires to see in a semi-automatic espresso machine, from a commercial-style steam wand and portafilter to improved controls and the ability to make cafe-quality espresso.

The rest of the options still do an equally great job when it comes to brewing. They are also stylish and equipped with unique features for different needs and tastes. This is your opportunity to find and buy the Gaggia espresso machine of your dreams. Good luck!