If you're searching for the best Gaggia espresso machine you've come to the right place. I've spent a lot of time reviewing Gaggia machines and I can help steer you in the right direction.
If you’re searching for the best Gaggia espresso machine you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent a lot of time reviewing Gaggia machines and I can help steer you in the right direction.
In this guide I’ll be looking at the Italian manufacturer’s fully automatic and manual machines. I’ll give you a rundown of the benefits and drawbacks of Gaggia machines as well as a few questions to ask yourself before committing.
Don’t worry, finding the best Gaggia espresso machine for your needs is going to be a breeze!
Table of Contents
- The 10 Best Gaggia Espresso Machines
- Background on Gaggia
- Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantagesDisadvantages
- Gaggia Automatic Espresso MachinesGaggia BabilaGaggia Cadorna PrestigeGaggia Magenta PrestigeGaggia AccademiaGaggia Anima PrestigeGaggia BreraGaggia Cadorna MilkGaggia Velasca Prestige
- Gaggia Manual Espresso MachinesGaggia Classic ProGaggia Carezza Deluxe
- How to ChoosePriceSizeMilk SystemFeatures
- FAQ
The 10 Best Gaggia Espresso Machines at a Glance
Here’s an overview of the 10 best Gaggia espresso machines we’ll be looking at today:
Gaggia Cadorna Prestige
Updated user interface
Makes superb espresso
Awesome integrated milk carafe
Gaggia Classic Pro
Durable construction
Professional steam wand
Makes superb espresso
Intuitive user interface
4 user profiles
Fantastic milk system
Easy to use
Stainless steel construction
Good value for money
Background on Gaggia
To say Gaggia has been influential in the history of espresso machines is a heck of an understatement. In reality, if it weren’t for the company’s founder, Achille Gaggia, espresso as we know it might never have existed.
If the story is to be believed, Achille was disappointed by the espresso scene in 1930s Milan. So, he set about inventing a new extraction process that used water pressure instead of steam. And just like that, crema was born. Hallelujah!
The Gaggia company was founded in 1947 and began producing commercial espresso machines. Starting in the 70s, the manufacturer helped popularize home espresso machines, and in 1991 launched the beloved Gaggia Classic.
In recent times Gaggia has shifted its focus to fully automatic machines, although the company still produces a few manual models. Thanks to the almighty power of majority shareholder, Philips, Gaggia has been able to make significant inroads into the North American market.
Today, Gaggia is a big player in the automatic coffee maker sector, and is more than able to compete with brands like Jura and DeLonghi.
Best Gaggia Espresso Machine: Advantages and Disadvantages
If you’ve spent any time perusing my fully automatic espresso machine guide 2024, you’ll know how highly I rate Gaggia espresso machines. Still, in general, Gaggia machines do have strengths and weaknesses that are worth considering.
Advantages
Gaggia is a reliable name that has been around for a long time. These guys really know their stuff when it comes to espresso preparation.
Gaggia machines are designed with quality in mind. You’ll often see plenty of stainless steel used in their construction.
Built-in grinders employ ceramic burrs, which are durable and long-lasting.
Gaggia automatic and manual espresso machines are competitively priced and represent great value for money.
The manufacturer produces a diverse collection of machines, ranging from budget-friendly beginner models to high-end, sophisticated super automatics.
Gaaggia automatic espresso machines offer a ton of customization options for grind size, temperature, coffee strength and more.
Removable brew groups make cleaning Gaggia automatic machines really easy.
For the most part, the user interfaces on Gaggia machines are intuitive and easy to use.
Gaggia fully automatic machines with integrated milk carafes produce wonderfully creamy microfoam.
Disadvantages
A common complaint is that drinks from automatic Gaggia machines aren’t hot enough.
Manual espresso machines from Gaggia can involve quite a steep learning curve.
The manufacturer hasn’t developed an app to use with its espresso machines.
Gaggia Automatic Espresso Machines
Over the last few years, Gaggia has made significant inroads into the North American market. I have to say that I’ve been very impressed by the Gaggia fully automatic espresso machines I’ve reviewed.
A common thread of quality runs through the entire lineup, and it isn’t unusual to find stainless steel housing and integrated milk frothers on these machines. Plus, all Gaggia super automatics are equipped with ceramic flat burr grinders.
Perhaps most significantly, Gaggia automatic machines are priced very reasonably. The manufacturer has positioned itself as a strong player in the mid-range segment, leaving the likes of Jura and Miele to battle it out at the upper end of the price spectrum. Ultimately, a Gaggia automatic coffee maker means high quality and sleek design features at a reasonable price-point.
Gaggia Babila: Best Overall
High Quality Espresso and Milk Foam
Gaggia Babila Espresso Machine
A great value for the money
Sleek and compact design
Two boilers
Manual steam wand option
Makes excellent espresso and milk foam
Many adjustable settings
No app
User interface feels dated
While it may be true that super automatics can’t make “true” espresso, there are plenty of automatic coffee makers that come mighty close. A case in point is the Gaggia Babila, which is one of my favorite machines of all time.
When you take in to account the Babila’s entirely reasonable $1,762.76 price tag, it’s little wonder I’ve awarded it the title of “Best Overall” Gaggia espresso machine.
If you’re willing to overlook the absence of a fancy touchscreen display, you’ll be blown away by what the Babila can do. Not only are there dual boilers and a manual steam wand on board, you’ll also get a fabulous automatic milk system and a ceramic burr grinder.
The Gaggia Babila offers exceptional levels of control over your espresso. You can adjust strength, temperature and pre-infusion settings as well as grinder settings. Best of all, there’s a dial on the spout that lets you tweak espresso flow rate in real time. Now there’s something you don’t see every day!
See Also: Gaggia Babila Review 2024
Gaggia Cadorna Prestige: Best Performing
A real winner!
Gaggia Cadorna Prestige
Able to stand up against a major competitor
Great value for the money
Integrated milk carafe
Fantastic user interface
Makes excellent espresso
Easy to clean
A little difficult to adjust the grinder
Bypass doser can clog up
Although some Gaggia espresso machines might look a little dated, the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is a thoroughly modern addition to the manufacturer’s lineup. In fact, I’d say Gaggia has taken more than a little inspiration from Jura when it comes to the Cadorna Prestige’s sleek design.
Fortunately, that doesn’t include the $849.00 price tag, which sets this machine firmly in the affordable mid-range category.
During my review of the Cadorna Prestige I was very impressed by the intuitive user interface. The upward angled color screen isn’t lovely crowded with information, and the surrounding backlit buttons all make sense.
As with all Gaggia automatic machines, this one is equipped with a ceramic burr grinder. There are 10 grind adjustment settings, and you can further dial in espresso by adjusting strength, volume and temperature settings.
As for milk froth, the Cadorna Prestige features Gaggia’s fantastic integrated milk flask, which performs a self-cleaning cycle after each use. Lastly, there’s a slide-out shelf to help preserve crema during espresso preparation. It’s the little touches that really float my boat!
See Also: Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Review 2024
Gaggia Magenta Prestige: Best Value
Gaggia Has Done it Again!
Gaggia Magenta Prestige
Great value for money
Intuitive user interface
Integrated milk carafe
Ceramic burr grinder
Makes awesome espresso and milk froth
Loud
No app
If you’re searching for a compact and stylish automatic espresso machine that won’t break the bank, the Gaggia Magenta Prestige, will tick all the boxes.
Costing just $683.02, this sleek beauty punches way above its weight. In fact, it was a no-brainer to award it the title of “Best Value” Gaggia espresso machine.
Thanks to its small footprint, the Magenta Prestige is ideal for kitchens with limited counter space. However, don’t imagine you’ll be sacrificing features to save room. The Magenta Prestige is equipped with a beautiful color TFT display with capacitive buttons. Plus, its intuitive user interface makes adjusting settings and producing delicious specialty drinks a total breeze.
To top it all off, the Magenta Prestige’s integrated milk carafe makes wonderful foam for your daily (or twice-daily) cappuccino or latte macchiato.
By the way, if you’re the hands-on type, the features a manual steam wand instead of an automatic milk frother. Equally streamlined and attractive, the Magenta Plus costs an even more reasonable $699.00.
See Also: Gaggia Magenta Prestige Review 2024
Gaggia Accademia
Maximum User Friendliness
Gaggia Accademia
A superb update
High-quality build
Versatile and intuitive
Manual and automatic milk systems
Easy to use
Makes superb espresso
Touchscreen icons a little small
Costing $1,999.00, the Gaggia Accademia is a exceptional automatic machine that blew me away during my testing. In fact, the new version of the Gaggia Accademia packs a real punch and has quickly become one of my favorite super automatics.
The Accademia has been given a full makeover and now shines brightly as the manufacturer’s flagship model. Featuring dual boilers, a manual steam wand and an automatic milk carafe, the Accademia is certainly a versatile coffee maker.
What’s more, it’s equipped with the same Espresso Plus System as the Babila – the dial that allows you to control espresso flow rate.
The Gaggia Accademia takes up a lot of space and isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s a powerful machine representing great value for money. Still, if you can’t afford the asking price, you might be able to find the older version, which is still a great coffee maker.
See Also: Gaggia Accademia Review 2024
Gaggia Anima Prestige
Solid budget machine
Gaggia Anima Prestige
Compact, affordable and easy to use
Space-saving design
Makes great espresso
Plenty of adjustable settings
Ceramic burr grinder
Milk system not the easiest to clean
Another compact and reasonably priced automatic coffee maker, the Gaggia Anima Prestige has been around for years. While the user interface is pretty dated, the Anima Prestige’s longevity is testament to how well it functions.
Seriously, what’s important here is that the Anima Prestige is capable of producing excellent espresso and milk froth. You’re able to quickly and easily adjust strength, temperature and volume settings, and the ceramic burr grinder works quietly and efficiently. I mean, who really needs a touch screen anyway?
At $N/A, the Gaggia Anima Prestige sits squarely in the entry-level price range for super automatics. That said, you’d have a hard time finding a competitor machine at this price with so much stainless steel involved.
In case you were wondering, there’s also a version of this machine with a manual panarello steam wand. The Gaggia Anima costs a little less at $674.25, but I’d say skip it and go with the Anima Prestige. The automatic frothing carafe just works so well that you’ll forget all about wanting to steam your own milk!
See Also: Gaggia Anima Prestige Hands-On Review 2024
Gaggia Brera
Best Entry-Level
Gaggia Brera
Best entry-level super automatic
Great value
Compact design
Quick heat up time
Ideal for beginners
Too much plastic
Limited grinder settings
In my guide to the best fully automatic coffee makers, I named the Gaggia Brera “Best Entry-Level” machine and for good reason.
Not only is the Gaggia Brera a compact, attractive and approachable machine, it’s also extremely affordable at $449.00. As you might imagine, the Brera is ideal for beginners. The straightforward user interface isn’t going to leave you scratching your head, and the manual steam wand is powerful and effective.
With all that said, this machine is more than capable of producing excellent espresso. As with all Gaggia’s super automatics, there’s a ceramic flat burr grinder on board, and you’re able to customize pre-infusion and coffee strength settings. Ultimately, this budget-friendly coffee maker will appeal to anyone who loves simplicity, durability and great coffee!
See Also: Gaggia Brera Review 2024
Gaggia Cadorna Milk
The is the same as the Cadorna Prestige in just about every way. There’s the fantastic user interface with its large color screen, ceramic flat burr grinder with 10 adjustment settings and even the same handy espresso cup tray to help preserve crema.
So, why is the Gaggia Cadorna Milk so much more affordable at $916.07? Well, the difference is in the milk system.
Rather than the Cadorna Prestige’s integrated carafe, this machine features Gaggia’s Cappincup auto-frothing system. Milk is drawn from an included external container and dispensed via a nifty spout. While this allows for one-touch specialty drinks, the milk foam is unavoidably pillowy. That’s a bonus for cappuccino fans and a bummer for microfoam aficionados.
If you’d rather be in full control of your milk froth, the features a professional-style manual steam wand and costs just $796.95. What can I say – Gaggia likes to give you plenty of options!
Related: Gaggia Naviglio Milk Review 2024
Gaggia Velasca Prestige
You get a lot for your money
Gaggia Velasca Prestige
Loaded With Great Features
Fantastic value for the money
Superb espresso and milk froth
Lots of stainless steel
Easy to use
Ceramic burr grinder
Outdated user interface
Limited headroom for taller cups
First released in 2017, the Gaggia Velasca Prestige isn’t going to win any design awards these days. Plus, there’s no getting around the fact that the machine’s user interface is reminiscent of an 80s vending machine.
However, for a budget espresso machine, the Velasca Prestige really delivers in terms of quality construction and performance.
Costing just $649.00, the Velasca Prestige features sturdy stainless steel housing and an integrated milk carafe. While the specialty drink menu is rather limited, there are plenty of customizable espresso and milk froth settings. You won’t be able to save your creations in a user profile, but there is a memo function.
As with many of the Italian manufacturer’s other machines, you can choose to forgo the milk carafe in favor of a manual steam wand. In this case, the model is called the , and is available for $749.00.
See Also: Gaggia Velasca Prestige Review 2024
Gaggia Manual Espresso Machines
Although Gaggia made a name for itself with revolutionary espresso machines, the manufacturer now mainly focuses on super automatics. Still, there are a couple of Gaggia home espresso machines worth checking out.
Don’t forget that you’ll need a standalone grinder that’s up to the task if you plan on manual espresso preparation. Feel free to check out my guide to the best coffee grinders for inspiration.
While you’re at it, consider investing in a stainless steel milk frothing pitcher and a good espresso tamper. Believe me, having the right tools at your disposal will only enhance your home barista experience.
Gaggia Classic Pro: Best for Espresso
Italian Classic
Gaggia Classic Pro
Still going strong
Extremely reliable
Durable construction
Easy to use
Professional steam wand
Rather heavy
Awkward water tank design
A popular single-boiler home espresso maker that’s been around for years, the Gaggia Classic Pro is a bargain at $449.00.
Featuring rugged stainless steel construction and a sleek, minimalist design, the Gaggia Classic Pro has been delighting home baristas since 1991. Although it may have its quirks, the Classic Pro has developed a loyal following. I count myself among its biggest fans.
Improvements have been made over the years, but we’re still looking at essentially the same machine. There’s a commercial-style 58 millimeter portafilter, powerful professional-style manual steam wand and a generous 72 ounce (2.1 liter) removable water tank.
Although you’ll have to wait for the Gaggia Classic Pro to heat up, the improved aluminum boiler means we’re only talking around five minutes. Plus, when it comes to ease of use, the Classic Pro couldn’t be more straightforward. Seriously, there are three chunky buttons with lights and a steam dial. That’s it.
You’ll have to spend a little time coming to terms with the Classic Pro’s idiosyncrasies. Plus, you’ll need to learn how to temperature surf in order to get the best results. Still, dedicated home baristas know that stuff is all part of the fun.
At any rate, once you’ve mastered the Gaggia Classic Pro, you’ll fall in love with this awesome machine. That’s a promise!
See Also: Gaggia Classic Pro Review 2024
Gaggia Carezza Deluxe: Best Budget
If you’re after a manual espresso machine that won’t demand a steep learning curve, the might be the way to go. Plus, at $349.00, the price is right for this stylish little machine.
I happen to love the design of the Carezza Deluxe – there’s just enough retro cool to be attractive without being self-conscious. Featuring a simple user interface, this machine is approachable and easy to use.
Beginner home baristas will quickly get good results, thanks to the pressurized filter baskets. And there’s even the option to use Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) pods. Not that I’d ever condone using those!
As for milk foam, the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe has a panarello steam wand. While you might not be able to achieve the silkiest microfoam in the world, learning to steam milk with a panarello takes no time.
Related: Best Home Espresso Machine 2024
Choosing the Best Gaggia Espresso Machine: What to Consider
Whether its one-touch specialty drinks you’re after or a more hands-on approach to espresso preparation, finding the best Gaggia espresso machine shouldn’t be hard. However, there are a few things to consider before committing to a specific model.
Price
As we’ve seen, most Gaggia espresso machines are relatively easy on your wallet. Still, budget will likely be a major consideration when you’re choosing the best Gaggia espresso machine for your needs.
You’ll need to think about how often you’ll be using your machine and whether or not it makes sense to buy a model with all the bells and whistles. Of course, if owning an espresso machine means you’ll stop spending money at the coffee shop every day, the initial investment will be worth it!
Don’t forget that buying a manual machine means you might also have to buy a grinder and other equipment. Plus, you’ll need to budget for high-quality coffee beans if you want to get the best out of your espresso maker.
Size
While it’s easy to get carried away by how cool an espresso machine looks, don’t forget to consider how much space it’ll take up. Of course, those with palatial kitchens won’t need to think twice.
However, if your counter space is limited, you’ll need to get out the tape measure. Don’t forget that overhead cabinets can seriously impede your ability to fill the bean hopper. Plus, you’ll need to be able to remove the water tank on a regular basis.
Milk System
If you enjoy a daily cortado coffee or espresso macchiato, choosing the right milk system will be key. While an automatic frother is great to have, microfoam aficionados might prefer steaming milk manually. That said, there are automatic Gaggia machines with both options available.
If you’re leaning toward a manual machine, be prepared to put in some work. Learning to steam milk correctly takes time and patience, and that’s before you start trying to create latte art!
Features
Ultimately, the more money you spend on a Gaggia espresso machine, the more features you can expect. Still, if you only drink straight espresso or americanos, a fancy milk frother and dozens of specialty drinks options will be redundant.
As for the user interface, it’s tempting to imagine a fancy touchscreen with color drink icons is better. However, that’s simply not the case, as the Gaggia Babila proves.
One feature that’s great to have is programmable user profiles. This will come in especially handy for families with multiple coffee drinkers. That way everyone can craft their own specialty drinks and it’s less likely that epic arguments will break out!
I hope I’ve helped you find the best Gaggia espresso machine for your needs. Is there a model I’ve overlooked that should be on the list? I look forward to your comments!
Best Gaggia Espresso Machine FAQ
Gaggia produces high-quality espresso machines at a range of price-points.
All of Gaggia’s automatic and manual espresso machines are made in Italy.
With proper care and regular maintenance, a Gaggia espresso machine should last you at least 10 years.
Gaggia was purchased by Saeco in 1999, which was in turn bought by Philips in 2009.
To get good crema from a Gaggia, you should use freshly roasted coffee beans with a medium roast profile.
