When comparing the Gaggia Anima and Breville Barista Express, both machines are frequently recommended for coffee enthusiasts, but in this matchup, the Breville Barista Express comes out on top. It’s our winner because of its ease of use for beginners and its PID technology, which ensures optimal temperature control and enhances the flavor of the coffee.
The Breville Barista Express shines with its built-in conical burr grinder, which ensures consistent grinding of any type of coffee bean, preserving the rich flavors in your brew. If you’re looking for a machine that offers versatility in grinding with great flavor extraction, the Barista Express is a solid choice.
On the other hand, the Gaggia Anima offers a unique feature—automatic flavor memory. It adjusts the coffee-to-water ratio to suit your preferences, remembering the strength of your previous brew so you can easily replicate it in the future.
To understand the full differences between these two models, let’s dive into a detailed comparison of their key features.
Gaggia Anima vs Breville Barista Express: Specs & Features Comparison
| Feature | Breville Barista Express | Gaggia Anima | |
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 | 16.93 x 8.7 x 13.38 | |
| Water Tank Capacity | 1.9 liters | 1.7 liters | |
| Material | Stainless steel | Plastic (Black design) | |
| Weight | 23 lbs | 16 lbs | |
| Power | 1600 watts | 1400 watts | |
| Control Interface | Buttons, dial, knobs | LCD screen with buttons | |
| Built-in Grinder | Conical burr grinder | Ceramic burr grinder | |
| Milk Frothing | Manual frothing | Programmable brewing system | |
| Ease of Use | Hands-on control | User-friendly automation | |
| Price | $699.95 | $853.95 |
When comparing the Breville Barista Express and Gaggia Anima, several key distinctions emerge. In terms of size, the Breville Barista Express measures 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches, while the Gaggia Anima is slightly taller and narrower at 16.93 x 8.7 x 13.38 inches. The Breville model has a larger capacity of 1.9 liters compared to Gaggia’s 1.7 liters, making it better suited for frequent use or entertaining guests.
The Breville Barista Express is made of durable steel and comes in a sleek stainless steel finish, while the Gaggia Anima is crafted from plastic with an elegant black design. Breville’s machine weighs 23 pounds, which is heavier than the Gaggia Anima’s 16 pounds, but this adds to its robust build. Both machines differ in power as well, with the Breville operating at 1600 watts compared to Gaggia’s 1400 watts.
In terms of usability, the Breville Barista Express features buttons, a dial, and knobs for intuitive control, whereas the Gaggia Anima employs an LCD screen paired with buttons for a more modern touch. Both machines come with built-in grinders, with Breville using a conical burr grinder for precision and consistency, and Gaggia opting for a ceramic burr grinder known for longevity.
The Breville Barista Express includes advanced features like manual milk frothing, pre-infusion, a purge function to automatically adjust water temperature, digital temperature control, and optimal water pressure for a rich extraction. Meanwhile, the Gaggia Anima offers programmable brewing, which remembers user preferences, and an attractive LCD display for added convenience.
While the Breville is praised for its hands-free operation and modern grinder, the Gaggia stands out for its lightweight, compact design, and user-friendly programmability. Price-wise, the Breville Barista Express is more affordable at $699.95, compared to the Gaggia Anima’s $853.95, making it a better value for those seeking quality and versatility.
Gaggia Anima vs Breville Barista Express: Differences
When comparing the Gaggia Anima and Breville Barista Express, the latter emerges as the winner with a score of 2-1. The Barista Express edges ahead thanks to its versatile design, precise control over water pressure, and temperature regulation, all of which significantly enhance coffee quality. Let’s break down the key aspects of their performance:
COFFEE FLAVOUR
Winner: Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express produces a rich, robust coffee flavor due to its advanced features like digital temperature control and optimal water pressure. These allow for consistent and flavorful extractions, giving it an edge in this category.
BUILT-IN GRINDER
Both machines feature built-in grinders, saving counter space and eliminating the need for an additional purchase.
- The Gaggia Anima comes with a ceramic burr grinder, known for its durability and resistance to overheating. However, it offers only five grind settings, which can limit customization. Adjusting grind size requires a specific tool, which can be inconvenient if misplaced.
- The Breville Barista Express includes a stainless steel conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings, providing far greater flexibility. While its grinding process can be slightly noisy and messy, the variety of settings allows for precise control over grind size, making it ideal for achieving the perfect shot.
HEATING SYSTEM
Both machines have single boilers, meaning they cannot simultaneously pull an espresso shot and steam milk.
- The Gaggia Anima features Thermoblock technology, which heats up in about 20 seconds.
- The Breville Barista Express uses a thermocoil heating system, taking just under a minute to reach the proper temperature. Additionally, the Barista Express includes a cup warmer, which keeps your espresso at the ideal temperature while preparing milk foam. For the Gaggia Anima, pre-warming your cup with hot water is a recommended alternative.
BREWING SYSTEM
Both models incorporate a pre-infusion step, where coffee grounds are lightly dampened with hot water before extraction.
- The Breville Barista Express allows users to customize the pre-infusion duration, giving more control over flavor development. Although adjusting this setting can be a bit complicated, it’s a valuable feature for experienced coffee enthusiasts.
- Both machines deliver up to 15 bars of pressure, which is more than sufficient for quality espresso brewing. The Breville also includes a pressure gauge to ensure optimal extraction.
In terms of adjustability, the Gaggia Anima allows for five levels of coffee strength and three brew temperature options. Meanwhile, the Breville Barista Express takes customization to the next level by offering precise water temperature adjustments in 1°C increments, allowing users to fine-tune their brewing experience.
DESIGN & USABILITY
Winner: Gaggia Anima
DIMENSIONS, FOOTPRINT, & WEIGHT
- Gaggia Anima: 8.7 x 13.3 x 16.9 inches, 25 lbs
- Breville Barista Express: 12.5 x 13.5 x 16 inches, 26 lbs
The Gaggia Anima features a sleek design with a black and silver plastic exterior. While its plastic construction keeps the price affordable, it’s less durable compared to stainless steel machines. This trade-off makes the Gaggia Anima an excellent choice for those who prioritize super-automatic features at a lower cost.
In contrast, the Breville Barista Express offers a premium stainless steel finish, available in brushed stainless or black sesame. While it exudes durability and elegance, the black finish often comes at a higher price.
Both machines are compact enough for most kitchen countertops. However, keep in mind that their top-loading bean hoppers require enough clearance if placed under overhead cabinets. At 25-26 lbs, these machines are heavy, but positioning them is usually a one-time task.
SPOUT & CUP CLEARANCE
- Gaggia Anima: 4.3–6.5 inches
- Breville Barista Express: 4 inches
The Gaggia Anima provides more flexibility with a higher cup clearance, accommodating travel mugs or taller cups without needing adjustments. In comparison, the Breville Barista Express has a 4-inch clearance, which might be restrictive. While you can temporarily remove the drip tray to make space, this workaround is inconvenient.
Both machines feature dual spouts, allowing for the preparation of two espressos simultaneously—a lifesaver on hectic mornings. However, the Barista Express’s spout mechanism feels less smooth due to its plastic sliding component.
WATER RESERVOIR & BEAN HOPPER
- Gaggia Anima: 1.8L reservoir, 0.26L bean hopper
- Breville Barista Express: 2L reservoir, 0.24L bean hopper
Both machines feature generous water tanks suitable for daily use, though the Breville Barista Express has a slightly larger reservoir. The Gaggia Anima’s top-access reservoir is easier to refill, while the Breville’s rear-access tank can be a bit cumbersome.
When it comes to bean hoppers, the Breville Barista Express stands out with its airtight lid, which helps preserve coffee bean aroma and reduces grinder noise. The Gaggia Anima’s hopper lacks this feature, leading to faster aroma dissipation.
MILK FROTHING SYSTEM
Both machines come with manual steam wands, encouraging users to perfect their milk frothing skills.
- The Gaggia Anima features a Pannarello wand, which is ideal for beginners but limited in range and slightly inconvenient due to its short design.
- The Breville Barista Express has a traditional steam wand with 360-degree swivel capability, making it more versatile for creating microfoam for lattes or silky froth for cappuccinos. However, its steaming process is slower compared to the Gaggia Anima.
While frothing milk manually can be daunting at first, mastering the technique allows you to craft professional-quality drinks tailored to your preference.
PRE-PROGRAMMED COFFEE OPTIONS
- Gaggia Anima: Espresso, Lungo, Hot Water
- Breville Barista Express: Espresso, Hot Water
Neither machine offers one-touch milk-based drinks, so you’ll need to manually froth milk for cappuccinos or lattes. Both allow customization of coffee strength and brewing temperature. Additionally, the Memo feature on the Gaggia Anima lets you adjust shot length and save your preferences for future use.
The Gaggia Anima also includes a bypass doser, making it easy to brew decaf or use pre-ground coffee in emergencies. The Breville Barista Express supports pre-ground coffee via its pressurized portafilter basket, which is beginner-friendly and forgiving.
Quick Overview of Breville Barista Express
Breville Barista Express is part of the Barista Series
The Breville Barista Express is part of the Barista Series, designed for coffee lovers seeking third-wave specialty coffee at home. This all-in-one espresso machine includes an integrated grinder, allowing you to go from coffee beans to espresso in under a minute.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dose Control Grinding | The built-in precision conical burr grinder ensures freshly ground coffee is delivered directly into the portafilter. It allows you to customize the grind size and dose for your preferred taste, making it compatible with various coffee roasts. |
| Optimal Water Pressure | The machine features low-pressure pre-infusion, which gradually increases pressure during the initial extraction phase. This ensures an even flavor profile by allowing coffee grounds to bloom evenly. |
| Precise Espresso Extraction | Equipped with Digital Temperature Control (PID), the Breville Barista Express maintains water at the perfect temperature, guaranteeing consistent and optimal espresso extraction every time. |
| Manual Milk Texturing | The powerful steam wand allows for manual milk frothing, giving you control over microfoam texture. This feature enhances flavor and enables latte art creation, ideal for cappuccinos and lattes. |
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Breville Barista Express
Breville Barista Express is part of the Barista Series
Quick Overview of Gaggia Anima
The Gaggia Anima is a versatile super-automatic coffee and espresso machine designed for ease of use. It combines manual milk frothing with programmable options for a convenient coffee-making experience.
The Gaggia Anima is a versatile super-automatic coffee and espresso machine designed for ease of use. It combines manual milk frothing with programmable options for a convenient coffee-making experience.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manual Frothing | The Pannarello steam wand allows you to manually froth milk, providing the flexibility to create lattes and cappuccinos. While it requires practice, it’s an excellent option for those willing to refine their barista skills. |
| Programmable Brewing | Offers programmable options for espresso and espresso lungo, enabling you to customize your cup size and flavor profile. |
| Temperature Control | Features three temperature settings (Min: 177.5°F, Med: 182.9°F, Max: 184.5°F), allowing you to tailor the brew temperature to suit your preferences. |
| Convenient Design | The removable 60 oz water reservoir and 8.8 oz bean hopper are both easily accessible from the top of the machine, making refilling hassle-free. |
Gaggia Anima
Gaggia Anima is a versatile super-automatic coffee and espresso machine
Grab a Deal on Coffee Machine
Gaggia Anima is a versatile super-automatic coffee and espresso machine
Conclusion
When deciding between the Gaggia Anima and the Breville Barista Express, your choice ultimately depends on your coffee-making preferences and level of involvement in the brewing process.
The Breville Barista Express is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy the hands-on experience of creating espresso from start to finish. With its integrated grinder, precise temperature control, and manual steam wand, it offers the tools needed to master barista-level coffee making. Its robust build and sleek stainless steel design make it a great choice for those prioritizing durability and customization.
On the other hand, the Gaggia Anima caters to those seeking convenience without sacrificing quality. Its programmable settings and intuitive LCD display make it easy to brew espresso to your liking. While its Pannarello steam wand requires some practice for milk frothing, it’s a user-friendly option for those who want an efficient, energy-conscious machine with easy maintenance.
If you’re looking for a machine that allows you to hone your barista skills and enjoy full control over your coffee-making process, the Breville Barista Express is the better option. However, if you prefer a simpler, less involved approach with some programmable features for convenience, the Gaggia Anima might be the better fit. Both machines deliver excellent espresso, so the best choice comes down to your personal preferences and lifestyle.