Gaggia Anima vs Breville Barista Express
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Durable Steel with Stainless Steel Finish | Plastic with Elegant Black Design |
| Weight | 23 pounds | 16 pounds |
| Power | 1600 watts | 1400 watts |
| Usability | Buttons, Dial, and Knobs for Intuitive Control | LCD Screen with Buttons |
| Grinder Type | Conical Burr Grinder | Ceramic Burr Grinder |
| Key Features | Manual Milk Frothing, Pre-Infusion, Purge Function, Digital Temp Control | Programmable Brewing, User Preferences Memory, Attractive LCD Display |
| Price | $699.95 | $853.95 |
| Buy Now | ||
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 Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Express is a premium espresso machine that delivers third-wave specialty coffee at home, thanks to its 4 Keys Formula. Part of the Barista Series, this all-in-one machine features an integrated grinder, enabling you to go from whole beans to freshly brewed espresso in under one minute.
⏩ Key Features:
- Dose Control Grinding: The integrated conical burr grinder grinds on demand, delivering the precise amount of coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste.
- Optimal Water Pressure: Low-pressure pre-infusion gently soaks the coffee grounds before brewing, ensuring even flavor extraction for a balanced cup.
- Precise Temperature Control: Digital PID technology maintains water temperature for consistent and optimal espresso extraction.
- Manual Milk Texturing: The steam wand allows for hand-textured microfoam milk, enhancing flavor and enabling latte art.
⏩ Pros:
- Modern design with intuitive controls.
- Excellent frothing performance for creating rich milk-based drinks.
- Easy to maintain, with detailed troubleshooting instructions included.
⏩ Cons:
- Requires significant counter space.
- Water tank needs frequent refilling.
Quick Overview of Gaggia Anima
Gaggia Anima Coffee and Espresso Machine, Black
The Gaggia Anima is a user-friendly espresso machine offering both manual frothing and programmable brewing options. Its sleek design, simple interface, and versatile features make it an excellent choice for those who enjoy milk-based drinks and customizable espresso options.
⏩ Key Features:
- Manual Frothing: Equipped with a Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
- Programmable Brewing: Offers customizable options for espresso and lungo, catering to personal preferences.
- Temperature Control: Adjustable temperature settings (Min: 177.5 °F, Med: 182.9 °F, Max: 184.5 °F) for precise brewing.
- Easy Access: The 60 oz water reservoir and 8.8 oz bean hopper are conveniently accessible from the top of the machine.
⏩ Pros:
- Easy cleaning with a removable brew group.
- Energy-efficient with a low-energy standby mode.
- Attractive LCD display and simple operation.
⏩ Cons:
- Requires using the right beans (avoid oily varieties).
- Consistent water quality is essential for optimal performance.
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.
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