Breville Barista Express vs Gaggia Classic Pro

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Today we put the Breville Barista Express vs Gaggia Classic Pro in a head to head comparison, to determine which machine is best for which type of user. The Barista Express is a hugely popular espresso machine, but is it possible to get better value for money from a brand such as Gaggia? Let's find out!

#espresso #espressomachine #coffee

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[davethetaswegian]

I own both machines. Started with the Breville and found it a great introduction to home espresso. But, as I got more experienced, I found getting consistent results a bit frustrating. I upgraded the grinder first, to a Niche Zero, and then the machine to the Gaggia Classic Pro. I now find it a lot easier to get consistent results and to be able achieve a brew recipe like 18g in, 36g out in 20-30seconds, something that was nearly impossible on the Breville. I suspect this has a lot to do with pump pressure, the Barista Express is a far too high 15bar and the Gaggia a more reasonable 12bar (both a compromise to use pressurised baskets) . I have also modified my Gaggia OPV to 9bar. Overall I would still recommend the Barista Express to someone that doesn't have any experience but would like to learn, but be aware you will outgrow it. The Gaggia can hold its own against a lot more expensive machines even for an experienced barista and is a great choice on a budget. And, of course, don't forget the grinder. The Niche Zero was nearly twice the price of the Gaggia Classic, but worth every penny.

[Nondescripthumanoid]

Went the Gaggia classic pro route. I like that it’s got a solid community. It’s a machine that’s able to be repaired /upgraded somewhat over time and I like a stand alone grinder since that can be upgraded later. The arc of it getting better over time is more appealing than convenience.

[ConRad]

As an owner of both, this video hit the head on the nail with comparisons.

I would say another valid point is how far are you willing to invest time and money into the hobby? If you can afford and want to go down the rabbit hole go gaggia.

If you can't afford to go all out on some areas but want the tools to get going for a long time then go breville.

Another pro of gaggia though is the aftermarket scene. SO MUCH MODDING. At first this was something I was interested in, but I did not have the time or patience to go down the hole.

Currently I am using the barista express as it fits my busier life style. As a former barista there are things I miss about the gaggia but the breville fills the holes quite well.

I could go on sorry about that 😅

[chrisxu]

After extensive research, I purchased Gaggia classic. I am hoping to make quality espresso and/or latte for years to come. Personally I like Gaggia's simplicity. Most bells and whistles from any appliance are rarely used.

[jcasetnl]

A few things left out: The breville has a PID with some temperature control, pre-infusion and a drip tray fill indicator. Negatives of both these machines worth mentioning: the breville pump operates at 15 bar which encourages channeling. The Gaggia requires temperature surfing to get to optimum brew temps.

[sevenohnine]

I have both and I loved both of them. There are many variables to pull a great espresso shot and these machines are just tools to help us get there. I too, started with the Barista Express, then moved to the Classic Pro with a great hand grinder. I love them both .... 😊

[maryl.]

Thanks for sharing this excellent, well-organized review. I have only used so far, for 10 months before it died under my very good care (regular descaling, washing frothing, baskets after every use, etc.), a Delonghi 3420 ($120). It ultimately completely stopped steaming and began leaking out of the portafilter.

Thinking between the Gaggia Classic Pro and a number of other machines, the one, very important quality in the Gaggia is how user-serviceable it is. Something breaks or wears out, often the user can just buy the part, study the diagram, maybe watch a YouTube video, get to work, and there you go — done. No shipping back and forth, haranguing for decent customer service, paying through the bleeding nose — just done. A lot of machines have more jelly beans built in than the Gaggia, but for me, a reliable espresso, from a reliable, serviceable machine is tops on my priority list. Also, if a built in grinder breaks, you’ve got a double problem — the machine *and* the grinder need each other/are interdependent. (Buy a Baratza with the Gaggia, and you can repair the grinder yourself as well, and Baratza customer service, repair instructions, etc, are stellar.)

You can also modify the Gaggia in ways Breville and many others can’t be adapted or enhanced.

Just thought I’d point those items out. For some, myself included, those factors are likely to be deal breakers, or deal makers.

Thanks again for the good review!

[tonyeng]

Recently got myself a Breville infuser after my 2011 Gaggia classic died on me. It's a workhorse. I would say the key difference for me switching to BI is the pressure gauge, and temp PID for a balanced shot with a bottomless portafilter to refine my workflow. I journal my roast and my extraction and overall, it's easier for me to get a balanced shot on BI.

[icowrich]

The built in grinder is really a big limiting factor for me. I don't want to lose my grinder if I upgrade my espresso machine, and I also don't want an unused grinder on my counter if I upgrade to, say, a niche or something.

[danjv]

I researched entry level espresso machines for a couple of years. In my eyes the most bang for the buck is the Gaggia Classic Pro. I already had a decent burr grinder. This is a machine with a commercial sized group head and that's what really tipped the scales for me. With a couple of low cost mods it can perform with machines twice the cost. A recent video on a different channel showed how to employ preinfusion by opening the stean valve a quarter turn as you press the brew button. Close it after a few seconds and finish your pull. Catch the hot water in a cup and you'll be ready for that Americano. User friendly to repair and it's practically rebuildable with a huge following for tips, mods and accessories.

[louisd]

Just a suggestion for a future video. I think it would be interesting to see a blind taste test between these two using the Breville built in grinder, and then another blind taste test using a grinder such as the Niche Zero. I have seen a video in the past where the the Bambino beat out the Gaggia Classic Pro in a taste test, but it wasn't a blind taste test. The grinder they used was the Baratza Sette 270wi. I realize the comparison in the video used the same grinder, but it wasn't a blind taste tst.

[orrinbelcher]

A superbly done video that checks all the boxes, brew, steam, latte art, pros and cons, perfect

[David_P]

My Breville machine has died after five years light use (1-2 cups daily) and a couple of rubber seal replacements. For me the pressure gauge is vital as it tells me whether I've got the grind right whenever I change beans ( I aim for "12 o'clock" extraction pressure). With the Gaggia I'd have to just use trial and error (taste test).

[bliblablubb]

For me personally, as a dedicated Americano drinker (or „Verlängerter“ as we call it in the coffee capital Vienna) the hot water outlet is a must have killer feature. I use the Pro version and I am very happy with it.

[ErnstBolder]

i just bought a seccond hand fore100 euro's gaggia 2009. Took it a part and descaled . A easy job if you are a bit handy. love the fact that it doesn't have microchips and electronics in it. over 20 Jears it still pulls a shot, and what is broken you replace in an hour. love it.

[louisd]

I do not understand why Gaggia, as well as Rancilio with their Silvia single boiler, simply don't have a version of their coffee makers with PID out of the box. For example lacking PID is one of the main reason why I didn't go with the Classic Pro, nor Silvia. If it was equipped with PID for a few hundred dollars more, I most probably would have purchased it. Yes, mods can be done, but that voids the warranty. Have it available with it already installed. The Classic Pro and Silvia are for coffee hobbyists and Breville coffee makers are for the rest of us..

[Liv-hjjg]

I bought the Breville barista pro after watching all your videos and I am so so happy with it! It took me quite a while to dial into it which was quite frustrating and i wasted heaps of coffee but now it’s great. I love the barista pro, the design is gorgeous and the 4 hole steam wand plus display and all the other extra features are definitely worth the price difference (compared to barista express). Thank you for your detailed Videos!

[agmund]

thanks man quality of your videos is outstanding

[OneIdeaTooMany]

I've used both machines as well as commercial machines and I agree with everything that's been said. I think the only thing I wished the Gaggia Classic Pro had was a program mode and a ball joint steam wand. other than that it's a great machine. Edit: the Gaggia Classic I used was heavily modded so that might be why I liked it so much.