Compare Gaggia Automatic Coffee Machines: Brera, Velasca & Anima

Compare the features of Gaggia Automatic Coffee Machines including Brera, Velasca, Velasca Prestige, Anima and Anima Prestige. These bean to cup machine make coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino and more from whole bean coffee ground fresh for every cup. See which model best fits your needs and style.
Gaggia Brera: www.wholelatte...
Gaggia Velasca: www.wholelatte...
Gaggia Velsca Prestige: www.wholelatte...
Gaggia Anima: www.wholelatte...
Gaggia Anima Prestige: www.wholelatte...
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[@iphner43]

I bought this machine 6 years ago and thought it was a goner a few weeks ago, but turns out it just needed to have the power board replaced, and once fixed it works like a charm and still makes a great espresso! the gaggias can be a little wonky, but 9/10 they make fantastic espresso at great value. highly recommend!

[@mencken8]

Velasca FTW.

[@sofiad9775]

I use a Gaggia swing up for about 9 years and no foult at all ,hope will go many years to come Great Company

[@montanamom1124]

Just received our new “refurbished” Brera. Beautiful Working thru brewing the almost perfect cup. I’m using Lavassa Roma. Tastes a bit hollow and a tad bitter but I know it will take a little tweaking to get it just right! Love it. Thank you!!!!!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Mm, You're welcome - thanks for the comment and enjoy your new to you Brera! Marc

[@zconiglietti]

Lavazza Rossa works best for me and had the same taste profile with the lavazza crema like you wrote. Give it a try.

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Cheers guys for your details on these machines 👍🇬🇧

[@cdvax11]

Please give a little bit of whole latte love to us decaf drinkers. In every review you say that the pre-ground bypass is for "decaf." We decaf lovers want our fresh roasted and fresh ground beans as well. No shade going forward, OK?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi c, So sorry no shade intended! Just the most typical use of the bypass doser on automatic machines. My wife is an evening decaf drinker - and I love her a whole latte! Goes without saying one can use whole bean decaf in the bean hopper! Marc

[@abefrowmahn]

Great Stuff!! You Guys Rock!!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Curtis, Thanks for your comment! Marc

[@biagiovergonejr870]

I enjoy expresso and occasionally lattes and wife is more of a coffee drinker. My big concern is the expresso feature. Will I get the same quality expresso with Gaggia Velasca and the Anima?

[@MarkMphonoman]

Great review, as usual. Mark

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Mark, Thanks for the comment - it's appreciated! Marc

[@orangepink67]

Question: I am between buying the Velasca Prestige or Anima Prestige? I understand the Velasca is newer technology, the only difference I see is that the Anima has higher cup clearance, any suggestions?

[@VolkFolk11]

Do you prioritize taller coffee drinks or a richer extraction? Tall, go with anima...better extraction (pre-infusion), velasca!

[@jessnrim]

Which one makes better espresso the gaggia Brera or the Velasca?! ☺️

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Riimaj, Thanks for the question. The Brera and Velasca use the same brewing process so espresso quality is similar. The Velasca has finer control of strength and more grind settings than the Brera. Hope that helps! Marc

[@Artbar4]

What are the biggest differences between the Velasco and Anima? Not the prestige the regular ones. Thanks for the great vid.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi A, Thanks for the question. Here's a link to a side by side spec comparison of the base model Velsca and Anima: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/compare?products=MTU0NTk3MzEwNDY5OSwxNTQ1OTE3NzU5NTQ3 A few key differences... Taller cup clearance with Anima along with slightly higher water capacity and 15 brew cycle used coffee drawer capacity vs 10 in the Velasca. Brewing uses essentially the same mechanism and process so no difference in espresso quality. Hope that helps! Marc

[@Artbar4]

How would you rate these 2 Gaggia’s vs the Saeco Incanto?

[@ryangrillo7804]

Nice video! For Anima.. how many inches total height when pulling water tank up? Also, how many oz max for a long coffee?

[@SeanOGO]

Any good cleaning maintenance videos for velasca prestige ??

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Sean, there's some basic maintenance info for the machine in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5DMqKCbgp1jjK8si=xcgzIk3jvaHSOtoP

[@marcvw]

Great vid!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Jj, Thanks for the comment! Marc

[@elchappo1320]

How does the shot quality from these machines compare to semi auto machines like breville dual?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey el c, Semi-auto machines like BDB are capable of producing better shots so long as you have the skill and knowledge to "pull" it off. Super-automatic machines offer convenience and a consistent quality that's on par or better than what you'll get at most mass market chain cafes. Marc

[@donidaniello21]

Hey Mark, i always wonder how big of a difference in investing on fully automatic coffee machine vs full manual 'traditional' machines in terms of taste? Kinda interesting topic to discuss on having fully automatic vs manual machine+grinder on taste, price, etc

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi DD, That's a great question and one I've touched on in some other videos and in the comments of a number of videos. I should cover it again. But here's the basics... Semi-auto machine plus grinder gives one the ability to produce a better espresso. Semi-auto machines can produce a higher quality milk-froth as well. Using a semi-auto machine requires some effort, knowledge, time and skill to realize their potential. Automatic bean to cup machines are excellent at consistent convenience. They produce very good espresso, long coffee and milk based beverages with little effort, skill, time or knowledge required. With most automatics you can have a better than chain store latte, cappuccino, espresso or coffee in less than 2.5 minutes from turn on. Automatic machines don't make a mess and are easy to maintain with automatic rinsing, cleaning, descaling and reminders to do so. Semi-autos are kind of messy. No way around having some ground coffee spilling and there's the knocking of used coffee pucks, milk spattering, etc. Marc

[@donidaniello21]

@@Wholelattelovepage Wow! not expecting such detail response. Thank you. I guess if i can summarized, if you want to enjoy the process of having a coffee, go traditional route. If you just want to enjoy the coffee, go full automatic. thank you again

[@Beskar181]

What specifically makes those 2nd and 3rd machines "espresso focused"? Is it just the clearance for your cups?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi E, Thanks for the question. It's adjustable pre-infusion, number of grind settings and yes the cup height.

[@stevenswall]

Can you use cocoa beans in these or would that ruin it?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi s, Coffee beans only. Marc

[@nastasedr]

By the way Espresso was invented by a Romanian from the city of Timisoara that emigrated to Italy in 19th Century and also founded the Illy coffee company.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

dragos nastase Hi, thanks for sharing that. Was he associated with Bezzera?

[@nastasedr]

@@Wholelattelovepage hi, I looked at the history of Francesco Illy or in Romanian Francis Ilie. He actually founded Illy coffee company and invented the first automatic espresso machine Illetta in 1933. So it was a bit later than the actual esprosso done by hand operated machines that appeared in 1880s, I believe by Moriondo. So no I do not think that he had anything with Bezzera in 1901 who is known to have made the first proper espresso. Anyway I love a good esspreso and the Bezzara machines are just a work of engineering art, I just wish I had the money to buy one.

[@zskywalker23z]

I enjoy milk drinks, wife does regular/drip coffee daily. None of these seems to have a “coffee” function. Should I be looking somewhere else?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi LS, Thanks for the question. Some more recent models like the Gaggia Cadorna do have specific coffee functions. These machines will do what's called a long coffee which makes a "regular" cup. Took awhile for Italian manufacturers to include "Coffee" button. In Italy, coffee is espresso. They don't usually have just "latte"as a drink. In Italian latte translates to milk. More recent machines like th Gaggia Cadorna have coffee on the menu as well as Americano which makes a regular size cup of coffee. Check it out in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYnTmINtZZp_eJY Hope that helps! Marc

[@jimpowlan]

Does the pre-soak / wetting on the Velasca Prestige make noticeably better coffee than the Anima Prestige.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Jim, Thanks for the question. The pre-infusion can help to produce a deeper extraction of flavors.

[@megahungster]

If I only drink Americano, should I just go for Brera? Also, what's difference between a good or bad coffee machine? Is it the pressure? All i need is the basic function but I am looking to get the best quality out of the coffee beans. Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Alan, Thanks for the question. All these machines use the same mechanism for extracting the espresso for an Americano so little difference in that quality. Difference is finer degree of control with adjustable temps and more strength settings as you go up in price. Difference between machines comes down to features and which are important to you. For instance making an Americano is a two step process on all these machines. Make the espresso then add hot water from the steam wand (Brera) or hot water spout (Anima). Also differences in cup height clearance. One can use a much taller cup on the Anima. Hope that helps! Marc

[@megahungster]

@@Wholelattelovepage Marc, thanks for the quick response. I am currently using a Krups EA8108 and am thinking of upgrading to a better machine. As said, I only need basic function (americano). What machine would you recommend and why? Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Alan Hung hi Alan, check out my video on the new Gaggia Cadornas kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4PFYZ1rgMianZI all 3 make fully customizable and true Americanos at the touch of a button. More expensive than the Brera, but if you’re all about Americanos the Cadorna Barista Plus is the lowest cost machine with that functionality. There are some Jura machine with same but they’re at least 3x the cost. Check it out here www.wholelattelove.com/products/gaggia-cadorna-plus hope that helps! Marc

[@oleksiibondarenko826]

@@Wholelattelovepage I found that Philips 3200 is the cheapest machine that does proper americano, it's even cheaper than Cadorna, would you recommend that machine if I'm only interested in Americano and occasional milk drinks?

[@jasontatro]

Oleksii Bondarenko Philips owns all three companies (Gaggia, Saeco and Philips) so the machines are all going to be very similar in quality/performance.

[@johngira5095]

What is difference between anima prestige and Velasca prestige models

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey John, Thanks for the question. Here's a link to a side by side spec comparison of the Anima and Velasca Prestige machines: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/compare?products=MTU0NTk3NDA1NDk3MSwxNTQ1OTg1NjU0ODQz Comparison includes current pricing as well. The machines are similar. Key differences IMO The Anima handles larger cups for both milk and coffee drinks. It has higher used coffee capacity and a slightly larger water reservoir. Hope that helps! Marc

[@pangentleman1789]

Gaggia anima prestige vs gaggia cadrona prestige???

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey PG, Depends on what features are important to you. The Cadorna is a more recent design with better build quality, upgraded user interface and more drink options like the Americano. Also has ability to store multi-versions of drinks in individual user profiles. Consider access to beans, water and used coffee drawer. Anima access is up top for beans and water. Cadorna has beens up top and water drawer slides out the front. Here's a link to a side by side spec comparison of the 2 machines; www.wholelattelove.com/pages/compare?products=MTU0NTkxNzc1OTU0Nyw0NTY4Mzk4MDM3MDQ2 Hope that helps! Marc

[@pangentleman1789]

@@Wholelattelovepage thank you:*

[@rimshellmary3675]

Is it possible to attach a cappuccinatore to Gaggia Brera? If so could you kindly mention the model?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi RS, Yes you can. Here's a link to the product which is shown in the photos on a Brera! www.wholelattelove.com/products/gaggia-cappuccinatore-upgrade-kit Marc

[@rimshellmary3675]

@@Wholelattelovepage Hi, thank you very much for your reply. I live in Germany and hence I guess the shipment would be difficult. So, are there any similar products from Philips/Saeco I might be able to use as a substitute? Also, which would you prefer: Gaggia Naviglio Deluxe or Gaggia Brera?

[@catt7916]

Hi! how does the Brera compare to the Besana model?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi CT, Here's a link to a side by side spec comparison of the Besana and Brera: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/compare?products=MTU0NTk3OTkyMDQ0MywxNTQ1OTI2MTQ4MTU1LDE1NDU5OTMyODk3ODc Marc

[@PeterBarker11]

Italian coffee is far behind Australian, and to my amazement Vietnam is taking coffee to the next level. Re the bean vs capsule. The waste is much less. Something not to be overlooked

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Peter, Thanks for the comment. I agree. In Italy, espresso is more a commodity in most cases than a specialty. Marc

[@PeterBarker11]

Mara I think you missed the point of my comment. The focus was on the machines, extraction, and barista of coffee. The only reference i made about the bean was the format in which it was packaged. 20 years ago I have no doubt Italy was a going concern, but out of all countries i have travelled to in the last 15 years Italy is not the most innovative or creative in espresso production. Look at most cities in Oz, Christchurch in NewZealand, or amazingly Saigon in Vietnam. This is even “Obvious” when you look at the list of barista champs over the last 20 years. 2 have been Italian. Not really leading the way in innovation. You have enlightened me on something though, I had no idea Italy grew coffee.😂