Gaggia Espresso Evolution Review

Designed and made in Italy, the Gaggia Espresso Evolution is the easy path to authentic cafe specialties - no barista skills required! Learn more including how to use the machine to make specialty coffee beverages within minutes of first use.
Featured Products
Gaggia Espresso Evolution in Lava Red: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Gaggia Espresso Evolution in Stone Black: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Revolution Stainless Steel Steaming Pitcher - 12 oz: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Coffee Pre-ground
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Coffee Paper ESE Pods: www.wholelattelove.com/collec...
Shot Pitcher: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Features & Benefits
03:49 Make Espresso
05:26 Make Milk Drinks
07:27 Design & Repairability
09:01 Who's It For?
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[@Django44]

Marc - I have been watching your channel for almost the full 10 years and must say that your videos remain among the best on anything to do with espresso machines. The timing of your commentary is always spot-on with what is happening on-screen, we can clearly hear your verbal instructions, your reviews are realistic and balanced, always with the customer in mind relative to our thoughts about getting into home espresso use. Your enduring enthusiasm is welcome too, believe me. Now this machine (from a viewer with an ECM Synchronika): I am pleasantly surprised to see the Gaggia includes a PID for the price; that is almost unheard of in my experience. The other features you demonstrated are commendable as well, and I assume it is a vibratory pump. Nevertheless thanks again; I will be recommending the machine to one of my sons because of your review. You can't retire yet!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey D, thanks, I appreciate your kind words! Of course my favorite DB the Synchronika is a world apart from this machine but this little guy is an affordable, excellent and super easy to use entry into the world of home espresso. As I mentioned in the video if you can scoop coffee and pour milk your son will be making cafe quality beverages on the first try. No retiring yet but the grays are starting to come in around the edges. Marc

[@Nikiaf]

This feels a lot like the modern reincarnation of the Saeco Aroma. Perfect for a good chunk of the home user market, but with some practical modern features. Pretty incredible that they got a PID in here for the price point! Maybe it's a hint that the next redesign of the Classic will feature one too.

[@MJHiteshew]

Nice to see that Gaggia included that same high quality tamper you get in the Classic Evo Pro. 😂

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Lol, so you know tamping in the pressurized basket does not affect the extraction like it does in a non-pressurized basket.

[@MJHiteshew]

@@Wholelattelovepage Yeah, I get it. But you must admit - the Gaggia OEM tamper is barely worth the plastic it’s made from, especially when you compare it to the competitive set. Gaggia do a lot of things right. The stock tamper is not one of them. Full disclosure - I own a Classic Evo Pro and love it. But got an aftermarket tamper immediately.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

@@MJHiteshew I hear you Mike. It's the same plastic tamper that was commonly included with prosumer level machine for many years. Recently, some manufacturers of more expensive machines have included much nicer tampers with their machines. Believe Gaggia didn't add to Evo Pro in order to keep the total cost down. Marc

[@AutomotiveConcepts]

Looks like I've discovered your channel just in time; this machine is PERFECT for me! I know diehards will crucify me, but I cannot be asked to go through a whole routine in the morning to have my espresso haha. I know it's not "a true espresso machine" but for the price, it hits right in the ball park. Gonna buy it! Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi AC, Thanks for the comment! The Espresso Evolution is not intended for the geek level hobbyist but does make espresso simple, quick and consistent! Marc

[@theultimatetj]

Hey Marc, Thanks for this great review. Im looking at picking up one of these Gaggia Espresso machines and I see in the UK we can get the style, deluxe and evolution. I think there are fairly obvious differences between the style and deluxe (metal drip tray and warming top) but I cannot see any difference between the deluxe and the evolution. Do you know of the differences? And which option would you say is best value for money seeing as there is about £10 difference in each model. Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey, Wish I could offer more but unfortunately I've only used (and touched) the Evolution. I believe the differences are limited to external materials. There may be more information directly from Gaggia here: www.gaggia.com/ Marc

[@adameichler]

I still don't understand why PID addons are so expensive (mainly PID versions of Silvia and GCP), when it can even be included in this machine and Arduino + temperature probe are like 10$ -_-

[@MiriamMStone]

It looks cute for RV use

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey MMS, for sure! Missy, One of our CoffeeCast espresso trainers mentioned they were going to use it as their travel machine. Marc

[@skiiizo]

Hello from Brussels Europe. First of all bravo for your KZbin channel, it’s fantastic ! I’ve learned so many things about the coffee barista thing 🙏 I have a Rancilio Sylvia at my desk at work and a ECM Puristika at home. I cannot find a good video about descaling the Puristika, I mean one with all the steps. On the user manual I didn’t see anything either. Do you by any luck made a video about that ? Thanks a lot 😃

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi s, Thanks for the kind comments. We do not have a video on descaling the Puristika. But descaling is fairly straightforward. I will mention it's best to treat your water prior to use in the machine so no scale in the first place. If your tap water is of decent quality BWT Water and More has options using calcium to magnesium ion-exchange like the Aqualizer Pitcher or Bestasave in reservoir pad filters. To descale fill the reservoir with mixed descale solution and run into machine by activating brew lever. About a 1/3 a reservoir and let sit 5-10 minutes then repeat with next third and then the last. Rinse and refill reservoir with clean water. Then run that through the group to rinse.

[@skiiizo]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you so much 🙏

[@thecenterforlifeenhancement]

How would you compare the espresso to the Gaggia Classic Pro or the Flair 58? Same quality, less customization?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi cfle, The Gaggia Classic Pro is capable of making better espresso than the other 2. It has larger coffee doses and commercial size/weight brewing components for enhanced temperature stability. That said, it takes a bit more skill and knowledge to realize the full potential of the machine. The Espresso Evolution makes very good espresso but makes it easier with the pressurized filter baskets. It's a good choice if you prefer using pre-ground coffee and not all that interested in grinding whole beans fresh. The Flair is a much more manual process and requires some skill, knowledge and practice to produce consistent good results. Marc

[@dentboxhero1717]

Looks like this fit the bill for a quick personal work/office espresso fix. I do have a question tho, I've read about boiler coat flaking, does this Evolution use the same or coated boiler?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi dbx, The Evolution uses a stainless steel lined thermoblock boiler. No coating. Marc

[@dentboxhero1717]

@@Wholelattelovepage thanks. Last Q, should I go with this Gaggia or the Hibrew H10a? In stock form.

[@crunchtimeeats347]

Will a non pressurized portafilter and latte art attachment be available as options? And if so, are they the same size as the old Saeco Aroma?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi cte, The Gaggia Latte Art Pannarello wand fits and gives you both automatic and manual frothing: www.wholelattelove.com/products/gaggia-latte-art-pannarello-wand-147430150 No word on non-pressurized basket at this point. Marc

[@boatbikemike8571]

All they needed to do was make a non-pressurized basket and put it in the box. Charge $10 more for crying out loud. I still want this machine lol

[@crunchtimeeats347]

@@boatbikemike8571question is, is the portafilter pressurized as well?

[@boatbikemike8571]

@@crunchtimeeats347 the machine comes w a nespresso pod basket and a pressurized basket for pre ground coffee

[@crunchtimeeats347]

Sometimes the portafilter is pressurized. Some the basket is double walled and that provides the backpressure. Looks like this one it’s the latter.

[@armandguce]

Hi Marc and everyone posting. Haven't been able to come across discussions regarding this coffee machine. I own one and use it with pregrounded beans. I had another gaggia grangaggia but there is a lot difference on the quality of shots. The gaggia espresso shots are without crema (of course fake crema) and taste like burnt coffee. If anyone has any suggestions I'm open to them. Thanks in advance

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi, What kind of coffee are you using? Are you certain your pre-ground is meant for espresso? Marc

[@armandguce]

@@Wholelattelovepage thanks for your reply. Yes, I'm sure it is meant for this coffee machine types. I'm using Lavazza Rosa. I don't know if this product is being sold in USA, I've seen there just Lavazza blue or black if I'm not wrong.

[@toddpower4674]

If they did a dna test on marc, he would be 25% caffeine Nice video

[@jpbeauch1]

Hi Mark. Not available in Canada?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi j, Not yet but should be coming soon. Marc

[@davidcarlin3850]

Mark, you said this is a PID machine bur where is the adjustable brew temp setting ?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi dc, The machine uses PID logic to precisely control boiler heating but it's not a user settable temperature like in more advanced machines. Marc

[@briantan3931]

Hi Marc, will you start selling 53mm accessories, such as bottomless portafilters, precision baskets?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey b, looking into options for 53mm accessories. Will likely have but nothing to report at this time. Marc

[@briantan3931]

@@Wholelattelovepage thanks Marc, would definitely be interested in the 53mm accessories if you decide to go ahead

[@markmatrix9287]

I like it

[@danielreynolds1211]

Ive ordered the evolution now they are available im the UK. First time stepping into espresso machines so i hope it's as easy as you say it is. Finally tge tassimo can go to rhe charity shop 😂

[@katie1353]

How are you getting on with it? I unboxed mine today so lots of practice ahead!

[@kelson63100]

Does the Baratza encore grind fine enough for this machine?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi k, As the Espresso Evolution uses a pressurized filter basket it's a little forgiving of imperfect grind size. The older model of the Encore could work but you may be a bit limited in precision of grind size adjustment in the espresso range. If looking for a lower cost grinder I'd recommend the newer version Baratza Encore ESP: www.wholelattelove.com/products/baratza-encore-esp-coffee-and-espresso-grinder-black Marc

[@kelson63100]

@@Wholelattelovepage shoot…I just bought the encore a couple of months ago, but it is not the ESP. 😒. And this espresso machine seems right up my alley…not too complicated but a step above a Nespresso.

[@pelvabill]

Is this machine set up to brew at a 9 bar average?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey p, We're waiting on some test gear to find out. As is usually the case with machines using pressurized dual wall filter baskets it's probably a little higher than 9 bar. Marc

[@Deeper-Trends]

You can do the 9bar spring mode just like it's elder brother the GCP. They share the same OPV.

[@JaneDoeConsulting]

Hi Mark! For a novice who is keen to learn, but also wants something relatively easy to use for lattes (mostly), would you recommend the Espresso Evolution or a Carezza?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi there. Between those two options, I would definitely recommend the Espresso Evolution. Pretty much outperforms the Carezza in every way.

[@bobok760]

Does it have issue with high pressure? Many owners of Gaggia Classic Pro had to downgrade pressure from 12-13 bar to 9 bar with mod. However this plastic tamper goes to trash. Looks like they use non-standard basket 44mm.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi b, Thanks for the question. It does not. We have used fresh ground specialty grade coffee in the machine and been pleased with the results. Can it compete with a prosumer level machine? No, but not bad at all for a machine at 1/10 the price. The Gaggia Classic Evo Pro currently available in North America has 9 bar opv. Static pressure was higher in the past and it made excellent espresso. People key in on the 9 bar and often mistake a no flow static pressure for brewing pressure. I've used a Scace to measure in portafilter pressure during SCA spec simulated extractions on older Classics without the new or moded opv and it's ~10 bar. The Espresso Evolution like most machines using pressurized dual wall filter baskets likely runs above 9 bar max pressure. In my experience over the last decade and in the opinion of prosumer machine manufacturers like Bezzera flow rate is more important than pressure during an extraction. Yes, plastic tampers are well... plastic. But, they are only needed to settle the coffee. One does not need to tamp hard when using pressurized filter baskets as it's the basket creating the pressure and not the compressed coffee puck. The Evolution's portafilter is 53mm and not commercial standard 58mm. Marc

[@sandyd4271]

Hi Marc! ❤

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey sandy!

[@riffmeisterkl]

Marc you should be a radio host … 98.8 WLL…

[@gigi9467]

$250? Hmm a ec155 from delonghi is $100 this being made in Italy i pay a lil More but $250? No, $150-175 sure

[@milerkos]

GAGGIA UNDER $250 ?? 🧐

[@stanleyderochea6505]

Ill have to wait. If i cant use non pressurized baskets then the machine is trash. I don't understand why gaggia would put this out with pressurized baskets, the market is already packed with fake espresso machines

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi stanley, I tried to be clear in the video on the intended user type for the machine. Those seeking quick, easy good and reliable operation and likely using pre-ground coffee or ESE paper pods. A big difference between this machine and others in the packed market is the made in Italy quality and user serviceability. Marc

[@rivella99]

Boy that thing looks cheap.

[@phoenixr6811]

That’s the point 🫤

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Affordable ease of use as described in video.

[@Maybaby1959]

Marc. I need help my Poland spring tds is about 35 40. I know is a little low but is it ok. Should I run my Poland through my bwt pitcher? Should I mix some tap water with the Poland ofcourse run the tap through my bwt. My tap is about 190 200 after bwt brings it down to about 160. Also if I use just Poland my ph is about 7.5 to 8 or light blue. I’m stumped. I want to put to bed this thing. Should I just go all tap and stop getting Poland or the mix. Thank you much Marc. I think this little Gaggia is simple and does the job. Great vid.

[@phoenixr6811]

So tiny 😊🙂🙃