Gaggia Brera Review
Pros: Convenient, good taste
Cons: Laborious descaling process, expensive
Manufacturer: Gaggia
Our Verdict
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Gaggia Brera | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $530 List | $600 List $527.77 at Amazon | $700 List $698.00 at Amazon | $500 List | $450 List $442.70 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Convenient, good taste | Excellent espresso, achieves near-perfect microfoam in its steamed milk, relatively easy to use for a semi-automatic machine | Great taste, cafe quality lattes and cappuccinos | Great taste, exceptional lattes and cappuccinos, mostly automated milk steaming | Great taste, great milk steaming |
Cons | Laborious descaling process, expensive | Expensive, requires more effort/practice than fully-automatic machines | Expensive, requires some effort and a learning curve | Expensive, no built-in grinder | Has a learning curve, no pressure gauge to help beginners, no grinder |
Bottom Line | If your main concern is saving money on cafe drinks in the long run, this is the perfect machine for you | A cafe-quality machine that manages to still be friendly towards beginner baristas | If you don't mind a little learning curve and elbow grease, this is the best espresso you can make at home | An excellent choice for those trying to recreate cafe drinks at home, especially if you already have an espresso-quality grinder | An excellent machine if your familiar with the process of manual brewing, and already have a high-quality grinder |
Rating Categories | Gaggia Brera | Calphalon Temp IQ | Breville Barista... | Breville Bambino... | Breville Duo Temp... |
Taste (40%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
Ease Of Cleaning (15%) | |||||
Milk Steaming (15%) | |||||
Specs | Gaggia Brera | Calphalon Temp IQ | Breville Barista... | Breville Bambino... | Breville Duo Temp... |
Dimensions | 10" x 15.5" x 11.5" | 5.6" x 14.5" x 17.3" | 13.2" x 12.5" x 16" | 7.7" x 12.6" x 12.2" | 15.5" x 13.3" x 17.6" |
Warranty | 1 Year Limited | 3 Year Limited | 1 Year Limited | 1 Year Limited | 1 Year Limited |
Milk Frother | Steam Wand | Steam Wand | Steam Wand | Automatic Steam Wand | Steam Wand |
Water Tank Capacity | 40 oz | 94 oz | 67 oz | 65 oz | 61 oz |
Cost per Shot | $0.38 | $0.45 | $0.47 | $0.47 | $0.47 |
Lifetime Cost per Shot | $0.60 | $0.70 | $0.72 | $0.72 | $0.64 |
Cost per Latte | $0.66 | $0.73 | $0.75 | $0.75 | $0.75 |
Straight Shot - Percentage cost vs. Cafe | 13% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 16% |
Latte - Percentage Cost vs. Cafe | 13% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% |
Number of Cafe Replacement Shots to Make p list price | 202 | 235 | 237 | 237 | 158 |
Number of Cafe replacement lattes to make up list price | 122 | 141 | 141 | 141 | 94 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Taste
In our taste testing the Brera earned a score of 7 out of 10, making it above average in a metric with scores from 3 to 9. It consistently produced espresso with a nice taste, but was just a bit more watery and less full bodied than what we would call a perfect shot. Our testers were impressed but not surprised that the Brera's espresso came from a home machine. The included steam wand also let us make a nice dry cappuccino, but couldn't get the microfoam to make a perfect latte. If you're not super fussy about the taste of your espresso this level of quality will be more than satisfying. It will give the warm sips of caffeine you need to kickstart your morning, and hold the cold at bay on a chilly commute.
In our experience the Brera's taste quality is the best you're going to get from a machine that does all the hard work for you. If you really want a cafe quality drink at home you're going to have to graduate to a semi-automatic machine, like the Breville Barista Express, and learn to grind, tamp, and steam yourself.
Ease of Use
The Brera fared reasonably well in our ease of use testing, picking up a 7 in a metric that had scores from 4 to 9.
Easy Setup
Out of the box setup was quite easy as the included instructions were clear and had the right balance of graphics and text to make everything feel intuitive. With the help of its clear quick start guide, it only took us only 15 pain-free minutes to get the machine up and running.
Convenient Espresso, Somewhat Convenient Cappuccino
In terms of making a shot of espresso it could hardly be easier. Just make sure there are coffee beans in the hopper, push a couple buttons, and within a few minutes you have some nice espresso. Initial setup was also easy. The 40oz water tank was likewise easy to fill. Additionally, frothing milk with its steam wand meant it took us just over 4 minutes to make a cappuccino. This isn't a huge deal, but it just can't match the convenience of machines like the Gaggia Anima Prestige and the De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro that have built-in automatic milk frothers.
Confusing Interface
The Brera lost some points because all of its buttons are labeled with small pictures, so it takes a minute to learn what each one actually does. However, once you're used to the machine this isn't an issue at all.
Ease of Cleaning
Here again the Brera earned the respectable score of 7 out of 10 in a metric that saw scores ranging from 4 to 9.
Short Term Cleaning
Daily cleaning of the Brera is a breeze. The spent coffee pucks tend to be quite dry and solidified, so you can just dump them in the trash and generally don't even have to wipe off the bin they are deposited in. The steam wand needs a simple wipe with a rag after each use. The only slightly laborious task is a more thorough cleaning of the steam wand, which you'll probably want to do once or twice a week if you're using it every day. The wand dismantles into a few pieces so you can clean out every bit, but this must be done by hand, as none of the pieces are dishwasher safe.
Descaling
The descaling process is what really kept the Brera from earning a top score in this metric. First off descaling requires a solution that does not come included with the machine. Secondly, it is a fairly hands-on process that requires complete attention for a full 40 minutes. Sure, you'll only have to do this every few months, but it's a chore you'll probably dread.
Milk Steaming/Frothing
The Brera earned a 6 out of 10 for its milk prepping capabilities. This was the lowest score received by models that include a built-in milk prepping device. However, it is not a poor score as most models with built-in frothers scored a 6 or 7 in this with the Breville Barista Express being a notable exception, as its cafe quality milk prepping abilities earned it a 9. The Brera's steam wand can't quite get the creamy texture we'd want in steamed milk, but the resulting lattes are still fairly good. When frothing the foam produced is a bit airy for our liking, but we still wouldn't refuse the resulting cappuccino. If you really want a Starbucks quality latte you'll have to upgrade to the Breville, but the Brera does a respectable job.
Value
With a list price of $530 the Gaggia Brera is significantly more expensive than some of the cheaper capsule machines. However, it makes a shot of espresso for just about $0.60 as opposed to $0.70+ for the capsule machines, making it less expensive in the long run. This, combined with the Brera's solid performance in our taste and ease of use testing, make it a good value.
Conclusion
The Brera is a quality, super-automatic machine that provides a decent lifetime value and good tasting espresso. If you want something convenient with a built-in grinder, the Brera is a great choice.
— Max Mutter and Steven Tata