The Breville BES870XL Barista Express and the Gaggia Brera are both popular home espresso machines, but they cater to very different users. The Breville is a semi-automatic machine designed for the hands-on home barista who wants control over the grinding, tamping, and brewing process, while the Gaggia Brera is a super-automatic machine focused on convenience and delivering quality espresso at the touch of a button.
Here's everything you need to know to decide between these two excellent espresso makers for your kitchen counter.
Breville BES870XL Barista Express
The Breville BES870XL, or Barista Express, is an all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine that has become a staple for aspiring home baristas. It combines a high-quality conical burr grinder, a precise extraction system, and a powerful steam wand in one stainless steel package, giving you everything needed to craft everything from a simple espresso shot to a complex latte.
- What it is: An all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine with a built-in grinder for those who enjoy the craft of making coffee.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder with dose control, high-pressure 15 bar pump, thermocoil heating system, pressure gauge for optimal extraction, and a manual steam wand for microfoam milk texturing.
- Price: Around $700-$750
- Dimensions: 13.5" H x 12.5" W x 16" D
- Materials/Construction: Durable stainless steel housing with a high-quality conical burr grinder and sturdy internal components.
- Style: Sleek, professional, and modern, with a brushed stainless steel finish that makes a statement on any kitchen counter.
- Pros: Excellent control over your shot, all-in-one design saves space, provides real-time feedback with a pressure gauge, powerful steam wand for high-quality milk foam, durable construction.
- Cons: Has a learning curve for beginners, grinder can be messy, takes more time to make a drink compared to a super-automatic, higher price point.
The Barista Express is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the ritual of making espresso and want to develop their barista skills at home.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Gaggia Brera Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Brera is a compact, bean-to-cup super-automatic machine that brings authentic Italian espresso into your home with maximum simplicity. It grinds, doses, tamps, and brews with the push of a button, making it a perfect choice for those who want an excellent coffee experience without the work or learning curve of a traditional machine.
- What it is: A compact and user-friendly super-automatic espresso machine that delivers espresso from whole beans with one touch.
- Key features: Integrated ceramic burr grinder, programmable brewing options for strength and volume, rapid steam technology, Panarello steam wand, and a grounds bypass doser for pre-ground coffee.
- Price: Around $400-$500
- Dimensions: 11.4" H x 8.3" W x 9.8" D
- Materials/Construction: A solid plastic body with stainless steel front panel accents and a durable ceramic burr grinder.
- Style: Functional and utilitarian with a compact, modern design that is made for small spaces.
- Pros: Extremely easy to use, very compact size fits smaller kitchens, provides consistent results every time, lower price point, easy to clean and maintain.
- Cons: Less control over brewing variables, plastic construction is less premium than Breville's stainless steel, steam wand is less powerful for creating microfoam.
The Gaggia Brera is built for anyone who prioritizes speed, convenience, and consistent quality espresso over the manual process.
Shop this product: gaggia-na.com/products/gaggia-brera-super-automatic-espresso-machine
Breville BES870XL vs. Gaggia Brera Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
There is a significant size difference between these two machines. The Gaggia Brera is impressively compact, measuring just over 11 inches tall and under 10 inches deep, making it one of the smallest bean-to-cup machines available. It is designed to fit comfortably under low cabinets and in kitchens with limited counter space.
The Breville Barista Express is a larger, more substantial unit at 16 inches deep and 13.5 inches tall. While its all-in-one design saves you from needing a separate grinder, you will need a dedicated spot on your counter to accommodate its larger footprint. Make sure to measure your space, especially the height under any upper cabinets.
Materials & Construction
Breville puts a heavy emphasis on build quality, constructing the Barista Express primarily from brushed stainless steel. It feels sturdy, professional, and built to last, giving it a premium look and feel that justifies its price. Inside, it uses a high-quality conical burr grinder designed for frequent use.
The Gaggia Brera features a functional build with a solid plastic chassis and a sleek stainless steel front panel. While durable, it doesn't feel as high-end as the Breville. It does, however, use a ceramic burr grinder, which is great for durability and consistent grinding without producing excess heat.
Ease of Use & Brewing Process
This is the biggest distinction between the two. The Gaggia Brera is all about simplicity. You add beans and water, choose your coffee strength, and press a button. The machine does all the work - grinding, dosing, tamping, and brewing - giving you a finished espresso in under a minute. It’s perfect for busy mornings when you want great coffee without the fuss.
The Breville Barista Express is for the person who enjoys the process. It's a semi-automatic machine that requires you to grind the coffee into the portafilter, tamp it down yourself, lock it into the group head, and start the extraction. It takes practice to master, but its pressure gauge provides instant feedback to help you dial in the perfect shot, offering a rewarding, hands-on experience.
Price & Value
The Gaggia Brera is the more budget-friendly option, typically costing around $400-$500. For this price, you get an incredibly convenient bean-to-cup experience that produces consistent, high-quality espresso. It offers fantastic value for anyone who simply wants great coffee without the learning curve.
The Breville BES870XL sits at a higher price point of around $700-$750. You're paying for a more robust machine with professional-grade features, premium construction, and the ability to control every aspect of the brewing process. For coffee hobbyists, the value comes from its versatility and the quality of the coffee creations it can produce.
Style & Versatility
With its gleaming stainless steel finish and commanding presence, the Breville Barista Express has a modern, almost commercial look that fits well in contemporary and upscale kitchens. It’s designed to be a centerpiece appliance.
The Gaggia Brera has a more understated, utilitarian aesthetic. Its combination of black plastic and stainless steel is clean and functional, but it's not trying to be a showpiece. Its minimalist look and compact size allow it to blend into any kitchen without demanding attention.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are excellent choices, but they are built for entirely different priorities.
Choose the Breville BES870XL if:
- You want to learn the craft of making espresso and enjoy being part of the process.
- You value having complete control over grind size, dose, and extraction time.
- You enjoy making milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos and want a powerful steam wand.
- Premium build quality and a professional aesthetic are important to you.
Choose the Gaggia Brera if:
- You want great espresso with maximum convenience and minimal effort.
- You have limited counter space and need a compact machine.
- You prefer a consistent, reliable result every time without any guesswork.
- You are on a tighter budget but still want authentic espresso from fresh beans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville BES870XL and Gaggia Brera?
The main difference is the type of machine. The Breville Barista Express is a semi-automatic, requiring manual grinding, tamping, and extraction control. The Gaggia Brera is a super-automatic, handling the entire process from bean to cup at the push of a button for ultimate convenience.
Which espresso machine is better for beginners?
For a complete beginner who just wants espresso quickly, the Gaggia Brera is better because it has virtually no learning curve. However, for a beginner who wants to learn to be a barista, the Breville BES870XL is a fantastic teaching tool, thanks to its intuitive controls and pressure gauge.
Can you use pre-ground coffee with either machine?
Yes, both machines offer this flexibility. The Gaggia Brera has a dedicated "bypass doser" that lets you add a scoop of pre-ground coffee, which is great for making an occasional decaf. The Breville is designed for grinding fresh beans, but you can simply skip the grinder and add your pre-ground coffee directly to the portafilter.
Which one is easier to clean?
The Gaggia Brera is generally easier to clean for daily maintenance. It has an automated rinse cycle and the brew group is removable for a quick weekly wash. The Breville requires more manual cleaning, such as flushing the group head, cleaning the steam wand after each use, and periodic backflushing.
Which is better for making lattes?
The Breville Barista Express is superior for making lattes because of its powerful manual steam wand. It allows you to create true microfoam, the silky, finely-textured milk needed for high-quality lattes and latte art. The Gaggia Brera's Panarello wand is good for basic foam but produces larger, stiffer bubbles.
Is the Breville worth the bigger price tag?
If you value control, build quality, and see making coffee as a hobby, then the Breville is absolutely worth the investment. If you just want a reliable and delicious espresso shot with no effort, the Gaggia Brera offers better value for your needs.
What is the brew quality of each machine?
Both machines can produce excellent espresso. The Brera provides a consistently good shot every time. The Breville's quality depends on the user's skill, but once dialed in, it has the potential to produce a superior, true cafe-quality shot with richer crema and body because of the freshness of the dose and manual tamping control.
How big is the water tank on each machine?
The Breville Barista Express has a larger 67 oz (2-liter) water reservoir. The Gaggia Brera has a smaller 40 oz (1.2-liter) reservoir, in line with its more compact design, which will require more frequent refills if you make several drinks a day.
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