In the competition of the super-automictic espresso machines, Gaggia Accademia vs Saeco Xelsis, it is hard to find the one with better performance. I decided to give this match a tie because each of the machines owns unique features for optimal performance and the best coffee drinks.
For the Gaggia Accademia, it is equipped with an 8-setting ceramic grinder, a dual-boiler heating system, adjustable pre-brewing settings, coffee strength and volume options, and a milk system with a manual steam wand for those enjoying making latte art. It also features an active cup warmer for you to pre-heat the cup, ensuring the hotness of your coffee.
Meanwhile, with the Saeco Xelsis, you have a ceramic grinder with 15 settings (that’s a lot!), a single-boiler thermoblock heating system, and programmable options for coffee drinks and milk froth. Though it doesn’t have an active cup warmer, it offers 6 user profiles for you to freely personalize your drink and store your programmed preferences in the machine menu.
Gaggia Accademia vs Saeco Xelsis: Comparision Chart
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Accademia vs Saeco Xelsis: Differences
I decided to give it a tie for Gaggia Accademia vs Saeco Xelsis competition because each machine features unique settings and equipment that contribute to making the coffee taste better with a touch of a button. The grinder on the Saeco Xelsis is better but the Gaggia Accademia provides a greater milk system.
Their brewing systems have good performance to extract the good coffee taste. They also provide the user with adjustable setting options for dialing suitable coffee references.
Grinder
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Between Gaggia Accademia vs Saeco Xelsis grinders, the Xelsis offers a more adjustable grinder than the Accademia does. Though these machines feature ceramic grinders, the one on Xelsis has up to 12 grind settings. Meanwhile, the Accademia grinder has 8 settings for the grind fineness.
This 4-level difference can make a greater difference in the coffee flavor as the Xelsis can make finer grinds for more robust coffee tastes.
Brewing system & Coffee flavor
Tie!
Heating system
The Gaggia Accademia is the winner in this category because it features the dual-boiler type. This means the machine has one boiler for brewing and another for frothing or steaming milk, so it can heat up the milk to the desired temperature much faster, nearly immediately. As a result, the time for making milk-based drinks is faster, which is very useful when I need to make several servings at one time.
Saeco Xelsis uses a thermoblock heating element, which is known for its quick heating time for the water. However, the time switching between steaming and brewing is a bit longer than that of a dual-boiler system.
It is because the Xelsis needs to cool down and reheat the water to reach the desired temperature for specific processes. Thus, I see that there is some water pushed out into my cup before the machine starts adding the milk.
Coffee drinks’ programmable options
In terms of options for programming the coffee drinks, the Saeco Xelsis is a bit better. The Saeco Xelsis offers 3 programmable coffee temperatures, 5 adjustable coffee strengths, 3 levels of adjustable coffee taste, and 3 levels for adjusting the milk foam. In addition, it also has 15 drink types, which is more than the number that the Gaggia Accademia offers.
On the other hand, the Gaggia Accademia has about 8 programmable drinks, 3 levels of coffee strengths, 3 levels of milk foam, and 3 levels of coffee temperature. Though these settings have fewer options than that on the Saeco Xelsis, the Gaggia Accademia features an adjustable 3-level pre-brewing setting that enables you to control the time of pre-infusion.
If the pre-brewing time is long, the coffee extract will be richer and stronger, compared to short-time pre-brewing.
Additionally, the Gaggia Accademia also has a flow knob to control the speed of the coffee flow. The slower coffee will result in a full-bodied and richer taste, while the faster flow will give a lighter flavor to the coffee.
Coffee flavor
When I brewed my coffee with these two machines, I feel that the flavor is relatively the same. Both can produce good crema, full-bodied, and robust taste. The shortcoming of fewer options for coffee settings in the Gaggia Accademia can be compromised by adjusting the flow knob to get the best taste. So, it is a tie for me in this round.
Milk system
Winner: Gaggia Accademia
Additional manual steam wand
I choose the Gaggia Accademia as the winner for this category owing to its additional manual steam wand. This is very useful when I want to learn to make latte art. If you are someone who loves latte art and wants to make it with a fully-automatic espresso machine, the Gaggia Accademia is a great option to go for!
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Accademia 1003380
- Adjustable telescopic coffee dispenser with a maximum height of a little over 6-1/2-inch to accommodate a wide variety of cup sizes
- Milk carafe capacity 0,6 L.Ceramic burr grinder with integrated bean hopper and double lid aroma saver
- Integrated coffee grounds container, removable from the front
- Programmable coffee quantity - from 7 to 10-cup
- Pre-brewing system for maximum flavor extraction.Materials and finishing:metal painted/stainless steel
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Saeco Xelsis SM7864/04
- With Philips Saeco Xelsis easily make up to 15 coffee varieties from common Espresso and Capuccino to specialty coffees like Flat White or Americano. Simply swipe the touchscreen to select the drink and customize it with our intuitive Coffee Equalizer.Filter type:Reusable.Power consumption stand-by : 0.5W, Drip tray capacity : 500 ml
- 15 Coffee Varieties at Your Fingertips: Explore the world of coffee - Espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, and a range of specialty drinks
- Personalized Preferences: Everyone’s custom coffee favorites can be saved in up to 6 user profiles for instant selection. Personalize each profile down to the finest detail
- LatteDuo Milk System: Prepare and enjoy single or double serving of any coffee recipe with one touch, including Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato
- Double Thermo Blocks: Dedicated for both brewing and steaming offer accurate temperature controls for every drink in your recipe book
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Gaggia Accademia 1003380 from Gaggia https://gaggia.com/automatic-machines/accademia/
- Saeco Xelsis SM7864/04 from Saeco https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/SM7684_04/xelsis-super-automatic-espresso-machine
I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.