Check out my review of the debate for Gaggia Babila vs Saeco Xelsis. These mid-range espresso machines have high automation levels, and they can brew delicious cups with a touch of fingertip only. But after comparing their features, I find Saeco Xelsis to be a better choice.
Saeco Xelsis has a total of 15 one-touch beverages, and it can extract delicious espresso without difficulty. It comes with an external milk container that can be attached to the machine via a silicone tube, which allows a more spacious drip tray for twin brewing. The device also never fails to deliver microfoam. So I highly recommend it if you are looking for a mid-range machine.
As for Gaggia Babila, this machine has a less contemporary design compared to Saeco Xelsis. But it still offers a good set of one-touch recipes with a total of 8 beverages at the touch of your fingertip. You can also enjoy its dual milk system with both a carafe and steam wand. I will reveal details that I like and don’t like about the machine below!
Gaggia Babila vs Saeco Xelsis: Comparision Chart
Last update on 2023-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Babila vs Saeco Xelsis: Differences
Saeco Xelsis wins 4-1 against Gaggia Babila thanks to its more modern design with optimum brewing features. It also allows users to customize their own recipes freely without affecting other users’ experiences. Check out the details below!
Espresso Quality
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
The twin boiler in the Gaggia Babila is slightly slower than the dual thermoblock heating system in the Saeco Xelsis. However, thermoblocks allow rapid and efficient simultaneous brewing, exactly like the ones in the Xelsis. This prevents the possibility of a delay while maintaining the machine’s consistency.
Systems with two boilers offer several benefits but also some drawbacks. They have a longer preheat time and are heavier. Dual boilers are not the most energy-efficient heating systems since the heating element must maintain the temperature at the greatest level feasible, continuously, and consistently.
Three different temperature settings are possible with Gaggia Babila’s heating system. Choose from low, average, and high temperatures. Having said that, I recommend you maintain it at the highest settings since it delivers richer espresso and keeps the cups hot for longer. And the hot water will also bring out the richest flavor from the espresso.
One-touch beverages
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
One-touch beverages are of great interest to users who are looking for super-automatic machines. And obviously, Saeco Xelsis wins the round. It has a total of 15 one-touches that users can enjoy. As for Gaggia Babila, it has 8 options for drinks only. The list includes:
- Saeco Xelsis: espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, caffe latte, flat white, espresso lungo, Americano, espresso macchiato, ristretto, espresso doppio, cafe au lait, froth milk, warm milk, hot water
- Gaggia Babila: espresso, espresso lungo, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, froth milk, warm milk, hot water
Milk System
Winner: Gaggia Babila
Just as crucial as evaluating the espresso maker is evaluating the milk system. The Gaggia Babila contains a carafe to hold milk before and after brewing and an inbuilt milk frother. On the other hand, the Saeco Xelsis offers a detachable milk container that can be placed a bit far away from the distributary mouth, allowing more space under the spout for double cups.
Sincerely, I like the Gaggia Babila’s milk method better. It is adaptable and simple to cleanse and maintain after each usage. Additionally, the Babila includes a steam wand that steams the milk to produce a rich, creamy froth on top of your espresso. This feature simulates the barista experience and allows users to control manually over the milk texture.
As for Saeco Xelsis, it can deliver the same microfoam texture as Gaggia Babila. And with its external and attachable milk circuit that connects with the machine via a tube, users don’t have to sacrifice the space on the drip tray.
Cleaning and maintenance
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
There are automated rinse cycles on both espresso machines. The Babila may be rinsed once before each coffee-making session for improved results.
Cleaning the internal drip tray, the spouts, and the coffee drawer that stores used coffee pucks is simple and quick. Several thorough cleaning cycles are unnecessary when using a machine like the Babila. Instead, knowing that you may take out specific components and thoroughly clean them is convenient.
However, the Babila does require periodic cleaning and descaling of the tablet. It is not something you can forget about descaling, even with minimal use. Nevertheless, descaling is a simple technique to carry out.
The Saeco Xelsis disassembles into all of its essential components with ease. It has a milk circuit and an automated coffee circuit. Furthermore, it alerts you when the drip tray is full.
The HygieSteam feature on Saeco, however, is what truly steals the show. Heat steam is used to remove any residue from the whole milk circuit. The milk tubes, the spout, everything! And it does this each time you froth milk for an espresso.
Customization and user profiles
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Saeco Xelsis allows users to customize their espressos’ volume, strength, and temperature. They can freely apply changes without any problem before brewing their coffee for the day. The best part is that there are 6 separate profiles where users can save their adjustments without affecting other users’ recipes. This allows a large group of coffee drinkers to share the machine without having clashes of preference.
As for Babila, users can adjust coffee strength and temperature, but there is no profile for users to save changes. This makes Gaggia Babila not as well-adapted to groups of users. Instead, it’s more of a machine for couples or a maximum of 3 users only.
Quick Rundown Of Saeco Xelsis
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- 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 System: Prepare and enjoy single or double serving of any coffee recipe with one touch, including Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato
- LattePerfetto: The external milk carafe creates a dense milk foam with a fine, silky texture
Last update on 2023-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Babila
- One touch brewing and frothing: bean-to-cup feature. Milk carafe includes automatic milk frothing for cappuccinos, and milk froth. Manual steam wand doubles as a hot water dispenser
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: 1 bottle of Gaggia Descaler, 1 AquaClean Water Filter, 1 Water Hardness Test Strip, 1 Tube of Brew Group Lubricant, 1 Brew Group Brush, 1 Coffee Scoop/Grinder Key
- PROGRAMMABLE: 8 Programmable brewing options for espressos, espresso lungos, coffee, ristrettos, lattes, cappuccinos, macchiato, flat whites and milk foam
- Easy access to water reservoir: features a top Loading removable 50.7oz water reservoir; Brew Boiler Wattage: 1400
Last update on 2023-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
Related Articles to Saeco Xelsis
- Saeco Xelsis vs Xelsis Evo: 2 Versions Of The Xelsis Line – Which One Is Better?
- Saeco Xelsis vs Miele CM 6350: Honest Review Of 2 Potent Mid-range Espresso Machines
- Saeco Xelsis vs Siemens EQ 9: Which One Should You Choose?
- Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 5400: Complete And Brief Comparison – Choose Your
- Saeco Picobaristo vs Xelsis: Ultimate Guide To Choosing #1 Espresso Machine For You
- Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 3200: Do The Prices Reflect These Espresso Machines’ Value?
- Jura J6 vs Saeco Xelsis: Why You Should Pick One Of These Poweful Espresso Machines
- Jura E6 vs Saeco Xelsis: What Brewing Conveniences Do These Espresso Machines Offer?
- Jura Z6 vs Saeco Xelsis: Which One Should You Invest Money In?
- Jura Z8 vs Saeco Xelsis: The Unequal Debate Of 2 Potent Espresso Machines
- Saeco Xelsis vs Jura Ena 8: Which Brews Better Coffee And Boasts A More Powerful Milk System?
- Saeco Xelsis vs Jura E8: A Close Call For The Title Of Best High-end Espresso Machine
- Gaggia Accademia vs Saeco Xelsis: Compare The 2 Advanced Espresso Machines
- Saeco Xelsis vs Gaggia Cadorna Prestige: Top Differences Between 2 Mid-range Machines
- DeLonghi Eletta vs Saeco Xelsis: Why You Should Choose One Of These Espresso Machines
- Saeco Xelsis vs Jura S8: Which Brews Better Coffee And Milk-based Drinks?
- Philips 3200 Lattego vs Saeco Xelsis: Comparing 2 Popular Models For Milk-based Coffees
- Breville Oracle Touch Vs Saeco Xelsis: Hot Comparison You May Not Know
Related Articles to Gaggia Babila
- Jura ENA 8 vs Gaggia Babila: Compare And Contrast 5 Points Of Difference
- Gaggia Babila vs Jura S8: Which Espresso Machine Is Better Automated?
- Gaggia Anima Prestige vs Babila: Quick Comparison to Choose the Winner
- Gaggia Velasca Prestige vs Babila: Should You Invest In Babila Or Spend Money On Velasca Prestige?
- Gaggia Babila vs Accademia: The Battle Of 2 Poten Super-automatic Gaggia Espresso Machines
- Gaggia Babila vs Cadorna Prestige: Comparing 2 Mid-end Espresso Machines With High Automaticity
- Gaggia Babila Vs Breville Oracle: Which Is The Better Hybrid Coffee Maker?
- Jura E8 vs Gaggia Babila: Which Of These Mid-range Machines Will Compliment Your Coffee Experience Better?
- Breville Oracle Touch vs Gaggia Babila: Which Is The Better Espresso Machine?
References
- Gaggia Babila: https://gaggia.com/automatic-machines/babila/
- Saeco Xelsis: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/SM7684_04/xelsis-super-automatic-espresso-machine
I am Ralph Mason and I am a passionate coffee drinker. I worked as a barista for a few years and since 2012 I have been trying to convince as many people as possible of good coffee.
I started writing on the barista blog on RepublikCoffeeBar in 2018. It was a pure hobby site and I tested coffee products like coffee machines, beans, mug, and other accessories. After the first year, my blog is becoming a well-known coffee site with about 100 thousand visits per month.
In 2019 I decided to focus on RepublikCoffeeBar only. I became a full-time coffee blogger and was declared crazy by many.