Regarding espresso machines, Gaggia Brera vs Anima are both great options, but which one is better? My short answer is the former.
The Gaggia Brera is one of the best automatic espresso makers you can buy, thanks to its superb brewing capabilities that allow for a pleasant and easy brewing experience. Although this model isn’t perfect in terms of customization and versatility, it is nearly impossible to find a super-automatic machine that performs better at this price.
The Gaggia Anima boasts everything you’d expect an affordable super-automatic coffee machine to have but is sold at a price tag that is easier on most wallets. However, it is still put behind the Gaggia Brera for some reasons.
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Brera vs Anima: Main Differences
The Gaggia Brera wins by 4 to 1 against the Anima. Both machines are super automatics, but the Brera beats the Anima because of more grind settings, more compact, durable stainless steel construction, and quieter operation.
ESPRESSO TASTE
The Winner: Tie
Grinder
Gaggia Brera and Anima share a ceramic grinder, which is superior to other materials and retains more of the coffee beans’ flavor and aroma.
As we all know, stainless steel grinders tend to create lots of heat, which can significantly reduce the quality of your final drink. But this issue won’t happen with the ceramic grinder, so that you will lose less flavor during the brewing process.
The former comes with 10 grind settings, while the latter has 5. More grind settings are definitely better. With 10 grind settings, the Gaggia Brera allows you to determine the fineness of the beans freely.
In case you don’t already know, I recommend adjusting the grinder on both while grinding. If the grind is adjusted while it isn’t running, your beans can get jammed and make the grinder stall.
Regarding the noise level, I found the Gaggia Anima a bit louder when brewing coffee. It is insignificant and not loud enough to wake your whole family up in the morning, but it should still be a factor to be considered.
What’s more, both machines brew espresso at a pressure of 15 bars, which is significantly higher than the industry minimum requirements for espresso brewing. So you can expect to get a perfect espresso with the iconic crema layer, whichever machine you choose.
Coffe Strength
The Anima gives users five different coffee strength settings, varying from 7 to 11 grams. You can experiment with different espresso aromas and strengths until you get the perfect recipe. Then, the device will memorize and replicate it to the Memo function.
On the other hand, the Brera enables you to fine-tune the espresso strength based on three available settings, ranging from 7 to 11 grams: one bean is 7g, two are 9g, and three are 11g.
MILK SYSTEM
The Winner: Gaggia Brera
Gaggia Brera and Anima share a Panarello’s frothing wand, a metal steam pipe that prepares the standard foam and microfoam that make flat white coffee so good. It can heat up in under 10 seconds, so it won’t add extra time to your morning routine.
So why does the Gaggia Anima outperform its competitor in this category? This is because the Gaggia Brera uses Rapid Steam technology to get the wand from the cold beginning to frothing-ready in under ten seconds. I think it’s good enough and will not cause your espresso to go cold before enjoying it.
UTILITIES
The Winner: Tie
Control Panel
Both are simple-to-use machines with a primitive but functional screen, and the buttons on the screen are neat and clear, making them cool-looking devices.
They aren’t as high-tech as some other Gaggia machines I’ve seen, but they are also not challenging to operate either. There might be a little bit of a learning curve, such as you must translate what one or three bean symbols mean, but that is it.
Energy-saving Mode
Anima features an energy-saving standby mode, so it will automatically switch to this mode after one hour of non-use to reduce the amount of power consumed. Likewise, the Gaggia Brera automatically powers down if not used after one hour, too. That is good for both your electricity bills and the environment. The only thing I wish I could do is to tweak this timer to under 60 minutes.
Dreg Drawer Capacity
The Anima has a big grounds bin (or dreg drawer), which holds used pucks of coffee. It will remind you every time there are 15 coffee pucks in there, while it’s 8 on the Brera.
DESIGN
The Winner: Gaggia Brera
The Brera is a robust espresso machine that is built to last. Its sides and top are made from plastic (my chosen model is silver, but you can choose the black option), but its front panel and drip tray are made of stainless steel, giving it an elegant retro feel. So it will fit both traditional kitchens and more modern countertops.
The Anima also looks great, but it is entirely made of plastic. I think plastic never looks as good as chrome or stainless steel, so it lost this round.
DIMENSIONS
The Winner: Gaggia Brera
The Gaggia Brera has a dimension of 10 x 15.5 x 11.5 inches, while the Gaggia Anima is bulkier, measuring 16.93 x 8.7 x 13.38 inches. Size is not everything. But owning an espresso maker that can fit snugly in a small apartment or dorm room is always a plus.
Gaggia Brera vs Anima: Similarities
Both Anima and Brera are great coffee machines that are under $700 (Brera is cheaper). Regarding the price point, they are very reasonable. Both are super-automatic machines, allowing you to grind, brew, and steam all in one.
Moreover, the two have too many similarities, implying that you won’t go wrong with either. For instance, they have Pannarello’s steam wand, an easy-to-use interface, an 8.8-oz hopper capacity, a removable water reservoir and brew group, a ceramic burr grinder, and more.
Quick Rundown of Gaggia Brera
- 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
- FROTHING FOR MILK BEVERAGES: Pannarello wand frothing for cappuccinos & lattes. Wand doubles as a hot water dispenser for americanos & tea.
- EASY ACCESS: The dregs drawer, drip tray, and water tank are all within reach and accessible from the front of the machine for quick and easy cleaning and maintenance.Volts:110V-120V
- USER-FRIENDLY DISPLAY: Push-button controls and an LED display with illuminated icons make for an easy and intuitive experience.Watts:1250 W
- RAPID STEAM TECHNOLOGY: Quick heat up times and robust brewing and steaming operations. Coffee bean capacity : 250 gr
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of Gaggia Anima
- 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
- MANUAL FROTHING FOR MILK-BASED DRINKS: Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk
- PROGRAMMABLE: Programmable brewing options for espresso and espresso lungo
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL: 3 different temperature settings. Min/177.5 °F, Med/182.9 °F, Max/184.5 °F
- EASY ACCESS TO WATER RESERVOIR AND BEAN HOPPER: Features a removable 60 oz water reservoir that can be accessed on the top left of the machine, and an 8.8 ounce capacity bean hopper with access from the top right of the machine
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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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.