Are you in search of an affordable espresso machine? Check out Gaggia Brera vs Jura A1, the ultimate battle of 2 cut-price espresso machines that I find worth investigating. After comparing their features and purposes, I find Gaggia Brera a much friendlier option for beginners.
The winner Gaggia Brera is a good entry-level machine for those just starting out with these fun devices. It can extract deliciously strong espresso with proper crema and froth creamy milk for other Italian recipes. Users can also trust the alert system that provides information about the machine’s real-time condition, like an empty water tank or the need for descaling.
Jura A1, on the other hand, is a very basic espresso machine. Its main purpose is to serve black and fresh espresso, and that’s it. The device can extract delicious cups of espresso or coffee in the morning and has some simple alerts like Gaggia Brera. However, it doesn’t have a milk system to offer the same convenience as the device above. This is the biggest reason why I’m not fond of the model.
Gaggia Brera vs Jura A1: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Brera vs Jura A1: Differences
Gaggia Brera wins 2-0 and ties twice against Jura A1. Regarding the espresso flavor, they are equally good. But, Gaggia Brera is clearly more convenient with its classic and straightforward interface and efficient milk wand.
Milk system
Winner: Gaggia Brera
Gaggia Brera has a very classic steam wand that can froth creamy to dry foam. Being an affordable device, the dry foam texture may not be the best, and there are larger bubbles than what we get from microfoam devices. But it’s still very impressive for a model in this price range to froth such a good variety of foam textures.
Also, the steam wand has flexible angles. So it’s easy for me to adjust its position however I like for a more comfortable frothing experience.
As for Jura A1, it’s a pure espresso machine, meaning that there is no integrated milk system inside this device. As an alternative, users can purchase an Aeroccino, which froths milk foam beautifully. The thing is we have to spend extra on it. This reduces the value of Jura A1 against Gaggia Brera.
Espresso extraction
Tie
Heating element
Both devices are equipped with a single boiler, so there isn’t a big difference between the 2 in how they perform in the temperature department. While Gaggia Brera takes 30s to warm up and start brewing, Jura A1 requires around 1 minute to complete its self-priming cycle. So with Gaggia Brera, it’s slightly faster.
The temperature of the drinks is quite good. But it’s best to leave the devices on for a few minutes before extracting espresso. This will ensure that the drinks come out as hot as they can. Leave the devices on for about 5-10 minutes to see the difference.
Brewing technique
With a 15-bar pump, the pair don’t miss the chance to extract rich espresso with thick crema. The flavor is chocolaty and is accompanied by velvety crema to add a heavier mouthfeel. The consistency is very impressive. It’s hard to get a lousy taste from these espresso makers.
What I want to comment on is that Jura A1 can take on a larger volume for espresso extraction daily. With Gaggia Brera, I don’t suggest brewing more than 5 cups daily. With Jura A1, it’s possible to brew up to 8. The reason is that Gaggia Brera has to take on the milk frothing as well, and this puts a heavy strain on its pump pressure. In all cases, I don’t recommend excessive brewing with any residential-grade espresso machine to ensure a longer lifespan for the device.
Water tank
Winner: Gaggia Brera
Gaggia Brera’s water tank is 40.6 oz, and Jura A1 has a 37 oz one, so it’s not a big difference. But what I like about Gaggia Brera’s reservoir is that it’s front-pull and doesn’t require any extra space on the top or back of the machine for removal. As for Jura A1, given that the water tank is located at the back and is up-pull, I have to put it in an open space. Or else, removing the tank to refill it for brewing or descaling would be quite inconvenient.
Cleaning and maintenance
Tie
Thanks to the alert system, it’s quite clear when we have to descale the machine. As for basic cleaning, I suggest rinsing the entire system briefly after every use. And the steam wand on the Gaggia Brera needs wiping after every frothing session.
Give the device a full and deep cleaning every 2 weeks or more frequently if you can. And clean the brew group on Gaggia Brera as well as it’s removable.
Don’t skim on the descaling solution. But if you have none at hand, it’s possible to use vinegar as an alternative. Avoid skipping descaling because it will directly affect the lifespan of your espresso maker and the espresso flavor.
About Jura A1, since its brew group isn’t removable, users only need to drop a cleaning tablet in the bypass doser. The machine will handle the rest.
Gaggia Brera vs Jura A1: Similarities
What are the most impactful similarities between Gaggia Brera and Jura A1? Check them out below!
A simple set of programmable coffees
Gaggia Brera and Jura A1 are very basic and simple espresso machines. They aren’t made for high automation or one-touch cappuccino. Instead, these machines offer a great-tasting dark espresso that will accompany other ingredients like milk foam or steamed milk well.
With Gaggia Brera, you can make espresso and espresso lungo at a touch of a button. As for Jura A1, espresso, ristretto, and coffee are the beverages you can make at a touch with the device.
Alert system
There is a list of alerts that you can expect from these machines:
- Empty water tank
- Descale alert
- Incorrect dreg drawer/ brew group/ drip tray placement
- Empty bean hopper
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Brera
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Jura A1
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 3 barista quality specialties including ristretto, espresso and coffee at the touch of a button - coffee only
- PERFECT ESPRESSO: Ultimate coffee quality thanks to JURA's exclusive Pulse Extraction Process
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Fast and precise AromaG3 grinder grinds whole beans to the optimum fineness
- : JURA is always freshly ground, not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 37 ounce water tank, 4. 4 ounce bean container
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Video
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References:
- Jura A1: https://ca.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/A1-Piano-Black-NA-15148
- Gaggia Brera: https://www.gaggia.com/automatic-machines/brera/
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.