It’s time to reveal the final winner between Gaggia Brera vs Philips 3200 LatteGo. Without much hesitation, I can tell you right away that the Philips 3200 Lattego is the superior espresso maker compared to the Gaggia Brera.
I’ve been using the Philips 3200 Lattego for a few months, and I find it quite stable, with outstanding espresso quality, a silent grinder, and simple cleaning cycles. This model is the one that most impresses me in this price range. Many one-touch recipes are included, but the cappuccino and Americano are the best.
As for the Gaggia Brera, I have very mixed feelings about this particular model because the espresso quality is only average, and there aren’t many more functions to improve the extraction process. But the price is very good for an entry espresso machine with all the standard brewing features. Check out my review, and you will find the model that suits you better.
Gaggia Brera vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Brera vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Differences
Philips 3200 Lattego wins 4-0 against Gaggia Brera. Gaggia Brera can’t hold a candle against the stability and jack-of-all-trades features of Philips 3200 Lattego. But, Gaggia Brera’s price is much lower. So there is a price-value relation here. This is how the machines work from my experience:
Grinder’s stability and functions
Winner: Philips 3200 Lattego
Both machines have a ceramic conical burr grinder integrated into their group head. But do they work the same for me? Certainly not. When I test espresso machines, I always use fresh whole beans to check the functionality of the grinders, and I do the same with this pair. And with Philips 3200 Lattego, the experience has been much more positive.
The machine doesn’t cause a ruckus when grinding whole beans, and it never fails to deliver evenly ground coffee. From bean hopper to grinder, every process is smooth and hassle-free.
As for Gaggia Brera, I find its grinder quite unstable, especially when it needs to feed beans into the grinder. Since there aren’t enough beans fed into the grinder, the dosing is off and oftentimes makes the espresso very weak and unpleasant tasting. Is this a frequent problem? No. But it isn’t very pleasant whenever it surges anyway.
Milk frother and its performance
Winner: Philips 3200 Lattego
There is no doubt that Philips 3200 wins the round, all thanks to its LatteGo system. It allows users to enjoy a hands-free frothing experience from A-Z. As for the froth quality, I’m impressed by its consistently airy and thick texture. With this machine, latte or cappuccino is no difficult task.
As for Gaggia Brera, I find its steam wand quite decent, but not enough for the dry texture that we usually spot in cappuccinos. So compared to Philips 3200 LatteGo, it’s short in the milk frothing department as well.
Programmable beverages
Winner: Philips 3200 Lattego
While Gaggia Brera only offers espresso and double espresso as programmable beverages, Philips 3200 Lattego has a set of one-touch recipes, including espresso and double espresso, coffee and double coffee, Americano and double Americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and hot water. With such an impressive set of recipes, users can easily brew any beverage according to the correct real-life recipe without having too much experience with espresso machines.
I have tested all the programmable drinks that 3200 LatteGo has to offer. Surprisingly, I enjoy all of them, especially the latte macchiato. I can see the layers of espresso, milk foam, and steamed milk separately. That was a good cup of Joe. I may sound exaggerated, but the truth is not many machines have all of their recipes well-programmed. So finding a rare gem such as Philips 3200 LatteGo has been a good experience.
Espresso flavor
Winner: Philips 3200 Lattego
Philips 3200 Lattego and Gaggia Brera both can brew good espresso. But I notice a stronger burst of flavor from the Philips shots. The flavor still belongs to the mellower and more balanced side, but it’s stronger and more authentic to the beans’ original flavor and roast style.
As for Gaggia Brera, the espresso flavor isn’t bad or leaves a negative impression. However, I simply don’t find flavor notes as potent as what the Philips model can offer.
Gaggia Brera vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Similarities
There are 2 major similarities between these 2 machines with completely distinctive design directions: the heating element and its heat-up time. Find out more details below!
Single boiler heating element
Gaggia Brera and Philips 3200 Lattego are equipped with a single boiler heating element. Machines that use this system usually come with a compact water tank so that the heat-up time won’t be too long and annoying.
After testing their performance, I can confirm that Philips 3200 LatteGo performs better with its single-boiler. The drink’s temperature is hotter compared to Gaggia Brera, and it’s adjustable with espresso. The drinks come out at around 16.-170°F with 3200 and 150°F with Gaggia Brera.
Quick heat-up time
The single boiler heating element is quite standard in espresso machines. It’s not the most modern of the bunch, but if paired with the right system, it can heat water fairly quickly. The same goes for Gaggia Brera and Philips 3200 Lattego. Both models don’t require more than 1 minute to complete their self-priming cycles and enter the brewing mode.
So, if you are usually busy in the morning for work, or you simply don’t enjoy waiting for a machine to warm up for 15 minutes, I highly recommend these models.
Quick Rundown of Philips 3200 Lattego
- With Philips 3200 Series enjoy the delicious taste and aroma of coffee from fresh beans at the perfect temperature
- LatteGo Milk System: Top your coffee off with a silky-smooth layer of milk froth
- Intuitive Touch Display: Select the perfect coffee for your mood with just one touch
- My Coffee Choice Menu: Adjust the strength and quantity of your beverage and choose from three different settings to suit your preferences. The Aroma Extract system intelligently strikes the optimum balance between brewing temperature and aroma extraction
- Powerful Filter and Easy Maintenance: Thanks to the AquaClean, enjoy clear and purified water - by changing the filter after being prompted by the machine, you will not need to descale your machine for up to 5000 cups
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/EP3241_54/series-3200-fully-automatic-espresso-machines
- https://www.gaggia.com/automatic-machines/brera/
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.