Check out my review for Gaggia Velasca vs Brera, a debate of 2 affordable espresso machines with many similarities. After checking how they perform, especially with espresso and milk, Velasca is the adequate winner.
Gaggia Velasca is the victor since it outperforms Brera in many characteristics. The hopper size, water capacity, and grind settings are all more diverse. It can also brew delicious espresso thanks to its pre-infusion technology. I highly recommend it for single users or couples.
The Brera, the runner-up, is still a swift and reliable automated espresso machine, perfect for someone seeking a stylish all-stainless steel design that does it all. But Gaggia Brera doesn’t have as many possibilities for customizing drinks as Velasca. This is the major reason why it loses to the machine above, even though I like the visual design of this model more.
Gaggia Velasca vs Brera – Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Velasca vs Brera: Differences
Gaggia Velasca wins 3-1 and ties once against Gaggia Brera. It boasts a better brewing technology and more diverse programmable features, like grinder or aroma settings.
Espresso extraction
Winner: Gaggia Velasca
Gaggia Velasca wins thanks to its pre-infusion technology and a 15-bar pump pressure to extract rich espresso shots. The technology pre-wet the coffee ground so that the pump pressure can push water through every grain of coffee ground, ensuring that the flavor comes out balanced and rich and there is no part of the coffee puck wasted for nothing.
As a result, I find the espresso flavor to be very bold, and the crema layer is thick and velvety. If you want to brew rich coffee, it’s possible with Gaggia Velasca.
As for Gaggia Brera, the brand doesn’t design the model with any special brewing technology. But users can trust its 15-bar pump. I have extracted delicious cups with this device that isn’t too watered-down or too bitter. The experience has been good.
Construction
Winner: Gaggia Brera
Only ABS thermoplastic, a type of safe, food-grade plastic found in most kitchen equipment, is utilized in the construction of Velasca. It does seem less expensive, though, when compared to Brera’s stainless steel casing.
Stainless steel does not exhibit signs of wear and tear in the same way as ABS thermoplastic does. But, it has some minor downsides, such as being easily scratched and stained. However, it can endure on its own without harming any of the essential components.
The Brera has advantages that make it the superior option since it is made part of stainless steel and ABS thermoplastic.
Size
Winner: Gaggia Velasca
The Gaggia Velasca reclaims its appeal from the Brera at this point. mainly because it has larger hopper, water, and grind settings than the Brera.
There are 10 grind settings, a 54-ounce water tank, and a 10.5-ounce hopper on the Velasca. This facilitates ease and precision in the brewing process. The water tank has to be refilled less regularly and the hopper with new coffee beans. This implies that you spend more time sipping your morning cup than preparing it.
Therefore, the Velasca provides more space and adaptability than the Gaggia Brera, which, in my opinion, speaks for itself.
Programmability
Winner: Gaggia Velasca
The Velasca gives more possibilities for customizing drinks than the Gaggia Brera, which only has 3 aroma strength selections and 5 grind selections. The Velasca has 5 strength selections, 3 temperature settings, and 10 grinder settings. Additionally, The Brera is unable to offer variable temperature, so you can’t expect to control whether the cups can be drunk right away or later; there is only one possible temperature.
Milk frothing
Tie
Gaggia Velasca and Brera have the same performance regarding milk frothing. The machines are equipped with classic steam wands, but I think they do quite a good job at delivering dry milk for cappuccinos or latte macchiatos. Of course, with a manual steam wand, it’s possible to adjust the milk textures and temperatures with ease. Also, the wands are quite flexible in terms of frothing angle, so it’s quite comfortable to handle them.
What I suggest is that users should avoid frothing for too long. If you handle the milk jug during 50s-1 minute to bring out the foam, it’s very possible that the foam texture will be cake-like and has too many bubbles.
Quick Rundown of Gaggia Velasca
- Manual frothing for milk-based drinks: Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk
- Programmable: programmable brewing options for Espresso and Espresso Lungo with 3 different temperature settings
- Ceramic burr grinder and brew unit: ceramic burr grinder with 10 fineness settings, 5 brew strength settings, and bean hopper with 10.5oz capacity
- Front loaded water reservoir: features a 54oz capacity and pulls out from the front of the machine, ideal for low hanging cabinets
Last update on 2023-05-28 / 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 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
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.