Comparing Gaggia Classic Pro and Breville Bambino Plus: Which Espresso Machine is Best for You?

BySolidarity Project Blog

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a more traditional espresso machine while the Breville Bambino Plus is a more modern and streamlined design.

Gaggia Classic Pro Vs Breville Bambino Plus

For discerning coffee-lovers, the Gaggia Classic Pro and Breville Bambino Plus are both excellent options for espresso machines. The Gaggia Classic Pro is an affordable semi-automatic machine that provides a great balance of cost and performance. The durable design includes a 58mm portafilter for maximum extraction, and its stainless steel construction ensures long-lasting results*. On the other hand, the Breville Bambino Plus is loaded with features to maximize your brewing experience. It has a three-second pre-infusion system to fully enrich flavor, as well as well as an adjustable auto-purge for precise temperature control. Both machines offer superior quality coffee with the convenience of a semi-automatic machine, so it comes down to what features you deem most important when choosing between them.

Design & Functionality

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a semi-automatic espresso machine that is designed to be both durable and easy to use. The machine is made of stainless steel with a chrome-plated finish, giving it a sleek and modern look. The Gaggia Classic Pro has a commercial grade 15 bar pump and can make up to three cups of espresso at once. It also features a professional grade steam wand for steaming milk and making cappuccinos.

The Breville Bambino Plus is another semi-automatic espresso machine, designed with convenience and ease in mind. It has an all stainless steel exterior which gives it a modern and stylish look. With its thermocoil heating system, the Breville Bambino Plus can produce cafe quality results with minimal effort. The machine also features an integrated manual steam wand so you can easily foam milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

Price & Affordability

When it comes to price, the Gaggia Classic Pro has an MSRP of $599, while the Breville Bambino Plus has an MSRP of $499. Both machines are considered mid-range when it comes to pricing, so they are both fairly affordable options for those who are looking for an entry-level espresso machine without breaking the bank.

Difference in Brewing Experience

The biggest difference between the Gaggia Classic Pro and the Breville Bambino Plus lies in their brewing experience. The Gaggia Classic Pro is designed with more experienced users in mind, as it offers more control over the brewing process than the Breville Bambino Plus. With its commercial grade 15 bar pump, you have more control over the pressure used in extraction as well as other variables such as temperature and water flow rate. This allows you to fine tune your espresso shots for optimal results every time.

On the other hand, the Breville Bambino Plus offers more convenient features such as automatic water level sensing, automatic temperature control, automatic pre-infusion and auto shut off after 9 minutes of non use which makes it easier to use for those who are just starting out with making espresso drinks at home.

Ease of Cleaning & Maintenance

Both machines are relatively easy to clean and maintain thanks to their removable parts such as portafilters, drip trays and water tanks that can be removed from the main unit easily for cleaning purposes. Additionally, both machines have built in backflush cycles which flush out any coffee grounds or built up oils from inside the brew group after each use which makes cleaning much easier than manual cleaning methods such as brushing or using solvents on components like portafilters or group heads which would require more time consuming maintenance processes.

Making Specialty Drinks

When it comes to making specialty drinks like lattes or cappuccinos at home, both machines offer their own unique advantages that will suit different users needs and preferences better than others depending on what type of drink they would like to make most often at home. For example, if you prefer making cappuccinos at home then you may find that the professional grade steam wand on the Gaggia Classic Pro offers better performance than what you would get from using a manual steam wand on the Breville Bambino Plus due to its higher pressure output levels that allow you to create thicker foam textures more quickly than what would be possible with a manual wand setup on a lower pressure setting machine like the Bambino Plus does not feature any automated milk frothing capabilities unlike its counterpart does so if you prefer having full control over every step of your latte or cappuccino preparation then this might be your best option overall in this case since it requires no external milk frothing device or attachments when used properly while still being able to produce cafe quality drinks at home quickly and easily without too much effort involved overall from start finish without having any external attachments necessary either apart from just needing one portafilter handle if desired when making multiple drinks since only one included with purchase..

Group Head Functionality

The Gaggia Classic Pro and Breville Bambino Plus offer great group head functionality. The Gaggia Classic Pro features a commercial grade brass group head that is designed to maintain temperature stability while brewing espresso. The group head also has an ergonomic design with a 58mm diameter portafilter for easy access and added convenience. The Breville Bambino Plus also features an ergonomic design with a 54mm stainless steel portafilter. The portafilter is designed to give users maximum control over the espresso extraction process while also providing excellent temperature stability. Both machines feature pre-infusion technology which saturates the grounds before extraction, resulting in a more even and controlled extraction process for perfect espresso every time.

Reliability & Durability

The Gaggia Classic Pro and Breville Bambino Plus are both incredibly reliable and durable machines. The Gaggia Classic Pro features a commercial grade brass boiler system that provides excellent temperature stability, allowing you to make consistent shots of espresso time after time. It also has three-way solenoid valves which isolate the brew pressure from the steam pressure, preventing any backflow of water or steam into the brewing chamber and ensuring that your espresso is brewed at the right pressure every time. The Breville Bambino Plus also features a robust stainless steel boiler system, providing excellent temperature stability as well as multiple safety features such as overheat protection for added peace of mind when using the machine.

Space Consumption

When it comes to space consumption, both the Gaggia Classic Pro and Breville Bambino Plus offer great options for those who are limited on countertop space or have smaller kitchens. The Gaggia Classic Pro measures in at 12 x 8 x 14 inches making it one of the smallest semi-automatic machines on the market today, while still providing great performance and convenience features. The Breville Bambino Plus measures in at just 6 x 10 x 12 inches making it one of the smallest espresso machines on the market today, making it perfect for those with limited countertop space or small kitchens who still want to enjoy quality espresso drinks at home.

FAQ & Answers

Q: What is the difference in design and functionality between the Gaggia Classic Pro and the Breville Bambino Plus?
A: The Gaggia Classic Pro features a stainless steel body, commercial-grade chrome-plated brass portafilter and an advanced electronic system. It also has a stainless steel steam wand, a steaming knob and an illuminated on/off switch. The Breville Bambino Plus is designed with a stainless steel body, a 51mm portafilter and an adjustable over-pressure valve for precise espresso extraction. It also features a thermoblock heating system, pre-infusion technology, digital temperature control, auto shut off and auto purge for easy cleaning.

Q: What is the price difference between the Gaggia Classic Pro and the Breville Bambino Plus?
A: The Gaggia Classic Pro typically retails for around $500 while the Breville Bambino Plus typically retails for around $400.

Q: What is the difference in brewing experience between the Gaggia Classic Pro and the Breville Bambino Plus?
A: The Gaggia Classic Pro produces espresso with more crema than most other machines due to its commercial grade components. It also has an advanced electronic system that allows for precise control over water temperature and pressure. The Breville Bambino Plus features pre-infusion technology to evenly distribute water throughout your grounds before increasing pressure to extract flavor from your beans. It also has digital temperature control so you can adjust your beverage’s flavor profile to your own tastes.

Q: How easy are both machines to clean and maintain?
A: Both machines are relatively easy to clean and maintain. The Gaggia Classic Pro requires regular descaling of its components but it has an illuminated on/off switch that makes it easy to monitor when it needs maintenance. The Breville Bambino Plus has an auto purge feature that flushes out excess water after every use, making it easier to keep clean than some other models.

Q: Which machine is better for making specialty drinks?
A: Both machines are capable of producing specialty drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos but the Gaggia Classic Pro does have a dedicated steam wand which makes it easier to create milk-based beverages. The Breville Bambino Plus can still make these drinks but may require more manual effort as compared to using a steam wand.

The Gaggia Classic Pro and the Breville Bambino Plus are both high-quality espresso machines that provide excellent results. The Gaggia Classic Pro is a more traditional machine with an iconic design, while the Breville Bambino Plus offers more modern features, such as PID and pre-infusion technology. Both machines are capable of making fantastic espresso and other coffee drinks, making them both great choices for any home barista. Ultimately, which one you choose depends on your needs and preferences.

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