By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
Our journey testing espresso machines has taken us through countless models over the years, from budget-friendly options to premium powerhouses.
We’ve spent countless hours examining flagship machines like the
meticulously testing every feature and function to help our readers make informed decisions.
But sometimes, the most remarkable discoveries come from the machines we least expect.
After extensive testing of premium models like the Sage Barista Express, Sage Oracle, Delonghi Dedica, Gaggia Classic, Rancilio Silvia, Bambino Plus, and Sage Dual Boiler, we thought we’d seen it all.
Then came an interesting trend: our readers kept asking about the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe.
It’s fascinating how preconceptions can cloud judgment. We initially overlooked this machine, assuming newer models had made it obsolete. Just as we’d done with the
we decided to put these assumptions to the test.
And what we discovered left us genuinely surprised.
Our perspective shifted dramatically when we learned that Gaggia Direct now offers the Carezza bundled with their Gaggia MD15 grinder and the Edesia Espresso standard basket portafilter—all for under £350. This combination potentially creates one of Britain’s most accessible entry points into authentic espresso brewing.
While Gaggia Direct does offer similar bundles with the Gran Gaggia and Gaggia Viva at lower price points (producing comparable espresso quality), we’ll explain in our comparisons section why we believe the Carezza’s modest premium is thoroughly justified.
Let’s dive into our detailed findings:
Let’s clear up a bit of confusion about the name straight away.
While this machine carries the “Deluxe” designation in its official title – the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe – it’s actually the standard and only version available in the current lineup.
Unlike other Gaggia machines where you’ll often find both ‘Style’ and ‘Deluxe’ variants, the Carezza comes in just this single model.
The machine’s design certainly makes a statement with its distinctive retro aesthetics.
Our team’s hands-on experience revealed that while product photos might not do it complete justice, the Carezza has a much more substantial presence in person.
Yes, the housing is primarily plastic, but the build quality feels more robust than online images might suggest.
When it comes to operation, simplicity is the name of the game.
The control interface consists of just the essentials: a manual shot button (press once to start, again to stop), steam button, steam/hot water control dial, rinse button, and power switch.
No fancy bells and whistles here – just straightforward functionality.
Under the hood, you’ll find a thermoblock heating system rather than a traditional boiler.
This means water gets heated on-demand as it flows through a heated coil-shaped channel.
It’s the same technology you’ll find in bean to cup coffee machines and most of the cheaper espresso machines.
In our extensive testing of machines at this price point, we’ve found that thermoblock vs boiler makes minimal difference to cup quality.
One technical consideration worth noting is the machine’s pressure system.
The Carezza is designed primarily for pressurised baskets, with a pressure cut-off around 14 bars.
While you can use standard baskets, this higher pressure setting (compared to the ideal 9 bars) might be a dealbreaker for some coffee enthusiasts.
If you’re after a machine with a proper 9-bar pressure setting, you’ll want to look at options like the Sage Bambino or Bambino Plus.
The pre-infusion system on the Carezza takes an interesting approach.
Rather than the low-pressure pre-infusion found in commercial machines or the pressure-ramping system used in Sage models, it delivers about 10ml of water at full pressure, pauses, then continues with the brew.
While this might not be as effective at preventing channelling as traditional low-pressure pre-infusion, it’s certainly better than having no pre-infusion at all.
For milk frothing, you get two options in one.
The default Panarello wand (typical for this price range) includes an air intake hole that automatically incorporates air into the milk.
It’s perfect for beginners and creates that classic, thick cappuccino foam.
But here’s where it gets interesting – remove the Panarello sheath and its plastic holder, and you’ll discover a properly functioning pro steam wand underneath.
We’ll dive deeper into its capabilities shortly.
Our testing of the Carezza revealed several pleasant surprises.
First up is the impressively practical 300ml drip tray – a refreshing change from the tiny catch-trays typical in this price bracket.
We were particularly impressed by the thoughtful design of the metal drip tray cover.
Its magnetic attachment keeps it firmly in place during use – a small but significant touch that speaks to careful engineering even at this price point.
The inclusion of pre-infusion, while not perfect, sets the Carezza apart from many budget competitors that skip this feature entirely.
Initially, the auto-purge feature caught us off guard, but we’ve come to appreciate its clever functionality.
When starting from cold, the machine releases about 100ml of water through the group after reaching temperature.
While this might seem wasteful given the 1.3L tank, it serves an important purpose.
The machine heats up in about 30 seconds, but this quick heating only addresses the thermocoil temperature.
The auto-purge ensures the entire brew path, group head, portafilter, and cup are properly heated – crucial for maintaining temperature stability during extraction.
This only happens from a cold start; if you’re just switching the machine back on while it’s still warm, it skips the purge cycle.
However, the standout feature that genuinely impressed our testing team was the steam wand setup.
Initially, we followed our usual approach with Panarello wands – removing the outer sheath to use the plastic piece as a basic steam wand, which worked surprisingly well.
But the real revelation came when we discovered that removing the plastic piece reveals a proper pro steam wand underneath!
While it’s essentially a modified steam pipe with a rounded single-hole tip, it functions just like a professional steam wand.
Our baristas found it more user-friendly than the one on the Gaggia Classic Pro, with more consistent steam power and a gentler learning curve for proper milk texturing – a skill that takes considerable practice to master.
The steam wand performs brilliantly, delivering consistent and powerful steam output.
Unlike many thermoblock systems that can struggle with steam pressure, this machine produces a steady, reliable jet that’s perfect for creating silky microfoam.
We particularly appreciate the built-in thermometer, though we wish it included numerical markers.
Nevertheless, it clearly shows the temperature range and steam mode status, making it simple to monitor your machine’s state.
One standout feature is the machine’s compatibility with professional-grade portafilters.
Whether you prefer a traditional or bottomless portafilter, you’ve got options.
While the DeLonghi Dedica offers similar compatibility with bottomless portafilters, finding a standard compatible portafilter proved challenging until we discovered one through IKAPE (see our link below).
The 9-minute auto-shutoff feature stands out as our primary concern.
While we fully support energy-saving measures given the reality of climate change, this timeframe feels unusually restrictive.
However, we should note that for the target market of this machine, it’s hardly an issue.
Most users of entry-level machines typically make their morning coffee before heading out, making the auto-shutoff a practical safety feature that saves both energy and money.
The rapid heat-up time helps offset this limitation, though we’d still prefer a longer window.
For casual home baristas making one or two morning coffees, this won’t pose any real problems.
The water tank visibility could use improvement, especially if you’ve positioned the machine under kitchen cabinets.
A simple LED indicator would have solved this issue, though it’s a minor inconvenience rather than a deal-breaker.
The 1.3L water tank capacity might seem limited to some users, though we’ve developed a different perspective on water tank size.
Our recommendation? Fill the tank with just enough water for your daily needs, then empty and dry it each evening.
While this might seem excessive to some, consider how you treat drinking water.
Would you use yesterday’s kettle water or drink from a water bottle that’s been sitting for days?
Since coffee is primarily water, we believe in treating our brewing water with the same care.
(Though I must confess, as I glance at our 11L Gaggia Reale commercial machine in the studio, we don’t always practice what we preach! 😉)
The tank does lose 0.1L during the purge cycle, but its front-loading design makes refilling a breeze.
Remember, the quality of your coffee depends enormously on using freshly roasted and ground beans – it’s a difference you can taste in every cup!
When our team meets coffee enthusiasts shopping for their first proper espresso machine, we often hear one common question: how does the Carezza stack up against more budget-friendly alternatives? If you’re weighing up your options, we’ve got you covered with our hands-on experience.
As certified baristas and coffee experts, we wouldn’t typically compare the Carezza with machines like the Gaggia Classic or similar offerings from Sage, Lelit, or Rancilio – they sit in different categories. However, we think it’s worthwhile examining how it performs against slightly less expensive machines, particularly since some can produce comparable coffee quality. The real question is: does the Carezza justify its higher price tag?
After extensive testing, we found the DeLonghi Dedica pulls ahead of both the Gran Gaggia and Gaggia Viva. While these machines share similar foundations, the Dedica’s pressurised portafilter offers noticeably better performance than Gaggia’s version. The build quality feels more robust, and we’re particularly impressed with DeLonghi’s innovative smart panarello steam wand.
Speaking of the steam wand – it’s the finest panarello system we’ve worked with. Its dual-mode functionality lets you control milk texturing with precision: use the ‘cappuccino’ setting for aeration, then switch to ‘hot milk’ mode to continue heating without adding more air. This level of control makes achieving your ideal milk texture surprisingly straightforward.
Based on our extensive testing, we’d say yes – unless kitchen space is extremely limited. The Carezza brings several meaningful advantages to the table. It’s more substantial in build, offers the flexibility to purchase with a standard basket portafilter (rather than hunting one down separately), and packs more powerful steam performance. The steam wand design is also superior in our experience.
While you can modify the Dedica by removing its panarello and using the rubber pipe as a steam wand, we’ve discovered this needs a DIY fix with a cable tie to prevent it popping off mid-steam – something we learned the hard way during one particularly colourful video demonstration!
Another practical advantage: the Carezza’s generously sized drip tray means fewer interruptions to your coffee-making flow for emptying.
Here’s an interesting comparison: while the Smeg ECF01 actually costs more than the Carezza, our technical analysis revealed it shares internal components with the DeLonghi Dedica. This means our performance comparison between the Dedica and Carezza largely applies to the Smeg machine as well.
This isn’t to say the Smeg doesn’t deserve its price tag. Many coffee lovers choose it for its distinctive aesthetic, especially if they’re creating a coordinated Smeg kitchen. If you value its design language and it matches your other appliances, that premium might be worth paying.
However, we feel it’s important to note that the higher price doesn’t translate to enhanced espresso-making capabilities. In our testing, we found no significant performance advantages over the DeLonghi Dedica, given their similar internal architecture.
During our extensive testing process, we discovered this machine has several market variants, including the “Cook Works Professional“. In fact, we’ve noticed this particular model appears across various markets under different brand names.
What caught our attention was the built-in thermometer – a rare feature in this price range. After thorough testing, we were genuinely impressed with both its espresso extraction and milk steaming capabilities.
The machine shares some characteristics with the DeLonghi Dedica, featuring a compact footprint that’s smaller than the Carezza. Its modern design houses a 1.2L water tank and comes equipped with a pressurised portafilter. While portafilter modification is possible, we found it often compromises the gasket integrity. For better results, we recommend investing in a compatible portafilter.
For more options on creating perfectly textured milk, check out our comprehensive
Based on our extensive testing and comparison, we believe it is. While you can achieve comparable espresso quality across these machines when using a standard portafilter, remember that the Carezza includes this portafilter in the box, reducing the overall cost difference.
In our professional assessment, the Carezza justifies its higher price point through superior steam wand performance, robust steam power, and better build quality. While it may not match the construction standards of the Gaggia Classic or Rancilio Silvia, it clearly outperforms sub-£100 machines in terms of durability and reliability.
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