By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
If you’re searching for information about the new Gaggia Espresso machine, you’ve come to the right place – though we must admit, the name choice does make online searching a bit tricky when you’re looking for a “Gaggia espresso machine”!
The story behind this machine’s name is rather interesting. Gaggia actually revived the “Espresso” title from their 1980s model, which was one of the predecessors to the legendary Gaggia Classic. Speaking of the original, we’ve been quite keen to add one to our testing collection – it has that stunning retro appeal reminiscent of classic Italian sports cars from the 80s and 90s.
While both the new Espresso and its vintage namesake share some DNA – think proper portafilters, Italian craftsmanship, and similar design elements – they’re fundamentally different machines. Both feature plastic construction, but that’s where most similarities end.
Though our collection still lacks an original Espresso (and sadly, a vintage Ferrari), we’ve thoroughly tested the new Gaggia Espresso in our lab.
The burning question is: Could this be Gaggia’s most significant innovation since their 1980s glory days? Let’s dive into our findings.
The Gaggia Espresso comes in three distinct versions, each offering different aesthetic touches and material choices.
Style: Full ABS plastic construction. Available in stone black & lava red.
Deluxe: Features metal drip tray cover, metal cup warmer & rails. Available in Riverway Green & Storm Grey.
Evolution: Includes metal drip tray cover, metal cup warmer & rails, with distinctive colour accents. Available in stone black & lava red.
When we first unboxed this machine, the presence of a PID immediately caught our attention.
But wait – there’s much more to discuss here. While PID temperature control isn’t revolutionary in itself, finding it on a machine in this price bracket is absolutely remarkable.
PID stands for Proportional Integral Derivative—but don’t let that technical term put you off. We at Caffeinated Gear will break it down into plain English, showing you why it matters for your morning brew.
Think of a PID controller as your coffee machine’s brain. It’s constantly making tiny adjustments to maintain the perfect brewing temperature. Without getting too technical, it’s the difference between hitting somewhere near the target temperature and maintaining pinpoint accuracy.
Most budget-friendly machines struggle with temperature consistency. They swing between too hot and too cold, which plays havoc with your espresso’s taste. A PID controller solves this problem brilliantly by predicting when to adjust the heating element, keeping temperatures steady and your coffee consistently delicious.
Sage (known as Breville in some regions) stands out as the pioneer in making PID technology accessible. They’ve included PIDs across their entire range, from the basic Bambino to their top-end models. Until recently, finding a PID controller in machines under £200 was practically unheard of.
If we’re comparing similarly-priced machines and one has a PID controller, our choice is clear—we’ll pick the PID-equipped model every time. Temperature stability is absolutely crucial for consistently great espresso, and a PID controller delivers this reliability beautifully.
The portafilter is another standout feature that deserves special attention.
In our experience testing countless machines under £250, we’ve seen our fair share of pressurised portafilters—many of them quite disappointing. We particularly dislike those lightweight, plastic-heavy pressurised portafilters that seem to plague the budget market.
This portafilter, however, is a pleasant surprise! While not quite perfect (the spouts could be improved with a proper metal splitter, and the body height could be more compact), it’s remarkably well-made for its price point. The build quality feels substantial in hand, and most importantly, it’s non-pressurised.
Following Sage’s smart approach, they’ve included a standard portafilter with pressurised baskets. This clever design means you can easily switch to a 53mm standard basket whenever you’re ready to advance your coffee-making journey.
The filter basket plays a crucial role in espresso extraction. Traditional baskets feature a mesh bottom with multiple holes, requiring careful attention to grind size. We’ve found that different coffee beans need different grind settings for optimal extraction—a process known as “dialling in.”
Pressurised systems (whether in the basket or portafilter) work by restricting water flow. While they create that appealing crema layer we associate with espresso, they’re best suited for standard supermarket coffee beans—the ones with best-before dates rather than roasted-on dates.
For coffee enthusiasts using freshly roasted beans, standard baskets are essential. Fresh coffee offers more vibrant flavours, but these can swing dramatically based on extraction quality. When properly dialled in, the results can be spectacular; when not, quite the opposite. This sensitivity isn’t as noticeable with commodity coffee beans.
The standard portafilter design is brilliant, and you can easily find compatible 53mm standard baskets—these ones will fit perfectly. Though we wish they came bundled with the machine, they’re a worthwhile upgrade for serious coffee lovers.
This machine includes pre-infusion capabilities, though opinions vary on what constitutes true pre-infusion. At its core, it’s about introducing water to the ground coffee before the main extraction begins.
The concept originates from commercial plumbed-in machines, where line pressure gently wets the coffee before the pump engages. This gentler approach reduces the risk of channelling—where water finds quick paths through the coffee puck, leading to uneven extraction.
The pre-infusion here mirrors the Gaggia Carezza’s approach: a brief burst at full pressure delivering about 15ml of hot water, followed by a short pause before the main extraction.
While we prefer the low-pressure pre-infusion found in Sage coffee machines, as it’s gentler on the coffee puck, some pre-infusion is better than none. For best results, we recommend using a 53mm paper filter like these.
A 53.3mm metal puck screen might seem ideal, but we’ve noticed they can compromise the seal with the stock portafilter, causing unwanted drips. For the stock portafilter, we’ve found paper filters work surprisingly well, despite their thin profile. However, if you’re using the Edesia Espress portafilter, a puck screen becomes a viable option.
The machine’s factory settings work brilliantly for most users, but there’s one simple upgrade that could make it even better.
Let’s talk about the OPV (Over Pressure Valve) – a crucial component that manages pressure in your espresso machine.
Think of the OPV as your machine’s pressure relief system. When pressure in the coffee basket reaches the maximum limit (set by a spring inside the valve), the OPV kicks in to release any excess pressure.
Most household espresso machines, including this one, come equipped with 15-bar vibration pumps. However, for crafting the perfect espresso, you rarely need more than 9 bars of pressure. That’s where the OPV modification comes in handy.
Here’s the brilliant bit – the OPV mod from Shades of Coffee designed for the Gaggia Classic Pro is fully compatible with the Gaggia Espresso. This affordable modification lets you fine-tune your maximum basket pressure to either 5, 6.5, or 9 bars. It’s straightforward to install and makes a noticeable difference to your brewing control.
The latest Gaggia Espresso stands apart from its siblings, the Gaggia Classic and original Gaggia Espresso, by featuring a thermoblock heating system rather than a traditional brew boiler.
We’ve found this distinction crucial for understanding how your machine operates.
Traditional brew boilers work by heating a reservoir of water using either internal or external heating elements.
These boilers serve dual purposes – brewing espresso at one temperature, then ramping up to generate steam at higher temperatures.
In contrast, thermoblock systems employ an innovative approach: water flows continuously through precisely engineered channels within a metal block, heating instantly as it travels through.
This technology isn’t unique to Gaggia – you’ll find similar systems in various bean to cup coffee machines and several budget-friendly espresso makers like the DeLonghi Dedica and Smeg ECF01.
However, what sets the Gaggia Espresso’s thermoblock apart is its remarkable power output.
Think of it as a high-performance sports car in a compact package – while competing machines like the Dedica and Smeg models utilise 1350W thermoblocks, the Gaggia Espresso packs an impressive 1900W system.
For more context on affordable espresso machines, check out our comprehensive
This extra power translates to practical benefits: the machine reaches brewing temperature in just 25 seconds, with steam ready in the same timeframe.
The Gaggia Espresso offers flexible brewing control that suits both manual and automated preferences.
For traditional operation, simply press the shot button to start and stop brewing.
Alternatively, you can programme your preferred shot volume by holding the button until you achieve your desired amount – this activates the ‘memo function’, which will automatically stop at your programmed volume in future uses.
To modify this setting, just repeat the programming process.
Should you wish to disable this feature, press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
At first glance, you might notice the standard panarello wand – a common feature on machines in this price range.
This attachment excels at producing traditional, richly textured cappuccino foam with prominent bubbles, supported by the powerful 1900W thermoblock.
However, we’ve discovered a hidden feature: removing the panarello and its connector reveals a thoughtfully designed steam pipe.
Unlike typical budget machines, this pipe is intentionally extended and features a carefully rounded single-hole tip instead of a basic cut-off end – effectively creating a professional-grade steam wand.
The wand’s design offers exceptional flexibility with 360-degree rotation and an articulated joint that extends outward, providing ample workspace.
Unlike its predecessors (the Classic and original Espresso), this model’s thermoblock and pump system can theoretically produce endless steam – limited only by your water tank capacity.
The drip tray boasts a generous 275ml capacity, which we find quite impressive for a machine of this size.
While the tray’s height limits cup clearance to about 7.5cm – perfectly adequate for most espresso cups – things get a bit tricky when you’re trying to fit brewing scales underneath.
But here’s where clever engineering comes into play: remove the drip tray, and you’ll discover a thoughtfully designed flat platform that’s brilliant for positioning your brewing scales or accommodating taller cups.
Simply slide the tray back in place after pulling your shot to catch any drips – it’s a wonderfully practical solution.
During our extensive testing, this feature stood out as a genuine highlight.
Let’s be honest – the positioning of the water tank might seem like a minor detail, but for those of us who make multiple coffees daily, it makes a world of difference.
Traditional portafilter machines often place the tank behind the drip tray, which involves an awkward dance of moving steam wands and unhooking pipes, or at the back, requiring you to either reach over the machine or pull it forward to refill.
The side-mounted design of this 1.2L tank is refreshingly straightforward – no gymnastics required for refilling.
While some might consider 1.2L modest, we’ve found that the exceptional ease of access more than makes up for the capacity.
During our testing period, the Italian craftsmanship was immediately apparent – and not just because “Made in Italy” is stamped on the casing.
The thoughtful design touches and solid construction speak volumes about its heritage.
Despite its plastic construction, the build quality and design finesse are unmistakable.
The machine offers compatibility with ESE (Easy Serve Espresso) pods, providing a convenient alternative when time is tight.
The process is straightforward: place the pod in the single basket, add the pod adapter, and you’re ready to brew.
While we primarily recommend freshly ground coffee for the best results, ESE pods can be a practical option for those transitioning from supermarket pre-ground coffee or needing a quick solution on busy mornings.
While we’re genuinely impressed with this machine’s capabilities at its price point, our commitment to thorough testing means we need to highlight a few considerations.
These aren’t deal-breakers – in fact, you’ll find similar limitations in other machines in this category – but they’re worth understanding before making your decision.
Even machines costing twenty times more have their quirks, so let’s explore what we discovered during our testing.
Water Pressure
Like most machines in this price range, the water delivery through the shower screen is notably forceful.
This characteristic stems from the use of a standard spring-loaded brew valve rather than a 3-way solenoid valve – a common feature in more premium models like the Gaggia Classic.
While the machine does offer pre-infusion, it occurs at full pressure, which may not provide the gentle saturation ideal for optimal extraction.
For comparison, machines like the Sage Bambino and Duo Temp Pro, while also lacking a solenoid valve, control pressure electronically and feature 9-bar overpressure valves.
We strongly recommend using a puck screen – an affordable addition that helps protect your coffee puck from the direct water jet.
Wet Pucks
Without a 3-way solenoid valve to quickly release excess pressure into the drip tray post-extraction, you’ll notice slightly wetter pucks compared to higher-end machines.
While this doesn’t affect the quality of your espresso, it does mean slightly messier puck disposal compared to machines like the Gaggia Classic or solenoid-equipped Sage models.
Potential Sneezing
This limitation also relates to the absence of a 3-way solenoid valve.
If you accidentally choke the machine with too fine a grind, you’ll need to wait a minute before removing the portafilter – unlike with the Classic Pro, where immediate removal is safe.
Our professional tip: always keep a barista cloth handy to wrap around the portafilter after a choked shot, as we’ve experienced our fair share of “portafilter sneezes” during testing.
Here at Caffeinated Gear, we pride ourselves on delivering thorough, unvarnished reviews based on hands-on testing.
Our goal is simple: provide you with all the essential details you need to make an informed decision about your coffee equipment investment.
We firmly believe there’s no such thing as a universally “best” espresso machine.
Every coffee enthusiast has unique needs and preferences.
What we can say with confidence is this: the Evolution represents Gaggia’s most compelling traditional espresso machine since their legendary Classic.
Consider the facts: a PID-equipped, Italian-made espresso machine with a professional-grade portafilter for under £200.
That’s the kind of value that makes us sit up and take notice.
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