Description

After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we’ve found that while the Gaggia Brera stands out as a brilliant entry-level bean-to-cup machine with manual milk frothing, the Anima offers compelling upgrades for those with a bit more to spend (roughly £50 more) and additional vertical space in their kitchen.

Key Features and Specifications

• Generous 1.8L water tank capacity
• Advanced automatic pre-infusion system
• Convenient top-filling water reservoir
• Versatile bypass doser for pre-ground coffee
• Precise dose control with 5 settings (7-11g)
• Authentic double shot capability (two single shots in succession)
• Professional Pannarello steam wand for manual milk texturing (three alternative models available)
• Accommodates cups up to 11.5cm in height
• Spacious internal waste container holding 15 coffee pucks
• Space-efficient dimensions: 22.1cm wide x 43cm deep x 34cm tall

As coffee experts who regularly field questions about both machines, we’ll break down the key differences between the Anima and Brera:

Water Tank Design and Capacity The Anima features a 1.9L top-filling water tank, while the Brera offers a 1.2L front-access reservoir. For kitchens with low-hanging cabinets, the Brera’s front-access design proves more practical. However, the Anima’s top-fill system allows for seamless water replenishment mid-brew—a feature our team particularly appreciates during busy testing sessions.

Dose Control Precision Where the Brera provides three dose settings (approximately 7g, 9g, and 11g, varying with bean type and grind), the Anima adds intermediate 8g and 10g options. While this might seem minor, we’ve found these additional settings useful for fine-tuning extractions with different coffee varieties.

Cup Height Flexibility The Anima edges ahead with a maximum cup clearance of 15cm compared to the Brera’s 12cm—a subtle but practical advantage for larger drink preparations.

Waste Management With a 16-puck capacity waste drawer (double the Brera’s 8-puck limit), the Anima requires less frequent emptying—a welcome convenience for regular coffee drinkers.

It’s worth noting that both machines share identical grinder and brewing unit specifications, resulting in remarkably similar cup quality in our blind taste tests.

The Anima comes in several variants. The Anima Black represents the entry-level option with a Pannarello steam wand, while the Anima Barista Plus upgrades to a professional steam wand.

The Deluxe model incorporates a cappuccinatore (pronounced cap-pu-chi-na-tor-ay), essentially the same automatic frothing system found in one-touch carafe models, minus the carafe. Both the Class One Touch and Prestige One Touch versions include integrated milk carafes for fully automated milk drinks.

For a comprehensive look at the entire Gaggia range, check out our detailed analysis: