Look no further if you want to find the answer to: “Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Gaggia Brera“, which one is better? I can tell you the result right now: Delonghi Magnifica XS. But if you want to spend the next few hundred bucks wisely, check out my review.
Magnifica XS, the winners, boasts of a 1.8L water tank that can feed an entire office. The quality of espresso flavor is amazing, and it is possible to adjust its strength as well. You can expect to froth milk foam for latte art as well. I recommend this super-automatic machine to every beginner out there.
Brera, the runner-up, also can pull quality espresso shots with robust flavor. The heat-up time which only takes under 30s is impressive as well. But in comparison to XS, I believe it isn´t as optimum. Find the reason below.
Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Gaggia Brera: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Gaggia Brera: Differences
Magnifica XS wins 3-1 against Gaggia Brera thanks to its variable grinder settings, robust coffee flavor, and big water tank. You can check out for further details below.
Coffee Flavor: Magnifica XS
Grinder
Both machines are designed with conical burr grinders and variable grinder settings, but Magnifica XS has more options for changing grounds size.
You can choose and adjust between the 13 grinding levels that Magnifica XS provides. With the Brera line of Delonghi, we can switch up between the 5 settings. Personally, I think 5 grinding levels aren´t bad at all. 13 different settings can complicate first-time users’ experience.
Now, let me tell you the true way that these grinders perform. As for the one on Magnifica XS, I find it very stable and it doesn´t get jammed or suffer major faults. The grounds always come out even, and I don´t usually find leftovers in the grinding wheel. The operation also is quiet so I don´t have a word to complain about in this aspect.
When it comes to the grinder of Gaggia Brera, I have experienced some issues. In the first month that I tried this model, the grinder functioned beautifully, and I got even grounds all the time. But after that, the grinder started to make louder noise than it used to, and sometimes it wouldn´t grind after I set the machine to brew.
After sending the machine back to get it fixed, I no longer experienced the same issues. So it seems that this is just an error in fabrication and not something permanent.
Dosing + tamping
Since both Magnifica XS and Gaggia Brera are super-automatic machines, all you have to do is press the button and they will dose, tamp and brew for you. These espresso makers are designed with a variable dose function. You can change the amount of coffee grounds used to brew a specific recipe by adjusting the coffee strength.
After some investigations, I still can´t encounter the exact dose variation of Magnifica XS. But we can certainly change the dose freely by turning the coffee strength´s knob. As for the Brera line, you can adjust the coffee strength, and the machine will automatically dose from 7 to 10.5 grams of coffee grounds for you, according to the instruction.
Taste-wise, i´m in love with both machines. They make absolutely wonderful coffee. The flavor is nuanced and refreshing, though it will take some time to figure out what settings suit you the most. I prefer strong coffee with a tinge of bitter aftertaste, so I always set the coffee strength from medium to strong.
Heating system
Magnifica XS and Brera are equipped with a single boiler, so it is natural that we have to wait for them to finish brewing before we start with the frothing process. Normally, I wouldn´t enjoy machines with single boilers. but these espresso makers have other ways to compensate for the single boilers.
Instead of brewing one or two small espresso shots, you can pull double long espresso with Delonghi Magnifica XS and Lungo with Brera. This level of efficiency ensures that you have all the amount of coffee that you need at once before steaming or frothing milk.
As for the heat-up time, Magnifica XS takes around 60 seconds to 1.5 minutes to start the brewing process, while Brera takes under 30s only. However, keep in mind that the XS model works with a giant 1.8L water tank and can brew around 120ml of espresso in one pull, while Brera comes with a 1.2L one and can pull around 110ml at a time. So Magnifica XS will require a less frequent refill.
Utilities: Magnifica XS
Magnifica XS possesses more convenient additional features, though I have to admit that Gaggia Brera is a formidable opponent itself.
One-touch drinks
With the Delonghi espresso machine, we have 4 buttons that dedicate to 4 brewing processes: Single espresso, double espresso, single espresso long, double espresso long. With the Gaggia´s product, we have 2 one-touch drinks: espresso and lungo.
Cup height
If you are wondering about the cup height that these machines can accommodate, with Magnifica XS, you can pull a mug that is 5 inches tall, while with Gaggia Brera, the maximum cup height is 4.5 inches.
Cup warming tray
This part of both machines works equally great, in my opinion. If you want your coffee to remain hot for a long time, this part of the machines will help you achieve that. Coffee tends to cool off quickly, so by warming the cups, it will last longer.
Milk system: Tie
Firstly, these machines come with a classic Pannarello wand that can steam and froth milk to a creamy texture. Overall, they are very straightforward milk systems. As I have mentioned, these machines use single boilers, so you should expect to brew than froth, not at the same time.
From my experience, both can deliver creamy and thick milk texture which is ideal for latte or cappuccino art. All you have to do is fill the milk jug, place it under the wand and let the wand do the work. But if you want the milk texture to be airier or foamier, I suggest you swirl the jug around manually while the wand adds steam and air.
Fyi, the steam wands can dispense hot water, not just steam. So if you want to drink tea sometimes for a change, keep in mind that you can do it with Delonghi Magnifica XS and Gaggia Brera.
Cleaning & Maintain: tie
Overall I find it very simple to keep these machines going. For the steam wand, whipping it after each use is essential. To deep clean the milk path and the coffee path, I suggest that you buy special cleaning solutions for coffee machines, pour it in the water tank (with water in it), and let the mixture rinse through everything for half an hour. Then, rinse again with clear water only.
One thing I would like to highlight is that both machines have a coffee pucks container that stores used pucks after each brewing session. It is front-loaded, so it should be easy to check on it constantly. I advise you to clear this specific container and wash it daily, despite the coffee puck being dry or wet. This will ensure that there is no mold forming in it, making its way upward to the grinder.
Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Gaggia Brera: Similarities
You already know the differences between Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Gaggia Brera. But have you found out the similarities between them? These 15-bars machines can brew quality coffee, and they are incredibly versatile. Check out why below.
15 bars pump pressure
15 bars has become a standard nowadays, and I don´t recommend anything less. Pump pressure isn´t something that remains the same through time and we all know that 9 bars are the minimum requirement for flavorful espresso with smooth crema. Thus, I don´t suggest machines with only 9-bars pump pressure since it will lose its touch over time.
With Delonghi Magnifica XS and Gaggia Brera, you will be able to pull all the notes of taste from the coffee beans and a good layer of crema.
Compatible with pre-ground coffee
If you want to brew pre-ground coffee for a change, it is totally possible with Magnifica XS and Gaggia Brera. The doser for pre-ground coffee is situated on top of the machine. However, I must say that I prefer the one on Magnifica XS, simply because it is slightly bigger and I can avoid making a mess.
Quick Rundown Of Delonghi Magnifica XS
- Fresh Espresso for every cup: the professional burr grinder with 13 adjustable settings grinds fresh beans every time to ensure maximum freshness. You can also use pre-ground in the second chamber. Your choice of regular, specialty or decaf. The rapid cappuccino system maintains the optimal temperature so you can brew cup After cup instantly.
- Delicious cappuccino and latte: the adjustable manual cappuccino system mixes steam and milk to create the thickest, longest-lasting foam for your cappuccino. And it’s easy to adjust the levels to prepare a creamy latte, macchiato or flat white.
- Customized Espresso drinks: design your ideal Espresso and Cappuccino experience by programming in your preferences. The machine “remembers” the details, from the strength of your espresso to your preferred size Beverage and much more. Large 60oz water tank
- Warranties may not apply to purchases from an unauthorized retailer
Last update on 2024-04-14 / 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 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Delonghi Magnifica XS: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/magnifica-xs-automatic-espresso-machine-cappuccino-maker-ecam22110sb/p/ECAM22110SB
- Gaggia Brera: https://gaggia.com/automatic-machines/brera/
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.