Gaggia Brera vs Delonghi Esam3300 has sparked up many debates about which is the better mid-range espresso maker out of the two. And after what I have checked, I can tell you that Delonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 is the winner.
Delonghi Magnifica is equipped with a 1.8L water tank that supports a set of dual boilers, with which you can brew robust espresso and make milk foam at the same time. There are many convenient additional features as well. I recommend this to users who have had a bit of experience with espresso machines.
As for the runner-up Gaggia Brera, this machine operation is straightforward, ideal for beginners. It can brew excellent coffee flavor as well, and the heat-up step only takes 30s. But the water tank is significantly smaller compared to the model above, alongside other less convenient features.
Gaggia Brera vs Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Brera vs Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica: Differences
Delonghi Esam3300 wins 3-1 against Gaggia Brera thanks to its ability to pull quality espresso shots and froth creamy milk foam for latte art. It also boasts of a bigger water tank and coffee puck container capacity. Find out more below.
Coffee Flavor: Delonghi ESAM3300
Grinder
Firstly, you should know that both Gaggia Brera and Delonghi ESAM3300 are designed with a conical burr grinder. We all know that this is the best type of grinder since it can deliver the most even coffee grounds. Thus the espresso machines can extract different layers of flavor more evenly.
The main differences between the 2 are that Gaggia Brera comes with a ceramic grinder with 5 settings, while Delonghi Magnifica comes with a steel one with 13 settings.
With a steel grinder, you won’t have to worry about maintenance and performance. Steel, or stainless steel, is more durable and can withstand more impact. But, the sharpness of the wheel will wear out with time. Also, often time, metals heat up when there is a lot of friction. So a steel grinder tends to heat coffee grounds. This is what you should keep in mind with the Magnifica.
Ceramic grinder remains sharp over time and doesn’t heat the coffee beans up, so overall, it is the better option taste-wise. But, ceramic can’t withstand a significant impact, so you will have to be more careful if you go with Gaggia Brera.
Here is my experience with the grinder of Gaggia Brera and Delonghi ESAM3300: both function equally great. The steel grinder of the Delonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 model never affects my espresso, it doesn’t taste burnt or bitter. As for the grinder of Brera, it simply is a standard one that performs consistently, which I enjoy a lot.
Dosing + tamping
The first thing you will notice about these espresso makers is that they don’t have a section where you can insert the portafilter. That’s because these are super-automatic machines that grind and brew without requiring users to chime in. Thus, all you have to do is press the button of the beverage that you want to brew and let the machines do the work.
Grinding, dosing, and tamping. These are the steps that Delonghi Magnifica and Gaggia Brera will do all for you.
You should know that the dose is variable since it can affect the strength of espresso. And since Gaggia Brera and Delonghi Magnifica offer variable coffee volume/ strength options, you can adjust the amount of coffee that goes into the pressurized brew group.
Heating system
This is why I choose Delonghi Magnifica as the winner. This machine is equipped with a set of dual boilers. With a separate Thermoblock boiler dedicated to brewing only, the coffee temperature will always be perfect. And as a user myself, I can tell you that I have never once experienced lukewarm coffee temperature with this machine.
Also, the heating system of ESAM3300 is supported by a giant 1.8L water reservoir. And it is possible to brew and froth at the same time.
Gaggia Brera, on the other hand, comes with a single boiler only and accompanies it is a small-to-standard 1.2L water tank. With a single boiler, it is not possible to brew coffee and steaming milk at the same time.
Normally I would say that a single boiler is not a good pick. But with Gaggia Brera, I haven’t encountered any problem with it yet. The coffee temperature is ideal, around 188-190 degrees F, and the steam wand works decently. So I’ll say that I am satisfied with this one, especially for its price.
Brewing technique
There isn’t any special technology on both devices that offer them a unique brewing technique, but I can guarantee that, so far, the espresso pulling has been very consistent. I enjoy what these 15-bars machines can do. They have extracted some of the most aromatic coffee cups. And since they are so affordable, I’m not hesitant to declare that Delonghi Magnifica and Gaggia Brera are value-for-price.
Utilities: tie
The major point that I give Delonghi ESAM3300 is its instant reheat function. This technology makes sure that we can brew cups after cups without having to wait for the machine to heat water all over again. It remains at an ideal temperature so the waiting time is minimized.
As for the Gaggia Brera, the heat-up time is phenomenal. I only have to wait for 30 seconds, maximum, to start brewing espresso or double espresso. The Delonghi takes around 60 to 75 seconds, not much either, but it sure takes quite a while longer in comparison to Brera.
Milk system: Delonghi ESAM3300
Delonghi Magnifica boasts of its dual boilers and this feature affects the functionality of another part of the espresso maker, naming the milk system. I can froth and brew at the same time and the steam is pressure is to die for. You know I dread when my machine fails to froth.
From my experience, the texture of milk foam coming out of Magnifica is: creamy, thick, and wet. If you enjoy sipping macchiato, latte, flat white, or mocha, this model is recommendable.
Normally, single boilers aren’t potent enough to provide pressure to the steam wand after the device finishes brewing. But generally speaking, I have been enjoying the milk foam that Gaggia Brera can froth.
The texture of milk foam coming out of Brera is: airy and mildly dry. If you love cappuccino, latte, latte macchiato, I recommend this model.
Cleaning & Maintain: Tie
The cleaning process is pretty standard with both machines. You must wipe the milk wand after each use, then run hot water through it to push out the milk that got sucked up during the frothing process. As for the coffee brewing path, running hot water though it is just temporary. If you want to deep clean, you should buy the cleaning solution and mix it with the water in the water tank, then cleanse the machines with it.
Let’s find out how to clean the container for used pucks. Delonghi Magnifica can hold up to 14 pucks while Gaggia Brera can only hold up to 8. So, needless to say, you won’t have to clean the container of Magnifica as frequently as that of Brera.
Design & Material: Gaggia Brera
Both machines have modern designs, which I love. But I still prefer the sharp and sleek appearance of Gaggia Brera more. I think it depends on the preference of each user.
Also, as someone who buys espresso machines constantly to review, I never get myself in a situation where I don’t have any machine decent enough to use. So, I always prefer machine that works for me NOW.
Thus, I prefer the ceramic grinder of Brera more than the steel grinder of Magnifica since it maintains the original spirit of the coffee beans, even though ceramic is more prone to damage. But NOW, it can grind coffee beans evenly without heating them up.
Gaggia Brera vs Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica: Similarities
Gaggia Brera vs Delonghi Esam3300 is an interesting battle since it gives me so many differences to work with. But do you know that both machines can automatically shut off and come with a cup warming tray? If the answer is no, you have to find out how they work below.
Auto shut-off
Officially, only Delonghi Magnifica has the auto shut-off function since the brand advertises it directly on their page. And just as what they claim, this model does shut itself off after 3 hours of no brewing and frothing. This makes sure that your espresso maker has a long lifespan while not wasting electricity.
As for the Brera one, I can’t find a single manual or instruction claiming that the machine automatically turns off. What I do find out is that it goes into standby mode and during this time it barely consumes any energy. So I’ve decided to go out of my way and declare that it has auto shut-off.
Cup warming tray
If you want to spend extra time sipping down a freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning, I suggest that you put the cup warming tray to good use. The tray of both Magnifica and Brera is placed on top and it receives heat from the boiler below. Warm your cup when the machines heat up, and the cups will be ready to use when it’s pouring time.
Quick Rundown Of Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica
- 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
- 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.
- YOUR FOAM, YOUR WAY: A manual frother mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for evenly textured drinks – just the way you like them.
- CONSISTENT BREWING EVERY TIME: Each cup is automatically brewed to the perfect temperature, richness and density. And you can customize the settings to ensure its always just the way you like it.
- EASY TO CLEAN AND HANDLE: The compact, extractable brew unit is not only easy to clean, it self-adjusts for one or two shots of espresso.
Last update on 2024-04-21 / 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 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/magnifica-automatic-espresso-machine-cappuccino-maker-esam3300/p/ESAM-3300
- 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.