The Gaggia Carezza Deluxe vs Gaggia Carezza Style are both stylish espresso machines that deliver great espresso without requiring a bit of a learning curve. But what sets them apart from each other?
These machines share many things, but I’ll dive deeper into those in my comparison below. One notable distinction is that the Carezza Deluxe boasts a thermometer on its front-facing panel, a feature absent in the Carezza Style. Another difference lies in the construction of their Panarello wand sleeves: the Deluxe has a metal sleeve, whereas the Style features a plastic sleeve.
Gaggia Carezza Deluxe vs Gaggia Carezza Style: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Carezza Deluxe vs Gaggia Carezza Style: Differences
There is no significant difference between the Carezza Deluxe and Carezza Style, see. Here is my insight about them!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Tie
Built-in Grinder
You guys may be disappointed that these machines lack an integrated grinder, but I’m not. This absence actually helps reduce costs for those of us who prefer using pre-ground coffee.
If you want to get the most out of the machine, you always have the option to purchase a standalone grinder later on. Gaggia even offers a few excellent standalone grinders in their lineup, such as the Gaggia MD15 grinder, which pairs well with these grinder-less coffee machines.
Dosing & Tamping
Both models feature a 53mm pressurized portafilter with a long handle. The effort it takes to engage the portafilter means you might need to stabilize the machine with your other hand to prevent it from shifting on the countertop.
It’s a bit odd that these machines don’t come with a tamper. I’m quite accustomed to brands suggesting the purchase of parts separately, but the absence of a tamper is something I find unacceptable.
Heating System
Both machines are single-thermoblock machines. Instead of heating water in a traditional boiler, water is pumped through a block that’s heated, featuring a coil-shaped cutout, and water is boiled on the way. That way, these machines heat up fast, about 30 seconds.
But as always with rapid-heating machines, the brew group, portafilter, and cup will all be stone-cold during a couple of first brewing cycles. Hence, I always recommend pulling one blank shot or two before starting the game.
Both models also feature an automatic shut-off after 9 minutes of inactivity, which is really convenient for anyone who makes their morning coffee and then dashes off to work or other activities. Your wallet will thank you for that, and so does Mother Earth. Still, the 9-minute interval is a bit brief for my liking.
Brewing System
Both machines are equipped with a 15-bar pump, which does generate a noticeable amount of noise. You can hear not just the pump in action but also a slight hum it produces within the machine itself. It’s not a major issue but is something to keep in mind.
Both machines feature auto pre-infusion, but that isn’t the low-pressure pre-infusion you might find in some other espresso machines. Most semi-automatic mimic traditional pre-infusion by initially delivering water at a lower pressure before ramping up to full pressure.
These Gaggia machines don’t do it this way. Instead, they dispense about 10 ml of water at full pressure, pausing and then continuing to deliver the rest of the brewing water into the basket. I think this kind of pre-infusion is surely better than nothing, but I really prefer low-pressure pre-infusion as pre-infusion since I think it does a better job of reducing channelling.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Tie
Dimensions & User Interface
| Gaggia Carezza Deluxe | Gaggia Carezza Style | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 11 x 12.5 inches | 11.8 x 8.3 x 11 inches |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs | 12.6 lbs |
These machines are mostly plastic, aside from the front control plate, cup warming tray, and brew group, etc. Largely plastic construction means they’re relatively light, but they are still strong enough. Their control panels are also very simple with just a couple of buttons for controlling everything.
The Style is the more compact and heavier option, which is good, but the Deluxe features a thermometer. I’m quite fond of the thermometer, and even if it doesn’t display specific numbers, you can see the range the machine is operating within. This means you can easily tell when the machine is heating up and when it’s ready to steam.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Gaggia Carezza Deluxe | Gaggia Carezza Style | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 3.5 inches | 3.5 inches |
Being largely traditional espresso machines, they are primarily designed to accommodate smaller espresso cups. The height of the portafilter is fixed, yet there’s sufficient space to fit a mug if you’re inclined towards an Americano-style cup.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Gaggia Carezza Deluxe | Gaggia Carezza Style | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.4 liters | 1.4 liters |
| Bean Hopper | None | None |
While some might consider the water tank a bit on the small side, personally, I don’t find the size of the water tank to be an issue these days. The big deal is the water level can be slightly difficult to see, especially if your machine is placed under wall units, making it hard to gauge how much water is left in the tank.
My recommendation is to fill the machine with just a third to half a tank of water, or however much you anticipate using that day, and then empty and dry the water tank at the end of the day. This way, it’s ready for a fresh fill in the morning.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Tie
As mentioned before, both use a Panarello wand, a feature commonly found on more budget-friendly espresso machines. you’re not acquainted with this kind of wand, it’s a sheath made of plastic (Carezza Style) or metal (Carezza Deluxe) covering the steam pipe, with an air intake hole, delivering both steam and air into your milk.
The Panarello wand is easier to use than professional-level manual steam wands you’ll find on commercial machines. Still, they only really create one kind of froth, which is thick old-school cappuccino froth.
By the way, you can actually slide off the Panarello wand and remove the Panarello holder. By doing this, you’re left with a slim, professional steam wand that performs quite decently.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Tie
Drink Options
| Gaggia Carezza Deluxe | Gaggia Carezza Style |
|---|---|
| Espresso Hot Water | Espresso Hot Water |
They both have no one-touch coffee specialties, but their steam wand can double as an outlet for hot water. This can be particularly useful for making other hot beverages that do not require espresso, such as hot chocolate or tea.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Gaggia Carezza Deluxe | Gaggia Carezza Style |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | No | No |
| Coffee Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | No | No |
Speaking of experiments, all you can do is manually control the coffee volume. This doesn’t leave a lot of room for fine-tuning, but remember that these machines are intentionally designed to simplify the process for beginners.
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Carezza Deluxe
- 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
- Brewing features: pressurized porta filter brews both ground Coffee and ESE pods. Pre-infusion function pre-wets grounds before brewing for rich, even extraction
- AUTOMATIC POWER DOWN: The Carezze will power down after 9 minutes of inactivity to save energy
- FRONT LOADED WATER RESERVOIR: Features a 47oz capacity and pulls out from the front of the machine, water level is visible, and the reservoir is compatible with the Mavea Inteza water filter system
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Carezza Style
Product Videos
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- Gaggia Carezza Deluxe vs Classic Pro: Which Is Best For You?
References:
- Gaggia Carezza Deluxe: https://www.gaggia.com/manual-machines/carezza-deluxe/
- Gaggia Carezza Style: https://www.gaggiadirect.com/gaggia-carezza-style.html
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.