Gaggia Anima Prestige Review – My Honest Opinion

Gaggia Anima Prestige Review – My Ratings & Top Features

Who Should Buy The Gaggia Anima Prestige?

The Gaggia Anima Prestige is perfect for anyone interested in a super-automatic espresso machine that offers one-touch brewing.

This Italian-made espresso machine is well-designed, straightforward, and capable of delivering programmed specialty beverages at the touch of a button.

Making quality espresso has never been so simple, so if ease of use and convenience is your main priority, this is the one to go with.

It's a particularly good choice for anyone who enjoys a creamy latte or decadent cappuccino. The attached milk carafe does all the frothing for you.

All you have to do is fill it with your milk of choice!

Why I Decided To Review The Gaggia Anima Prestige Espresso Maker

I’ve never owned a Gaggia espresso machine before the Anima Prestige, but I’ve always been interested in this well-respected Italian company.[1]

That’s not the only reason I decided to write this Gaggia Anima Prestige review, though.

Recently, I’ve been a big fan of convenient, fast espresso brewing.

I just don’t have the time or energy to pull shots the traditional way anymore, and super-automatic espresso machines like the Anima Prestige allow me to enjoy amazing espresso, just without all the work!

What’s It Like To Brew Espresso With The Gaggia Anima Prestige

Before jumping into the Gaggia Anima Prestige review, you should know a bit about the company.

Gaggia was founded in Milan in 1948 by a man named Achille Gaggia, providing both Italian cafes and homes with advanced espresso machines.

These machines quickly spread to other parts of the globe, and it’s now one of the top-selling Italian brands in the coffee industry.

After reading up on the history and impact of Gaggia, I was like a kid in a candy store as soon as my Anima Prestige arrived.

What's In The Box?

Gaggia provides its customers with everything they need to get the full Anima Prestige experience. That includes:

I can't complain too much about the assembly/setup process. My only critique is that Gaggia doesn't include a Quick Start Guide with simplified instructions.

I found myself flipping through the user manual quite a bit over the 30-ish minutes it took to assemble the machine.

The last thing included with any Gaggia machine is a 2-year warranty. Compared to other machines, this is better than the industry standard.[2]

Grinding My Coffee Beans

There’s not much involved in using the Gaggia’s flat ceramic burr grinder.

The bean hopper is located at the top of the machine, so just add coffee beans and choose between the five grinder settings.

If you’re using pre-ground coffee instead of freshly ground beans, the machine’s bypass doser will come in handy - especially if you’re a fan of occasional decaf.

Simply add the pre-ground coffee beans to the doser, close the lid, and press the power button. That’s it!

Pulling My First Espresso Shot

To be honest, there’s no classic espresso-pulling involved with the Gaggi Anima Prestige.

Like other superautomatic machines, the whole process is completely automated, everything from bean grinding to milk frothing.

Once I finished setting up the Gaggia Anima Prestige, everything else was as simple as pushing a button.

The ideal amount of grounds will be tamped and pressurized for you - all you have to do is select your beverage and wait a minute or two.

In other words, it grinds your beans, doses the portafilter, extracts the shot, and even empties the portafilter once brewing is complete.

Aside from filling the water reservoir, the bean hopper, and the milk carafe, there’s not much else you need to do.

My First Time Frothing Milk

At first, I was skeptical of the Anima’s ability to steam milk and create milk foam. All of that skepticism was put to rest after my first time using the automatic frother.

A big selling point is the integrated milk carafe, and I can see why. After filling the container and locking it into place at the front of the machine, I just sit back and relax.

I don’t even have to move my cup over to the milk spout; after it’s frothed, it’s poured directly into the mug overtop the espresso.

The milk container can hold enough milk for 4-5 drinks. Once I’m done with the automatic milk frother, I just remove the container and put it back into the fridge to be used the next day.

In terms of milk quality, I’m very impressed.

My cappuccinos have a nice foam, and my lattes are creamy. There’s no steam wand for latte art, but that’s not a big deal considering the ease of creating milk foam.

How Much Control Do You Have Over the Gaggia Anima Prestige?

Like I’ve said before, this machine is all about convenience. All the settings are easy to program, and the LCD screen is intuitive and user-friendly.

The buttons are all clearly labeled, offering plenty of customization options to get your beverage just right.

Once you’ve got all the settings to your liking, you can easily save them for one-touch brewing later on.

Use these buttons to adjust coffee strength, coffee volume, brew temperature, and milk texture. Honestly, it’s so easy to figure out that referring to the manual won’t be necessary.

Look, Feel & Size Of The Machine

I've never been a huge fan of plastic casing, so I was surprised by how aesthetically pleasing this machine is.

The Gaggia Anima Prestige features a mostly plastic design with stainless steel paneling. It's a looker, and despite the plastic, it's extremely sturdy, thanks to its Italian build.

Although this is considered a compact machine measuring 8.8" wide by 16.9" deep by 13.4" high, it has a decent capacity compared to similar models.

The bean hopper holds 8.8 ounces of coffee, and the water reservoir can hold 60 ounces.

Even the drip tray has a 24-ounce capacity, and it lets you know when it’s full by flashing an indicator light.

Gaggia Anima Prestige Drink Options

Thanks to the automatic frother, there’s not much limitation on what the Gaggia can brew. The settings make it easy to make six different drinks, including:

Four of these drink options can be brewed with a single touch of a button (espresso, espresso lungo, latte macchiato, and cappuccino).

The other two options are programmed into the drinks menu, so they’re just as easy to brew, and the same goes for regular black coffee.

Does It Have a Water Filter?

Yes, the Gaggia Anima Prestige has an optional water filter called the Mavea Intenza. When you use it, it will last about a year, or 625 cups (whichever happens first).

How Hard Is It To Clean & Descale?

Cleaning your Anima Prestige is just as easy as grinding, brewing, and frothing. Gaggia designed this well, even including an automatic cleaning cycle that’s initiated after each use.

One important thing to note is that you have to initiate the cleaning cycle yourself. After brewing, the screen will give you the option to initiate.

You only have a 10-second window to make this happen, so try not to miss it, or you have to wait until your next brewing session.

All of the milk-frothing components are dishwasher safe, but I recommend washing the tank and the removable brew group by hand.

Each part is easy to remove, and thanks to the large drip tray and puck drawer, you shouldn’t have to empty more than once a week.

Here’s how I recommend cleaning your Gaggia:

My Favorite Things About The Anima Prestige Coffee Maker

Out of all the features of this coffee machine, my favorite thing is its ability to make quality espresso.

Not only that, but the automatic milk frother makes it easy to achieve perfectly frothed milk without even having to lift a finger.

Having the ability to customize coffee drinks is something that all superautomatic espresso machines should offer.

The Gaggia goes above and beyond in this department; I can easily adjust and program my ideal drink settings on the control panel.

I’m also impressed with the built-in grinder. The burr grinder blades are 100% ceramic, a material proven to have long-lasting performance.

There are only 5 grind settings to choose from, but this is all you need to get the fine consistency that's needed for espresso.

Another nice feature is the Gaggia’s eco-friendly design. Not many super-automatic coffee machines come with a low-energy mode, but this one does.

It automatically conserves energy after an hour of inactivity, so no worries if you forget to power it off.

Lastly, I really appreciate the auto-cleaning feature of the Gaggia.

The machine is designed to auto-clean the coffee circuit each time it’s turned on, and the display screen even provides detailed steps on how to descale.

My Least Favorite Things About The Anima Prestige

There’s not much I don’t like about the Gaggia Anima Prestige super-automatic machine, but I’ve noticed two potential areas for improvement.

First off, the milk system can be difficult to clean. While the milk carafe is easy enough to remove and wash, that’s not the case for the internal components.

To prevent milk residue from building up, I recommend flushing the system with hot water after each use.

Secondly, the bean hopper isn’t entirely airtight and doesn’t seal completely. When fresh coffee beans are exposed to fresh air, they can become stale and lose their potency.

For that reason, I don’t recommend storing your beans in the hopper for too long.

Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Similar Coffee Machines

Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Velasca Prestige

The Anima Prestige and Velasca Prestige are two high-quality espresso machines from Gaggia. Both are super-automatic, and both are built with an integrated carafe for automatic milk froth.[3]

The main difference between the Anima and the Velasca is the size. The Anima Prestige is slightly large, meaning it has a larger water reservoir and a higher capacity for discarded espresso pucks.

The price is exactly the same, so I recommend going with the slightly larger Anima. You won’t have to refill the water tank as often, and the same goes for clearing out the used coffee grinds.

Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Breville Barista Express

Personally, I love using the Breville Barista Express because it mimics the traditional methods of pulling espresso. That said, it’s a semi-automatic machine, so there is a bit of work involved.

Price-wise, the Barista Express and the Anima Prestige are similar, but these machines are geared towards different audiences.

If you want something ultra-easy to use and does all the work for you, go with the Anima.

Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Delonghi Magnifica

The DeLonghi Magnifica is another super-automatic coffee machine that’s great for espresso lovers who don’t want to put in the work.

The main difference between the Prestige and the Magnifica is the addition of a milk container. The Prestige has an integrated container for completely automatic milk frothing.

With the Magnifica, you’ll have to hold the milk jug under the steaming wand.

Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Philips 3200 LatteGo

Both the Anima Prestige and Philips 3200 LatteGo are super-automatic machines at the same price point. Either option is ideal for anyone who likes milky drinks.

If you’re a snob about coffee quality - I’m guilty as charged! - then the Gaggia is a better choice.

The espresso produced by the LatteGo is mediocre compared to what the Anima Prestige is capable of.

FAQs

Conclusion - Is The Gaggia Anima Prestige Worth Your Money?

To recap my Gaggia Anima Prestige review, this super-automatic espresso machine is well worth your money. It's a quality espresso machine that does all the work for you - literally!

All you need to do is push a button, and you'll be left with a creamy latte macchiato or a rich shot.

If you’re the type who enjoys the rewarding nature of pulling a shot, this isn’t the one for you. In that case, you’re more likely to prefer the Breville Barista Express.

It’s still easy to use and suitable for beginners, but it gives you the chance to feel like a true barista.

References: 

1. https://gaggiaprofessional.evocagroup.com/en/about-gaggia
2. https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21wTJglmVPS.pdf
3. https://www.gaggia.com/automatic-machines/velasca-prestige/
4. https://www.gaggia.com/proudly-made-in-italy-en/
5. https://www.gaggia-na.com/pages/anima-series-error-codes