Gaggia Anima Prestige Automatic Coffee Machine Review

Gaggia Anima is a fully programmable coffee and espresso machine that can automatically detect the strength and temperature of your coffee and tea, froth the milk, and even clean itself. 

It means less time spent cleaning up and more time spent enjoying your day.

The machine comes with a removable water reservoir and bean container that can be swapped out for fresh ones if necessary. 

It has a water heating element inside the machine instead of under the removable brew unit. It prevents the water from scalding when you remove the brew unit to fill up the water reservoir.

These are just a few of the many enhancements made to the Gaggia Anima Prestige to create the most advanced automatic coffee brewer yet.

Specifications:

• LCD Display plus six buttons
• 2 colour display
• Milk Carafe
• 6 preprogrammed drinks with four on the physical buttons
• Programs for espresso, espresso lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato, milk froth and hot water
• No cup warmer
• 15 bar pump’
• 5 level Optiaroma system
• 5 level grinder setting
• Ceramic burr grinder
• Gaggia Adapting System
• 5 levels of coffees strength
• 3 levels of coffee temperature
• adjustable milk length
• Single, stainless steel boiler
• Quick heat boiler
• 1.8 L water tank
• 0.5 L milk carafe
• 15 puck, spent grounds capacity

Let’s look at the features of the Anima Prestige.

Taste of coffee

The Anima’s espresso tasted considerably stronger than any pod machine, but it couldn’t compete with the richness of some other top-scoring models. 

When I combined the espresso with milk from the automated milk frother, I got good cappuccinos and macchiatos with a decent milk-to-espresso ratio. 

Given how simple it is to create any of these beverages, we thought the degree of flavour was excellent. 

If you want cafe-quality flavour at home, you'll have to forego the convenience of super-automatic equipment like this one and get more engaged in the process.

Ease of use

The sleek, straightforward design contributes significantly to the convenience. All of the buttons are well labelled, and the tiny LCD screen displays the current settings. 

While the setup isn't overly complicated and the instructions are thorough, there isn't a simple, fast start tutorial. This method took a total of 30 minutes of fiddling and brain scratching.

Cleaning

The milk tank carries enough for around five drinks, and can be quickly removed to keep in the fridge to eliminate the need for daily cleaning. You should probably clean it at least once a week. 

The frothing unit's parts are all dishwasher safe. However, it would be best if you cleaned the tank by hand. Because the drip tray on this model is smaller than those on previous models, it will most likely need to be filled once a week. 

It isn’t a problem because it’s simple to remove and empty. Spent coffee grounds are collected in consolidated pucks and placed in a compact container that is likewise easy to empty.

Because the machine does not come with a descaling solution, you must purchase the solution separately. The real descaling time is 30 minutes.

Milk Steaming

The automated milk frother produces adequate foam for cappuccinos, but it falls short of the rich microfoam we desired.

It couldn't create the creamy steamed milk with a thin froth coating necessary for a great latte, like all but one of the models we tried. 

You’ll have to purchase a less automated machine and master the fine art of utilizing a steam wand if you want that.

Grinding

The Anima’s adjustable grinder works well, and it can brew a good espresso. It was difficult to find the right grind, though, and we think a coarser setting would have produced a stronger espresso.

The grinder also has two settings for drip coffee: fine and coarse. The finer grind produces a good-tasting brew, but the beans still clumped when we tried it on our automatic drip machine; we recommend using lower settings if you don't own an automatic drip bean hopper.

Value

As the machine utilizes coffee beans rather than pods, it is less expensive in the long run than certain capsule machines. It also includes a built-in grinder, so you won’t need to buy one separately. 

If you appreciate the Prestige's unequalled convenience, this is a terrific deal; but, if you don't mind heating your milk or simply drinking espresso straight, you can find a better value.

Pros

• A basic and completely automated coffee machine with a large bean hopper and water reservoir.
• Automatic milk frothing for lattes, cappuccinos, and other beverages.
• Adjustable grinding and coffee spouts, as well as automatic self-rinsing and cleaning.
• A self-adapting and automated technology that allows you to maximize the value of your favourite coffee beans.
• Gaggia has over 50 years of expertise in producing coffee machines for both consumers and companies.

Cons

• It is not a machine that everyone can afford, with prices starting at $874.
• According to reports, they only have one repair lab in the United States, located in New York.
• Warranty claims are tough to prove.

FAQS

Is it simple to clean and maintain the Gaggia Anima Prestige?

Gaggia creates some of the greatest espresso machines on the market. Even though the Anima Prestige is not their greatest model, all Gaggia machines are simple to clean and maintain.

The brew unit is easily accessible, detachable components are dishwasher safe, and the water reservoir and bean hopper are simple to clean.

Is the Gaggia Anima Prestige capable of steaming and frothing milk?

The Anima Prestige, like other Gaggias, generates excellent microfoam. Their one-touch systems will always steam and froth excellent milk.

Can I save time by using pre-ground coffee in the Anima Prestige?

The answer to this question depends on what you are looking to achieve. If you want to save time while still getting a fantastic cup of espresso, only use the machine with freshly ground beans. 

The difference between pre-ground beans and freshly ground ones is quite significant, so grinding your beans is always best if you are looking for the fullest possible flavor profile.

Customer reviews

Customers adored the espresso shots produced by the Gaggia Anima Prestige. It takes some time and a careful study of the instructions to figure out how to operate the machine. 

People enjoy how this machine lets you choose how many beans to ground and how strong you want your coffee to be. The machine also appears to be quite strong and of excellent quality, which is why it looks well on kitchen countertops. 

One client praised the frother for its ability to steam milk to the desired thickness and temperature.

However, there were some whose machine failed after eight months or even day 2. They found the entire procedure of transporting the device to New York on their own to determine if it was a warranty-eligible repair to be prohibitively expensive. 

While the machine may begin to sound strained over time, you may resolve this problem quickly if lubricated with the recommended supplies.

Alternatives

1. Gaggia Velasca Espresso Machine

The Gaggia Velasca provides you with both espresso and latte beverages in an automatic fashion. This unit can froth milk for cappuccinos or lattes.

The machine can create consistent shots, which is great news for people who enjoy their cup of coffee in the mornings.

2. Gaggia Epic Touch Screen Café Machine

The Gaggia Epic Touch Screen Café Machine is much like the Anima Prestige, but with a few more bells and whistles.

This machine features a touchscreen to make things easier for you, as well as an adjustable grinder and a brew group that can hold up to 9 and 10 ounces, respectively.

Gaggia Brera Touch Screen Automatic Espresso Machine

The Gaggia Brera Touch Screen Automatic Espresso Machine is another good alternative for those who need an automatic machine that can also froth milk or steam milk. This machine has 12 cup settings so you can create your perfect cup of coffee. 

Conclusion

The Gaggia Anima Prestige is an excellent automatic espresso machine for the true coffee connoisseur. This model has the best features in the industry, and it’s capable of producing great drinks automatically. 

The unit has a large bean hopper and tank, which means you won't have to refill it with water very often. The touch panel interface makes programming the machine easier than ever before.

The Gaggia Anima Prestige is simple, easy-to-use equipment that can quickly add a cappuccino to your daily routine. If you can get over the high list price, you’ll find that it’s a fantastic long-term investment.