Just so you know, if you click on a product on CoffeeGeek.tv and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission to help us keep making more awesome guides like this.
To be honest, we’re some of the biggest espresso lovers of all time (if that wasn’t already obvious!).
But, far too many times, we’ve seen people make the wrong choice when buying a semi-automatic espresso machine.
So how can you know if it’s the right choice? Is it possible to find the perfect espresso machine?
We cannot be sure if that pro model that is entirely perfect for you actually exists but we will definitely do our best to get you making a great cappuccino in no time at all!
Our Gaggia Classic Pro review is here to tell you all the secrets of this espresso maker. From it’s awesome commercial steam wand to the less than awesome price point, we’ve covered it all.
We even discovered how to use it well, more on that later. So, without further ado, the full Classic Pro review.
The Specs:
- 3 way solenoid valve
- Removable water reservoir
- Italian build quality
- Rocker switches
- Commercial steam wand
- Brushed stainless steel body
- Pressurized filter baskets
Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine Comes With…
First up, let’s dig into the nitty-gritty details of this excellent super-automatic espresso machine: We aren’t the only ones who are raving about this quality espresso machine – there are many who rave it’s the best entry-level out there, and for good reason.
The Italian build quality ensures that this is a machine built to last. The commercial steam wand steps up your game in the cappuccino world, but will possibly disappoint latte art fans.
The convenient switches take the guesswork out of which button you pushed, ensuring you don’t accidentally botch your brew,
We have found that this particular semi-automatic machine makes coffee brewing easy and results in a great espresso almost every time. In terms of best balancing price with quality, the Classic Pro tops the charts.
We simply haven’t found another machine on the market that produces such a consistently good cappuccino result.
Making espresso may not be as easy as a fully automatic machine, but it will come out stronger than your pour-over and French Press for sure!
It’s a great starter machine, but by no means limited to amateur coffee lovers. Making good espresso with this machine does require a bit of training. Here are some of our favorite features about this machine:
Commercial Steam Wand
The steam wand for the Gaggia Classic Pro is much different than that of its predecessor, the Gaggia Classic.
The older model steamed milk using a panarello-style steam wand (which injects air into the steam), the newer model uses a commercial steam wand.
While the Panarello wands are more common in lower-cost machines and do well with milk frothing production from smaller boilers, they make a less impressive foam and don’t offer as much control.
The Classic Pro has an upgraded steam wand that you might find on commercial machines, meaning that the Gaggia Classic Pro comes prepared to steam milk, make froth milk, and delivers a good espresso.
It’s important to note that this is not a dual boiler machine, the single boiler means that, unlike commercial machines, milk frothing and shot pulling need to remain separated (you can’t do both at once).
There are arguments about whether or not to make your foam or espresso first, but it really is a personal choice for the brewer themselves.
Three Way Solenoid Valve
The Gaggia Classic is equipped with a 3-way valve at the point where the portafilter locks into the group head.
This means that when you are done with your espresso brewing, a valve will shift the pressure and extra water from the head to the drip tray.
The end result is that once the portafilter is removed, the coffee grounds leftover will be in a clean, dry little puck rather than a sloshed-up mess.
Essentially, the valve allows you to dump the coffee grounds out of the portafilter for a brilliant combination of convenience and better coffee.
Many home barista espresso machines, including some Breville machines, like the Barista Express, use this type of valve to release pressure from the head after pulling a shot.
But, a lot of less expensive, domestic espresso machines don’t have a 3-way valve which is why those sloppy pucks aren’t as satisfying to knock out after the job is done.
It’s really important to note that without regular descaling, the valve can become blocked. But if does get blocked, here is a great video of how to unblock it:
Group Head and Portafilter
The older model of this machine had an all brass head and a chrome plated brass portafilter. But this model features a solid metal portafilter and group head (talk about durability!).
The portafilter is a commercial standard size with a 58mm filter basket.
This is a great feature as since the filter basket is industry standard, you can easily transfer all your new Gaggia Classic Pro skills to any other commercial espresso machine, making this coffee maker a great barista training device.
Made in Italy build quality
We are big fans of an Italian espresso maker for a good reason! The quality of Italian-made espresso machines are very high. The Gaggia Classic Pro is no exception with its’ beautiful brushed stainless steel body and excellent quality components.
Not only is this machine tasteful in aesthetics and quality in build, it also has a rich secondary market for upgrades and additional components and it retains its value very well.
The pricing for a Gaggia Classic Pro makes a lot more sense once you realize that the machines are made in Italy.
Gaggia Classic models focus on a few things that we see as important components of espresso makers: steam wand, the grouphead, and the boiler.
All of these components are top notch in the Gaggia Classic Pro and we’re in love with it!
Personally, we love the utility aesthetic of the Classic Pro, but one could argue that it still doesn’t have that stylish appeal that other brands achieve.
But, it’s worth noting that the brushed stainless steel body is very uncommon at this price point.
This Italian espresso maker is surely high quality and definitely will fit in with the aesthetics of a big fan of espresso.
Rocker switches
Resting on the backdrop of beautiful stainless steel are the rocker switches. The Classic Pro relies on these three switches over buttons, mostly for durability.
Gaggia definitely listened to their customers when designing the Classic Pro and switched out the control panel buttons for switches as it is a really common area of failure for almost all appliances.
Pressurized basket
The Classic Pro has both pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets that are both compatible with ESE pods.
The pressurized basket helps out if your beans aren’t uniformly, or finely ground enough to pull a great shot of espresso.
You will end up with a beautiful crema when you pull your shot, although it’s important to note that it’s somewhat of an illusion.
Gaggia Classic Pro review- Why should I choose it?
Well, we would hope that this is something you can determine for yourself after reading through our Gaggia Classic Pro review but we can see how you might need a more direct answer. If this machine fits into your price range, then we say it’s not a bad option to consider.
This Gaggia espresso machine only has a single boiler, so if you are looking to froth milk and pull espresso shots at the same time then there are better coffee machines in the world for you.
That being said, the dual boiler machines are definitely not in the same price bracket as this Gaggia, so ensure that you know what you want before dipping out to buy a machine.
If you are looking for a machine with a grinder built into it, then you may want to consider another option, or buy yourself an external grinder.
If you are looking for a machine with a commercial steam wand and quality build then yes, you found it! The amazing espresso machine, Gaggia Classic Pro is just for you.
Breville Barista Express vs. Gaggia Classic Pro
Alright, we know! We review a lot of different espresso machines. We like to think of ourselves as your guide through the lands of espresso.
That is why we are going to take a look at one of our all-time favorites, The Breville Barista Express, and compare it side by side to the Gaggia Classic Pro.
Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express has several great qualities but most notably is that it includes a grinder, which the Gaggia Classic Pro does not.
It’s also a semi-automatic espresso machine that makes it super easy to use, just as much as the Gaggia Classic Pro.
Pros
- Price- For the type of machine that it is, the price is amazing, but do bear in mind that it is essentially a smaller version of what you would find in your local café so it is entirely possible it’s more than you need.
- Easy to use- The well designed interface makes the entire machine super easy to learn and use. Even the drip tray has an indicator to let you know when it’s time to empty it.
- Steam wand- The excellent quality of the steam wand allows anyone to make a good latte in the comfort of their own home.
Cons
- Slow- Because the Barista Express is a single boiler, it takes more time to make a latte than it would with a double boiler since you cannot steam milk while brewing your coffee
- Cleaning- This machine needs a thorough cleaning after every use, particularly where the milk touches the steam wand. If you aren’t the type of person to clean regularly, then the Barista Express will get clogged easily and require more than just a descaling.
Gaggia Classic Pro
Obviously, the Classic Pro is no ordinary coffee maker. This machine is high quality in build and fits in well to a serious budget.
Pros
- Italian quality – The Italian build quality is hard to find at this price point. The stainless steel body will last a long time and the rich secondary market will help you keep up with the additions you need to add for your morning latte.
- Easy to use – Another really great feature about this machine is that you can fill the water reservoir from the top or take it out to fill from the front of the machine. It’s semi-automatic making it easy to learn how to pull a great shot and the steam wand helps to make your milk perfectly frothy.
Cons
- Single boiler – Just like the Barista Express, this machine is a single boiler so you won’t be able to pull a shot and steam milk at the same time.
- No drip tray indicator – The Barista Express definitely wins out on this one, make sure to keep an eye on the drip tray levels to ensure there’s no spillover!
- No built-in grinder – The Gaggia doesn’t come with a built-in burr grinder, so you either have to buy a standalone grinder or pre-ground coffee.
Is the Gaggia Classic Pro still an entry level home espresso machine?
Yes. The Classic Pro is still considered one of the entry level espresso makers due to its’ semi-automatic nature.
Learning to steam milk and pull a shot will be much easier than using a fully manual machine. All you need to learn how to do is grind beans, tamp, and pull your espresso shot.
How to use Gaggia Classic Pro
Between knowing how to fill the water tank and where the brew head is, learning how to use a Classic Pro can seem like a daunting task. Where do you even put the coffee grounds?! Unfortunately, the manual for this espresso maker isn’t very helpful.
Luckily we have the internet and we scoured it to find a great video that helps you figure out how to fill the water tank, steam the milk, and make a great espresso.
What coffee to use with Gaggia Classic Pro
We all know that the coffee type we choose is the foundation of a good espresso. Using a darker roast will give you a stronger and more full-bodied brew, while a lighter roast will likely be more aromatic and less dense.
You can absolutely use pre-ground coffee in the Classic Pro just double check that you are using the correct grind size. You absolutely cannot put unground beans into this machine so as long as it is ground coffee use whatever beans you want!
The Verdict
We hope that this review has left you content that you now know pretty much all there is to know about the Gaggia Classic Pro. This espresso maker is a great addition to any home or office space if you want that Italian quality on a budget.
The quality steam wand and the 3-way solenoid valve really make this machine a quality piece. Gaggia has a hefty secondary market that is full of wonderful additions to upgrade your barista experience as well!
The commercial steam wand and the pressurized filter baskets take the quality of your barista-style drink up.
Overall, the value of this product is unmatched. It is nearly impossible to find this quality of a machine at this price point!
Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine
- Rugged Brushed Stainless Steel housing
- Commercial three-way solenoid valve.
- Capacity water tank - 2.1 liter
- Commercial-style 58mm group head.
- Commercial steam wand.
- Easy-to-use rocker switch controls