Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus vs Gaggia Magenta Plus
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Quick take: The Gaggia Magenta Plus costs $150 less.
| Spec | Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus | Gaggia Magenta Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Manual Steam Wand, TFT Color Display, 4 User Profiles | Commercial Steam Wand, Full-Color Display, One-Touch Americano |
| Approx. price | ~$899 | ~$749 |
| Type | Super-Automatic | Super-Automatic |
| Boiler | Single Boiler | Single Boiler |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 50.7 oz | 60.8 oz |
| Warm-up time | 45 seconds | 45 seconds |
| Steam wand | Manual | Commercial Manual |
| Basket type | — | — |
| Best for | Milk Drink Perfectionists | Compact Kitchens |
| Dimensions | 10.2 x 17.3 x 15 in | 8.8 x 17.1 x 14 in |
| Weight | 21.2 lbs | 17 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus
- ✓Manual wand steams proper microfoam no carafe system can match
- ✓Four user profiles remember each person's drink customizations
- ✓Italian-made with ceramic burrs and a removable brew group
- ✓Cheaper than carafe-equipped Cadornas since you do the milk
- ✗No one-touch cappuccino - milk drinks require hands-on steaming
- ✗Only 6 coffee presets versus 15 on the Prestige
- ✗Single rapid-heat boiler pauses between brewing and steaming
- ✗Grind adjustment range still limited compared to semi-automatics
Gaggia Magenta Plus
- ✓1-hole commercial wand steams some of the best milk of any superauto
- ✓Slim sub-10-inch body with 6 inches of spout clearance for travel mugs
- ✓Color icon display makes on-the-fly strength and volume tweaks easy
- ✓One-touch Americano is rare at this price
- ✗No one-touch milk drinks - see the Magenta Prestige for the carafe
- ✗Five coffee presets is fewer than the Cadorna line
- ✗Manual steaming has a learning curve for superauto shoppers
- ✗1.8L tank loads from the rear, awkward under cabinets
Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus vs Gaggia Magenta Plus: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus or the Gaggia Magenta Plus?
The Gaggia Magenta Plus is the cheaper of the two at roughly $749, about $150 less than the Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus at ~$899. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.