Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus vs Gaggia Magenta Plus
Quick take: The Gaggia Magenta Plus costs $150 less.
| Spec | Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus | Gaggia Magenta Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899 | $749 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (300) | 4.3★ (250) |
| Type | Super-Automatic | Super-Automatic |
| Boiler | Single Boiler | Single Boiler |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 60.8 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 | 9.9 x 17 x 13.6 in |
| Weight | 21.2 lbs | 20 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