Gaggia Classic Pro E24 vs Philips Baristina Plus
Quick take: The Philips Baristina Plus costs $19 less; the Philips Baristina Plus has a built-in grinder; the Philips Baristina Plus heats up faster (Under 1 minute).
| Spec | Gaggia Classic Pro E24 | Philips Baristina Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Lead-Free Brass Boiler, Commercial Steam Wand, 58mm Stainless Portafilter, 9-Bar OPV, 3-Way Solenoid Valve, Cup Warmer | Built-in Grinder, Tilt-to-Brew One Swipe, Auto Dose and Tamp, Iced Coffee, Intensity Boost Button, 16-Bar Pump, Stainless Steel Body |
| Approx. price | ~$549 | ~$530 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Single Boiler | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 9 bar | 16 bar |
| Water capacity | 72 oz | 41 oz |
| Warm-up time | 5 minutes | Under 1 minute |
| Steam wand | Commercial Manual | — |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized Only |
| Best for | Enthusiasts | Beginners |
| Dimensions | 8 x 9.5 x 14.2 in | 7.2 x 15.0 x 13.8 in |
| Weight | 19 lbs | 12.7 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Gaggia Classic Pro E24
- ✓Brass boiler holds temperature noticeably better than the old aluminum Classics
- ✓Bigger boiler capacity means stronger steam and more back-to-back drinks
- ✓Same 17-gauge stainless body and 58mm group the mod community has upgraded for decades
- ✓Factory-tuned 9-bar OPV so shots pull correctly out of the box
- ✗Still no PID from the factory - temperature surfing or a mod kit required
- ✗Single boiler means waiting between brewing and steaming
- ✗$50-100 premium over the outgoing Evo Pro for the same workflow
- ✗Small drip tray fills fast
Philips Baristina Plus
- ✓Same one-swipe grind-tamp-brew workflow as the Baristina, in a stainless steel body instead of the recycled-plastic shell
- ✓Dedicated Iced Coffee recipe starts hot and then cools the flow for over-ice drinks, which the original Baristina does not have
- ✓Rated at 72 dB and bean-to-cup in under a minute, with a button that pops the spent puck out of the portafilter
- ✓Intensity Boost grinds a larger dose for a stronger shot without any dialing-in
- ✗No steam wand and no hot-water outlet, so milk drinks mean the Baristina Latte or a separate frother and tea means a kettle
- ✗Grind size is fixed: the ceramic grinder sets its own dose, and you cannot correct a bean that runs sour or bitter
- ✗Proprietary portafilter with a non-removable pressurized basket rules out standard accessories
- ✗Single-serve only: 40 ml espresso or 110 ml lungo per cycle, one cup at a time
- ✗$30 more than the Baristina Latte, which includes the Smart Wand milk system
What owners say
Gaggia Classic Pro E24
The E24 is the current Gaggia Classic - the 2024 revision that both the original Classic Pro and the 2023 Classic Evo Pro have now been retired into, so at $549 this is the machine you actually buy if you want a new one. The headline change is the boiler: out goes the old aluminium unit (and the coated version whose lining infamously flaked into people's drinks and triggered a wave of returns), in comes a larger lead-free brass boiler, which owners credit for steadier brew temperature and noticeably stronger steam than the Classics that came before it. Around that sits everything the line has always been: stainless body, commercial 58mm group and portafilter, three-way solenoid for a dry puck, factory 9-bar pressure, a cup warmer, a two-year warranty, and a choice of finishes - matte black, navy, yellow, red - that people genuinely buy on looks. Full owner insights →
Gaggia Classic Pro E24 vs Philips Baristina Plus: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Gaggia Classic Pro E24 or the Philips Baristina Plus?
The Philips Baristina Plus is the cheaper of the two at roughly $530, about $19 less than the Gaggia Classic Pro E24 at ~$549. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Which is better for lattes and cappuccinos, the Gaggia Classic Pro E24 or the Philips Baristina Plus?
The Gaggia Classic Pro E24 uses a manual steam wand you texture milk with yourself, while the Philips Baristina Plus has no steam wand, so it makes espresso only. An automatic system gets you a consistent milk drink with no practice; a manual wand takes a few weeks to learn but gives you proper microfoam and latte art once it clicks.
Does the Gaggia Classic Pro E24 or the Philips Baristina Plus have a built-in grinder?
Only the Philips Baristina Plus grinds its own beans. The Gaggia Classic Pro E24 needs a separate grinder, which is worth budgeting for — a dedicated burr grinder is usually the bigger upgrade to shot quality, but it also costs extra counter space and money on top of the machine.
Which heats up faster, the Gaggia Classic Pro E24 or the Philips Baristina Plus?
The Philips Baristina Plus is ready sooner — Under 1 minute against 5 minutes for the Gaggia Classic Pro E24. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.
What is the difference in boiler design between the Gaggia Classic Pro E24 and the Philips Baristina Plus?
The Gaggia Classic Pro E24 uses a single boiler and the Philips Baristina Plus uses a thermoblock. Boiler design drives temperature stability and whether you can brew and steam at the same time, which is the main reason two otherwise similar machines behave differently once you start making milk drinks back to back.