Gaggia Anima Prestige Automatic Coffee Machine Review
Our Rating: 4.8/5
Gaggia Anima Prestige Coffee Machine
FEATURES:
- Multi-level ceramic grinder
- One-touch brewing
- Three temperature settings
- Automatic milk texturing and foaming
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Our Rating: 4.8/5
Gaggia Anima Prestige Coffee Machine
FEATURES:
- Multi-level ceramic grinder
- One-touch brewing
- Three temperature settings
- Automatic milk texturing and foaming
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Gaggia Anima Prestige Review Summary
Gaggia’s Anima Prestige espresso maker looks upscale and it makes seriously top-notch coffee. It does have an upscale price to match, but for espresso, cappuccino, macchiatos, and more with minimal effort on your part, it’s worth the outlay.
You know how costly it is to have a daily java habit, so avoiding the coffee shop can save you cash in the long run.
Suppose you love quality espresso but find it too troublesome to make on manual machines. That’s understandable, the best option for you is a fully automatic unit that makes barista-worthy coffee a breeze.
Gaggia designed this appliance for people who want ease and convenience and the kind of coffee normally found in cafes alone. The machine’s interface is user-friendly and the LCD screen guides you through the coffee-making process. Even the least tech-savvy among us can create quality coffee on the Anima.
Care and maintenance are also straightforward with no guesswork involved. The machine automatically rinses each time it’s used. Even the milk circuit automatically rinses itself. Furthermore, this clever device alerts you when something needs to be done.
A pre-brewing feature gives the coffee beans a quick soak before grinding to extract even more flavor. When it comes to grinding, the Anima features an incorporated, flat ceramic grinder, which many consider superior to stainless steel units. Once your beans are ground, Optiaroma lets you choose your drink’s strength and preferred temperature.
An Italian company, Gaggia specializes in espresso and cappuccino machines. It was founded over 70 years ago and is now owned by Saeco International Group.
Pros
- User-friendly interface, no knowledge required
- Built-in ceramic grinder, with multiple levels
- Consistently brews excellent coffee
- Removable brew group, for easy cleaning
- Automatic milk frothing and texturing
Cons
- Only has a single boiler
- Doesn’t allow much manual control of espresso
Features and Benefits of the Gaggia Anima Prestige
There’s so much to appreciate about this appliance so let’s take a closer look at some of its best features.
Simple Controls
Anyone can use this machine, even if you’ve never used a device like this before. The Gaggia R18762 Anima Prestige uses an LCD screen with icons and buttons to intuitively guide you through the process. One-touch beverage selections make the operations even simpler.
Even with milk-based beverages like lattes, this machine does it all. The automatic cappuccino system combines milk and espresso for you — no measuring or manual steaming and frothing required. As an added bonus, the memo function can save your drink preferences.
Thermoblock Boiler
Thanks to the stainless-steel lined aluminum boiler equipped with Thermoblock technology, the Gaggia R18762 heats up quickly. The 1500 watts of power goes a long way when brewing espresso and the Anima can produce a coffee in under three minutes.
Actually, it can produce two drinks simultaneously. If you need more than that, the boiler reheats almost instantly so you can make coffee after coffee, perfect for when friends visit or you’re after a Monday morning double shot in your travel mug.
Integrated Milk Carafe
The incorporated milk carafe showcases how user-friendly the Anima Prestige truly is. Its two chambers lock directly onto the front of the espresso maker and machine then froths the milk and pours it directly into your cup.
Instagram-ready rich, creamy foam without any manual steaming, it’s a win-win in my opinion.
Store any unused milk in the carafe in your refrigerator, then pull it out next time you need a pick-me-up. A spout can be used in its place to pour hot water for tea or hot chocolate.
Three Temperature Settings
Most espresso makers have one standard heat setting but the Gaggia Anima Prestige Coffee Machine offers three temperature options. Choose from 177.5, 182.9, and 184.5 degreed Fahrenheit. If you prefer your espresso a little cooler or hotter than average, you have options.
Ceramic Burr Grinder
Most espresso lovers prefer ceramic over stainless steel grinders. Ceramic versions may be costlier, but they often last longer and are more durable as they aren’t as affected by heat. Some coffee aficionados even believe ceramic burr grinders produce a purer espresso flavor.
The Gaggia R18762 has a built-in flat ceramic burr grinder with five settings on the grinder, to meet your preferences. Gaggia’s Adapting System helps the grinder learn your preferences. It also adjusts the grind time, based on the beans, to deliver the perfect amount of coffee selected.
Optiaroma and Pre-Infusion
Gaggia’s R18762 Anima Prestige gives you the choice of how much coffee will be ground for a drink. There are five different strength options and the machine can be programmed with your preferred setting. Beverages are then tailor-made to your preferences.
Additionally, Gaggia has designed this model with pre-infusion or pre-brewing technology. This gives the beans a quick soak and then a pause right before brewing starts to coax additional flavor from the beans.
Easy Care and Maintenance
With a device this easy to use, it’s no surprise that it’s also easy to clean and maintain. The Gaggia Anima Prestige Coffee Machine features a removable brew group for simple cleaning and rinsing.
An optional Mavea Intenza water filter ensures that only the purest water is used in your coffee but also prevents scale buildup.
When the dregs drawer or the drip tray needs to be emptied, the machine alerts you. And the coffee circuit is automatically cleaned each time the device is turned on or off. A quick clean feature keeps the milk circuit spic and span too.
Additionally, this clever coffee machine alerts you when it needs to be descaled and can take you through the procedure.
What Do Users Say About the Gaggia RI8762 Anima Prestige?
My personal opinion is that this is a fantastic espresso maker. There’s very little effort needed to brew a great-tasting espresso. It’s easy to use and consistently brews delicious drinks. The sleek design and slim profile are added bonuses.
However, in the interest of providing unbiased information, I’ve researched what other users think about the Gaggia R18762.
Most people who own this device are thrilled with it. They love the fact that it’s a superautomatic machine, with virtually no espresso knowledge needed. They also like that there’s no guesswork with milk-based drinks like cappuccinos. Users note that the quality of the espresso is good, and the machine is incredibly user-friendly.
With that said, there are a couple of minor faults with the Gaggia R18762 Anima Prestige. Users say the instruction manual is difficult to understand but once you get past the initial setup, things are much easier.
Also, there have been some complaints that the espresso doesn’t get hot enough. That seems to be a matter of personal preference though, rather than a problem with the device.
Alternatives To The Gaggia Anima Prestige Coffee Machine
The Gaggia R18762 has many great features, but it might not be for everyone. That’s understandable and I have some alternative suggestions.
Dose control grinding with a conical grinder
Digital temperature control for the perfect temperature
1600 watts, which is slightly more than the 1500 watts with the Gaggia version
Manual milk frothing, unlike the Gaggia model
Uses Nespresso capsules rather than grinds
Has 19 bars of pressure, more than the Gaggia’s 15 bars
Features a one-touch screen for beverage selection
An auto-frothing milk carafe and manual frother
Dual boiler system allows for multiple cups
Seven preset beverages, more than the Anima Prestige offers
The active cup warmer ensures your drink stays hot
Conclusion
The Gaggia Anima Prestige is a fully automatic espresso maker that’s packed with features. It’s designed for people who want a cafe-quality drop without the effort good espresso usually requires.
Whether your preference is a double shot taken straight up or a creamy latte, the touch of a button is all you need. You won’t have to measure, manually dispense, or texture milk as the incorporated milk carafe does it for you.
If you want to take back a little control over your espresso, there are five grinder settings, three temperature preferences, and five coffee-strength levels. The appliance is also programmable.
The Gaggia espresso maker can be counted on to deliver delicious, rich espresso every time. Some people even prefer their Gaggia-made home espresso over pricier cafe versions.
Yes, the Anima Prestige is more expensive than other models, but when it comes to coffee, the adage “you get what you pay for” usually holds true.
Gaggia Anima Prestige FAQs
What is the Gaggia Anima’s pre-infusion feature?
Gaggia offers a pre-infusion (pre-brewing) feature that quickly soaks the beans right before they are ground. This intensifies the flavor extracted from the beans.
How do I descale an espresso machine?
The device will alert you when it needs to be descaled and will guide you through the process. We recommend using the Gaggia descaling solution.
Can other kinds of milk be used in an Anima Prestige?
Yes, you can use dairy or plant-based milks. While some automatic espresso makers do not handle vegan milks well, the Anima Prestige both textures and foams dairy-free milks.
Does the Gaggia R18762 include a water filter?
A water filter is not included with purchase, but the Mavea Intenza water filter can be used with the Gaggia R18762 Anima Prestige.
What’s the difference between the Anima and the Anima Prestige?
There are two basic differences: The Anima has 1850 watts, versus the Prestige version’s 1500 watts, and the Anima lacks the integrated milk carafe featured in the Anima Prestige.
Is the Anima Prestige the same as the Saeco Incanto?
Yes. This model is sold as the Gaggia Anima Prestige in the United States and as the Saeco Incanto in Europe.