All > Gaggia Classic Pro
Gaggia Classic Pro
Retail Price
$449.00
Lowest Price
$457.00
Release Date
1991
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a great espresso machine for a reasonable price. Though it might lack the modern design and fit-and-finish, performance-wise, it makes a good coffee. It offers an excellent brewing performance improved by the commercial steam wand. It’s a great choice for a semi-automatic espresso machine and a compelling budget-oriented choice for experienced users, and the most affordable in the market for its kind.
Purchase Links
Overview
- Value
- Beginner - Friendliness
- Design Revolution
- Drawback
- Performance
- Better Option
- Overview
- Entry Level Machine Features
- Italian - Made
- Design & Build
- Recommendation
- Verdict
- Positive
- Negative
Value - For beginners, it will be enough though there are still areas for improvement. However, the worst-case scenario is selling it used only after a year.
oneblackened
01/02/2022
Beginner - Friendliness - It's great for beginners making home espresso, and it doesn't need any mods to make a perfectly fine espresso. There's no other better beginner machine for the money than the GCP. It's smaller sized, well built, easy to work on, and a great unit to learn on. However, a proper tamper would be nice. The price has exceeded the value, but a cheaper used GCP is also a valid option.
allawd
01/02/2022
Design Revolution - It hasn't changed drastically over the years. The '91 era machine is black with a red illuminated GAGGIA logo switch block. The 2002 model has a thin bronze/silverish stripe logo on the switchblock cover and a screw hidden in the funnel leading down to the water tank, which becomes rusty.
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Drawback - The combo of GCP and a 1zpresso JX pro is great, and the GCP and its limitations help in learning. A 9-bar OPV mod, bottomless PF, and PID are some modifications that can make the unit better. However, a con is a small boiler, but it still works well.
ramenmcv
01/02/2022
Performance - It's good but not perfect. It offers a good shot of espresso and can be modded for a better experience, but falls a bit short on the milk side of things. Overall, it's a decent machine for non-latte drinkers.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Better Option - It's a better option than Breville and Rancilio Silvia.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Overview - It works great, looks good, and is affordable, and the upgrades look good. Performance-wise, it can support a family of 4 cappuccino drinkers. For its price, a grinder is expected, but there's none, and the hopper is difficult to change if you want a decaf.
993brga
01/01/2020
Entry Level Machine Features - One of the best entry-level machines because of its modding capability that allows you to add better shower screens, portafilter baskets, and anything else that makes the experience better. Performance-wise, it can do almost anything, contributing to its reputation as an entry-level unit. Plus, it has a good resale value.
Italian - Made - it's made in Italy, which makes it one of the best espresso machines.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Design & Build - It has a full-size 58-millimeter commercial-size portafilter, group head, steam line, dual-tip steam wand with plenty of pressure, cup warmer, and three-way solenoid.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Recommendation - It's a solid machine, and the stainless steel and black variant look great. It's also great paired with a grinder in the baratza sette 270. Additionally, they're popular in the US because of their great performance. However, tech services may be difficult to reach for repairs.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Verdict - It is a great espresso machine for a reasonable price. Though it might lack the modern design and fit-and-finish, performance-wise, it makes a good coffee. It offers an excellent brewing performance improved by the commercial steam wand. It's a great choice for a semi-automatic espresso machine and a compelling budget-oriented choice for experienced users, and the most affordable in the market for its kind.
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Sources
Tags
- Value
- Beginner - Friendliness
- Design Revolution
- Drawback
- Performance
- Better Option
- Overview
- Entry Level Machine Features
- Italian - Made
- Design & Build
- Recommendation
- Verdict
Sources
- YouTube
- Gear Lab
oneblackened
01/02/2022
allawd
01/02/2022
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
ramenmcv
01/02/2022
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
993brga
01/01/2020
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
The Real Sprometheuis
04/16/2022
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
See All Sources
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Cons
- Do Not Buy If
- Positive
- Negative
Pros - Gaggia’s much-loved Classic made its debut way back in 1991. Since then it has developed something of a cult following thanks to its simplicity, style and – naturally – its ability to serve up a mean cup of espresso. Almost three decades since its inception, Gaggia has given the Classic a bit of a makeover and it has returned better than ever as the Classic Pro.
Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Cons - The cons include a limited clearance that can be a problem for cup sizes, imprecise temperature swings, a pressure that goes too high, a weak steamer, too tall yet too small a drip tray, and useless accessories. Overall, better machines are offered at the same price, including the Breville Bambino Plus and Rancilio Silvias.
Do Not Buy If - Do not buy the GCP if you want a machine that does all the work for you; you want a sleeker-looking machine and a built-in grinder, and your budget is under $200.
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
See All Sources
Build & Design
- Accessories
- Basket
- Boiler
- Build
- Buttons
- Clearance
- Color
- Commercial Wand
- Cup Warmer
- Design
- Drip Tray
- Gasket
- Group Head & Portafilter
- Housing & Reservoir
- Pressure & Temperature
- Pump
- Shower Screen
- Simplicity
- Size
- Small Footprint
- Spout
- Steam
- Tamper
- Valve
- Weight
- Positive
- Negative
Accessories - It comes with a 58mm full-size group head and portafilter.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Basket - It has a pressurized basket that can be used for any coffee, even without a grinder, and produce a decent espresso. Plus, a pair of unpressurized baskets work for single and double shots and with pods.
Boiler - It's a single boiler, meaning it cannot steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously. Switching between brewing and steaming takes about a minute, giving the boiler time to adjust for the desired function. Size-wise, the boiler can steam milk just enough for 2 normal-sized cappuccinos.
Build - It's known for its build quality and an Italian espresso machine sleeker than the Classic model. It also has a practical design with a stainless steel body. Its plastic drip tray fits well into place and blends in with the overall shape and aesthetic of the machine. It also has a full-size 58-millimeter chrome-plated brass portafilter and pressurized and non-pressurized baskets. In terms of build quality, its metal build seems tough and unfussy, and rusting is not a worry.
Buttons - The buttons respond with a crisp, sprung click. There are 3 buttons on the front – one for the power switch, one for coffee, and one for steam – and there's a plastic dial on the right-hand side for steam delivery. These buttons also have indicator lights below them.
Clearance - It has a little clearance, which makes it a hassle when using the spouted portafilter, a scale to weigh the shot, or when brewing in a larger cup.
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Color - It has an all-flat black version but comes in various colors, including white, red, and gray.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Commercial Wand - The commercial-style steam wand has a steaming capability with room for improvement. Performance-wise, the steam wand is hard to use as it only rotates and doesn't angle or move up and down. Build-wise, it has a 2-hole steam tip with a little rubber grip.
Cup Warmer - The cup warmer is stainless steel.
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Design - It has a single-boiler design that requires you to always decide whether to brew espresso or steam the milk. Also, it has a great profile with rounded edges, a few chrome accents, and appealing colors.
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Drip Tray - The drip tray fits well and comes in a great size. Also, a little foot on the bottom prevents it from coming out, and it's easy to clean. However, it's probably the cheapest feeling part of the machine because of the plastic material.
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Gasket - The group gasket doesn't leak but is a little stiff and hard.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Group Head & Portafilter - The group head and portafilter are 58mm and are chrome-plated brass.
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Housing & Reservoir - The housing is cut out, and you can also see how much water is in the reservoir on the sides and front. Capacity-wise, it holds 72 ounces. However, the water tank loosely slots into place, and when removing and replacing it, you need to take care not to pinch the two rubber hoses that hang down into the water.
Pressure & Temperature - It has 15 bars of pressure out of the box that drops to a traditional 9 or even lower, which helps produce a great coffee taste. However, the pressure and temperature cannot be adjusted manually.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Pump - It has a 15-bar vibratory pump with new mounts that reduce noise.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Shower Screen - The shower screen has no flaws and is called nanotech.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Simplicity - It has a plug-and-play simplicity; once it's filled up and powered on, it'll be warmed up and ready to brew in just a few minutes, and the brewed espresso is great.
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Size - It has a professional-size 58mm portafilter and potent boiler capable of eking out an immense depth of flavor from the finest espresso blends. It can also serve steamed milk with creamy microfoam.
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Small Footprint - Summary,
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Spout - It has a small footprint in width and depth, making it a great option for small kitchens.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Steam - It has 2 dual tip spouts where the steam comes out.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Tamper - Summary,
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Valve - It has poor steam power that may be lacking when steaming milk for 2 servings. It comes with a basic plastic tamper but doesn't fit the 58mm baskets well and requires moving around the edge of the basket and pressing down to fit. It has a 3-way solenoid valve, which releases the pressure off the puck and expels the extra water pressure in the pipe to the drip tray, which keeps a dry puck.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Weight - It weighs about 20 pounds.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Sources
Tags
- Accessories
- Basket
- Boiler
- Build
- Buttons
- Clearance
- Color
- Commercial Wand
- Cup Warmer
- Design
- Drip Tray
- Gasket
- Group Head & Portafilter
- Housing & Reservoir
- Pressure & Temperature
- Pump
- Shower Screen
- Simplicity
- Size
- Small Footprint
- Spout
- Steam
- Tamper
- Valve
- Weight
Sources
- YouTube
- Home Grounds
- Gear Lab
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
See All Sources
Features & Performance
- Convenience
- Durability
- Extraction
- Heating
- Milk Steaming
- Noise
- Performance
- Process Performance
- Steaming Performance
- Temperature Performance
- Set-Up
- Taste
- Temperature Surfing
- Timer - Water Temperature
- Usage
- Positive
- Negative
Convenience - Pairing it with a Sette 270 gives more control and convenience to the user.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Durability - The Classic can hold up for 15 years, while the Pro is a slightly upgraded version of the original capable of producing great shots out of the box. It has a new frothing wand and a bit of a learning curve. Overall, there's a machine near its price point that comes close to its quality.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Extraction - In terms of extraction, it creates a nice dense crema and pulls some tasty shots but with a couple of inexpensive and easy-to-do mods.
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Heating - It heats up quickly and works well.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Milk Steaming - The steam wand on the Classic Pro is serviceable but falls short of cafe quality, and its biggest weakness is its inability to create a finely textured, creamy microfoam for a latte. It produces either warmed milk or a very fluffy foam without much in between. The milk steaming capability doesn't quite live up to its espresso brewing proclivities.
Noise - It's quieter than its predecessor because of the new pump bushings.
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Performance - Nespresso has a better aroma, body, and flavor when compared with GCP espresso. Texture-wise, it was smooth and flavorful.
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Process Performance - Upon clicking the button, a light will show on the indicator. When the steam button is pressed, the machine will start to heat up; a 15-minute wait is recommended for better results before brewing a coffee. Additionally, the top plate will act as a handy cup warmer, and the metal parts of the weighty portafilter will get hot to the touch, though it's a good thing to keep the water hot as it passes through the boiler into the coffee grounds and the cup.
Steaming Performance - Once the espresso is poured, it takes another 45 seconds or more to reach the temperature required for steaming milk. Although the boiler is small, it has a steam pressure that's powerful enough for average textured milk.
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Temperature Performance - It's important to note that there's no separate heating system for steam, so you're either making espresso or steaming milk. However, it continues to impress with how quickly it heats to steam and cools down to espresso temp again.
eweijs
01/01/2020
Set-Up - The initial setup is fairly easy, but the manual doesn't lend much guidance. For instance, the need to connect the small tube to a wastewater nozzle is not indicated.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Taste - The espresso it produces is near cafe quality as it imparts a bold and rich taste and a decent crema that pleases the taste buds. When directly compared to a cafe shot or one from some of the more capable machines, there was a slight lack of robustness and flavor, but when enjoyed in isolation, you'll have no major complaints.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Temperature Surfing - Temperature surfing is the machine sitting at a temperature and going up and down, visible in the brew light going on and off. Also, there's no PID temperature regulation or volumetric; thus, getting a perfectly consistent result will take a little practice. Performance-wise, the milk can get up to 145 degrees in about 30 seconds which is fast enough.
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Timer - Water Temperature - There's no automatic timer, so you have to press the button again to make it stop, no option to select water temperature.
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Usage - It's simple to use for brewing espresso, and though you can't adjust the temperature or pressure profile, it offers easy extraction by flipping the brew switch. Usage-wise, getting the coffee into the portafilter can be difficult as you must use a separate grinder, then tamp the coffee down, and the only tool that comes in the box to aid in this task is a flimsy-feeling and small plastic tamper, which make it hard to get all the coffee packed down evenly.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Sources
Tags
- Convenience
- Durability
- Extraction
- Heating
- Milk Steaming
- Noise
- Performance
- Process Performance
- Steaming Performance
- Temperature Performance
- Set-Up
- Taste
- Temperature Surfing
- Timer - Water Temperature
- Usage
Sources
- YouTube
- Gear Lab
- Home Grounds
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Home Grounds - Julia Bobak
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
eweijs
01/01/2020
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
See All Sources
Cleaning & Maintenance
- Cleaning
- Descaling
- Positive
- Negative
Cleaning - t's not hard to clean, requiring you to rinse and clean the portafilter and steam wand, empty the drip tray, and clean out the milk pitcher. Plus, the need to precisely wipe the small plastic piece in the portafilter clean.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Descaling - Long-term descaling is a bit more difficult than the average machine. The solution is not included in your purchase and has to be bought separately. The process is quite involved, takes 40 minutes to complete, and isn't particularly complicated. Overall, it might be too time-consuming for some with a cumbersome disassembly and 20 steps instructions for cleaning.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
See All Sources
Comparison
- Gaggia Classic Pro vs Bambino
- Gaggia Classic Pro vs Breville One
- Competition
- Positive
- Negative
Gaggia Classic Pro vs Bambino - The Breville gets a bad rap and is a better entry, especially used if you are getting a separate grinder, though the Bambino is a lot easier and cheaper.
DeadSpaceRaven
01/02/2022
Gaggia Classic Pro vs Breville One - The Breville One is a bit slow, while the GCP has a good balance for beginners.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Competition - Its competitors include Sage's Barista Express, with its built-in grinder retailing at a similar price to Gaggia but has risen to nearer £550 after a year or so. However, it's still a good alternative for a grinder and espresso machine in one, but if quality rather than convenience is your priority, partnering with GCP with a good grinder is a better option.
expert reviews - Sasha Muller
02/05/2021
See All Sources
Miscellaneous
- Concern - Portafilter
- Expectations
- Improvements
- Lack - Pid Controller
- Modding
- Upgrade
- Value
- Positive
- Negative
Concern - Portafilter - The portafilter gets quite warm, if not hot.
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Expectations - The GCP is recommended as a starter budget machine because of its capability for the price point and upgrade capability as the user experience evolves. It's meant to grow with the rookie and not for experienced people who look for things that it doesn't come with. Also, the GCP looks the best out of the other entry-level machines, full stop.
DSou7h
01/02/2022
Improvements - Improvements include the stabler drip tray, better-designed ready lights, and replaceable plastic wand, which makes the unit a real workhorse.
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Lack - Pid Controller - It doesn't have a PID, which is not much of a gripe for a machine that costs 500 or less.
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
Modding - Its modding capability allows a 9 bar mod and auto off-timer to disable the mod, PID, bottomless portafilter with IMS basket, IMS shower screen, silicone gasket, slim drip tray, one-hole steam wand tip, and replacement of a wooden steam knob. Also, there are some affordable mods, but going all out with modding will cost a lot and add to the unit's weight.
Upgrade - The portafilter baskets can be upgraded, increasing the capacity from 17 grams to 20 grams and improving the shots. Also, there's a vast array of options for tampers, tools, and other off-the-wall accessories.
Value - The price of the GCP feels fair for a capable semi-automatic machine. However, other models in its price range are as adept at pulling shots but have better steam wands making it only a good value if bought on sale.
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
Sources
Tags
- Concern - Portafilter
- Expectations
- Improvements
- Lack - Pid Controller
- Modding
- Upgrade
- Value
Sources
- YouTube
- Gear Lab
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
DSou7h
01/02/2022
Whole Latte Love
03/30/2019
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
The Real Sprometheus
04/16/2022
elemental001
01/02/2022
Anthok16
01/02/2022
Jeremy Siers
11/01/2020
The Real SPrometheus
04/16/2022
Gear Lab - Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
06/24/2021
See All Sources
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