Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Saeco PicoBaristo is a battle of two super-automatic espresso machines from Italy. And the PicoBaristo is the one that brings greater programmability and convenience.
With this model, you will have a larger collection of pre-programmed drinks and a bit more customizability. It also possesses a variety of features for ease of use.
In the same vein, the Anima Prestige has almost identical specifications in many aspects. If you choose this brand, you can enjoy a 100% ceramic grinder and the Gaggia Adapting System.
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Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Saeco PicoBaristo – Differences
What I like about the Saeco unit is its programmability and user-friendly design. You will have access to more one-touch beverages and an easier time cleaning the machine.
Sharing a lot of specifications and design choices with the other model, the Gaggia unit can be a very good alternative.
In this matchup, the PicoBaristo won 4 out of 4 rounds thanks to its thoughtful design.
Flavor
The Winner: Saeco PicoBaristo
These two machines have many similar components regarding coffee quality. They both use a stainless steel boiler, have a 15 bar pump, pre-infusion, auto-rinsing cycle, and a milk carafe.
The difference is one has a smart learning feature and the other promises better inputs. Like many Gaggia models, the Anima Prestige has a smart learning feature called Gaggia Adapting System.
With it, the unit can learn the characteristics of coffee after a certain number of extractions. Once it has got the data down, it will figure out the best setting in terms of preparing your coffee pucks.
The Saeco unit does not have an intelligent feature, but it delivers better coffee grounds and water. Its grinder has 5 more settings. The extra grind sizes help you to find the optimal coarseness for your beans.
You also get an included AquaClean filter. It will remove all the harmful impurities in the water so your espresso can be as pure as possible. If you are living in the United States, it is even more important because more than 80% of the country has hard water.
From my experience, the benefits of the PicoBaristo’s grinder and water filter are more apparent than the Gaggia Adapting System’s. Therefore, I give the first round to the Seaco model.
Utilities
The Winner: Saeco PicoBaristo
In this round, the PicoBaristo has furthered the distance between it and its opponent. There are more options on its menu. Its control panel has higher quality as well.
Compared with the other unit, not just the drink options, the number of one-touch beverages in the Saeco unit is greater as well. You have 11 drinks, and 5 of them are one-touch. Meanwhile, the Anima Prestige only gives you 6 programs and 4 one-touch drinks.
Notably, there are a few interesting drinks that you may want to try with the PicoBaristo. You can try the Swiss-style espresso with a Caffè crema. If you have to limit your caffeine intake, a Baby Cappuccino may be your choice.
Its control panel makes “ordering” drinks and customizing more pleasant too. The soft-touch buttons take away the click-clacking routine in the morning.
Design And Material
The Winner: Saeco PicoBaristo
There are a lot of similarities in terms of capacity between the two machines. Their bean hoppers, water tanks, and pucks containers hold the same amount of content.
The milk frothing solution is also akin, to an integrated milk carafe with a Panarello device. What sets them apart is the milk carafe of the PicoBaristo comes with a metal handle.
Next to that is its removable spout. This spout provides more cup clearance too.
About their looks, I like the Seaco unit way more. The elements on its facade are more proportional and cleaner. Unlike its counterpart, the LCD screen of this model is black and white.
These colors fit better with the black and chrome look of the machine and do not give an outdated vibe like a blue and white screen.
As you can see, this must be another win for the Saeco machine due to its convenience and appearance.
Cleaning And Maintenance
The Winner: Saeco PicoBaristo
There are three reasons why the Seaco unit deserves the last score. One is its removable coffee spout. Rinsing cycles help remove residue but being able to take off the spout for inspection and to perform a deep clean is more beneficial.
The other reason is the included AquaClean water filter. Once installed, it will allow you to make up to 5000 cups of beverages without having to descale.
The Gaggia unit is compatible with the Intenza+ water filter but does not include one. You may want to purchase a filter to uphold the taste of your coffee and reduce the need for descaling.
The milk carafe of the Seaco model is also easier to clean, thanks to the Quick Clean function in the menu. Though the Anima Prestige has this mode, you can only use it for 10-second after frothing. If you forget to purge, the next batch may have subpar quality.
Quick Rundown: Gaggia Anima Prestige
No products found.
Pros:
- A smart learning system
- Energy-efficient
- 100% ceramic grinder
- Convenient milk system
Cons:
- Fewer grind sizes
- Fewer drinks options
- Less cup clearance
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Quick Rundown: Saeco PicoBaristo
No products found.
Pros:
- More pre-programs recipes
- 10-setting ceramic grinder
- Better looking
- Removable coffee spout
- Has a Quick Clean function for the milk carafe in the menu
- Included water filter
Con:
- No smart learning feature
> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
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