Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic: Pick Your Fighter

Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic

Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic are semi-auto coffee makers. It means the two offer more control over the brewing process while giving more convenience with various automatic features. You are able to get the best of both worlds then.

Which one is the better machine?

The answer is in this article. Scroll down and read on to know.

The winner
The runner-up
Image
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machinet,0.3 liters, with Iron Frame and Stainless Steel Side Panels, 11.4 by 13.4-Inch
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel
Model name
Rancilio Silvia
Gaggia Classic
Best for
Ergonomic portafilter and excellent steam wand
On-demand hot water dispenser
Dimension
9.2 x 11.4 x 13.3 inches
9.5 x 8 x 14.5 inches
Weight
30 pounds
20 pounds
Color
Inox
Classic blue, industrial grey, polar white, cherry red, thunder black
Watts
1100W
1370W
Water reservoir capacity
67 oz
72 oz
User rating
Price
$865.00
$402.73
The winner
Image
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machinet,0.3 liters, with Iron Frame and Stainless Steel Side Panels, 11.4 by 13.4-Inch
Model name
Rancilio Silvia
Best for
Ergonomic portafilter and excellent steam wand
Dimension
9.2 x 11.4 x 13.3 inches
Weight
30 pounds
Color
Inox
Watts
1100W
Water reservoir capacity
67 oz
User rating
Price
$865.00
More info
The runner-up
Image
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel
Model name
Gaggia Classic
Best for
On-demand hot water dispenser
Dimension
9.5 x 8 x 14.5 inches
Weight
20 pounds
Color
Classic blue, industrial grey, polar white, cherry red, thunder black
Watts
1370W
Water reservoir capacity
72 oz
User rating
Price
$402.73
More info

Differences Between Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic

Design and Convenience

My very first impression is that the two coffee makers have a compact footprint. They are fairly lightweight, too. 

Want to know the exact specifications? 

The Rancilio Silvia measures at 9.2 x 11.4 x 13.3 inches and weighs 30 lbs. Meanwhile, the Gaggia has a dimension of 9.5 x 8 x 14.5 inches with a weight of 20 lbs. The two products can fit snugly even in small kitchen countertops. So if you have a narrow kitchen, consider one between Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic.

Although the designs are slightly different, they both look sleek and stylish in a brushed stainless steel finish, which can surely spice up your kitchen.

Capacity

About the water tank capacity, the Gaggia Classic takes the win with a 72-ounce tank. Its competitor boasts a smaller tank, holding up to 67 ounces of water. Still, a 5-ounce does not make a huge difference. Both tanks are large enough for you to brew many cups of coffee without having to refill often.

On the other hand, the Rancilio wins in terms of boilers. It comes with a large brass boiler, which has a 12 oz capacity. That one of Gaggia is made of aluminum with a 3.5 oz volume only. Having a large boiler allows you to make many shots with no wait in between, so it is really convenient.

Final verdict: Rancilio Silvia is the winner in this category.

Features and Accessories

Both Rancilio and Gaggia are semi-auto coffee makers, so they have a bunch of features in common. For example, both products are designed to make either single and double shots of espresso based on your demand.

But there are still differences in the similar features of the two coffee makers.

Take the steam wand for example. While the Gaggia Classic features a cheap swiveling steam wand, its competitor comes with a commercial style wand that is made of stainless steel.

A more noticeable feature is the portafilter. Both Gaggia and Rancilio use a standard 58mm portafilter for the baskets to ensure smooth and consistent coffee. Nonetheless, the one that comes with Silvia is more ergonomically designed. Thus, you are able to fill the portafilter with ground coffee and lock it in place with more ease.

There is one thing that the Gaggia has an edge over its competitor, which is the type of coffee you can use. To be specific, it is compatible with easy-serve espresso pods. Meanwhile, the Rancilio Silvia only takes pre-ground coffee; if you want to use ESE pods, you need to buy an adapter for it.

Gaggia offers more convenience by equipping its coffee maker with an on-demand hot water dispenser. Now you can get hot water anytime you want for whatever uses, whether it is to brew a cup of tea or to cook cup noodles. This feature makes the Gaggia Classic even more versatile. Unfortunately, the Rancilio fails to offer such a feature. But if you already have an on-demand hot water device at home, this should not be a deal-breaker.

Bad news: Gaggia Classic vs Rancilio Silvia do not come with a burr grinder.

The Rancilio should win this round due to high-quality features. The lack of a hot water dispenser is not a huge drawback with me.

Quick Rundown of Rancilio Silvia

Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machinet,0.3 liters, with Iron Frame and Stainless Steel Side Panels, 11.4 by 13.4-Inch
596 Reviews
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machinet,0.3 liters, with Iron Frame and Stainless Steel Side Panels, 11.4 by 13.4-Inch
  • Ergonomic porta filter handle same as the proven design of Rancilio commercial machines
  • Commercial grade group head for superb heat stability and extraction quality
  • Articulating steam wand offers complete range of motion and professional steaming knob precisely controls steaming pressure
  • Classic linear design fits most decors
  • Optional pod and capsule adaptor kit available

Pros

  • Sleek and stylish overall design
  • Commercial style swivel wand
  • Ergonomic 58mm portafilter

Cons

  • No hot water dispenser

>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<

Quick Rundown of Gaggia Classic

Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic

Sale
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel
1,974 Reviews
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Solid Steel Housing, Made in Italy
  • 9 Bar Espresso Extractions
  • Stainless Steel 58mm Commercial Portafilter
  • Commercial Three Way Solenoid Valve
  • Commercial Steam Wand

Pros

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Compatible with ESE pods
  • On-demand hot water dispenser

Cons

  • No burr grinder
  • Cheap frothing wand

>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<

The Bottom Line

My comparison of Rancilio Silvia Vs Gaggia Classic has come to an end and Rancilio takes the win against its strong competitor. Nonetheless, which one wins is a subjective aspect. You can choose the Gaggia Classic if you want to enjoy ESE pods and on-demand hot water.

Thank you for reading. You can read my detailed comparison of Gaggia Classic Vs Breville Infuser here.

The Related Article

Comparison Article

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.