Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Review - Does It Make Best Espresso?

Looking to invest in an espresso machine that offers quality, customization, and convenience? The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige may have caught your eye.

However, with all of the espresso machines out there, deciding whether this brewer is the right fit for your needs can take time and effort.

As a well-seasoned barista, I have tested various machines to see how each performs in different settings.

One of the most recent ones I've tried is the Cardona Prestige. 

Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Review – My Ratings & Top Features

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Why Should You Buy The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige?

Overall, I'd rate the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige a 4.4 out of 5 for its remarkable user-friendly features and advanced customization, making it an excellent choice for novice and experienced coffee enthusiasts.

Here's why:

• Pre-Programmed Beverages
• Automatic Milk Frother
• TFT Display
• Integrated Grinder

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Who Should Buy The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige?

The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is an excellent choice for those who want variety and customization in their home coffee experience.

With 14 beverage choices and the option to create four personalized user profiles, it's ideal for households with diverse coffee preferences.

As a fully automatic coffee machine, the Cardona Prestige is the best brewing device for coffee lovers who want cafe-quality drinks at home without learning the intricate process of espresso brewing.

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Why I Decided To Review The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Espresso Machine

Since I tried the Delonghi Dinamica Plus, I've fallen in love with super-automatic espresso machines.

The convenience it offers is just exceptional.

When I heard about the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige super-automatic espresso machine, I wanted to see if there was anything else this type of espresso machine could offer.

On top of that, I found myself having more time in the morning because of the convenience that comes with fully automatic coffee machines.

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What's It Like To Live With The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige

 

What's In The Box?

When reviewing espresso machines, I always check the packaging and included accessories.

With the Gaggia Cadorna, the delivery and packaging were excellent, showing the brand's commitment to quality.

In the box, you'll find:

• Cadorna Prestige Barista Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine
• Milk carafe
• Dosing scoop
• Grind adjustment tool
• Water test kit
• Intenza+ water filter
• User manual

While it has fewer accessories compared to other machines, like the Dinamica Plus, it performs just as well.

Pulling My First Espresso Shot

With fully automatic espresso machines, you don't actually do any pulling.

The machine does that for you, which is why it's perfect for people on the go or who don't have the patience to learn how to pull an espresso.

However, there are a couple of things that you need to do when you own a machine like this:

Setting Up

Setting up the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige involves two main steps: adjusting for water hardness and customizing your coffee preferences.

While the coffee settings can wait, setting the water hardness is crucial for optimal performance, like knowing when to descale or replace the filter.

The process is simple - dip the water hardness strip in water, wait for the result, and input it into the machine.

This step is essential, as water hardness affects both cleaning frequency and espresso quality.

Prepping the water filter is also required, with instructions provided in the manual.[1] 

Overall, setup was quick and easy, taking about 10 minutes.

Grinding The Beans

The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige features a ceramic flat burr grinder, which prevents overheating and preserves the beans' flavor.

It's also impressively quiet, so you can brew coffee even at 3 a.m. without disturbing anyone.

With 10 grind settings, you can customize your coffee from fine to coarse. The super-automatic system delivers the grounds directly to the brew group, avoiding messy cleanups.

A finer grind produces stronger espresso, while coarser settings yield a milder taste. I found the mid-range setting (level 5) to be perfect for my preference.

You can also use pre-ground coffee by bypassing the grinder, offering great flexibility.

Just be sure to avoid oily beans, which can clog the grinder and affect espresso quality.

Pulling The Actual Shot

Pulling a shot with the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is effortless - this super-automatic machine does everything for you.

It grinds the beans, pre-infuses them to enhance flavor, and handles the extraction, all while maintaining the perfect pressure.

All you do is sit back and watch.

Pre-infusion ensures even extraction, and you can choose from five coffee strength levels, from mild to bold. I prefer level 4 with a mid-level grind, but it's easy to adjust to your taste.

My first shot came out with a rich crema, which is rare for super-automatic machines.

First Time Frothing Milk

Listen, I'm a sucker for good milk-based drinks, and the Gaggia Cadorna milk system made my love for them even stronger.

Having always steamed milk manually, I was impressed by how easy and efficient the integrated milk carafe is.

The frother swings over your cup, delivering perfectly frothed milk at the touch of a button, ideal for lattes or cappuccinos.

Plus, the machine automatically cleans the milk carafe afterward, saving you from the hassle of cleaning.

If the carafe breaks, replacements are easy to find. The only downside? You can’t adjust the milk temperature, but overall, it’s a fantastic feature for milk coffee lovers.

How Much Control Do You Have Over The Coffee Experience?

The Opti Aroma feature lets you choose from five levels of coffee strength, and you can adjust water volume, temperature (three options), and grind size to customize your perfect brew.

You can also tweak the volume of coffee or milk to suit your taste.

Plus, the machine allows you to save up to four user profiles, so everyone in the household can have their personalized coffee settings without hassle.

Whether you like it hotter, stronger, or milder, the Cadorna Prestige has you covered.

How Does It Handle Different Roasts?

The Gaggia Cardona Prestige offers flexibility when handling different types of roasts.

Its precision grinder and customizable coffee temperature give it the unique ability to accommodate a wide range of coffee bean roasts.

From the more delicate light roasts to the balanced medium and all the way to the bold dark roasts, this machine takes it all in stride, thanks to its customizable capabilities. 

Look, Feel, and Size Of The Machine

There's no denying that Gaggia has put some serious thought into the Cadorna Prestige.

I love how the water tank slides out effortlessly from the front, snapping right back into the machine without a hitch.

As for dimensions, it measures 26 x 38 x 44 cm and weighs a manageable 22 lbs.

The bodywork features black ABS, a spray-painted anthracite front, and a drip tray made of black ABS and stainless steel.

Just remember to ensure you've got enough counter space for it, and the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige will reward you with top-notch coffee every time.

What Drinks Can It Make?

• Ristretto
• Espresso
• Espresso Lungo: An elongated espresso shot for a slightly milder taste
• Coffee
• Americano
• Cappuccino
• Cappuccino XL A larger version of the beloved cappuccino
• Café au lait
• Café Cortado
• Latte Macchiato
• Latte Macchiato XL: A bigger serving of your favorite latte macchiato
• Flat White
• Frothed Milk: Can be used for hot cocoa
• Hot Water: Great for tea lovers or diluting your strong coffee

My favorite? The machine remembers your selections, making your daily brew quick, easy, and consistently delightful.

How Easy Is It To Use?

Every time you select your drink, the display presents you with the current settings. Adjusting these settings is quite intuitive, making the process of brewing and personalizing your drinks a breeze.

On top of that, an alert system notifies you when it's time to add more water or coffee or when you need to empty the coffee bin.

There's also a pop-up indicator when the drip tray needs emptying, so you don't have to guess when to perform these tasks.

As for the brewing process, it's straightforward. Pour your beans into the bean hopper and fill the water reservoir at the front.

Choose your beverage on the display, press the "start" button, and the machine takes care of the rest.

If you fancy a milk-based drink, attach the integrated milk carafe, select your beverage, and the machine will brew it for you.

Troubleshooting the machine is also easy. All you have to do is refer to the user manual and you can fix any of its most common issues.[2]

How Long Does It Take? (From Heat Up To First Sip)

The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is incredibly efficient, heating up from being turned on to being ready to brew in less than a minute.

Once ready, it brews your selected drink in the blink of an eye, ensuring you can instantly enjoy your coffee.

So, from switching on the machine to taking your first delicious sip, it usually takes less than two minutes.

Does It Have A Water Filtration System?

Yes, the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige does have a water filtration system. It comes with an Intenza+ water filter when you purchase this machine.

The water filter is a valuable feature that significantly improves the quality of your coffee by removing impurities and any off-tastes or odors from the water.[3]

Remember to replace the water filter every two months, or according to the manufacturer's instructions, to keep your coffee tasting great and your machine in optimal condition.

How Hard Is It To Clean and Descale?

Cleaning and descaling the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is quite simple. The machine is designed to allow for easy and hygienic cleaning and maintenance.

Daily cleaning tasks are minimal and straightforward. It comes with a removable brew group so you can rinse it after the end of each day. 

For a deeper clean, clean the milk carafe using a milk circuit cleaner and the brew group with coffee cleaning tablets approximately once a month.

Descaling is also essential to maintenance, but the machine will alert you when it's time to run a descaling cycle.

Gaggia recommends using its own descaling solution to ensure the best results and avoid any potential damage to the machine.

If you're using the Intenza+ water filter, descaling will be needed less frequently, another benefit of using the filter.

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My Favorite Parts About The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Coffee Maker

The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige offers convenience and much more. Here are my top favorite things about this affordable automatic espresso machine:

• Fast Heat-Up Time: The ability to have the machine reach its ideal temperature within a minute of turning it is amazing.
• Advanced Personalization: I love the option to create customized drinks. The machine offers 14 pre-programmed beverages that can be customized: brew strength settings, temperature control, and adjustable coffee length.
• Ease of Cleaning: The machine has a straightforward cleaning and maintenance process.
• Use of Water Filter: The ability to use an Intenza+ water filter in the water reservoir not only improves the quality of the coffee but also reduces limescale build-up, maintaining the machine's longevity.
• Up to 4 User Profiles: Each user profile can have multiple custom drinks saved, ensuring all family members or users can have their personalized coffee experience at the touch of a button.

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My Least Favorite Parts

While the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is certainly an impressive machine with a lot to offer, no coffee machine is perfect. Here are a few aspects that I wish were different:

• Lack of Temperature Control: One of my minor gripes with the Cadorna Prestige is the lack of precise temperature control. While it offers three temperature settings, it doesn't provide the same degree of control as other high-end models.
• Plastic Exterior: While the machine is sturdy, I'm not the biggest fan of the plastic exterior. It doesn't detract from the machine's performance, but it doesn't have the same high-end feel as other machines with stainless steel or metal finishes.

Despite these, this Gaggia coffee machine is still an excellent espresso brewer, suitable for coffee enthusiasts of all barista skill levels.

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Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Vs Similar Machines

Gaggia Cardona Prestige Vs Babila

Gaggia offers two super-automatic espresso machines: the Cadorna Prestige and the Babila.

Both machines deliver quality espresso with convenient automation but have key differences.

The Cadorna Prestige boasts a wider range of pre-programmed drinks and user profiles for personalized coffee experiences.

The Babila, however, has the upper hand with its 15-grind settings and two independent boilers.

It's also more expensive, over $1700, while the Cardona Prestige is priced at around $1300.

Related Article - Gaggia Babila Review

Gaggia Cardona Prestige Vs Delonghi Dinamica Plus

When comparing the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige to the Delonghi Dinamica Plus, you'll find differences in customization and ease of use.

The Dinamica Plus excels with its Coffee Link app, allowing remote control and customization of coffee drinks.

Meanwhile, the Cadorna Prestige doesn't offer app connectivity but compensates with a wide array of pre-programmed drinks and user profiles.

Both are the best machines if you value convenience. However,  you might prefer the Dinamica Plus if you want a high-tech machine.

The Cadorna Prestige is a great choice if a wider range of pre-set options suits you.

Gaggia Cardona Prestige Vs Jura E8

The Cadorna Prestige and the Jura E8 are super-automatic espresso machines, each appealing to different coffee lovers. However, Jura machines tend to be more expensive than Gaggia.

The Cadorna Prestige stands out with its 14 pre-programmed beverages and user profile features, providing a highly personalized coffee experience.

However, the Jura E8 shines with its PEP (Pulse Extraction Process) technology, perfect for espresso aficionados who appreciate a rich and nuanced flavor profile.

Also, the Jura E8's Aroma G3 grinder offers faster, quieter, and more efficient grinding.

Your choice between these two will depend on your preferences for flavor extraction versus customizable user experiences.

Oh, and your wallet since Jura E8 is currently priced at over $2,300.

Related Article - Best Espresso Machines Under $2000

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FAQs

Why does Gaggia Cardona Prestige have 15 bars?

The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige has a 15-bar pump to produce the optimal pressure for the perfect espresso extraction. The standard for espresso machines is typically between 9 and 15 bars.

How long is Gaggia's warranty?

Gaggia generally offers a warranty period of 1 year for parts and labor on all of its machines, which can sometimes vary depending on the model and where you purchase it.

Where are Gaggia coffee machines made?

Gaggia coffee machines are made in Italy, the birthplace of espresso.

What is the price of a Gaggia Cadorna Prestige machine?

The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige machine typically sells for around $1300.

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Conclusion - Is The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Worth Your Money?

After a comprehensive review of the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige, I can say that it's indeed worth your investment if you value advanced customization and seamless automatic operation in your coffee-making process.

This machine stands out with its variety of pre-programmed beverages and user profile features, allowing coffee lovers of all skill levels to craft their perfect cup with ease and precision.

However, if you seek a more hands-on coffee brewing experience and would like to take a jab at a manual steam wand, a semi-automatic machine like the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II is a better choice.

Alternatively, for those seeking sophisticated flavor extraction, you may wish to consider the Jura E8. Although it comes with a higher price point, its innovative technology is worth the extra cost.

Resources:

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322828281_The_influence_of_brewing_water_characteristic_on_sensory_perception_of_pour-over_local_coffee
2. https://www.gaggia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/4219-450-06541-MAN.-GAG.-CAD.-PRESTIGE-OTC-EN-NL-PL-Rev-01.pdf
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229981591_The_effect_of_water_on_the_flavour_of_brewed_coffee