Buying Advice: Saeco Armonia versus Gaggia Carezza ..or...Saeco Aroma

[Polonski]

As a first time espresso machine buyer I'm torn between these models.
The Saeco Armonia and the Gaggia Carezza are both available here in the Montreal area for about $250. I have noted positive feedback on various sites for both (many more postings for the Carezza).
Now to confuse matters for me there is the higher priced Saeco Aroma which also gets plenty of kudos at a price of $400 which is about the extent of my budget
Aside from styling, and the plastic versus steel finish, the "guts" of the two Saecos seem quite similar.
So my dilemma appears to be at the lower price point : Armonia versus Gaggia, or is the Saeco Aroma at the hgher end worth the price differential of either of the other two models?
Any advice, or other options would be welcome.
Eryk Polonski
Hudson, Quebec
Canada

[Methyltheobromin]

Hi Eryk,

I have used the Saeco Aroma and the Gaggia Evolution (should be similar to the Carezza). In my opinion, the Gaggia is a much better machine. I got nice, consistent results from the Gaggia, without much fiddling. I've used the Saeco with the classical (bought extra) and the crema valve portafilter (supplied with the machine), and the results for both are inferior to the Gaggia. With the classical portafilter, I have channeling problems with the Saeco. With the crema valve portafilter, shots are way too fast. The only advantage of the Saeco Aroma is the nice steel housing, but this does not influence your espresso.

Cheers,

Roland

PS: I've used an old Zassenhaus hand grinder (Mokka, adjustable) for grinding, this works fine with the Gaggia.
PPS: I've only used the Gaggia for a month now, the Saeco for more than a year, so I cannot comment on reliability.

[DigMe]

Gaggia.

brad

[zin1953]

Warning: not exactly the same machines, but . . .

I bought a Saeco once -- returned it within the week. (It died!)

I've owned two Gaggia Coffee models (as opposed to the Gaggia Carezza) over the past 15+ years. The first one died after about 9-10 years, and I picked up a second one which was in daily home use until about two years ago when I finally upgraded. That's when I took the Gaggia to my office, where it was used every workday, several times a day, until yesterday . . .

So I think that speaks to the reliability of Gaggia.

[SL]

I bought a Saeco once -- returned it within the week. (It died!)

Same story here. I bought a Saeco Vienna couple years ago. It died the same day I opened the box on the third cup of coffee, some piece of plastic broke inside and jammed it. It is all plastic inside and out, I am surprised these things can function at all.