Gaggia Espresso Evolution - Lava Red

I got this because it was the cheapest easily available machine that’s made in Italy. Although mostly plastic, it’s well built, and I appreciate that it doesn’t come with a bunch of cheap accessories that would likely end up in the trash. Coffee is good, steam wand is good, usage is relatively straightforward, and the manual is easy to understand when getting started.One thing not specified on the listing is that it came with a commercial portafilter basket. Gaggia’s own website and many reviews online say it only comes with pressurized baskets, so this was a nice surprise. There’s also some general instructions regarding the difference in the manual, so it’s not a fluke. I purchased from Whole Latte Love, and this was mentioned on their independent website’s listing for this machine; I can’t speak to whether the basket is included when buying directly from Amazon.Comparing to some other machines in this price range, the design and controls of this are really simple, which appeals to me because it’s less widgets on an expensive appliance to break. The inside looks really serviceable, too, and Gaggia part availability is good so I’m optimistic it’s not a throwaway if something breaks.I’m a bad barista so I’ll update this if anything else I missed by virtue of my own ignorance comes up down the road. Also, the steam wand can be converted between panarello and single hole just by sliding the panarello extension off, if that’s of interest to you. And it makes hot water for tea in under 30 seconds. Nice.

This machine is quite capable. We put it through the paces for a recent show, making espresso samples. It's a fairly basic machine, which leaves very little to go wrong. It takes a little getting used to the buttons, and it does sometimes need to be turned off and on again after repeated shots being pulled. It also lacks a feature to measure out a proper shot, so you have to push the button to stop the shot when you have enough water through.The narrower filter doesn't yield as flavorful of a shot as we get with our 58mm model, but that's a physical limitation, not a machine limitation. Still, the shots are good, and with practice, you can achieve a measure of consistency. You can use the steaming wand with a push of the other button. The temperature is about right, which is good because there doesn't seem to be a way to adjust it. The cup warmer on top works ok, but it will rattle the cups around while it makes your shot.I personally like the simplicity of this machine because most things are manual and leave very little to go wrong. It does barely fit a regular coffee cup, but nothing taller than that will fit without removing the tray.The tamper/coffee scoop is plastic and curved, so it's a bit awkward to use for packing the grounds, but it works well enough.

After too much time of overthinking just about everything in my coffee routine - from UX to the roast level of my beans - I finally decided to simplify my morning ritual. Enter the Gaggia Espresso Evolution in Lava Red: a machine that looks as sharp as it pulls shots.First, let's talk design. It’s got that charming mid-century Euro look, but with modern guts. Yes, the body leans plastic, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. It’s compact, clean, and fits perfectly on my kitchen counter without screaming "I need to justify my existence by looking like a spaceship."As for performance, this thing punches well above its price tag. PID-controlled temperature means I don’t have to babysit the boiler, and the auto pre-infusion helps cover for my occasional lack of finesse. I was genuinely surprised to find a commercial-style basket in the box—perfect for dialing in fresh grinds from my local roaster. (If you’re used to pressurized baskets, this is a nice little upgrade hiding in plain sight.)On the downside, the steam wand is not going to win a latte art competitions, but for quick, creamy cappuccino foam it does a decent job. It's functional, but is probably the one thing I'd improve on this machine. I do appreciate the ability to convert between panarello and single-hole - so Gaggia clearly understands that not everyone froths the same.The memo function is another feature I really like. Program it once, and you can sleepwalk through your next shot. Honestly, the whole interface reminds me of good UI design: minimal, intuitive, and hard to mess up.Bottom line: If you're looking for a simple, stylish, Italian-made espresso machine that doesn't bury you in bells and whistles, this is it. Just don’t overcomplicate it. The Gaggia Evolution rewards restraint.

I've always wanted to have an espresso machine but was a little intimidated to get one because of the high prices. This one is fairly reasonably priced and is made in Italy. After going over the instructions and some trial and error, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The coffee seems pretty good to me. I like the red color of the machine and it looks nice in my kitchen. I think it's a good entry level machine.

Have had this machine for 8 months, daily use, descaled it as directed. Today it made a popping sound and water started coming out around the outside of the portafilter. Tried everything, it is broken. Steam does not work either. Don’t waste your money