Flair Pro 2 vs Gaggia Classic Pro has been a peculiar debate for me to decide the final winner, given that these machines are so distinctive. But, from my humble ex-barista experience, I think Gaggia Classic Pro is the better option.
I look forward to an espresso machine that is simple yet effective, and Gaggia Classic Pro has it. It’s a semi-automatic machine that brews balanced and nutty espresso without complicating the extraction process. I also enjoy its pleasant steam wand that froths creamy foam with ease. I highly recommend this device if you want lattes and flat whites like me.
As for Flair Pro 2, this is one of the unique espresso makers I have owned and tested. It’s a fully-manual machine with a contemporary design. It extracts rich and smooth espresso, and the overall operation is very straightforward. However, it doesn’t have any additional feature to aid the drinks. I will explain further now.
Flair Pro 2 vs Gaggia Classic Pro: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Flair Pro 2 vs Gaggia Classic Pro: Differences
Gaggia Classic Pro wins 3.5 – 0.5 against Flair Pro 2. Sorry for the unrounded numbers. The pairs brews espressos equally delicious, but Gaggia Classic Pro is much more convenient since it is equipped with a large water tank to brew water automatically. Its milk system only surpasses the convenience level of Flair Pro 2, among other features.
Coffee Flavor: Tie
+Dosing + tamping
Dosing and tamping are manual with this pair. They don’t have integrated grinders, so we need an external one for this purpose. Then we have to dose the amount manually and tamp the puck tight. If you prefer robust espresso, I suggest grinding coffee beans finer. This trick helps achieve a more robust flavor, and more crema as well.
When I pull the shots, I watch the amount and hit the stop button to stop brewing. In the case of Flair Pro 2, this means that I will stop pulling the lever, which applies pressure to the pucks and allows hot water to run through. The maximum espresso dose recommended with Flair Pro 2 is around 2oz. But I tried pulling all the water from the brew head, and the parts still run smoothly.
+Heating system
Gaggia Classic Pro is equipped with a single boiler heating system, while Flair Pro 2 has a small brew head that doesn’t directly brew water.
With Gaggia Classic Pro, the brewing process is straightforward. Step by step, I heat the machine, and the heating elements handle the water temperature automatically. I don’t have to intervene in this process. As for the result, the water temperature is very high, and the drinks come out hot. I can’t ask for more in an affordable espresso machine.
On the contrary, Flair Pro 2’s brew head requires users to brew water with other devices, then pour the hot water inside the brew head. More or less, the brew head’s function is to keep water from cooling down, not brewing it. Therefore, the process seems more hectic than ever when I’m in a hurry.
To me, working with Gaggia Classic takes less time and is more efficient. Flair Pro 2 seems to focus on a very niche group of users, and it doesn’t convince me after 1 month of use.
Milk System: Gaggia Classic Pro
Flair Pro 2 doesn’t have a milk system, so there is nothing for me to comment on. In the case of Gaggia Classic Pro, it’s equipped with a commercial-style steam wand. After many attempts, I will rank its performance 7/10. The wand can froth hot and creamy foam for sure. I have been able to do some simple latte art with it, and there is no doubt that the milk texture is excellent for other recipes like flat white or latte macchiato.
Nevertheless, microfoam is not its strength. So if you are looking for an espresso machine designed to froth dry foam, perfect for cappuccinos, I think there are more suitable models out there. But overall, with Gaggia Classic Pro’s tiny price tag, I think it has balanced value and price very well.
Utilities: Gaggia Classic Pro
I like the decompression duct of Gaggia Classic Pro. It’s a very simple feature and might be insignificant to some users. But, I find it convenient that the device pushes out water from the used puck through the duct to ensure that the puck is dry. Dry pucks are much easier to remove from portafilters.
The capacity of the drip tray also is an important point to consider. The one of Flair Pro 2 is very, very, very small. It’s not surprising since the machine is built to extract single or double espressos only. But with Gaggia Classic Pro, I can relax with the drip tray that doesn’t require constant cleaning. I can hold up to 16oz of water after all.
Design & Material: Gaggia Classic Pro
This is where I find the most fun in comparing because of the differences in the pair’s designs. Flair Pro 2 has a very old-school brewing style, but its design is quite contemporary. It looks like an expensive piece of furniture that will be the star of the space.
Gaggia Classic Pro, on the contrary, has a simple and sleek industrial design. It doesn’t stand out, but it’s easier to handle.
Also, I really like the secure mounting of Gaggia Classic Pro. It allows the machine to vibrate as little as possible, and as a result, it produces less noise.
Material-wise, the pair is made mainly of stainless steel, which is a durable and rust-free material. Applause to both of them because they come in very ideal material for the small price tags.
Flair Pro 2 vs Gaggia Classic Pro: Similarities
Judging by these machines’ designs only, you can already tell that they don’t share many similar features. After long and hard consideration, I have “extracted” 2 similar characteristics between the pair, which I find most relevant.
Rich espresso flavor
There is no doubt that Gaggia Classic Pro and Flair Pro 2 are made for the sake of brewing delicious espresso. Their other additional features are minimum, but the taste of their espresso is impressive. Thanks to these machines, I have been able to extract hot, velvety, robust, and smooth espresso shots.
Simple and easy-to-learn features
As I said, they are designed to brew espresso, which is the fundamental goal. Other aspects are muted, such as one-touch recipes or auto-purge. With Gaggia Classic Pro and Flair Pro 2, I think users will have to learn how to brew only. Of course, with Gaggia Classic Pro’s steam wand, we have to make more effort in learning how to manage the tool. But in general, the functions are easy to handle.
Quick Rundown of Gaggia Classic Pro
- Solid Steel Housing, Made in Italy
- 9 Bar Espresso Extractions
- Stainless Steel 58mm Commercial Portafilter
- Commercial Three Way Solenoid Valve
- Commercial Steam Wand
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of Flair Pro 2
- HANDCRAFT SHOTS OF ESPRESSO - The Flair PRO 3 is a 100% human-powered, manual espresso press. With the Flair Espresso Maker, you have a complete manual espresso machine that can produce professional quality shots of espresso from your home, or wherever you are. Add 70ml of boiled water and a dose of up to 24 grams to yield up to a 56 ml shot with beautiful crema. A burr grinder is essential for use with this product.
- COMPLETE BREW CONTROL - The Flair PRO 3 features a custom pressure gauge with an Espresso Zone between 6-9 BAR, exactly that needed to create cafe-quality manual espresso extractions. The pressure gauge allows for immediate visual feedback while pulling shots with the Flair manual espresso press. Each Flair PRO 3 manual espresso maker is also capable of handling various brew ratios from 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1, ensuring that you can extract exactly the espresso you want, right from your home.
- MAJOR BREWING UPGRADES - The Flair PRO 3 features three upgrades over Flair’s other manual espresso makers including a No-preheat thin cylinder for better brewing workflow, an integrated shot mirror and a preheat funnel for those brewing lighter roasts.
- EASY TO CLEAN & PORTABLE - The Flair Espresso Maker is the only manual espresso maker with a completely detachable brewing head. This patented design allows for users to completely remove the brewing head, separate the parts, and rinse under cool water. This design also means the Flair PRO 3 can pack into an included, precision cut carrying case, meaning you can take your espresso anywhere you’d like.
- BUILT TO LAST - Now with an upgraded, stronger base, post and lever! The Flair PRO 3 is made from durable materials like cast aluminum and stainless steel, so you can be sure your manual espresso maker, by Flair, is built to last. Both the aluminum press stand and the stainless steel brewing head are backed by a 5-year warranty.
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Gaggia Classic Pro: https://www.gaggia-na.com/products/gaggia-classic-pro
- Flair Pro 2: https://flairespresso.com/product/pro-2/
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.