What if you could make a full suite of coffee drinks without ever making a trip to the coffee shop? What if you could make them right in the comfort of your own home with little more effort than pressing a button? If this is what you’re looking for then you’re in luck. This high-end Italian Espresso machine, Gaggia RI9700/64 Babila, will give you everything you need to make delicious espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and more.
View Product on Amazon.com
Let’s take a look at some of the great features that this supremely high quality Gaggia Babila espresso machine has to offer and help you decide if it’s the right machine for you.
Features
Flow Control
The intuitive and easy-to-use flow knob allows you to modulate the extent of the extraction, so that you can prepare a lighter or stronger cup of espresso in a breeze without the risk of extracting tannins and other impurities that can lead to unpleasant off-flavors.
Up To 8 Pre-Programmed Coffee Drinks
Do you or your family members enjoy a wide variety of coffee drinks? If so, the Gaggia Babila has you covered. Program up to eight coffee drinks that can each be prepared with the push of a button. The only thing you’ll have to figure out is which coffee drink you’ll be serving yourself next.
Telescoping Dispenser
Have you ever tried to set up an espresso machine for a fresh cup of Joe, only to find that your cup is too tall? Rather than holding your cup or leaning it precariously, the Babila has been ingeniously designed with an adjustable coffee dispenser. It allows for pouring heights ranging from 3″ to 6″, which is enough to accommodate the vast majority of mugs.
Ultimate Control
Any espresso nut knows that there are so many variables that go into concocting the perfect cup, and what works for one particular bean may not work quite the same for another. Luckily for us the Gaggia Babila is insanely programmable, allowing for precise control of virtually any brewing parameter we could ever imagine. Dial in the optimal settings for your brew so that you can get the fullest flavors possible.
Enhanced Milk Carafe
Automating the milk foam production was not overlooked when designing the Babila. Making cappuccinos and lattes has never been easier. Better yet, the milk carafe is self-cleaning so it will always be ready for use. The milk carafe is also fully detachable for when the time comes for a more thorough clean and reload. You’ll be ready for excellent milk foam, once again at the push of a button.
Manual Steam Wand
Sometimes you’re not in the mood for automatic milk frothing. Sometimes you want to take matters into your own hands. Whether you’re feeling ambitious and want to take your chances with some cappuccino art or you simply want to see how good of a barista you truly are, you always have the manual steam wand ready to go. Plus, it doubles as a hot water dispenser.
Bypass Doser
If you have the option it’s always a good idea to grind your coffee beans fresh. In fact, many coffee enthusiasts may scoff at the idea of brewing with pre-ground coffee beans. While the Babila comes with an onboard burr grinder for fresh preparations from whole beans, it also has a bypass doser for when you’re in a pinch and all you have is pre-ground beans.
Two-Year Warranty
Whenever you make a purchase, and especially when you buy a higher ticket item such as this luxury Gaggia espresso maker, you want to feel secure that the company who makes the product stands behind it. The Babila comes with a two-year warranty, and the warranties are handled directly by Gaggia USA. You don’t have to worry about being shuffled around through contractors.
Pros
- This Gaggia RI9700/64 Babila comes with an internal dreg bin that will hold over 10 pucks of used coffee grounds. When the bin is full just empty it out and wipe it down for easy cleanup.
- The brew unit is entirely removable, which makes it accessible and easy to clean. It also features an automatic rinse and a descale cycle for ongoing maintenance.
- The Gaggia Babila is incredibly customizable so that you can find the optimal settings for your preferred cup of coffee. Settings can be saved so that they can be easily recalled for future use.
- Automatic milk frothing takes the guesswork out of the equation, so that you can have perfect milk froth for delicious cappuccinos and lattes.
- The manual steam wand also gives you the option to froth your own milk to your specific desired temperature and texture. Plus it doubles as a hot water dispenser for easy Americanos.
- Easily manipulate the strength of your coffee drink without risking over-extraction using the flow adjustment dial.
Cons
- Even though the Babila has quite a large water reservoir, between automatic rinse cycles and repeated brews some users find that they have to refill the reservoir frequently.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy This Model
If you’re on the prowl for a fully automatic espresso machine, then the Gaggia RI9700/64 Babila is definitely a contender for a spot on your short list. This machine truly has it all. It is beautifully designed and completely user friendly, so even inexperienced espresso makers can make delicious coffee drinks with the push of the button. If you’re a member of the more experienced coffee enthusiast crowd, then this machine is going to give you everything you need to hone in an absolutely delectable cup of espresso.
View Product on Amazon.com
This Gaggia Babila has a top quality construction that will last for years to come. Better yet, the manufacturer backs it with a two-year warranty so if anything goes wrong they’ll help you get it sorted out. If you’re looking for a machine that can repeatedly prepare a top-notch cup of espresso as well as a wide variety of other coffee drinks with minimal technique and effort required, then the Gaggia Babila may very well be just the machine for you.
