Gaggia Magenta Plus Super-Automatic Espresso Machine Review
A black Gaggia Magenta Plus super-automatic espresso machine with a 60 ounce capacity, a full color display, on the fly drink programming and a commercial steam wand for milk frothing.
| Brand | Gaggia |
|---|---|
| Model | RI8700/46 |
| Water capacity | 60 oz |
| Dimensions | 17.1 x 8.8 x 14 inches |
| Weight | 17 lbs |
| Max cup height | 6 inches |
| Best for | Buyers wanting a compact, super-automatic machine with a real commercial-style steam wand for milk drinks |
Product Overview
Gaggia builds the Magenta Plus around on the fly programming, letting a user adjust settings like strength or volume any time they brew a drink and then save those changes for next time, rather than requiring a separate settings menu before brewing starts.
A full color display with icon-based navigation is used to keep brewing simple, mixing plain text, color and icons so additional programming stays easy even for more advanced drink customization.
The machine includes a true commercial steam wand, which Gaggia states puts authentic milk frothing at the user's fingertips for properly textured lattes and cappuccinos, rather than relying on an automated frothing wand with less manual control.
Score Breakdown
This verdict is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon listing and its product images, the confirmed materials and design, real buyer ratings, and our research into the product category. Scores are consistent editorial judgments, not laboratory measurements, and we did not receive a paid sample.
Key Features
Authentic manual milk frothing for lattes and cappuccinos.
Adjust and save drink settings at the moment of brewing.
Icon-based navigation for easy brewing and programming.
Prevents splashing and fits cups up to 6 inches tall.
6.5 to 11.5 grams of fresh coffee per drink.
Design and Build Quality
Stated dimensions are 17.1 inches long by 8.8 inches wide by 14 inches tall, weighing 17 pounds, in black, model RI8700/46, with a 60 ounce water capacity. Gaggia backs the machine with a 2 year manufacturer parts and labor warranty.
Based on Gaggia's Anima series, the Magenta Plus inherits a slim design under 10 inches wide along with tall spouts offering 6 inches of cup clearance, and the same updated brew group used across that series, dosing 6.5 to 11.5 grams of freshly ground coffee per drink.
An updated drip tray and cup riser are built in specifically to prevent splashing while giving sufficient clearance for taller cups, with Gaggia stating the machine can fit large or travel mugs up to 6 inches tall at its maximum height setting.
Performance in Everyday Use
The commercial steam wand is the standout performance feature for milk-based drinks, giving a user direct, authentic control over frothing and texturing milk rather than depending on an automated system with fewer adjustment options.
On the fly programming extends performance flexibility to every drink type, letting a user tune a recipe in the moment and save it for the next time that same drink is brewed, rather than locking in settings permanently from the first use.
The brew group's 6.5 to 11.5 gram dosing range gives the machine room to adjust grind amount per drink, supporting different coffee strengths and cup sizes without being locked to a single fixed dose.
How It Performs: The Evidence
| Decision factor | What we found | Evidence and measurement | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam wand | True commercial steam wand | Listing states the best milk drinks are prepared with a true commercial steam wand | 8.6 | A specific wand type confirms the milk frothing feature is commercial-grade rather than a basic automated wand |
| Drink programming | On the fly, saved settings | Listing states any time you brew a drink you can change settings and save them for next time | 8.4 | A specific programming workflow confirms the on-the-fly adjustment claim |
| Display | Full color, icon-based navigation | Listing states a full color display with crisp icon-based navigation makes brewing fun and easy | 8.5 | A named display type confirms the ease-of-use claim |
| Cup clearance | Up to 6 inches tall | Listing states at max height, the Magenta can fit large/travel mugs up to 6 inches tall | 8.0 | A stated clearance figure confirms the cup compatibility claim |
| Dosing range | 6.5-11.5g per drink | Listing states the brew group doses 6.5-11.5g of freshly ground coffee for every drink | 8.3 | A stated dose range confirms the adjustable grind-amount claim |
| Dimensions and weight | 17.1 x 8.8 x 14 inches, 17 lbs | Listed item dimensions are 17.1 inches by 8.8 inches by 14 inches at 17 pounds | 8.1 | Stated dimensions confirm the compact, slim design claim |
Who Should Buy It
- Buyers wanting authentic steam-wand milk frothing
- Compact kitchens needing a slim, under 10 inch wide machine
- Households wanting saved, per-drink programming
- Anyone wanting cup clearance up to 6 inches tall
- Anyone wanting a machine with a built-in automatic milk frother rather than a manual steam wand
- Compact under 10 inch wide design caps cup clearance at 6 inches even at max height
- Manual steam wand requires more hands-on technique than an automatic frother
- At 17 pounds, it is not the lightest compact espresso machine to move or store
- Only offered in black on this listing
Full Specifications
How It Compares
| Feature | Gaggia | Typical option | Higher-tier option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam wand type | True commercial manual steam wand | Automatic frothing wand | Comparable manual steam wand machine |
| Programming | On the fly, saved per drink | Fixed factory settings only | Comparable adjustable-programming machine |
| Display | Full color, icon-based | Basic text-only display | Comparable color display machine |
| Cup clearance | Up to 6 inches with cup riser | Lower cup clearance | Comparable tall-cup clearance design |
| Warranty | 2 years parts and labor | Shorter or parts-only warranty | Comparable 2 year warranty machine |
Alternatives Worth a Look
A compact, super-automatic espresso machine with a 60 ounce capacity, a full color display, on the fly programming and a true commercial steam wand for milk drinks. It suits buyers wanting authentic manual milk frothing in a slim, under 10 inch wide footprint, with the main consideration being its compact cup riser tops out at 6 inches of clearance even at maximum height.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this have a milk frother?
Yes, a true commercial steam wand for manual frothing.
Can I save custom drink settings?
Yes, via on the fly programming, per the listing.
What is the water capacity?
60 ounces, per the listing.
How tall a cup can it fit?
Up to 6 inches at maximum height, per the listing.
What is the dosing range per drink?
6.5 to 11.5 grams, per the listing.
What is the warranty?
2 years, parts and labor, per the listing.
How wide is the machine?
8.8 inches, under 10 inches wide, per the listing.
This review is based on the manufacturer's stated capacity, dimensions, display and programming features, steam wand design, dosing range and warranty as listed. It is editorial analysis of the stated specifications and features, not independent hands on testing of this specific machine's espresso extraction or milk frothing results.