Comparison · Bean-to-cup machines
Gaggia Magenta vs Cadorna: comparing Gaggia's bean-to-cup ranges
Gaggia's Magenta and Cadorna ranges both come in steam-wand, one-touch and carafe versions. Here's how they differ on tank, beans, size and price at Gaggia UK on 3 Oct 2026.
The Gaggia Magenta vs Cadorna question is really about which range, because both come in a basic version with a manual frother, a one-touch milk version and a top Prestige model with a milk carafe. On Gaggia UK’s listings, the Magenta has the bigger water tank and the slimmer body, while the Cadorna adds four user profiles, a bigger bean hopper and more grind settings. We haven’t tested this in person. This comparison is based on Gaggia UK’s store and range pages and prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Gaggia Magenta vs Cadorna: the short answer
Choose the Magenta if you live alone or with one other person and want the slimmest machine for the money. The Magenta Plus was £499.00 at Gaggia UK, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026, and Gaggia UK lists a 1.8-litre tank and a 22.4cm-wide body.
Who it isn’t for: households where several people like their coffee differently. The Magenta doesn’t list user profiles.
Choose the Cadorna if more than one person uses the machine. Gaggia UK lists four user profiles on every Cadorna, and 10 grind settings against the Magenta’s five. The Cadorna Plus was £549.00 at Gaggia UK, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone short on width. Gaggia UK lists the Cadorna at 26cm wide, and its tank is smaller at 1.5 litres.
What they cost right now
All prices below are from Gaggia UK’s online store, in stock, and Gaggia UK lists a five-year parts warranty for home use on each.
- Magenta Plus RI8700/01: Check price at Gaggia UK.
- Magenta Prestige RI8702/01: £599.00 at Gaggia UK, checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Cadorna Plus RI9601/01: £549.00 at Gaggia UK, checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Cadorna Milk RI9603/01: check price at Gaggia UK.
- Cadorna Prestige RI9604/01: Check price at Gaggia UK.
Gaggia UK’s Magenta range page also lists a Magenta Milk, but we didn’t find a store price for it, so we’ve left it out of the price list. Currys showed no Gaggia machines in its search results on 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone wanting the cheapest option. Check the current price at Gaggia UK before you buy (ours were checked on 3 Oct 2026).
Milk systems, model by model
Both ranges follow the same ladder:
- Plus (manual milk). The Magenta Plus has what Gaggia UK calls a professional steam wand, and the Cadorna Plus has a stainless steel pannarello. Either way, you froth the milk yourself in a jug.
- Milk (one-touch). The Cadorna Milk uses Gaggia’s Capp in Cup system, which Gaggia UK lists for automatic or manual frothing. Gaggia UK’s range page lists a Magenta Milk too.
- Prestige (carafe). Both Prestige models have an integrated milk carafe that, Gaggia UK says, froths milk twice, runs an automatic cleaning cycle and can be stored in the fridge. Both are now listed with an over-ice drinks feature.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants one-touch milk for the lowest price. The cheapest one-touch option in these listings was the Magenta Prestige, £599.00 at Gaggia UK (checked 3 Oct 2026).
Size, tank and beans
| Magenta | Cadorna | |
|---|---|---|
| Size (L x H x D) | 22.4 x 35.7 x 43.5cm (Plus) | 26 x 38 x 44cm |
| Water tank | 1.8 litres | 1.5 litres |
| Bean hopper | 150g on the store pages; 250g on Gaggia UK’s range page | 300g |
| Weight | 7.6kg (Plus), 7.7kg (Prestige) | Not listed on the store pages |
The Magenta’s bean hopper figure doesn’t match between Gaggia UK’s own pages, so check with the retailer if it matters. Gaggia UK lists 1900W and a cup height of 70mm to 155mm for both ranges, and pre-ground coffee as an option on every model.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants fewer bean top-ups from the Magenta. The Cadorna’s 300g hopper is the safer bet.
Controls and settings
Magenta. Gaggia UK lists a full colour display with capacitive buttons, five grind settings, five Optiaroma strength settings, pre-brewing and a quick heat boiler. The Plus offers five drinks, and the Prestige up to 12.
Cadorna. Gaggia UK lists a wide screen, four user profiles to save drinks, 10 grind settings, five Optiaroma settings, pre-brewing, a quick heat boiler and a pull-out espresso tray. The Plus offers six drinks, while the Milk and Prestige pages say up to 16.
Both have a removable brew group you can rinse under the tap, per Gaggia UK.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who never changes a setting. The Cadorna’s extra profiles and grind steps only help if you use them.
Downsides
- Prices only from one seller. We could confirm prices at Gaggia UK’s store, but not at Currys, where no Gaggia machines appeared.
- Conflicting hopper figures for the Magenta on Gaggia UK’s pages.
- Smaller Cadorna tank, at 1.5 litres.
- No Magenta Milk price in the store pages we checked.
Where to go next
For the Magenta Plus on its own, see our Gaggia Magenta Plus review. Our Gaggia Cadorna Prestige review looks at the top Cadorna. Our guide to bean-to-cup machines has rivals from other brands.
FAQ
What’s the difference between the Gaggia Magenta and Cadorna? On Gaggia UK’s listings, the Magenta has a 1.8-litre tank, a narrower body and five grind settings. The Cadorna has a 1.5-litre tank, a 300g bean hopper, 10 grind settings and four user profiles.
Which is cheaper? The Magenta Plus, at £499.00 at Gaggia UK, against £549.00 for the Cadorna Plus, both checked 3 Oct 2026.
Do both ranges have a milk carafe model? Yes. The Magenta Prestige (£599.00) and Cadorna Prestige (£699.00) both have an integrated carafe, at Gaggia UK, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Can they use pre-ground coffee? Yes. Gaggia UK lists a ground coffee option on every Magenta and Cadorna model we checked.