Compared with Saexo Xelsis.

The Saeco GranBaristo was not easy, as here arrived for testing, as it against my beloved Saeco Xelsis Saeco HD8953 / 21 fully automatic coffee machine Xelsis Evo (1.6 L, 15 bar, 1,500 watt, integrated milk Karaffee, TFT display) white white inaugural, the barely above weaknesses has in my eyes (how many machines of the older generation, such as leaking water tank, warm milk foam, etc.) and a real gem is.
But I must admit that the GranBaristo not from "bad parents" and is convinced by many self-sheep. Ultimately remains one spoiled for choice, since both machines move into the upper class of the coffee machine and leave little to be desired. Who is looking for a fully automatic, is slain by the offer and I want to try to give a little guidance:

WHY a coffee machine in this price LEAVE?
I want to start by saying that both the GranBaristo and the Xelsis are luxury units which, although ultimately "only" coffee and coffee-milk beverages prepare compared to cheaper machines, but also offer some other advantages:

-It Can be applied up to 6 user profiles, where each user can program his favorite beverage in terms of strength, temperature, amount of milk foam, etc.
-the expensive devices are quieter usually
-You see through the use of stainless steel (and in Xelsis through the white paint) quality and are real gems in the kitchen
-many handles are automated, eg cleans Xelsis milk carafe after each reference, so you need to rinse them only 1 time a week by hand

As I said, even cheaper machines prepare good coffee and offer eg via hose system the possibility of producing milk foam, but as it is so with luxury appliances, they are simply beautiful to look at and comfortable to use. What comes down, the coffee or the coffee-milk beverage, is usually equally well.

But now for GRANBARISTO.

APPEARANCE, FIRST IMPRESSION AND HANDLING:
The Gran Barista is compared to Xelsis considerably narrow (20 cm compared to 28 cm) and lighter, so they tend sometimes can slide quickly to the side, which is not quite as easy when Xelsis because it is very difficult. It is also 2 cm lower, though fits under hanging cabinets, but can then be a little more complicated to operate, because water and beans tank be filled from the top. The water tank need not to enttnehmen, you can a can or a measuring cup serving. The GranBaristo is provided only on the front with stainless steel and is otherwise completely made of plastic. The Kaffeeausgeber you can forward to take as large latte macchiato glasses to use. Marc and drain pan can be by opening the front that is opened like a door to the front, grasp it. The capacity of up to 17 pomace is quite large (Xelsis: 14). The brewing unit can be pulled out with a finger. An improvement to Xelsis, when one already needs both hands.
After setting up and connecting to the power, you can switch the machine on, sets the language and can then start using the manual to create individual profiles. At the beginning it will take some time until you have adjusted all the coffees to your own taste. The settings are versatile! For lovers of ease of use may be too versatile: Up to 16 coffee specialties are provided with default settings and you can vary them individually on his profile in temperature, flavor, amount, as you desire.

MILK FOAM:
For most autocreating milk drinks is THE deciding factor for a high-quality machines and here both points. The only difference: The Xelsis creates milk foam in 3 different strengths, in GranBaristo only strength is possible. However, the milk froth at the GranBaristo indeed is perfect: without fixed and not to be very durable and stable kleinporig drinkable. When the cappuccino foam is slightly thinner than the macchiato latte. very beautiful! Both the foam is hot enough to avoid catching a chill the coffee, which was the case in some machines the 1st generation. The milk carafe can be assembled easily and disassemble than the Xelsis and easily without the cover having to fill from top slimming cumbersome. They fit in the refrigerator door.

CLEANING:
The machine performs after each switching on or off by a short cleaning cycle. The water is indeed collected by the drip tray, but I imagine rather a small cup underneath. The effort has its limits: approx 1x daily empty grounds container and drip tray and rinse briefly and reinsert, wipe racks and machine with a soft cloth and washing up liquid. 1-2 times a week I give all the parts in the dishwasher or clean the small parts of the milk carafe in rinse water. The group is also taken out 1x per week, cleaned under running water, dried and used again.
The machine will indicate when they would like to be decalcified. This process is somewhat more complex, takes about half an hour and should be done only under supervision, since one the water collecting shells from time to time have to empty. The frequency here depends of course on the use and hardness of the water. We have very soft water and the machine must be about 2x decalcified annually.

Coffee flavor:
Tastes just vary the coffee. Some like their coffee hot, strong and black, the other rather mild with lots of milk. All these different preferences correspond to both machines. So far, everyone has their coffee has found. The quality of taste depends of course also related to the use of the bean variety. Here is advisable to try several varieties (eg us taste the Gepa varieties very well or Lavazza, as well as the organic beans from Aldi Süd)

CONCLUSION:
It's your choice, are spoiled. This also applies to these two machines. In principle, one could go in to look, because both offer coffee enjoyment in the luxury segment and I think on both machines nothing to complain or criticize. Despite its compactness, the GranBaristo provides a slightly larger water tank (100 ml more) and a larger pulp container (17 instead of 14 cases). For the Xelsis affects quality and is available in white, a real gem! The cleaning of the Gran Barista is a little easier (removal of the brewing unit) for the scores Xelsis with milk froth, which is adjustable in three strengths. However, "spratzelt" it in the preparation a little more around than the GranBaristo, so you have to clean the machine rather short times with a cloth.
Both machines are thoroughly recommended and really wrong to do something with none!