Breville vs De'Longhi vs Gaggia: how do these brands compare?

Breville (known as Sage in Europe) makes well-designed machines with good value-for-money, especially for beginners and mid-range. De'Longhi is strong in super-automatics and entry-level machines but their manual machines are considered less serious by enthusiasts. Gaggia Classic Pro is a cult favorite in the sub-$500 range for its commercial-grade group head and upgradability. Each brand has standout models in different price ranges — no single brand dominates all tiers.