Sage

From the compact Bambino Plus to the café-grade Oracle Dual Boiler, Sage makes some of the most popular home espresso machines in the UK. Here’s the full range we rate, and how to choose.

Which Sage coffee machine is best for you?

Sage is the UK and European name for Breville, the Australian company that has done more than anyone to bring proper espresso into home kitchens. Every Sage coffee machine is designed around the same idea: café-quality espresso with clever features that make it easier to get right. The range is big, though, so here’s how the main models fit together.

Sage Bambino Plus: the compact starter

The Sage Bambino Plus, Brushed Stainless Steel is a small espresso machine that heats up in seconds and has an automatic steam wand that textures milk for you. It doesn’t have a built-in coffee grinder, so pair it with something like the Sage Smart Grinder Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel. A brilliant first machine for flat whites. Also in Black Truffle.

Sage Barista Express: the UK’s favourite

The Sage Barista Express, Brushed Stainless Steel is one of the best-selling espresso machines in the country. It combines a built-in conical burr coffee grinder, a 54mm portafilter and a manual steam wand in one machine, so you can go from beans to latte without buying anything else. Also available in Black Truffle. Read our Sage Barista Express review.

Sage Barista Express Impress: assisted tamping

The Sage Barista Express Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel adds Sage’s Impress puck system, which doses and tamps for you with a simple lever. It takes the guesswork out of dialling in, making it ideal if you’re new to espresso.

Sage Barista Pro and Barista Touch

The Sage Barista Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel uses ThermoJet heating, so it’s ready in about three seconds, and adds a clear LCD display. The Sage Barista Touch, Brushed Stainless Steel goes further with a touchscreen and automatic milk texturing, while the Sage Barista Touch Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel and Sage Barista Touch Impress, Sea Salt combine the touchscreen with assisted tamping. Our Sage Barista range comparison explains the differences.

Sage Oracle range: automatic grinding and tamping

At the top of the range, the Sage Oracle Touch, Brushed Stainless Steel, Sage Oracle Jet, Black Truffle and Sage Oracle Dual Boiler, Stainless Steel grind, dose and tamp automatically while still using a proper portafilter. The Oracle Dual Boiler and Oracle Touch use dual boilers for steady temperature and simultaneous brewing and steaming.

Sage The Dual Boiler

The Sage The Dual Boiler, Brushed Stainless Steel is a serious espresso machine without a grinder. It has a 58mm portafilter, PID temperature control and two boilers, making it one of the best-value dual boiler espresso machines available. Pair it with a quality grinder like the Eureka Mignon Specialita, Matte Black.

Sage grinders and accessories

The Sage Smart Grinder Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel and Sage Dose Control Pro Grinder are designed to pair with Sage machines, with dosing directly into the portafilter. Keep your machine running smoothly with the Sage Claro Swiss Water Filter, and upgrade your workflow with a calibrated 54mm tamper from our barista accessories.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sage the same as Breville?

Yes. Sage is the brand name Breville uses in the UK and Europe. The machines are designed by the same team.

Which Sage coffee machine is best for beginners?

The Sage Barista Express Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel is our pick for beginners, thanks to its assisted dosing and tamping. If you only drink milk drinks and already own a grinder, the Sage Bambino Plus, Brushed Stainless Steel is also excellent.

What’s the difference between the Sage Barista Express and Pro?

The Barista Pro heats up much faster thanks to ThermoJet heating, has a digital display and more grind settings. The Barista Express uses a traditional Thermocoil and analogue pressure gauge.

Can you use ground coffee in a Sage coffee machine?

Yes. Every Sage espresso machine comes with pressurised baskets for pre-ground coffee, though freshly ground beans give much better results.

How do I clean my Sage coffee machine?

Backflush with a cleaning tablet every few weeks, purge the steam wand after every use, change the water filter regularly and descale when the machine prompts you. See our guide to descaling a Sage Barista Express.

Why are Sage coffee machines so expensive?

They include features that would normally need separate equipment, such as built-in grinders, digital temperature control and automatic milk texturing. Compared with buying a machine and grinder separately, they’re often good value.