Sage makes more espresso machines with built-in grinders than anyone else, and the model names can be confusing. Here’s a straightforward comparison of the Sage coffee machine range, from the Bambino Plus to the Oracle Dual Boiler, so you can pick the one that suits you.
| Model | Grinder | Heating | Milk | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bambino Plus | No | ThermoJet | Automatic steam wand | Compact milk drinks |
| Barista Express | Yes | Thermocoil | Manual steam wand | Best value all-rounder |
| Barista Express Impress | Yes, assisted tamping | Thermocoil | Manual steam wand | Beginners |
| Barista Pro | Yes | ThermoJet | Manual steam wand | Speed and control |
| Barista Touch | Yes | ThermoJet | Automatic steam wand | Touchscreen convenience |
| Barista Touch Impress | Yes, assisted tamping | ThermoJet | Automatic steam wand | Easiest café drinks |
| Oracle Dual Boiler | Yes, automatic dose and tamp | Dual boiler | Automatic steam wand | The ultimate Sage |
Sage Bambino Plus
The Sage Bambino Plus, Brushed Stainless Steel is tiny, quick and makes excellent milk drinks thanks to its automatic steam wand. You’ll need a separate grinder, such as the Sage Smart Grinder Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel, or pre-ground coffee.
Sage Barista Express
The Sage Barista Express, Brushed Stainless Steel is the classic all-in-one with a built-in grinder and manual steam wand. It’s the best-value Sage coffee machine and the UK’s favourite. Read our full Sage Barista Express review.
Sage Barista Express Impress
The Sage Barista Express Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel adds assisted dosing and tamping, making it the best Sage coffee machine for beginners.
Sage Barista Pro
The Sage Barista Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel heats up in seconds, has a digital display and more grind settings. Also in Black Truffle.
Sage Barista Touch and Touch Impress
The Sage Barista Touch, Brushed Stainless Steel adds a touchscreen with saved drinks and an automatic steam wand that textures milk for you. The Sage Barista Touch Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel and Sage Barista Touch Impress, Sea Salt add assisted tamping, so almost everything is guided.
Sage Oracle range
The Sage Oracle Jet, Black Truffle, Sage Oracle Touch, Brushed Stainless Steel and Sage Oracle Dual Boiler, Stainless Steel grind, dose and tamp automatically. The Oracle Dual Boiler and Oracle Touch have dual boilers for brewing and steaming at the same time, making them the most café-like machines Sage makes.
Sage The Dual Boiler
Prefer a separate grinder? The Sage The Dual Boiler, Brushed Stainless Steel is a superb dual boiler espresso machine. Pair it with a grinder like the Eureka Mignon Specialita, Matte Black.
Which Sage coffee machine should you buy?
- Best value: Sage Barista Express, Brushed Stainless Steel
- Best for beginners: Sage Barista Express Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel
- Fastest and most refined: Sage Barista Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel
- Easiest milk drinks: Sage Barista Touch Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel
- The ultimate Sage: Sage Oracle Dual Boiler, Stainless Steel
- Small kitchens: Sage Bambino Plus, Brushed Stainless Steel
ThermoJet vs Thermocoil: why it matters
Sage uses two heating systems. Thermocoil, on the Barista Express, heats water in a coiled block and takes around a minute to be ready. ThermoJet, on the Barista Pro, Touch and Bambino Plus, heats in about three seconds and switches from brewing to steaming almost instantly. If you’re in a rush in the morning, ThermoJet is a real advantage.
Manual vs automatic steam wand
The Barista Express and Pro have manual steam wands, which give you full control and are ideal for learning latte art. The Bambino Plus and Barista Touch have automatic steam wands that texture milk to a set temperature and texture, then stop. Both make silky microfoam; the automatic wand simply removes the learning curve.
Assisted tamping: the Impress system
The Impress models use a lever that doses and tamps the coffee for you, applying consistent pressure every time. The machine then tells you if you need a little more or less coffee next time. It’s the single most helpful feature for beginners, because inconsistent dosing and tamping is the most common cause of bad shots.
Which Sage is best for milk drinks?
If you mostly drink lattes and flat whites, choose a machine with an automatic steam wand: the Sage Bambino Plus, Brushed Stainless Steel if you have a grinder, or the Sage Barista Touch, Brushed Stainless Steel or Sage Barista Touch Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel if you want everything in one.
Which Sage is best for espresso?
For straight espresso, the Sage The Dual Boiler, Brushed Stainless Steel with a quality separate grinder is the best Sage setup. If you want a built-in grinder, the Sage Barista Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel or Sage Oracle Dual Boiler, Stainless Steel.
Sage accessories worth buying
- Sage Claro Swiss Water Filter – reduces scale and improves taste.
- A calibrated tamper – choose a 54mm size for most Sage machines.
- Rhinowares Pro Milk Pitcher, 600ml – a better milk jug for latte art.
- Timemore Black Mirror Mini Coffee Scale – for weighing doses and shots.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between the Sage Barista Express and Pro?
The Pro heats up in about three seconds with ThermoJet, has a digital display and more grind settings. The Express is cheaper and uses a Thermocoil with an analogue gauge.
Which Sage coffee machine is best for beginners?
The Sage Barista Express Impress, Brushed Stainless Steel, thanks to its assisted tamping and dose guidance.
Is Breville now called Sage?
In the UK and Europe, Breville machines are sold under the Sage name. They’re the same company.
Are Sage coffee machines good?
Yes. They’re some of the most capable and user-friendly home espresso machines available, with good build quality and strong support.
See every model on our Sage coffee machines page.
