Sage · Home espresso
Sage Barista Express Espresso Machine
Grind, dose and pull café-style espresso at home, from bean to cup in under a minute.
- 16 grind settings
- 93°C PID-controlled water
- 54mm portafilter, 18g dose
- 2L removable water tank
£629.95
RRP £629.95
Price includes VAT.
Fresh coffee makes the machine
Our espresso is roasted to order and shipped the same day if you order by noon (Monday to Friday).
Shop espresso coffee- Free UK delivery
- Manufacturer's guarantee
- Set-up help from coffee roastersOur recipe and grind settings below, plus help by email
Why it's worth it
About the Sage Barista Express Espresso Machine
The Barista Express is the machine we're asked about more than any other. It puts a conical burr grinder, a temperature-controlled extraction system and a proper steam wand into one compact unit, so you can grind fresh for every shot and steam silky milk for flat whites and lattes.
It's a hands-on machine. You grind, tamp and pull the shot yourself, which is exactly why people love it: small changes make a real difference in the cup, and you learn fast. Below you'll find the recipe we use at the roastery, the grind setting to start on, and the coffees that suit it best.
-
16
grind settings
-
93°C
PID-controlled water
-
54mm
portafilter, 18g dose
-
2L
removable water tank
-
Grinder built in
A conical burr grinder doses straight into the portafilter, so every shot starts with freshly ground coffee. Sixteen settings let you dial in each new bag.
-
Steady temperature
Digital PID temperature control holds the water at 93°C, which keeps shots consistent from the first cup to the fifth.
-
Gentle pre-infusion
Low pressure at the start of the shot wets the coffee evenly before full 9 bar extraction, for a more balanced espresso.
-
Proper milk texture
A manual steam wand gives you real control over microfoam, so you can pour flat whites and practise latte art.
Our honest take
Is it right for you?
Perfect if you're
a home barista who wants to learn the craft, drinks two to six milk or black coffees a day, and wants one machine that does everything without a separate grinder.
Look elsewhere if
you want one-touch coffee with no learning curve. The Sage Barista Touch Impress or Oracle Jet will suit you better.
It's the best way we know to get properly into espresso at home. Use fresh beans (roasted in the last month), weigh your shots, and it'll reward you every morning.
From our roastery
Our Barista Express recipe
This is the same ratio we use at the roastery. Start here, taste, then adjust one thing at a time.
- Dose
- 18g of coffee in the double basket
- Yield
- 34–36g of espresso in the cup
- Time
- 24–26 seconds
- Starting grind
- Mid-range, then adjust by shot time
Dialling in
- Running fast and tasting sour? Grind finer by one step.
- Running slow and tasting bitter? Grind coarser by one step.
- Use a small scale under the cup so you're working to weight, not guesswork.
- Beans roasted 7 to 30 days ago give the best crema and flavour.
Roasted for espresso
The best coffee for your machine
Every machine is only as good as the beans in it. These are the coffees we'd put in ours.
The detail
Sage Barista Express Espresso Machine specifications
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr, 16 grind settings |
|---|---|
| Bean hopper | 250g |
| Portafilter | 54mm stainless steel, 18g dose |
| Pump | 15 bar Italian pump, 9 bar extraction with low-pressure pre-infusion |
| Heating | Thermocoil with digital PID temperature control |
| Shot control | 1 cup, 2 cup or manual |
| Milk | Manual steam wand, with Temp Control milk jug |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 31.8 × 35.1 × 40.4 cm |
|---|---|
| Water tank | 2 litres, removable, with water filter |
| Weight | Approx. 10.6kg |
| Finish | Brushed stainless steel |
| Guarantee | 2-year Sage manufacturer's guarantee |
What's in the box
- 54mm stainless steel portafilter
- 1 and 2 cup single and dual wall filter baskets
- Integrated tamper
- Dosing funnel
- Razor dose trimming tool
- Temp Control stainless steel milk jug
- Water filter and holder
- Cleaning disc, tablets, brush, tool and Allen key
Specifications from the manufacturer. Designs and specifications can change.
Choosing a machine
Compare Sage machines
| Oracle Jet Espresso Machine | Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699.95 | £1,199.95 |
| Grinder | Built in, 45 settings, auto tamp | Built in, 30 settings |
| Heating | ThermoJet, 1°C control | ThermoJet, 3-second heat-up |
| Milk | Auto MilQ, plant milk settings | Auto MilQ, 8 textures |
| Controls | Touchscreen with guidance | Touchscreen with guidance |
| Best for | Café results, least effort | Easy café drinks |
Questions we get asked
Sage Barista Express Espresso Machine FAQs
Which coffee beans are best for the Sage Barista Express?
Freshly roasted whole beans, ideally used between one week and one month after roasting. For milk drinks we recommend our Momentum espresso blend, which is roasted for espresso and holds its own in a flat white. For black espresso, try one of our single origins.
What grind setting should I use on the Barista Express?
Start in the middle of the range and adjust by shot time. Aim for 34–36g of espresso from 18g of coffee in 24–26 seconds. If it runs faster, grind finer; if it runs slower, grind coarser. Every bag is a little different, so expect to adjust when you open new coffee.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in the Barista Express?
Yes, using the dual wall (pressurised) baskets in the box. You'll get noticeably better flavour and crema grinding fresh with the built-in grinder and the single wall baskets.
Is the Barista Express good for beginners?
Yes, if you enjoy learning. It's hands-on, so there's a short learning curve, but it's forgiving and the results improve quickly. Our recipe and grind tips above will get you most of the way.
How often should I descale and clean it?
Backflush with a cleaning tablet roughly every 200 shots, and descale every two to three months depending on how hard your water is. The machine reminds you when a clean is due. Change the water filter every two months.
What's the difference between the Barista Express and the Barista Pro?
Both have a built-in grinder. The Barista Pro heats up faster thanks to its ThermoJet system, has more grind settings and an LCD display. The Barista Express is the simpler, more affordable way to get started.
From the Journal
