If you need a machine that delivers a finely smooth espresso or coffee brewed to excellence, consider this fast-delivering coffee machine.
The Sage/Breville Barista Pro is an all-in-one machine that only costs about $600.
Our Sage Barista Pro review will tell you everything you need to know about the machine that belongs in your kitchen.
Our Sage Barista Pro Review In a Nutshell
The Sage Barista Pro coffee machine delivers a full-fledged, quality service.
Its “super-auto” features contribute to bringing you a fine espresso or coffee. The process takes you from fresh beans to a satisfying first sip (and last).
The Sage Coffee Barista Pro has 30 grind selection options, ranging from coarse to fine.
Various user-friendly options on the menu allow you to switch between automatic and manual, providing an excellent coffee-making experience.
The Sage Barista Pro Coffee Machine is an upgrade from the Sage Barista Express bean-to-cup machines, but is significantly better at only a £100 difference.
The price is also fair for the quality of the machine.
The many adjustable options give it a fun edge, letting you experiment with different ways to make your cup of coffee.
It has a nifty drip tray underneath. The tray has an easily accessible hidden magnetized storage unit for storing your cleaning gear, like your steaming brushes, etc.
It only takes three seconds to heat up and the light steamer produces silky milk for your latte art.
It has an LCD screen, with options to adjust the water temperature, the time, coffee volume, and the preinfusion.
The Sage Barista Pro coffee machine is tidy, well presented, and sturdy. It’s easy to clean and alerts you when a flush clean is due.
You can do a backwash with chemicals or tablets to ensure your machine is well looked after.
The Sage Barista Express makes an Americano that will certainly up your game in a good cup of coffee. Use a creamy shot from the roasted coffee blend of your choice.
Specifications
While writing this Sage Barista Pro review we found that this machine’s specifications bring a lot to the table that outshines its competitors.
Below is a list of what to expect from your coffee or espresso machine.
| Accessories | Single and dual wall filter baskets (one and two cups) A portafilter The razor™ precision dose trimming tool Stainless steel milk jug (480 ml) Water filter Cleaning kit |
| Capacity | Water tank: 2 L Bean hopper: 225 g |
| Heating System | ThermoJet heating system |
| Construction Materials | Brushed stainless steel |
| Maximum Mug Height | 10 cm |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 35.4 cm x 41 cm x 40.6 cm |
| Weight | 9.07 kg |
| Heating System | 1,850 W Thermocoil–Integrated stainless steel water path that accurately controls water temperature. |
| Built-in Feature | Built-in grinder with 30 settings of dose control grinding |
| Power | 1680 Watts |
| Pre Infusion Function | Gradually increases water pressure to gently expand grinds for an even extraction |
| Purge Function | Automatically adjusts water temperatures after steam for optimal espresso temperature |
| Settings | Single or double shots Adjustable grind amount Manual override |
| Voltage | 156 Watts |
| Warranty | 2 year repair, replace, or refund guarantee (at the sole discretion of Sage Appliances) |
Features
The features we found in the Sage Barista Pro stand out above its competitors.
While its little brother, the Sage Barista Express, may rival this machine well, the Sage Pro has some key features that are unbeatable at this price.
Any home barista can rest assured that it will meet their expectations, both visually and in taste.
Built-in Burr Grinder
The built-in Grinder has a 30 step option from coarse to fine.
This gives you the option of how you want to extract the oils and flavour from the coffee beans. Different grind sizes release oils and flavour differently.
The adjusting knob for the grinder is on the left side of the machine and the screen displays the option you have selected.
This is an integrated conical burr grinder.
The screen also displays grind time. You might want to reduce the time of grind if you are choosing a coarser option.
The dial for adjusting grind time is below the LCD screen.
Some argue that you should use a stand-alone grinder.
However, on a convenience level, the integrated grinder accommodates a simplistic look and takes up less space.
Check out our comprehensive guide to the different grinder types to learn more.
The Tamper
The tamper sits in place at the left base of the top. Since it’s magnetic, it’s secure, and easy to access.
The 54 portafilter has two spouts on the underside and locks with a twist. Push the portafilter into the cradle against the stop. Very user-friendly for the beginner.
Run water through the portafilter, always make sure the portafilter is piping hot to extract those rich oils from the coffee beans.
There are two baskets provided for the machine: single wall (unpressurized) and dual wall (pressurized).
Manual Mode
The Sage Barista Express manual mode is similar to the Sage Barista Pro manual mode.
It allows you to switch to the manual espresso machine control.
You can control the amount of water you push through, be it a single or double shot, and for how long to let it draw out the desired flavour.
A timer determines the strength of the roast with a simple push of a button.
Whether it’s an Espresso or Americano, you can deliver the strength you deem fit with the Sage espresso machine’s manual mode.
Three-Second Heat Up
The Barista Pro heating system takes only three seconds to heat due to ThermoJet technology.
Thanks to the efficient heating, no standby function is needed, and the machine is ready for use almost instantly.
It has a hot water outlet underneath the lift on the top. It’s simple to use and the hot water is rapidly ready for use.
Volumetrics also come into play on the automatic function. It allows you to use more precise measures of how much water to push through the ground coffee.
LCD Display
The LCD digital display menu is very basic and easily guides you through different options on your selections of various functions.
To change volume, press the menu button, and use the dial to customize the shot.
Advanced users can make the water hotter for light roasts and cooler for dark roasts.
You can also use the menu to reset the settings to default and descale the machine.
To switch to the Sage Barista Pro manual mode, hold the menu button down & the manual light will come on for selection.
Pre-infusion can help make your coffee more oxidized.
You can access this function on the menu for manual setting the preinfusion and changing the brew temperature, perfecting the extraction process.
The digital screen will tell you when you are in the infusion phase and when it’s in the shot phase.
Manual Steam Wand
The steam wand is very light and wet. While generally, dry steam does work better for Latte art, it still produces silky milk to work the latte art.
The steamer has four holes at the base, not too powerful, but still very effective. You can’t make coffee and steam at the same time.
The steam wand is on a ball socket, to give you more movement flexibility and is easy to handle with your steel milk jug.
It does take a bit longer than normal, but the payoff is worth the wait.
The hot milk will not only give you a creamy taste but also look the part of an inviting bean to cup work of art.
Removable Water Tank
It has a removable two-liter water tank which is convenient to fill up at the tap.
The tank is plastic, which isn’t always preferable, but still serves its purpose.
The water tank is stored at the back of the machine, and has a thin profile.
While it’s compact, you may need to move the whole unit if you keep the machine against a wall.
The Dry Puck
The dry puck of the disposable ground coffee is a feature that is mostly overlooked.
The espresso machine automatically removes excess liquid, leaving you with a quick, clean way to dispose of the used ground coffee.
Coffee lovers who need a quick cup of coffee can make a good Cappuccino or Latte in about two minutes from start to finish.
The storage and stainless steel finish of the Barista Pro make it an easy fit under a cabinet.
Various color ranges help to ensure it matches the blended look of your kitchen.
Issues to Consider
All things considered, the good certainly outweighs the bad of this powerful machine.
However, let’s look at the cons so you can make an informed decision once you’ve read through our Sage Barista Pro review.
Integrated Grinder
As we’ve mentioned, some say that you should use a stand-alone grinder rather than an integrated one.
Because the grinder is integrated, it also limits the amounts of beans you can process at a time.
However, since you can only make two cups of coffee at a time, the convenience of this arrangement is beneficial.
The Grinder also doesn’t offer fine grind control.
A stand-alone grinder can have up to 60 settings, while this unit only has 30.
But that’s still an upgrade when comparing Sage Barista Pro versus the Express, which only has 16 settings.
Plastic Water Tank
The plastic water tank doesn’t look as fancy as a glass one.
Also, the way the water tank stores on the machine can be problematic.
You’ll have to move the espresso machine if it’s standing against a wall to refill the tank, which can lead to spills.
Limited Steam Functionality
Unfortunately, you can’t pour espresso and steam at the same time.
For the more advanced coffee barista with a here-and-now mentality, this can be tedious.
The steamer takes longer than that of an average coffee maker.
But it’s a lower-powered steamer with a purpose. The result is a good payoff with silky milk.
You’ll also need to make small amounts of steamed milk rather than one full jug.
Minor Inconveniences
There are a few minor inconveniences about this machine that we consider worth mentioning.
First, although the name indicates it’s all set up automatically, it’s more of a manual machine and you’ll need to know what you’re doing before the time.
A good read of the Barista Pro manual is necessary.
Secondly, the drip tray isn’t adjustable for various heights, which can lead to more splash value into the drip tray.
This leads to it needing to be emptied more frequently.
Third, water will boil up in the group head. When you press it, the water shoots out with power.
While this was common in older machines, it isn’t common with newer ranges.
Finally, repairs can be very costly and, generally speaking, not worth the cost. You can expect the machine to last about three to five years.
After that, it would be in your best interest to replace the machine.
Setting up Your Sage Coffee Barista Pro Machine
Setting up a machine like this may be daunting if you overthink it, but the process is quite simple.
It only needs to take a few moments from taking it out the box to drinking that first cup of Joe.
- Once you’ve established where to place your unit, ensure that your electricity points are well in reach, plugged in, and ready to go.
- Selected your coffee beans?
Okay, place a good measure of beans into the hopper on top of the machine.
It can hold up to 250 grams of coffee beans which is what the average packet of beans contains.
Ensure that the hopper is air-tight on closing. You’ll need to set your grinder up before use. - You must fit a water filter into the water tank, however, you also need to replace it every three months.
For a brand new machine, take the filter and holder out of the packaging.
Soak them in clean, cold water for about 5 minutes before installing them. - Once you’ve installed the water filter, fill the 2-litre water tank and ensure that it fits correctly at the back of the machine.
- With a new machine, we advise washing down all new parts (where applicable).
You also need to rinse the machine once you’ve used it. Remember that coffee residue is oily and can clog up your machine.
While you don’t need to give it a thorough wash immediately, a good rinse can reduce the risk of clogging up the machine.
It will also reward you with a fresher cup of coffee.
If you get lost while setting up the device, you can view the Sage Barista Pro manual here.
Sage Barista Pro vs Sage Barista Touch Espresso Machine
While most enjoy modern technology, it comes with a cost.
The Barista Pro is operated with buttons while the Sage Barista Touch Espresso Machine has a touch screen interface.
Most people prefer a touch screen.
However, it’s costly to fix, and more prone to break with bumps, mishaps, and wear and tear.
Ultimately, the Sage Barista Touch is not as sturdy as the Barista Pro.
In this case, size does matter, the machine is smaller and can deliver less in coffee value.
Bigger machines not only look better, they perform better.
As we wrote this Sage Barista Pro review, we found it to be more of a hands-on manual machine.
The Barista Touch is more about delivering your coffee with speed and as little work as possible.
Although this high speed can be beneficial, it makes experimenting less accomplishable and may stunt your growth in learning how to be a barista.
Some main features are the same for both machines.
Both heat up in three seconds, and come with the same accessories.
But there are still fairly significant differences in programming between the two machines.
The Barista Pro has the option of 30 different grind textures.
The Sage Barista Touch comes with eight pre-programmed cafe favourites and you can create and save a further eight settings.
In our Sage Barista Express review, we chose the Sage Barista Express over the Sage Barista Pro.
Why Should I Choose The Sage Barista Pro Machine?
Sage coffee machines bring beautiful coffee experiences to your home.
They also bring the challenge of learning different strengths and perfecting your own personal style of making a good cup of coffee, which is half the fun.
It’s user-friendly and you can always refer to the manual which explains everything in great detail.
Thanks to that, You won’t miss a beat in what you are doing.
The Sage Barista Pro is the creme of the crop in espresso machines and great value for money.
The 30 step settings for the grinder sets it apart from other machines.
It also has excellent deliverance in flavour and oil extraction. All in all it makes a perfect cup of coffee, and you can’t go wrong with this machine.
Still not convinced that this is the machine for you? Check out our best integrated coffee machine review for more inspiration.
If you want some more reviews on the Sage brand, check out Sage Duo Temp Pro, Sage Bambino Plus, Sage Oracle Touch, Sage Smart Grinder Pro, and Sage Dual Boiler.
Did you find out Sage Barista Pro review helpful? Do you own this model yourself?
Tell us about your experiences and whether or not you agree with us in the comments below!
