A review of the Sage or Breville Barista Express entry-level home espresso machine
Outstanding value for money for the beginner home baristas
The Sage or Breville Barista Express is one of the first entry-level home espresso machines I came across back when I first started to host my home barista workshops.
While initially the smaller 54mm portafilter and built-in grinder made me hold on to my expectations, I was genuinely positively surprised thereafter by the quality of the espresso it can produce, even more so considering its affordable price point.
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What I like about the Sage or Breville Barista Express
Compact size
I believe one of the key reasons why this entry-level home espresso machine exploded in popularity is the capability to fit all of its features into one small footprint. This becomes especially important in small homes and kitchens, where every inch matters and needs to be used very effectively. This espresso machine is light, can be moved around with relative ease, and both the grinder and water tank can be topped up from above. There’s also a small storage space inside the machine, right behind the drip tray, a smart trick in order to have everything at hand (cleaning tablets, grinder brush, blank basket for back-flushing or running a cleaning cycle etc.).
Large water tank
This home espresso machine features a generous water tank conveniently located at the back of it. Here is also where you find the water filter, which has to be changed regularly. You have the possibility to top up the water tank from above or by removing it. Even if you have a large family or friends visiting, the 2L water tank provides more than enough water, so you don’t have to stress out and can enjoy the espresso making process.
Intuitive espresso making experience
I find that making espresso on this home espresso machine is, overall, pretty intuitive. It’s easy to work with, as long as you adjust the grind size and the grind amount dials to the ideal parameters. There is, of course, some trial and error involved, and so it definitely helps reading the user manual beforehand and understanding the fundamentals of espresso making.
What I dislike about the Sage or Breville Barista Express
Slow steam wand
Based on many conversations I had during my home barista workshops, as well as on my Instagram, the steam wand of this espresso machine has been a continuous source of frustration for most home baristas. The single-hole tip of the steam wand does make the process of steaming milk quite lengthy (start to finish it can take up to 1 minute to aerate and bring the milk up to serving temperature) and I completely understand how this can become frustrating. However, based on extensive personal experience, I can assure you that by applying the right technique, this espresso machine is capable of producing high quality steamed milk suitable for latte art in your flat whites and cappuccinos. It just takes a little extra patience to get used to it and consistent practice. Also, it can steam equally well both dairy milk and plant based milks such as oat milk.
High pressure during espresso extraction
One key aspect to keep in mind when using this espresso machine is that it exceeds the standard 9 bars of pressure during espresso extraction. What this means is that even the smallest imperfections in the coffee puck can lead to severe espresso channeling and a messy working station. Sourcing freshly roasted coffee beans, using a WDT tool during puck prep and ensuring an even distribution of the coffee grinds in the espresso basket will help reduce the instances of channeling.
My conclusion about the Sage or Breville Barista Express
As a whole, by working extensively with this entry-level home espresso machine, preparing both espressos and milk drinks, I find that the Sage or Breville Barista Express delivers a great bang for your buck. In addition, it’s a very good espresso machine for the beginner home baristas, who are just dipping their toes in the world of making espresso at home.
Yes, it comes with a few downsides, but honestly, at this price point you can’t have it all. With practice, a few tweaks in your espresso making workflow and a couple of upgrades when it comes to accessories for home baristas, you can bypass them and make this home espresso machine work in your favor quite beautifully.
I hope you find these tips helpful and, if you’d like to dive deeper, you may consider our espresso and latte art home barista workshops. Happy brewing!
