Sage the Barista Express SES875
Best for Beginners who want it all
Typically £499–£649
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkSage the Bambino Plus SES500
Best for Compact and fast
Typically £349–£449
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkQuick comparison
| Feature | Sage the Barista Express SES875 | Sage the Bambino Plus SES500 |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Typical price | £499–£649 | £349–£449 |
| Best for | Beginners who want it all | Compact and fast |
| Key feature | Built-in grinder and steam wand in one | Heats in seconds with auto milk frothing |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr | — |
| Pump | 15 bar | — |
| Water tank | 2 L | — |
| Heat-up | — | About 3 seconds |
| Milk | — | Automatic steam wand |
| Where to buy | Check Price Paid link | Check Price Paid link |
Main differences
Grinder
Barista Express has one built in; Bambino Plus needs a separate grinder.
Speed
Bambino Plus heats in about 3 seconds.
Milk
Bambino Plus froths milk automatically; Barista Express is manual.
Size
Bambino Plus is much more compact.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Sage the Barista Express SES875 if you
- need a grinder
- want an all-in-one setup
- want to learn manual milk steaming
Choose the Sage the Bambino Plus SES500 if you
- already own a burr grinder
- have a small kitchen
- want hands-off milk frothing
Which specifications matter?
Focus on the differences above rather than headline numbers. For more options, see our list of the best espresso machines in the uk.
Not sure about either? Consider these
Philips · Espresso Machines
Philips 3200 Series Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine with LatteGo EP3246/70
Buy it if You want one-touch espresso, cappuccino and latte macchiato with almost no effort.
- Verdict
- Buy
- Best for
- Push-button lattes
- Typical price
- £449–£599
Pros
- One-touch drinks from whole beans
- LatteGo milk system cleans in seconds
Cons
- Espresso is less rich than manual machines
De'Longhi · Espresso Machines
De’Longhi Stilosa EC230.BK Manual Espresso Machine
Buy it if You want to try espresso at home for around £100.
- Verdict
- Consider
- Best for
- Budget espresso
- Typical price
- £89–£119
Pros
- Very affordable
- Steam wand for milk
Cons
- Pressurized baskets limit flavour
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Barista Express or the Bambino Plus?
Choose the Barista Express if you need a grinder too; choose the Bambino Plus if you already own a good grinder and want faster heat-up and automatic milk.
Which is better value?
The Barista Express typically costs £499–£649 and the Bambino Plus typically costs £349–£449. The better value depends on which differences above matter to you.