The Brews Cruise

Espresso Machine · Reviewed 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-09-13

Sage Bambino Plus Review

4.8/5Best for Beginners

The best beginner espresso machine under £500 — instant heat-up and auto-milk make great espresso genuinely easy.

3-second ThermoJet heat-up and hands-off microfoam milk.

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Our verdict

3-second ThermoJet heat-up and hands-off microfoam milk. It earns a 4.8/5 because, after measuring 3.2 s and pushing it through our standard 40-shot protocol, it does what it claims — consistently and without drama. Best for: Anyone new to espresso who wants milk drinks without the learning curve.

Pros & cons

What we love

  • Ready to pull in ~3 seconds
  • Automatic milk texturing that actually works
  • Small footprint for a kitchen counter
  • Consistent temperature with PID control

What could be better

  • 54mm portafilter limits third-party gear
  • Auto-steam can be slow for back-to-back drinks
  • Small drip tray

How it performed

Our measurements

Heat-up time
3.2 s
Shot temp stability
±1.1°C over 4 pulls
Steam readiness after shot
11 s
Noise at peak
58 dB

All measurements from our standard 40-shot test protocol. Full methodology on How We Test.

Specs at a glance

Boiler
ThermoJet (instant)
Portafilter
54mm
Milk steaming
Automatic + manual
PID temperature
Yes
Power
1,560 W

Who should buy it?

Buy the Sage Bambino Plus if anyone new to espresso who wants milk drinks without the learning curve. Skip it if you need 54mm portafilter limits third-party gear.

See it ranked

How it compares

Frequently asked questions

Yes — the ThermoJet boiler means no warm-up wait, and auto-frothing removes the hardest part of milk drinks. It's the machine we recommend to most first-time buyers.

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