What's the difference between Barista Express and Impress?

The Impress adds assisted dosing and auto-tamping, removing the two most error-prone steps. The standard Express is cheaper and fully manual.

Espresso Machine · Reviewed 2026-06-18 · Updated 2026-08-01

Sage Barista Express Review

Name: Sage Barista Express
Brand: Sage
Price: 499 GBP
Availability: InStock

4.7/5All-in-One

The all-in-one workhorse: grinder plus espresso machine in one tidy unit, and the UK's best-selling semi-automatic.

Built-in conical burr grinder with a full dial for espresso to filter.

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Current UK price

£499

Amazon UK Sage (official)Currys

Our verdict

Built-in conical burr grinder with a full dial for espresso to filter. It earns a 4.7/5 because, after measuring 1.8 g average and pushing it through our standard 40-shot protocol, it does what it claims — consistently and without drama. Best for: One-counter setups that want a grinder and machine without buying twice.

Pros & cons

What we love

Integrated grinder means one machine total
Proven reliability with years of community support
Full grind size and dose control
Great steam power for the price

What could be better

Grinder retention means stale grinds between shots
54mm portafilter
Single boiler: wait between brewing and steaming

How it performed

Our measurements

Grinder retention: 1.8 g average
Shot-to-steam switch time: 38 s
Temp stability: ±1.8°C
Noise at grind: 74 dB

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

Specs at a glance

Boiler: Single (thermocoil)
Grinder: Built-in conical burr, 30 settings
Portafilter: 54mm
PID: Yes
Dimensions: 32 x 33 x 41 cm

Who should buy it?

Buy the Sage Barista Express if one-counter setups that want a grinder and machine without buying twice. Skip it if you need grinder retention means stale grinds between shots.