One minute review
Compared to certain kitchen appliance brands, Sage is a newcomer, having launched in the UK in 2. In just over a decade, however, Sage has made a name for itself making highly stylish, well-constructed appliances that make it easy to prepare food and create delicious meals in no time. The latest version of Sage, famous as Breville in the USA and Australia, is the Bambino. This compact and very stylish espresso machine with a steam wand is easy to use, allowing you to brew one or two cups of espresso and texturize milk. It comes with 4 single or double walled coffee filters to ensure that both freshly ground coffee and older beans can be used to brew single or double espressos, while maintaining a rich, compact crema. The Sage Bambino is equipped with the brand's ThermoJet heating system, which according to Sage ensures that this espresso maker is at the right temperature to prepare coffee in just 3 seconds. Featuring a 329.95 liter water tank with optional filter, the Bambino can be set to automatically dispense the right amount of water for the required number of strokes, or be manually controlled. There's a steam wand for manual texturing of milk, allowing you to make some of the most popular milk-based drinks, like cappuccino, latte, or flat white, using a pitcher and plastic pad. At $299.95 / £449.95 / AU$XNUMX, the Bambino is one of the most expensive entry-level machines we've tested. However, for those who want a compact and stylish device, or those who want to try their hand at the barista game, the investment is well worth it.
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
Bambino Sage price and availability
- List price: € 329.95 / € 299.95 / A € 449.95
The Sage Bambino, known as the Breville Bambino in the US and Australia, is the brand's entry-level espresso machine and will set you back $329.95 / £299.95 / AU$449.95. Sage also offers the Bambino Plus, which builds on the Bambino's features with a steam wand that can automatically texture milk, rather than being manually controlled like the Bambino offers. The price is €399.95 / €499.95 / AU€649.
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
Integrated
- Four filters
- Offers 9 bars of pressure
- Integrated steam wand
Like most Sage appliances, the Bambino features a sleek stainless steel finish, meaning it will add a touch of finesse to your kitchen. Measuring 19,5 x 32 x 31 cm / 7,7 x 12,6 x 12,2 inches (W x D x H) and weighing 4,9 kg / 10,8 lbs, this is a machine Compact espresso maker that won't take up too much space on your kitchen counter. The removable 1.4 liter / 1.5 quart water tank is located at the rear of the machine and comes with an optional water filter for those who live in areas with high dissolved calcium and magnesium water levels. A cartridge is provided and Sage recommends replacing it every three months. On the front of the device you will find four silver buttons, to prepare a single or double cup of espresso, as well as to expel hot water or steam from the steam nozzle. The Sage Bambino produces espressos with a pressure of 9 bar and comes with four filters: a single and double walled espresso, and a single and double walled espresso. Sage recommends using single-wall filters with freshly ground coffee beans, while double-wall filters will help regulate pressure to produce a thick crema with pre-ground coffee and ground beans for 30+ days. The baskets are 54mm which is slightly smaller than the standard 58mm size. However, the espresso machine includes a plastic pad of the same size that allows you to create a smooth finish from the ground coffee while it is in the filter. Unlike other Sage coffee machines, however, the company doesn't include a razor, a sharp tool used to shave off a small amount of coffee once it's compacted in the basket to ensure it's super smooth. The machine accepts cups up to 13cm/5,12in in height, and the Bambino also comes with a built-in steam wand that can be used to texture the milk in the included pot to create longer coffee-based drinks like cappuccino. and coffee with milk. .
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
- The espresso is smooth with a thick cream.
- Easy to texturize milk
- Drops are produced
The Sage Bambino may be small in size, but it certainly packs a punch when it comes to making espresso. In tests, the machine proved to be easy to use, creating single and double shots of strong, creamy coffee in just 28 seconds. Delivered at a temperature of 74C/165F, the drinks were coated in a thick, rich cream that reformed when a teaspoon of sugar was sprinkled on top. Our decibel meter registered the Bambino at 74 dB while pouring espresso. This puts it in the mid-range when it comes to coffee makers, with a noise level equivalent to that of a vacuum cleaner. As for the volume of coffee dispensed, the Bambino can automatically pour around 30ml of coffee for a single espresso or 60ml for a double. However, it is also possible to adjust the volume dispensed automatically, or even manually start and stop the flow of water, making this coffee machine perfect for those who want to up their barista game. The twin spouts allow the Bambino to serve 2 drinks of the same size at once, although we found it a bit difficult to fit two espresso cups comfortably side by side on the drip tray. The vibrations created by the machine during brewing also meant that a single cup on the drip tray would often rattle and shake, but not so much that the drink would bypass the cup. Two cups placed side by side made a clicking sound, but did not move. Overall, the Bambino poured drinks cleanly without too much splashing, but there are drips after the drink is poured. The steam wand took 45 seconds to produce a pitcher of hot, textured milk with thick, velvety bubbles, at a temperature of around 55C/131F. We found the wand to be just as effective at texturing milk. Keep in mind that the way the coffee is tamped (compacted) in the filter will affect the strength and speed of the brew. If it is too compact, the coffee will be very strong, with only a small amount being dispensed at an extremely slow rate. Conversely, a slightly compressed coffee will give a smoother drink that will pour very quickly. However, we were impressed with the level of guidance offered in the manual to help you achieve the perfect espresso.
Should I get the Sage Bambino?
Buy it if...
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First review: October two thousand twenty-one