Sage Bambino review: fast, compact and well equipped, if you can justify the price

This Sage Bambino review covers the standard Bambino (SES450), not the Bambino Plus. It’s £329.95 at Sage UK, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026). I haven’t tested this in person. My verdict is based on the specs Sage lists, dated UK prices, owner reviews on Sage’s site and the published tests I name and link below.

Sage Bambino review: the short answer

Buy the Bambino if you’re starting out with espresso, you want a quick start (Sage says it’s ready in three seconds), and you’d like everything for milky drinks in the box. Sage includes a milk jug, both single- and dual-wall baskets, and a water filter.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who doesn’t already have a grinder or a supply of pre-ground coffee. The Bambino has no grinder, so factor that into the cost. My guide to the best burr grinders under £100 is a good place to start.

Skip the Bambino if you want the lowest price for decent espresso. The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 is £179 at De’Longhi UK, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026), a sale price that may end, and is even narrower.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who’s set on the Bambino Plus, which is a different machine; see my Sage Bambino vs Bambino Plus comparison.

What it costs right now

• Sage UK (SES450BSS4GUK1, brushed stainless steel): £329.95, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026), in stock, with no was-price shown. Sage also lists black truffle and sea salt finishes in stock, while damson blue was sold out when checked. See the Bambino at Sage
• Argos: Check current price. See the Bambino at Argos
• John Lewis: Check current price. See the Bambino at John Lewis
• Currys: I couldn’t confirm that Currys stocks the standard Bambino, so check the model code if you see it there, as the Bambino Plus is a different machine.

What you get: specs and what’s in the box

Sage lists its ThermoJet heating system with PID temperature control and says the Bambino is ready in three seconds. That’s Sage’s own figure; TechRadar repeats it but didn’t time it. The water tank holds 1.4 litres, and the power rating is 1300 to 1600W.

Controls are simple: one-cup, two-cup, hot water and steam buttons. The separate hot-water button is handy for Americanos. The portafilter is 54mm and aluminium, and there’s no grinder, so you’ll need ground coffee or a separate grinder.

Milk is done with a manual steam wand, so you texture it yourself. It takes practice. My guide to the best milk jug for latte art covers upgrades if you outgrow the one in the box.

The box is generous. Sage lists single-wall one- and two-cup baskets, dual-wall one- and two-cup baskets, a 480ml stainless steel milk jug, the aluminium portafilter, a plastic tamper, a steam-wand cleaning tool, a ClaroSwiss filter holder and filter, descale powder and a cleaning kit.

Sage doesn’t state the weight, and its listed dimensions don’t match other listings, so I’m not quoting figures. Both TechRadar and Ideal Home describe it as compact.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a push-button latte. With a manual wand, you’re doing the milk yourself.

Running costs and upkeep

• Water filter: Sage sells the ClaroSwiss replacement filter (SES008WHT0NEU1) for £14.95, price at time of research (28 Sep 2026), and says to replace it every 90 days. That comes to about £60 a year if you stick to the schedule. See the filter at Sage
• Descaler and cleaning: one pack of descale powder and a cleaning kit come in the box. I couldn’t confirm refill prices.
• Coffee: there are no pods, so you can use any ground coffee or beans. My best coffee subscriptions guide compares UK options.
• Warranty: Sage offers a two-year limited product warranty.

Scales make dialling in much easier, too; see the best coffee scales.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who doesn’t want ongoing filter costs. You can decide how strictly to follow Sage’s schedule, but it’s worth budgeting for.

What reviewers and owners say

TechRadar calls it a compact, easy machine for beginners, with rich crema and a capable manual wand, but notes some dripping after the shot, cups that can rattle on the tray and a high price (its review was last updated in January 2022). Expert Reviews likes its speed, looks and ease of use, but thinks its price sits too close to more capable rivals (updated December 2023). In its roundup of Sage coffee machines, Ideal Home praises the build and quick heat-up and finds brewing a little noisy.

On Sage’s own site, shoppers rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 250 reviews (checked 28 Sep 2026). Bear in mind that these are hosted by the brand, and a retailer rating can’t show long-term reliability.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants the most up-to-date independent verdict. The main reviews I found were last updated in 2022 and 2023.

Sage Bambino vs De’Longhi Dedica EC685

I cover this matchup in full in De’Longhi Dedica vs Sage Bambino. The key differences:

• Price: the Bambino is £329.95 at Sage UK; the Dedica is £179 at De’Longhi UK or £179.99 at Currys, all price at time of research (28 Sep 2026). De’Longhi’s page shows an original price of £229.99 for the Dedica, so its price may change.
• Heating: Sage lists ThermoJet with PID; De’Longhi and Currys list a thermoblock for the Dedica.
• In the box: the Bambino includes a milk jug, both basket types and a water filter; the Dedica has no jug.
• Coffee: the Dedica also takes ESE pods; the Bambino takes ground coffee only.

The Dedica saves you around £150. The Bambino gives you a more complete kit and a quicker start. My Dedica EC685 review has the full picture.

Who it isn’t for: anyone whose main concern is price or width. The Dedica does both better.

Downsides

• Price: £329.95 at Sage UK is high for an entry machine, as TechRadar and Expert Reviews both say.
• Drips and rattles: TechRadar noticed dripping after the shot and cups rattling on the tray.
• Noise: Ideal Home found brewing a little noisy.
• No grinder: you’ll need pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder.
• Plastic tamper: that’s what Sage’s box list includes.
• Filter costs: about £60 a year if you replace the filter every 90 days.

Where to go next

For cheaper alternatives, see my best espresso machine under £300 guide. If you’re tempted to go further up Sage’s range, read Sage Bambino Plus vs Barista Express. And if you’d rather have a machine that grinds for you, see bean-to-cup machines under £500.

FAQ

Is this the Bambino or the Bambino Plus? The standard Bambino, SES450. The Bambino Plus (SES500) is a different machine.

Does the Sage Bambino have a grinder? No. You’ll need pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder.

Does the Bambino come with a milk jug? Yes. Sage lists a 480ml stainless steel jug in the box.

How fast does it heat up? Sage says three seconds. That’s the brand’s claim, and I haven’t seen an independent measurement.

What does it cost to run? Mostly coffee, plus Sage’s water filter at £14.95 (Sage UK, price at time of research, 28 Sep 2026), which Sage says to replace every 90 days.