3 affordable Sage coffee machines I'd buy over an expensive one

Sage's The Bambino still gives you the essentials for making barista-style coffee, including a 54mm portafilter, low-pressure pre-infusion and a powerful 9-bar extraction. It also has a 3-second heat-up time, and it's pretty rare to find a full automatic steam wand included on a machine this size. You miss out on some of the more advanced controls and built-in grinding, but if you already own a decent coffee grinder, the Bambino is a brilliant budget-friendly way to get excellent espresso.

Sage's The Duo-Temp Pro is a great choice if you're looking for something a little more hands-on without stepping up to the price of Sage's premium machines. It includes low-pressure pre-infusion, digital temperature control and a 15-bar Italian pump designed to deliver consistent extraction. There's also a manual steam wand, but like The Bambino, it also doesn't come with a built-in grinder. However, that can actually be a benefit if you want greater control over your coffee and don't want to pay extra for automation.

The Sage Barista Express has been one of the brand's most popular machines for years, and it's easy to see why. It has an integrated conical burr grinder, 16 grind settings and manual microfoam milk texturing. You also get low-pressure pre-infusion and digital temperature control to help produce a more balanced espresso. Whilst newer Sage machines may offer more, the Barista Express still covers the fundamentals extremely well. There's also a built-in grinder if you were wondering!