If you don’t know either of these two models, we encourage you to read this comparison carefully. In it you will discover two coffee machines that combine functionality with aesthetics and technology. The aim is to achieve a coffee with great aroma, flavour and intensity, in a very simple and effortless way. We are talking about Breville Barista Max Vs Sage The Barista Express. Would you like to see which of the two coffee machines best suits your needs? Read on!
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Breville Barista Max Vs Sage The Barista Express: Comparison, analysis and reviews
First of all, we want to clarify something that will probably catch your attention. You’ve probably noticed that, aesthetically, they are very similar coffee machines, and this has an explanation.
Technically, Breville and Sage are the same brand. Both belong to the Australian Breville Group Limited, but Sage is aimed at the European and UK market, while Breville is the brand name it adopts in the rest of the world.
However, you can also find Breville coffee machines in Europe, as you will see. If this is the case, you should not be surprised, as they belong to the same company. That said, let’s start the review!
1) Aesthetics and interface
The design of the coffee machines is really similar, and in both the operation is very similar, as they have different buttons to select the size of cup you want, the amount of coffee and the grinding grain, among other things.
Moreover, as you can see, aesthetically they are really similar, opting for a metallic grey colour that gives them a more elegant look.
2) Pressure and power
Another of the qualities they share is the pressure of the pump, which in both cases is Italian, and reaches a maximum of 15 bar.
In terms of power, it is the Barista Express that offers the best performance. This model has a maximum power output of 1850 watts, compared to 1550 watts for the Barista Max. As you can see, the difference is not much, but it is noticeable.
3) Coarseness of the grind
One of the aspects where we perceive a clearer difference is in the range of grind settings that each coffee machine has. While the Barista Max has up to 30 grind levels, the Barista Express stays at 16. Not bad, but it’s hard to beat the Breville model’s 30.
4) Coffee reservoir
Both the Barista Max and the Barista Express are equipped with a 250 gram coffee reservoir, which is the usual average for such high-end coffee machines. So you won’t find much difference in this respect.
5) Number of doses
Do you prefer a single or a double shot? In either case, you will be able to choose, as both coffee machines have a capacity of 1 or 2 cups.
6) Grinder type and heating
Both coffee machines have a stainless steel conical grinder, and in both cases the same type of heating is used, using a Thermo-Coil system. This consists of a stainless steel tube that controls the temperature of the water, which is heated to around 93 ºC.
7) Pressurised filters
Another difference between the two coffee machines is that while the Barista Max has non-pressurised filters, the Barista Express has both pressurised and non-pressurised filters, which is noticeable in the pressure with which you brew your coffee.
8) Water tank
The Breville Barista Max has a tank capable of holding up to 2.8 litres of water, while the Sage Barista Express holds just under 2 litres. This is actually a difference of almost 50% which can be noticeable if you consume a lot of coffee, although a 2 litre tank is usually enough for a few days.
9) Milk frothing
They also share the ability to create a smooth milk froth for your best cappuccinos. Both coffee machines have a stainless steel frothing wand for manual frothing. A 450 ml milk carafe is also included.
11) Value for money
In this regard, it should be noted that, depending on the different economic offers, they may have a similar price at any given time. However, if we compare their original price, the Sage Barista Express is more expensive.
Which are the best-selling coffee machines?
Here is a list of the best-selling coffee machines under each name, although, remember, they are from the same brand:
Breville
[amazon bestseller = “Breville coffe machine” items = “5”]
Sage
[amazon bestseller = “Sage coffe machine” items = “5”]
Breville Barista Max Vs Sage The Barista Express: Which one do we choose?
From our point of view, and taking into account that, at the time of writing this review, the prices are very similar, we would opt for Sage The Barista Express. What convinces us most is the possibility of using pressurised filters, unlike its rival, as well as its greater power.
However, we recognise that it is quite a difficult choice, because although the Barista Express is more recent and has more power, the Barista Max has some very positive aspects. This is the case of the 30 grind setting levels, or the fact that its water tank has almost 50% more capacity.
There are other aspects where they are evenly matched, such as milk frothing, the capacity of the coffee compartment or the pressure and heating system. Therefore, the decision may vary depending on whether you get a good deal or your personal taste.
However, being two brands from the same company, the performance is good in both cases.