Quick answer: The Sage Barista Pro (sold as the Breville Barista Pro outside the UK and Europe) is a strong choice if you want a fast, all-in-one espresso machine. Its ThermoJet heating is ready in about 3 seconds, the built-in grinder has 30 settings and an LCD shows a shot timer. It has no pressure gauge and only a manual steam wand.
The Sage Barista Pro is a semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated conical burr grinder. You grind, tamp and start the shot yourself, while the machine handles temperature and pressure. This review covers what it does well, where it falls short and how it compares with the rest of the Barista range. It is based on the manufacturer’s published specifications rather than lab testing.
In this guide 7 sections
Sage Barista Pro Key Specs
| Type | Semi-automatic espresso machine with built-in grinder |
| Heating | ThermoJet with PID temperature control, ready in about 3 seconds |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr grinder, 30 settings |
| Pump | 15 bar, with low-pressure pre-infusion |
| Controls | LCD screen and buttons, shot timer (no pressure gauge) |
| Milk | Manual steam wand |
| Water tank / bean hopper | 1.9 L / 250 g |
| Portafilter | 54 mm stainless steel |
| Size (W × D × H) | 40.8 × 35 × 33.2 cm |
| Warranty | 2 years (UK) |
What Does the Sage Barista Pro Do Well?
Fast heat-up
The ThermoJet system is the Barista Pro’s headline feature. Sage says it is ready to brew in about 3 seconds, and it moves quickly from espresso to steam temperature. That makes the machine practical for a quick shot before work and for making several milk drinks in a row.
Grinder with plenty of range
Freshly ground beans make a big difference to espresso, and the built-in conical burr grinder has 30 settings. That gives you finer steps for dialing in than the Barista Express’s 16. You grind straight into the portafilter, and the grind time is shown on the LCD.
Precise, repeatable shots
PID temperature control keeps the brew water stable, and low-pressure pre-infusion wets the coffee before full pressure is applied. The LCD shot timer helps you hit a consistent extraction time. If your shots vary from one to the next, our inconsistent espresso troubleshooting guide covers the usual causes.
What Are the Downsides?
- No pressure gauge. Unlike the Barista Express, the Pro has no extraction gauge, so you judge your shots by time, yield and taste.
- Manual steam wand only. There is no automatic milk frothing; you texture milk yourself. See how to froth milk at home if you are new to it.
- Single heating system. You can’t brew and steam at the same time, although the ThermoJet switches quickly.
- Learning curve. As a semi-automatic machine, it still needs you to adjust grind, dose and tamp before the shots taste right.
What Comes in the Box?
A 54 mm stainless steel portafilter with single- and dual-wall filter baskets (one and two cups), an integrated tamper, a dosing funnel, the Razor dose-trimming tool, a stainless steel milk jug, a cleaning kit and a water filter. Plan to replace the filter and descale the machine regularly, especially in hard-water areas.
How Does It Compare With Other Sage and Breville Machines?
The Barista Pro is still sold by both Sage and Breville. Its closest siblings are:
- Barista Express: cheaper, with a slower thermocoil, 16 grind settings and an analog pressure gauge. See our full Barista Express vs Barista Pro comparison.
- Barista Express Impress: a thermocoil machine with a pressure gauge, 25 grind settings, intelligent dosing and an assisted tamping lever. In the UK it is listed at the same price as the Pro, so choose it if you want help with dosing and tamping, or the Pro if you want faster heat-up.
- Barista Touch Impress: ThermoJet heating, a touchscreen, 30 grind settings and hands-free automatic milk texturing. The premium option if you want the machine to steam milk for you.
Is the Sage Barista Pro Worth It?
Yes, if you want an all-in-one machine that is quick to heat and offers more grind control than the Barista Express, and you are happy to learn manual milk steaming. If you want guidance on dosing and tamping, look at the Barista Express Impress instead; if you want automatic milk, the Barista Touch Impress. For other options at different prices, see our best espresso machines guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sage Barista Pro the same as the Breville Barista Pro?
Yes. Breville sells its appliances under the Sage name in the UK and Europe. The Barista Pro is the same machine apart from the badge, the plug and the model code (SES878 instead of BES878).
Is the Sage Barista Pro automatic?
No, it is semi-automatic. It controls water temperature and pressure, but you grind, tamp, start the shot and steam the milk yourself.
Does the Sage Barista Pro have a pressure gauge?
No. It uses an LCD with a shot timer instead. The Barista Express and Barista Express Impress have an analog pressure gauge.
Has the Barista Pro been discontinued?
No. In October 2026 it was still listed on both the Sage UK and Breville US websites, alongside the newer Barista Express Impress and Barista Touch Impress.
Ready to buy? Check the current price of the Sage Barista Pro on Amazon.
