Comparison · Espresso machines
Philips Baristina vs Sage Bambino: built-in grinder or manual espresso?
The Philips Baristina grinds and brews in one swipe for £299.99; the Sage Bambino is £329.95 and needs ground coffee but has a steam wand (checked 3 Oct 2026). Here's how to choose.
The Philips Baristina vs Sage Bambino question comes down to two different ideas of home espresso. The Baristina BAR300/60 grinds, tamps and brews when you swipe its handle, and was in stock at £299.99 at Currys. The Sage Bambino SES450 needs ground coffee and some technique, but has a steam wand; the brushed stainless steel finish was in stock at £329.95 at Sage UK (both checked 3 Oct 2026). We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Philips UK’s and Sage UK’s specs, Currys’ listings and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Philips Baristina vs Sage Bambino: the short answer
Get the Baristina if you want fresh-ground espresso or lungo with no learning curve and no separate grinder. Philips says one swipe of the handle grinds, tamps and brews.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants milky drinks from the machine itself, or control over grind and dose. There’s no steam wand, and Philips doesn’t list grind settings.
Get the Bambino if you want to learn espresso and steam milk properly. Sage lists a 54mm portafilter designed for an 18g dose, low-pressure pre-infusion and a manual steam wand.
Who it isn’t for: anyone without a grinder or a supply of pre-ground coffee. The Bambino has no grinder, so the real cost is higher than the machine price.
What they cost right now
These are the prices we found on 3 Oct 2026:
- Philips Baristina BAR300/60 (black): in stock at £299.99 at Currys, and £299.99 at Philips UK. The white BAR300/00 was also in stock at £299.99 at Currys. See the Baristina at Currys
- Philips Baristina with milk frother: the white BAR303/00 was in stock at £339.99 at Currys, and the black BAR303/60 at £379.99 at Currys and Philips UK.
- Sage Bambino SES450: the brushed stainless steel finish was in stock at £329.95 at Sage UK; one other finish was shown as sold out. See the Bambino at Sage UK
Currys prices can change.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants the cheapest way into espresso. A manual machine like the De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK was £149 at Currys on the same day.
The real cost: adding a grinder or frother
The machine prices don’t compare like for like, because each is missing something the other has.
- Bambino plus a grinder: add the Krups GVX231 burr grinder, in stock at £62.99 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026), and the total is £392.94. Budget burr grinders are mostly designed for filter coffee, though, so read our guide to burr grinders under £100 before relying on one for espresso. You can also use pre-ground coffee with the dual-wall baskets Sage includes.
- Baristina plus milk: the white BAR303/00 bundle with a frother was £339.99 at Currys, £40 more than the BAR300 on its own.
So for espresso and frothed milk, the white Baristina bundle came in about £53 under the Bambino and Krups combination on 3 Oct 2026 prices.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who already owns a good grinder. Then the Bambino is only £29.96 more than the BAR300.
How you make a coffee
Baristina: fill the 170g bean container, choose espresso or lungo (and the intensity boost if you want it), then swipe the handle. Philips says it grinds, tamps and brews in one go, with an espresso in under 60 seconds, and cleaning the portafilter is a rinse.
Bambino: grind or scoop coffee into the portafilter, tamp it with the tamper in the box, lock it in and press the 1 or 2 shot button. Sage says its ThermoJet heating reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds. Each step is something you can adjust, which is the appeal for some people.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants the same cup every time with no effort. The Bambino depends on your grind and tamp.
Milk
The Bambino has a manual steam wand, and Sage includes a 480ml stainless steel milk jug. You control the texture, which takes practice but lets you pour latte art. A good jug with a defined spout helps.
The Baristina has no steam wand. Philips UK lists milk on the BAR303 “via Milk Frother Accessory”, and Currys describes a standalone frother in the box.
Who it isn’t for: latte art fans should skip the Baristina. Anyone who wants milk at the press of a button should skip both.
Size and specs
- Width: Philips UK lists the Baristina at 180mm wide, 345mm high and 380mm deep. Sage lists the Bambino as 30.2 x 15.4 x 34.2cm (width x depth x height, as Sage labels it), so check the space carefully.
- Water tank: 1.2 litres on the Baristina (Philips UK) and 1.4 litres on the Bambino (Sage UK).
- Pump: Philips lists 16 bar. Sage lists 9-bar extraction delivered by a 15-bar pump.
- Weight: 5kg for the Baristina, according to Philips UK.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who needs a water filter. Philips UK lists no water filter compatibility for the Baristina, while Sage includes a filter holder and filter with the Bambino.
Who each one suits
- The Baristina suits espresso and lungo drinkers who want fresh beans, a tiny footprint and no learning curve.
- The Bambino suits people who want to learn espresso, steam their own milk and adjust each shot.
Our Philips Baristina review and Sage Bambino review go into each machine in more detail.
Downsides
- Baristina: two drinks only, no steam wand, no listed grind control, small capacity.
- Bambino: no grinder, a learning curve for shots and milk, and the extra cost of a grinder if you want fresh beans.
FAQ
Which is better for lattes, the Baristina or the Bambino? The Bambino, because it has a steam wand. The Baristina needs the separate frother in the BAR303 bundle.
Do you need a grinder for the Sage Bambino? For fresh beans, yes. Otherwise use pre-ground coffee with the dual-wall baskets Sage includes.
Which is smaller? Philips lists the Baristina at 180mm wide. Sage’s Bambino figures use a different layout, so measure your space against both.
Which is cheaper overall? On 3 Oct 2026 prices, the white Baristina bundle with a frother (£339.99 at Currys) was cheaper than the Bambino plus a Krups GVX231 grinder (£392.94 combined).