If you think your coffee maker is the most significant appliance in your kitchen, you know a good machine does more than produce a so-so cup of joe. A high-quality brewer should give you a tasty batch of coffee every time you fire it up. That’s why you should be sure to purchase a machine from a trustworthy brand, like Sage or Breville.
When it comes to home coffee maker manufacturers, Sage and Breville are pretty popular picks. That’s why we’ve taken the liberty of breaking down each of these brands just for you. Before we do that, however, we’ve got to address the elephant in the room:
Are Breville & Sage the same company?
Technically, yes. Both Sage and Breville are part of the Australian-based Breville Group Limited. However, the Sage by Heston Blumenthal brand name is for the United Kingdom and European markets; the rest of the world finds these products sold under the Breville name.
Now that you’ve gotten a bit more clarity, we will explore the innovative products each Breville Group brand offers, discuss the differences between Breville and Sage brewers, and highlight a few of each’s popular machines. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know what brand — maybe even which specific coffee or espresso maker — is best suited for your needs.
Before we dive in, though, let’s look at each brand individually, starting with Breville.
One more thing…
If you wander around a popular appliance store in the United Kingdom, like Currys, for example, you’ll see a few coffee and espresso makers that wear a Breville label. It’s important to note that these and any other appliances bearing the Breville name in the U.K. are not associated with Breville Group Limited.
Though they share a brand name, the U.K. Breville brewers come from a separately owned and operated company called the Jarden Corp. The existence of Jarden’s Breville is why Breville Group Limited opted to give its new European brand a different name. Thus, Sage was born.
A Breville Brand Overview
Breville is a well-known manufacturer of quality kitchen appliances, including a few pretty advanced espresso machines. But brewers aren’t the only things you’ll find on the brand’s product roster; there are things like blenders, kettles, and toasters, too.
After the Australian company’s establishment in 1932, it quickly became one of the most popular coffee machine brands in the Land Down Under and New Zealand. However, those countries aren’t the only places you can get your hands on one of Breville’s magnificent coffee machines; the brand also ships its merchandise to over 70 countries around the globe, including France, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
Sizing Up Sage
In May 2013, the Breville Group launched a range of premium-designed kitchen appliances in the U.K., all under the Sage name. This brand spread throughout the sovereign state, and like its sister brand, Breville, it became known for making high-quality kitchen appliances.
Sage’s offerings include quality espresso and coffee makers, from lavish, expensive models with features suitable for a coffee shop to (slightly) more budget-friendly options perfect for making cups of coffee at home.
A Breville/Sage Coffee and Espresso Machine Lineup Comparison
Now’s the time to answer another question that’s no doubt on your mind: since Breville and Sage belong to the same company, does that mean each brand sells the same coffee makers? Yes, Sage and Breville sell many of the same coffee and espresso makers, and they’ve got the same features; the only difference is the brand name etched on the side of the machine.
Below is a list of the brewers you’ll find for sale on both brands’ websites at the time of this article’s writing. For clarity’s sake, we’ve split the list into three categories: espresso machines, Nespresso machines, and drip coffee makers. (Oh, and by the way — We have thoroughly reviewed some of these brewers in a separate post; we’ve linked those, too. You’re welcome.
Espresso Machines
- Breville/Sage Oracle and Oracle Touch
- Breville/Sage Dual Boiler
- Breville/Sage Barista Pro
- Breville/Sage Barista Express
- Breville/Sage Barista Touch
- Breville/Sage Bambino and Bambino Plus
- Breville/Sage Duo Temp Pro
Nespresso Machines
- Breville/Sage Creatista Pro and Creatista Plus
Drip Coffee Makers
Having one of these brands’ domestic drip coffee makers on their kitchen counter space is a real game-changer for any coffee enthusiast who hopes to brew their favorite morning beverage with ease. However, there’s only one automatic drip machine on the product roster for both Breville and Sage: the Breville/Sage Precision Brewer with Thermal Carafe.*
*If you prefer the glass carafe version, choose the Breville Precision Brewer. Sage offers no alternatives to the stainless steel coffee pot.
Only Sold by Sage
We’ve listed the coffee brewing devices both Breville and Sage sell, so now, we’ll dig into the espresso and coffee maker models exclusive to each brand. Up first is the one machine Sage has that Breville doesn’t:
Sage Creatista Uno
The Creatista Uno brewer used to be available through both the Breville and Sage websites. Today, however, any capsule-loving barista hoping to get their hands on this Nespresso OriginalLine machine will have to go through a Sage retailer.
This compact machine has a fully automatic steam wand equipped with three adjustable milk temperature settings, an automatic cleaning function, and three cup sizes to choose from — perfect for accommodating anyone’s daily caffeine needs. There’s even a removable water tank for mess-free refilling and the ability to program eight coffee drink recipes into the brewer; these two features make the brewing process ridiculously easy.
Must-Buys from Breville
Now, let’s take a look at the espresso and coffee machine models you won’t find with Sage. Here are the Breville exclusives:
Breville Infuser
Perhaps the reason at-home baristas are so crazy about Breville’s Infuser is that it pre-infuses their favorite ground coffee with low water pressure before the extraction process begins. This function produces a well-balanced shot; whether you plan to enjoy it black or in a milky drink (like a latte, flat white, or cappuccino — all delicious choices), you’ll appreciate just how flavorful the Infuser’s espresso is.
There are also volume and shot controls that allow you to decide how much joe ends up in your cup and a high-pressure steam wand that delivers latte art-worthy milk foam every time. Those characteristics are just the tip of the iceberg, though; if you want to discover more about what this Breville brewer can do, check out our full review here.
Breville Vertuo, Vertuo Plus, and Vertuo Next
The three Breville Vertuo machines are for those who want their espresso brewed fast and don’t mind using Nespresso coffee capsules to get the job done.
The classic Vertuo was the first brewing device in this family of machines, and it’s the largest of the three Breville Nespresso machines, weighing in at a whopping 11 pounds. This brewer has four cup size options: five or eight ounces of coffee or single or double shots of espresso.
The convenience of the Vertuo doesn’t come without compromise, however. It’s bulky compared to its successors, so it’s not ideal if you don’t have much extra countertop space to spare.
Two years after the Vertuo’s release, the VertuoPlus came onto the scene, bringing a few features its predecessor lacked. This Vertuo upgrade has a larger water tank capacity, lighter weight, slightly taller machine body, and the ability to move the water reservoir around the brewer for efficient storage.
Plus, it also came with a smaller price tag, earning it a few brownie points among those who don’t necessarily want to shell out the big bucks on one of the super-expensive espresso machines on the market.
A few more things set the Vertuo and VertuoPlus espresso makers apart, but we won’t dive into all of them here. If you want to know more, you can read all about both machines and what they have to offer here.
Last but certainly not least in the Breville Nespresso Vertuo lineup is the VertuoNext, which became available for purchase in 2020.
The VertuoNext allows users to brew a larger batch of coffee than Vertuo or VertuoPlus users (it includes a 14-ounce cup size setting that’s perfect for anyone who needs a little extra caffeine for that morning boost), and it also has Bluetooth connectivity. This exciting feature sends coffee lovers a smartphone notification when they’re running low on coffee capsules or need to update the machine’s firmware.
Breville Essenza Mini & Essenza Plus
While some might prefer the brewing control a semi-automatic Breville espresso machine can offer, others want something convenient and fast, like the Essenza Mini. To get a standard espresso shot or lungo-sized brew, load a Nespresso capsule and press a button, and in just a few seconds, you’ve got piping hot joe!
If you want to make lattes and things with your Essenza brewer, you’ll, unfortunately, have to purchase a separate milk frother. But if your biggest priority is finding a brewer that’s super-petite, buying extra equipment might be a worthwhile concession.
The Essenza Mini’s additional features include a drip tray that folds to accommodate larger cups and an energy-saver mode that shuts the brewer off when it’s been idle for nine minutes. Has this brewer piqued your interest? Read more about it here!
Breville also has the Essenza Plus. This machine, which is a step above the Mini, offers four cup sizes instead of its predecessor’s two, plus a one-touch capsule ordering function that keeps you from running out of coffee capsules. There’s even a hot water dispenser that comes in handy when you want to make something other than coffee, like tea, soup, or hot chocolate — though why would you ever want something that isn’t coffee?
Breville CitiZ
There’s already a full review of Breville’s CitiZ brewer on the Roasty website (check it out here). But if you don’t feel like doing a lot of reading, a few of the machine’s highlights are below.
First of all, the CitiZ sports a pretty compact style, which means it doesn’t take up too much valuable kitchen real estate. Plus, its sleek and modern appearance adds an extra bit of elegance to your morning (or afternoon) coffee ritual. Secondly, it brews with 19 bars of pressure, producing a flavorful brew topped with a beautiful crema.
The machine also has a quick heat-up time, reaching the perfect brewing temperature in just 25 seconds!
Breville Pixie
Don’t let the Breville Pixie’s petite size fool you; it can still produce espresso with big, bold flavors. And fortunately for those brewing on a budget, the Pixie is one of the cheaper machines on the market. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll also have to buy coffee capsules to use with this brewer, so don’t forget to factor those into your budget before adding the Pixie to your shopping cart.
Since it doesn’t do much beyond basic espresso brewing, more experienced baristas looking to whip up one specialty coffee drink after another probably won’t be too impressed by the Pixie. However, it is more energy-efficient than many of the machines on the market, so if conserving power is something you’re passionate about, you may decide you can live without a bunch of bells and whistles.
Are you intrigued by the Breville Nespresso Pixie? Check out our in-depth brewer review here and decide for yourself whether or not this little machine is right for you.
Breville Inissia
Breville’s Nespresso Inissia is a compact machine, so it’s favorable for those living in a small space, like a dorm room, mobile home, or apartment. Since it’s got such a tiny footprint, you can even pack it up in your suitcase and take it with you on all your travels.
Since Roasty’s full Inissia review walks through the brewer’s best features and sheds light on a few areas with room for improvement, we won’t give you a detailed breakdown of the brewer here. We will, however, say it’s a simple-to-use, budget-friendly choice that doesn’t take up too much room on your coffee bar. It also comes in a variety of colors, which means you’ll easily be able to match the Inissia with your decor.
Breville Grind Control
Breville’s Grind Control coffee maker is an excellent all-in-one machine with the power to get your beloved whole beans from the package to your mug. Use one of the built-in burr grinder’s six grind settings to cut your joe to the perfect size and customize the contents of your cup or carafe with one of eight brew strength options.
We love that this 12-cup coffee maker eliminates the need for a separate grinder, but some might say its programmable auto-start is the machine’s most excellent feature. Schedule your brew ahead of time and wake up to freshly ground, freshly brewed joe. There’s also a 60-ounce water tank and an easy-to-read LCD screen for your convenience.
Wrapping Up
We hope this cleared up any confusion you may have had surrounding Breville and Sage products. The key takeaway here is that both brands belong to the same parent company despite going by different names.
Though Sage and Breville offer many of the same espresso and coffee machine options, Breville has the more extensive product lineup, offering a few machines the Sage by Heston Blumenthal brand does not. You should also note that a Sage machine will probably cost you a bit more than its Breville counterpart.
Regardless of the brand you choose to buy, be sure to research the machine and its features thoroughly to be sure it can handle your coffee cravings. Whether you want a plain jane, bare-bones domestic coffee maker or need something a bit fancier, there’s a Breville/Sage brewer that can get the job done.
Happy Caffeinating!
