Sage Dual Boiler quick review

Out with the Old
So the Rancilio s26 finally gave up the ghost at the end of 2020 and failed the PAT test at work, I have ordered a new element which will hopefully fix the issue, but that’s another story...

In with the new
I have been interested to find out if the SAGE dual boiler is all it's cracked up to be - on paper seems like a neat machine, PID, Dual boiler, digital control, Pre-infusion etc - all the technical good stuff that every coffee geek wants.

I plan to do an in depth review soon but these are my thoughts after using the machine for a few months;

Pros

• Low pressure pre-infusion
• Auto shot timer (programmable)
• Temperature adjustment
• Nifty magnetic tamper
• Steam wand is easy to and quick to turn on and off with a lever instead of a rotary knob.
• Nice access to boiler for descale
• Easy filler for the boiler at the front of the machine

Cons

There are some things below that I would expect to see at this price point

• Only one portafilter supplied and unfortunately the supplied portafilter is almost commercial size but not quite, meaning you can’t use any spare portafilters you have with this machine.
• Machine turns off automatically, great for power saving at home, but not so good for an office environment as you have to wait for it to heat up before you make a coffee every time. So in a way this is a pro and a con depending on your perspective...
• No facility to connect to mains water or drip try drainage
• Supplied tamper is too small, I would have liked a tighter fit
• Steam pressure is a bit weak – this means it is easy to practice your macrofoam steaming on, but takes ages – great for home users and beginners, not so good for latte art in a hurry.

Summery
This is a great home machine, easy to use, compact foot print, easy to steam and buttons for all the main functions. For someone getting into prosumer coffee at home it’s a great bet.
If you are a coffee enthusiast, you might find some of the cons outweigh the pros. Give me a Sage Dual boiler and I will be happy, be able to make a great espresso and flat white alike – would I be proud to have it in my kitchen? Probably not that’s what a shiny Rocket is for…