Bosch vs Sage Filter Coffee Machines

Bosch and Sage both sell coffee machines for the home, at different price points. Bosch's range runs from the TAS102EGB Tassimo Happy at £74 to the Series 8 built-in fully automatic at £2,049, with the TASSIMO FINESSE at £118 in between. Sage runs from the Bambino espresso at £279 and the Black Truffle edition at £278 to the Creatista Plus at £499 and the Barista Pro bean-to-cup at £649.

Bosch's Tassimo machines use INTELLIBREW technology with 0.7-litre tanks, and the Finesse adds IntensityBoost. The built-in Series 8 has a TFT touch display and AutoMilk Clean. Bosch's filter machines use OptiBoil to hold water between 92°C and 96°C. Sage's Bambino uses a ThermoJet heating system with a 9-bar pump and a 1.9-litre tank. The Creatista Plus has 11 milk temperatures, three programmable cup sizes and programmable water hardness, while the Barista Pro has a 12-bar pump and a milk frother.

Bosch suits households that want pod coffee at a low price, or a fully automatic machine for a built-in kitchen. Sage suits enthusiasts who want to make espresso and milk drinks with more control. The Bambino is the simple-button choice in Sage's line, while the Creatista Plus and Barista Pro give more say over milk temperature and cup size. The Barista Pro also suits people who want bean-to-cup convenience with a built-in frother. The Tassimo Happy at £74 is £205 less than the Bambino at £279, and the Bambino costs £370 less than the Barista Pro.

Bottom line: choose Bosch if you want a pod machine from £74 or a fully automatic built-in model, with prices from £74 to £2,049. Choose Sage if you want espresso with more milk control, with prices from £278 to £649.