Short answer: buy the Barista Pro if you want one machine that does everything and you're new to espresso. Buy the Dual Boiler if you already own a good grinder, drink a lot of milk drinks, and want café-level control.
What's the main difference?
The Barista Pro has a grinder built in. The Dual Boiler doesn't, so you'll need to buy one separately. Everything else follows from that.
How do they compare side by side?
| Barista Pro | Dual Boiler | |
|---|---|---|
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr, 30 settings | None, buy separately |
| Heating | ThermoJet, ready in 3 seconds | Two stainless steel boilers, PID controlled |
| Portafilter | 54mm | 58mm, the café standard |
| Steam while brewing | No | Yes |
| Pump | 15 bar, 9 bar extraction, low-pressure pre-infusion | 15 bar, 9 bar extraction, low-pressure pre-infusion |
| Size (W x D x H) | 40.8 x 35 x 33.2 cm | 37.9 x 40.3 x 37.1 cm |
| Price at Salford Roasters | £616.95 | £1,124.95 |
Which is better for beginners?
The Barista Pro. It heats up in seconds, grinds straight into the portafilter and shows you the shot timer on screen. It's one purchase, and it's easier to learn on.
Which is better for milk drinks?
The Dual Boiler. With two boilers you can steam milk and pull a shot at the same time, which makes a real difference if you're making several flat whites in a row. On the Barista Pro you do one, then the other.
Do I need a separate grinder with the Dual Boiler?
Yes. Budget for a good espresso grinder on top of the machine. The grinder matters as much as the machine for how your coffee tastes.
What's the real cost of each?
The Barista Pro is £616.95 and ready to go. The Dual Boiler is £1,124.95 plus a grinder, so expect the total to be well over £1,300.
Which coffee should I use?
Either machine will do justice to a medium roast built for espresso. The Signature Blend is the roastery's go-to for both. Once your machine arrives, the Sage set-up guide and the espresso dial-in guide will get you pulling good shots quickly.
Questions
Is the Dual Boiler worth the extra money?
If you make more than two or three milk drinks at a time, or you want to grow into café-style espresso, yes. If you mainly make one or two drinks in the morning, the Barista Pro does the job for half the price.
Can the Barista Pro make latte art?
Yes. Its steam wand produces milk good enough for latte art. It just takes longer between drinks than the Dual Boiler.
Where can I buy Sage machines in Manchester?
Salford Roasters sells the Sage range, including the Barista Pro, Dual Boiler and Bambino, online and at the roastery in Eccles.
By Nik Storey, founder of Salford Roasters. Nik started the roastery in a garage in 2016 and grew it into a working roastery in Eccles, Manchester, with Great Taste awards along the way.
Last reviewed: 24 September 2026