Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine vs Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine

8.5/10 Great

4.5★ (9,600 owners)

Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60.

Full Review

Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

9.1/10 Excellent

4.5★ (8,400 owners)

3-second ThermoJet, auto steam wand, pre-infusion, 54mm portafilter. Entry Sage with auto steam.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine	Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
247Verdict Score	8.5/10	9.1/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (9,600)	4.5★ (8,400)
Verdict	Great	Excellent
Price	Under £60	Under £350

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.1/10 vs 8.5/10. 3-second ThermoJet, auto steam wand, pre-infusion, 54mm portafilter. Entry Sage with auto steam. That said, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine is worth considering if Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine

Under £60 — the most affordable capsule coffee machine with 15-bar extraction
Dolce Gusto pods include specialty drinks: lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos and hot chocolate
Manual lever controls milk-to-coffee ratio — more customisation than single-button alternatives
Colourful design in multiple colours is playful and kitchen-friendly
9,600 Amazon reviews at 4.5★ — extensively validated entry pod machine

Manual lever is less convenient than one-touch alternatives — requires monitoring
Dolce Gusto pod quality trails Nespresso Vertuo crema technology
Milk capsules are separate from coffee capsules — two pods per milk drink

Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

3-second ThermoJet heat-up is near-instant — the fastest at this price tier
Automatic steam wand creates microfoam without manual skill — beginners get barista results immediately
Pre-infusion gently saturates grounds before extraction — improves consistency significantly
54mm portafilter is Sage's standard — large accessory ecosystem
Under £350 — Sage quality with automatic steam at the most accessible Sage price

54mm rather than 58mm commercial standard — less accessory breadth vs Gaggia or Rancilio
Auto steam wand requires rinsing after each use
Single boiler — wait between espresso and steaming (~30 seconds)

FAQ

Which is better, Nescafé Dolce Gusto or Sage Bambino Plus?

Is the Nescafé Dolce Gusto worth the extra cost?

The Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Nescafé Dolce Gusto best suited to?

Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60.

Who is the Sage Bambino Plus best suited to?

3-second ThermoJet, auto steam wand, pre-infusion, 54mm portafilter. Entry Sage with auto steam.

What are the main downsides of each?

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine: Manual lever is less convenient than one-touch alternatives — requires monitoring; Dolce Gusto pod quality trails Nespresso Vertuo crema technology. Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine: 54mm rather than 58mm commercial standard — less accessory breadth vs Gaggia or Rancilio; Auto steam wand requires rinsing after each use.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine sits at 4.5★ from 9,600 verified Amazon owners, and Sage Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at 4.5★ from 8,400.

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