Molly-Mae Hague has stirred up a frenzy on social media with her high-end coffee machine valued at over £1,000. The former Love Island star showcased her swanky Sage Barista Touch coffee machine on Instagram, which can whip up barista-style brews and comes with an eye-watering price tag of £1,049.95 if you snag it directly from the Sage website.
Although some Black Friday bargains have seen the cost cut by £250, thrifty Brits don’t need to empty their wallets to emulate their favourite reality TV celeb’s fancy java fix. Philips has thrown its hat in the ring with its Barista Brew model, boasting a caffeine kick that comes close to Molly-Mae’s luxe gizmo without breaking the bank.
Molly-Mae’s gadget isn’t just any coffee maker; it’s a top-notch all-rounder with a built-in milk frother, bespoke grinder for the perfect coffee dose, and a touch-responsive LED screen for selecting your desired drink with ease. Thanks to Sage’s ThermoJet technology, the machine hits the ideal extraction temperature, plus the auto milk frother lets users customise both warmth and texture.
Meanwhile, Philips’ more wallet-friendly version packs impressive features, too – like a precision-engineered tamper, a “temperature perfect” milk jug, and a professional-grade steam wand to finesse your brew – certifiably endorsed by barista pro Heidi Philip-Smith, who also provides gratis barista classes.
The training that comes with this coffee machine is designed to help people craft their own signature brews and perfect their coffees at home. It provides step-by-step guides for every aspect of coffee creation, from perfecting espresso shots to tips on milk frothing.
There are some notable differences between the two machines, especially in the grinder where Sage offers 30 settings while the Philips conical burr grinder only has 15 sizes. However, the most significant difference might be in the price tag, with Philips’ Barista Brew available at Currys and John Lewis for £529.99.
This is nearly half the cost of Molly-Mae’s appliance, and Black Friday deals at both retailers have further reduced this price to just £399.99. But this £130 saving is only available until Monday, December 2 as the sale season draws to a close.