Sage Bambino - Stal

The 54mm portafilter handles the full 19 grams beautifully, and the shots come out with a thick crema that surprised me for a machine this size. I’ve had it for two weeks and my morning flat whites finally taste like they’re from a café, not my kitchen.

I was nervous about dialing in my first espresso machine, but the 54mm portafilter makes it forgiving enough that I've pulled a decent shot every morning this week. The 19 gram capacity feels like a sweet spot, and the whole setup is compact enough that it doesn't take over the counter.

I was skeptical about upgrading from my drip brewer, but the 54mm portafilter gives me a proper puck every time—no more watery shots. The steam wand is forgiving for a beginner like me, and my morning cortado tastes better than most cafés I've tried.