If you are an espresso lover, you will have tasted a superbly pulled shot at some point in your life. That perfect blend of bitterness, acidity, and sweetness. The intense aroma, the golden shot topped with thick crema, the smooth, velvety body. There are few greater pleasures in life.
And a manual espresso machine is in many ways a key step into learning how to craft that perfect shot, a manual espresso machine. Manual espresso makers allow you to explore the world of espresso and experiment with different brewing parameters. While they tend to be very unforgiving, they are also the most rewarding. As my husband loves to say- the lows are lower, but the highs are higher.
So what is a manual or lever espresso maker? Who are they for? And what are the best manual espresso machines available in 2023? These are a few of the questions we will seek to cover in this review.
What is a Manual (Lever) Espresso Machine?
There are three main types of espresso makers:
Among manual machines, you can either get electric or non-electric machines. The electric machines have a boiler to heat the water and also a steam wand. The non-electric machines require the user to boil water separately to preheat the machine and pull the shot.
Types of Manual Espresso Machines
There are two main types of manual espresso makers: Spring Piston vs. Direct Lever.
Spring Piston
Spring Piston espresso makers have a calibrated spring in the group head that pushes the water through your grounds for you. To cock or compress the spring, you pull down the lever. Once it is released, the spring slowly comes back up, forcing water through the grounds as it does so. Spring Piston machines are more convenient to use, offering a semblance of repeatability and consistent pressure from shot to shot.
Direct Lever
Direct lever espresso machines use a lever to apply pressure to the water as it extracts espresso. The user has total control over the pressure applied. Direct Lever machines are the favored type among espresso enthusiasts as they allow complete control over pressure, speed and volume extracted. However, they require a lot of work and practice to master, and it can often be challenging to replicate good shots.
Who Should Buy A Manual Espresso Machine?
So you may be wondering, with all the advanced technology around, why would anyone want to go back to brewing espresso manually? They are fiddly and time-consuming to use. Despite this, hobbyist baristas love the idea of mastering the art of espresso. Manual espresso makers offer complete control over the taste of their espresso, and a good technique can culminate in some pretty tasty shots. This does come, however, at the cost of convenience. A manual espresso maker does have a steep learning curve, and initially, it can be difficult to produce consistent results. Despite this, there is something gratifying about handcrafting a perfect shot of espresso- the satisfaction is real people! So if you are an espresso enthusiast and love the process of brewing coffee and tinkering with different aspects of brewing, a manual espresso maker may be for you!
Best Manual Espresso Machine of 2023
Here are our picks for the best manual espresso machines. We have listed them in order of price.
Flair Classic
The Flair Classic is the original machine in the Flair espresso line-up. Costing around $159, it offers one of the most affordable entry points into espresso. The Flair Classic has a unique design, consisting of a base, a lever, and a brewing chamber. It is hand-powered and operates without electricity. Brewing with a Flair Espresso maker is quite different from your traditional machine and can seem strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can pull a shot in 3 minutes. It has a few quirks; you have to preheat the brewing chamber before use and disassemble and clean the brewing chamber and piston after each use. The Flair Classic is designed for single-serve brewing, and it yields around 45mls per shot, slightly less than a double shot.
Despite these quirks, the Flair Espresso maker is an excellent choice. It is well-built and comes with a 5-year warranty on the stand and brewing head. A wide range of accessories such as a bottomless portafilter, drip tray, or pressure gauge is available to upgrade your machine. And most importantly, it produces excellent-quality espresso.
ROK GC
The ROK GC is another entry-level espresso maker that retails for around $200. It looks beautiful and has a simple design with excellent build quality (including a ten-year warranty). When it comes to brewing, the ROK is simple to use but hard to master. It struggles with temperature stability and requires you to preheat both the water reservoir and portafilter before use. It also doesn’t have the option of a pressure gauge, making it hard to know how much pressure to apply. The espresso produced is sub-par compared to the other machines on this list. Despite this, we would still recommend the ROK CG for someone just starting out with manual brewing. It doesn’t have any fancy features or programs; it just does what it is designed to do: brew a simple shot of espresso.
Cafelat Robot
The Cafelat Robot is another contender for a spot in the espresso lovers’ coffee kit. It has a combination of beautiful aesthetics and functionality. The Robot has two levers instead of one, making it easier to press down. The workflow of the Robot is fairly straightforward to get your head around. The portafilter doubles as a brew chamber which means it has good thermal management, so you can get away with not preheating the different parts if you are using traditional dark roasts. There are two models available; the Basic and the Barista, with the main difference between the two being that the Barista model has a pressure gauge. The Cafelat Robot has a high-quality build with no plastic in the design.
The Robot is a bit of a jump in price from the Flair Classic, from $400 to $450, depending on which model you opt for. However, its design means it is quick and easy to brew with and can produce some delicious espresso shots.
Flair 58
For the espresso lover, Flair Espresso has recently released its latest model- the Flair 58. This stunning machine is aimed at the hobbyist barista, and at around $529, it is priced at a premium. The main feature that differentiates it from the rest of the Flair line-up is an electronic temperature control system. This preheats the brewing chamber, so you don’t have to. While traditionalists will balk at an electronic heating system, it is useful in guaranteeing thermal control and speeding up workflow. The temperature system only heats the brewing head (not the water) and has three different levels. It can be kept at 85C/185F on low, 90C/194F on medium, and 95C/203F on high.
Asides from this, the Flair 58 uses a professional grade 58mm portafilter with a sweet wooden handle. The frame has a more robust build, and the lever is a lot easier to use. The Flair 58 delivers exceptional quality espresso and just looks incredible.
La Pavoni Europiccola
The La Pavoni Europiccola is one of the most iconic lever espresso machines. It has a beautiful, classic design and is built to stand the test of time. Unlike the espresso makers above, the Europiccola is a full-blown espresso machine with a steam wand and all. It retails at around $900. The La Pavoni has a 0.8L boiler capable of producing up to 8 cups of espresso. It also comes fitted with a steam wand so you can crank out those cappuccinos. The steam wand is not amazing compared to other espresso machines, but it does the job.
It is a direct lever machine, so it does take some practice learning when and how much pressure you need to apply. The Europiccola also doesn’t come with a pressure gauge, but you can buy a kit to add to your machine to make life easier. The Europiccola has a few quirks when it comes to using it, but if you can master it, you will find a friend for life, and it can produce some mighty fine espresso! And if you take care of it, this machine will last for decades.
Elektra Microcasa Lever Espresso Machine
Coming in on top is the Elektra Microcasa Lever Espresso Machine. This beauty costs a pretty penny, retailing around $1700; it is for the dedicated espresso lover. The Elektra is a stunning work of art, built with brass and chrome, a mirror finish, wooden handles, and an eagle-topped dome. While it looks like a classic espresso maker, it is fitted with modern conveniences like a pressure gauge and safety valve.
It is a spring-piston machine making it more forgiving than other manual espresso makers. It can produce a consistently decent shot of espresso if the temperature is well-controlled. The Elektra has a large capacity with a 61 oz. boiler and is capable of producing up to 18 shots of espresso before you need to refill. It is also fitted with a steaming wand that can produce some excellent textured milk. The Elektra is a masterpiece with a tried and tested design that has been refined over many years.
Best Manual Espresso Machine- Overview
To summarize, a manual espresso machine really should be the end goal for the espresso enthusiast. These beautiful machines allow you to customize everything to craft the perfect espresso shot. As you can see, there is a range of options available from entry-level to expert-level. The Flair Classic espresso maker is an excellent stepping stone at a very affordable price if you are just starting out. If espresso is your jam, the La Pavoni Europiccola is a superb espresso maker that will last for decades. But our favorite machine on the list is the Flair 58. This striking machine looks amazing, is easy to use, and will produce delicious espresso.
What To Look For In A Manual Espresso Machine
We have compiled a list of a few things to consider before deciding which espresso maker to opt for.
Type Of Machine
As mentioned above, when it comes to manual espresso makers, you can either get a spring-piston or a manual lever one. Spring Piston machines are easier to operate and deliver more consistent results. However, they are also more expensive. Manual Lever machines allow the barista more control over brewing; however, they are difficult to master. Manual lever espresso machines tend to be cheaper given the simpler design.
Electricity
Some machines, with boilers and steaming capabilities, require electricity to use them. Others can operate without electricity (so long as you have a supply of hot water).
Build Quality
Consider the build quality of the espresso maker. In general, machines made with chrome or brass tend to be extremely durable. As a general rule, you can expect a manual espresso machine to outlive its electric counterparts, given they have so few parts that can break down.
Temperature Regulation
Temperature regulation tends to be the Achilles heel of espresso makers. To produce espresso, ideally, the water needs to be at a temperature of 195 to 205F. Manual espresso makers offer less precise temperature control, and particularly the non-electric ones tend to struggle with temperature loss. Some machines will require extensive preheating before use, while others like the Flair 58 have a heating system to keep the brewing head at an optimal temperature.
Capacity
Consider how many shots you are intending on pulling a day. Some manual espresso makers are designed as single-serve machines, so not ideal for a family. In contrast, others have a large boiler to cater to multiple people.
Common Questions
How Difficult Are Manual Espresso makers To Use?
A manual espresso maker is known to be challenging to use. They are not for the beginner, but rather for the enthusiast who already has wrapped their head around the different elements required for pulling a shot.
Are Manual Espresso makers Portable?
There are now a variety of different portable manual espresso machines available. They are lightweight, can be taken apart easily, and some even come with carrying cases, the Flair espresso makers being the prime example. Bear in mind that all the machines require some way to boil water to preheat the machine and pull your shot.
Will a Manual espresso maker Last?
A Manual espresso maker is typically extremely durable. It is not uncommon to see a decade-old La Pavoni on eBay still working well. If you select an espresso machine with a simple design, fewer things can go wrong with it.
