I pulled shots of Espresso with Flair alongside my La Pavoni Europiccola, and The Rok, using the same coffee. I am not pushing the envelope for commercial Nordic roasts for filter brewing that some people also use for espresso. And maybe, if you’re really on a budget or young and this is your first machine, those workarounds are worth it. A nice metal tamper is included, and where I ran into what I found to be the biggest design flaw of the machine. I put an asterisk there because it is lowering the cost barrier to espresso on the machine side, but does still require a good grinder.

Yes, I am fortunate enough to have a pump machine on my counter, but what went from an exciting fun thing to mess around with became something that was starting to get over-complicated to pull shots of the quality I was seeking, and too finicky to use. The other big difference as compared to something like an Aeropress, is that you’re making actual, true espresso. It is the most sophisticated model we offer, which will prepare you a truly excellent coffee at the level of a professional coffee machine. The taste was very close, but crema and mouthfeel I just couldn't quite get to the same level as my lever machine with either of the manual Espresso makers. It is highly recommended (essential) to preheat the brew head, and they include a nice rubber cap to fill it with water, but recommend you actually place it over the vent holes of the kettle and let the steam heat it up.

There are a fair number of components to where it can be a touch intimidating unboxing and setting up for the first time, but once you do it it’s pretty straight forward, quick and simple to setup.

Flairpresso refuses the screen itself, which could be pressed out and in very simple, and coud be sent in a small letter, slipping unnoticed through any custom.Another group are hybrid coffee machines that create pressure by boiling water or simply filter coffee. You'll like this very capable espresso maker for travel with its relatively light weight, its flat profile when the base is removed, and its attractive, included case for the PRO and its accessories.