Espresso tampers are often overlooked by humble beginners in the world of coffee and espresso. Truthfully, though, a proper tamp is absolutely crucial to a perfect espresso.

Now, we can talk about the ins and outs of why one should tamp coffee (and I did, here) — but we’re here to help you select the best espresso tamper possible. So, let’s cover a few basics so you can shop with some knowledge on why we’re making the choices we are.

What Makes a Quality Espresso Tamper?

A great tamper for someone will depend on the person, as it boils down to individual technique, needs, and more. While you can certainly purchase a cheap tamper, the reality is that you pay for what you get. Ultimately, though, three things matter most: weight, material, and how it fits in your portafilter.

Weight

Weight is incredibly important to a good tamp; after all, you need 30 pounds of pressure to properly tamp espresso. While you can certainly try to muscle your way through those 30 pounds, it’s far easier with a hefty tamper and a bit of body weight. With that said, though, it’s worth noting that if your tamp is uncomfortably heavy, that’s a bad thing — which is where material comes into play.

Material

The first two factors, material and weight, are intrinsically linked. After all, a plastic tamp will always be lighter than a solid steel tamp. With that said, though, there are some materials that one should always seek in a high-quality tamp.

The part that contacts your coffee, the tamper, should ideally be made from steel or aluminum. Steel is (perhaps obviously) heavier and more durable, though aluminum offers the benefit of being more malleable for particular use cases that, honestly, aren’t that common. Additionally, aluminum tampers tend to rust over time, as the material simply doesn’t stand up to acidic materials (such as coffee) nearly as well as stainless steel.

As for the handle, that’s more personal. A wooden handle is my personal favorite, as I enjoy the way they break in and form to my hand over time. Conversely, a steel handle offers a more weighty, durable feel that some love, and an aluminum handle offers a nice middle-ground of lighter weight and durability in comparison to plastic, rubber, or silicone. While many professional baristas swear by silicone handles to reduce the wear on their hands after hundreds of espresso shots, this is (once again)personal.

Fit and Size

Everything we just discussed is great, but it’s all for nothing if you buy the wrong size of tamper. Just as we have different sizes of portafilter baskets, there are different sizes of tampers ranging from 51mm (common with home baristas) to 58mm (generally used by pros and enthusiasts).

While you can use a 51mm tamp on a 58mm filter basket, it’s poor practice and can lead to uneven distribution of coffee grounds, ultimately resulting in a bad shot. In short, look for tamps that are the same size as the diameter of your portafilter. Have a 53mm portafilter basket? Buy a 53mm tamper — easy!

One worthwhile note is that there are both tampers with flat bases and convex bases; in other words, some are curved. This curve allows users to employ a different technique when tamping, but frankly, this technique hurts my wrists when used. While some people seem to love them, I’ve found that many people in the coffee scene have had a similar experience due to repetitive motion injuries (a curse of the industry). As such, you will find only flat tampers on this list — but know there are other options.

Why Tamp Espresso?

There’s a lot of fancy science that explains why we tamp espresso, but the simple version is, well, simple — consistency. An even distribution of condensed coffee grounds provides optimal extraction of flavor by forcing your pressurized water to force its way through the coffee, making what we know as espresso.

How to Tamp Espresso Properly

For a deep dive into the ins and outs of tamping espresso (and a few tricks to make it easier), click here. In short, begin by grabbing your coffee grinder. Grind your preferred dose and get it in the portafilter. Then:

1. Resting your portafilter level on a flat surface, gently tap the side to even out the grounds. Alternatively, use a coffee distributor (AKA Weiss Distribution Tool or WDT).
2. Keeping the portafilter level, press downwards at a 90-degree angle (using your palm, not fingers) into the coffee to pack it down.
3. Lean your body weight onto the tamp, using your weight to apply the pressure. Hold this for 3 to 5 seconds.
4. Make your espresso and dispose of your coffee puck when finished.

The 3 Best Espresso Tampers of 2024

Below our three top picks for 53mm and 55mm espresso tampers. Check out the section following for excellent budget picks that still provide a perfect, even tamp.

1. Pullman Espresso Accessories Big Step Tamper (53mm & 55mm)

The Good

The Pullman Espresso Accessories Big Step Tamper is, put simply, the best tamp on this list by far. It’s our top pick for many reasons, particularly because it’s designed with the details in mind. A “stepped edge” allows the base of the tamper to cover every sector of your coffee grounds, preventing the need for a distribution tool (though you can certainly still whip it out when desired). Finally, the silicone finger rest at the base of the handle eases some strain on the user’s wrist and thumbs, which is always welcome.

The aesthetic design is clean and simple, coming with a choice of matte white or glossy black. Those who love the classic, crisp look of third-wave cafes will immediately find a, well, pull to the Pullman.

The Bad

The Pullman Espresso Accessories Big Step is far and away the best tamper on the list, and that comes with a price. While this is a more expensive tamper than others, you do get what you pay for.

The Verdict

If you’re on a budget, this may not be the choice for you, but those who value longevity and quality will find that the price is worth it. The Pullman Espresso Accessories Big Step is incredibly well-crafted with a handful of small, but mindful, features that make a noticeable difference in the ease and quality of tamping espresso.

Benefits:

• “Stepped edge” prevents pinched edges
• Comfortable handle
• Silicone finger rest at the base of the handle eases strain
• Black and white versions available

Keep in Mind:

• More expensive compared to other options

2. Rocket Espresso Stainless Steel Tamper (58mm)

The Good

The Rocket Espresso Stainless Steel Tamper is, put simply, a work of art. Where our next selection dives a bit more into the more rugged side of espresso, the Rocket is made from gorgeous stainless steel. The elegant pearly white and stainless handle provides a decent amount of heft without being cumbersome and (most importantly, clearly) looks fantastic on the countertop.

The Bad

This tamp is, put simply, an excellent product. Its only potential downside is its aesthetics, as some may not enjoy the stamped Rocket Espresso logo on the top. While it’s (in my humble opinion) gorgeous, there are quite a few styles that we’ll see today. If this isn’t to your liking, check out the Clive below — it may be a bit more your style.

The Verdict

The largest problem you’ll find with the Rocket Espresso Stainless Steel Tamper is that its enticing reflection may lead you to pull more shots than you might normally.

Benefits:

• Stainless steel body makes tamping quick and easy
• Feels great in the hand while remaining relatively compact.

Keep in Mind:

• Only comes in 58mm
• Only comes in white and stainless steel

3. Clive Wood Tamper (53mm & 58mm)

The Good

The Clive Wood Tamper is my favorite pick on this list for several reasons: first and foremost, look at it! The wood handle (available in bubinga, walnut, and maple) is unique, gorgeous, and best of all — comfortable. It has a good heft without being overly weighty (though note that I am a large man with big hands) and fits comfortably into a few different grip styles.

Made in Portland, Oregon, this American-made espresso tamper simply oozes quality and class, and I, for one, am absolutely here for it.

The Bad

While not quite at the heights of the Pullman in terms of cost, Clive does lack some of the more detailed features that make the Pullman worth its price increase. Namely, the stepped edge and silicone thumb rest at the base of the handle.

The Verdict

Truthfully, the Clive Wood Tamper is a favorite of mine (and has been for some time). Its look perfectly matches the more rugged, natural aesthetic that’s surged in popularity recently, and it does its job quite well. While it may be a touch on the spendy side, the quality and durability you’ll get from the Clive will more than make up for it.

Benefits:

• Gorgeous bubinga, maple, and walnut wood handles
• Hefty stainless steel tamper makes tamping simple
• Available in 53mm or 58mm

Keep in Mind:

• Somewhat pricey, but within the normal $50-$100 for quality tools.

The 2 Best Budget Espresso Tampers

As a treat, it felt right to highlight a couple of great budget picks. While we won’t dive into too much detail, it’s worth taking a peek — both picks are excellent, affordable options that lack more in looks than quality.

1. Barista Basics Espresso Tamper (57mm)

The Good

Barista Basics is known worldwide as a provider of, well, basics for baristas. For better and for worse, they offer affordable tools that can stand up to industrial use, and tampers are no different. Its silicone and aluminum build makes for a lightweight, easy-to-transport travel tamp, and its textured grip provides a touch of extra traction, which is always nice.

The Bad

As it’s made from aluminum and silicone, the Barista Basics Espresso Tamper does lack in both looks and durability. Its simple appearance isn’t ugly, it’s just not as pretty as the Rocket, Clive, or Pullman above. Given the fact that the tamp is made from aluminum, users should exercise a touch more caution when using it than they would with a solid stainless steel tamper.

The Verdict

Barista Basics, once again, offers an affordable and easy-to-use option that can stand up to home and professional use alike. While it may not be the prettiest, its performance more than makes up for its barebones look. It’s also worth noting that extended use may see the silicone begin to separate from the grip; this is not common, but important to know.

Benefits:

• Textured silicone grip makes holding the handle easier

Keep in Mind:

• Silicone can separate from the handle
• Barebones matte black silicone and steel look
• Only available in 57mm

2. Lucca Espresso Tamper (53mm & 58mm)

The Good

The Lucca Espresso Tamper is the most affordable option on this list, coming in at $40 (as of publication). It’s a simple tamper made from a durable stainless steel base and black anodized aluminum grip. The grip is surprisingly lightweight, which requires a slightly different technique than the heftier ones on this list, but it’s still quite easy to use.

Its availability in both 53mm and 58mm is also a nice perk, allowing more users (both professional and at home) to use a well-made, affordable product.

The Bad

Once again, we find the crux of affordability vs. quality — the Lucca Espresso Tamper isn’t bad, it’s just simple. The handle is somewhat uncomfortable and less adaptable to various grips; its aesthetics are equally simple to the Barista Basics option, though it opts for a glossy black finish on the handle.

The Verdict

The Lucca Espresso Tamper is slightly more affordable than the Barista Basics option, though it still functions quite well. Ultimately, if price is your largest determining factor, the Lucca Espresso Tamper is your best budget bet for both 53mm and 58mm portafilter baskets.

Benefits:

• Available in both 53mm and 58mm

Keep in Mind:

• The black anodized aluminum grip isn’t the most comfortable
• Barebones glossy black and steel aesthetic

Final Word

No matter which espresso tamper you go for, there are a lot of really high-quality tampers on the market. In fact, we actually left a few specialty tampers out of the list: namely the Flair Stainless Steel Tamper and the Saint Anthony New Levy Tamp.

If you’re struggling to gauge precisely what you need (or want, even), reach out to a Curated Expert for free, professional advice. We’re here for a reason, and that’s to make sure you leave with the best possible product — so see what we can do to help you today.