Tl;dr: Manual espresso machines are, by their very nature, extremely simple. Try to find ones made with durable materials, such as steel and silicone, rather than aluminum or plastic. Your involvement in the espresso-making process will depend on the model you purchase.

Manual espresso machines are like manual transmission cars — sure, they require a bit more knowledge and work, but they’re far more rewarding than their automatic brethren. While the concept of a true manual espresso machine may be a bit more foreign to some, it’s the real deal. After all, espresso machines are a relatively new invention compared to espresso.

I’m here as someone who started on a manual (lever) espresso machine at six years old (yes, you read that right). I’ve found that manuals tend to provide far more control than their automatic brethren, allowing me to pull precisely what I want. I’m here to help others learn what I did so long ago — find the best manual espresso machine for your specific needs.

But the question remains: How do manual espresso machines work, exactly?

Manual espresso machines function quite similarly to their more modern kin but with a bit more involvement and fewer moving parts. More importantly, they come in quite a few shapes and sizes. Before we dive into how and why they work how they do, though, we need to clarify something.

What Is a Manual Espresso Machine?

See, there’s a bit of confusion in the coffee scene about what, precisely, makes a machine “manual.” Some will see an espresso machine that requires the user to start and stop the brew process and see a manual — and they would be wrong (no shade if that’s you). This is because semi-automatic espresso machines and manual espresso machines tend to get confused.

The difference is actually quite simple: Manual espresso machines require the user to manually pull a lever to apply pressure to their espresso shot. In contrast, semi-automatic machines use a combination of user guidance and pre-programmed machinery to create a middle ground between a truly automatic machine and a fully manual one.

Take the De’Longhi Stilosa, for example. It looks and feels like a “real” espresso machine that you’d see in a café, but it’s a semi-automatic machine. This is because, unlike a true manual machine (such as the Flair 58), the Stilosa simply requires the user to fill the tank and portafilter, turn a knob, and wait. In contrast, the Flair espresso maker requires its user to pre-heat and fill the portafilter, and then manually apply pressure. This means that manual machines are more prone to user error, but they can also allow those with experience a great deal more control over every aspect of their espresso.

Believe it or not, though, that’s not all.

What Are the Different Types of Manual Espresso Makers?

There are two main styles that you’ll find for manual (AKA “lever”) espresso machines: ones that use a spring piston, and those that don’t. Both make use of a lever to apply pressure, but one requires a bit less work than the other.

Spring Piston Manual Espresso Machines

Spring pistons work, perhaps unsurprisingly, with a spring in tandem with the lever. Once the user pulls the lever, a spring (often located in the group head) compresses. As the user releases the lever, the spring slowly expands, forcing hot water through the coffee grounds. These are often considered a more modern take on the classic, as they’re more convenient and don’t require quite as much muscle to properly use.

Direct Lever Manual Espresso Machines

Standard, or direct lever machines, eschew the spring in favor of the traditional method — straight-up brute force. This means several things:

1. Users must apply all of the pressure themselves.
   1. This will require a bit of upper body and grip strength, making them less than ideal for those (like myself) with arthritis or restricted use of their upper body.
2. Users have far more control over their shots, for better and for worse.
   1. While the manual nature of these machines means that you have the utmost control over your shot, it also means that you may have too much control. It will take a bit of work (and a lot of trial and error) to properly fine-tune the process.
3. Users must properly time their shots.
   1. The lack of a spring to control the flow of water means that users can’t simply “fire and forget.” You will need to pay attention to how long each shot pulls and take notes, and eventually, it’ll become second nature.

Manual Espresso Makers, but Different

Other devices out there often get looped into the overall category of “manual espresso makers.” While those in the know will argue otherwise, it’s common to see devices such as the moka or AeroPress deemed as manual espresso machines.

This is incorrect.

The moka pot, while a fantastic invention, is more of a glorified French press — as is the AeroPress. While I’m certain to get a bit of flak for this, it’s the truth. See, the difference between coffee and espresso is quite simple: It all boils down to pressure.

Espresso machines use extreme pressure (often upwards of ten times that of Earth’s atmosphere) to create espresso. Conversely, coffee is created by slowly forcing (or dripping) boiled water through coffee grounds. While these processes are similar — and create a similar final product — they are not the same.

With that said, the aforementioned devices excel at creating a strong, partially emulsified product that’s similar in many ways to espresso. Think of them as the middle ground between drip coffee and true espresso.

(Pssst! Do you need clarification? Ask a Curated Espresso Expert for personally tailored advice from a real, live person who truly loves coffee.)

What Should I Look for in a Manual Espresso Machine?

The blessing (and curse) of manual espresso machines is that they’re incredibly simple. This means that when shopping for a true lever espresso machine, you should keep an eye on the basics — specifically, look at their build quality and any “extras.”

Quality First

Build quality is far and away the most crucial aspect of any espresso machine, but manual machines in particular require top-notch construction. This is because you’ll be applying all of the pressure and heat yourself, meaning each part needs to be sturdy.

Take Flair, for example. They use quality stainless steel and silicone in the parts that will see the most use (i.e., the lever and extraction chamber). In contrast, some cheaper alternatives will use aluminum — and we don’t want that. While aluminum is lighter (and cheaper) than steel, it’s also far less durable.

This means that when you apply just a touch too much pressure, you run the risk of the lever (or another part) failing. And we really, really don’t want coffee grounds and hot water going everywhere, do we?

The Extras

Seeing as they’re “extras,” these parts aren’t necessary to use your manual espresso machine, but they sure are handy. Some of the more common bits you’ll see that are sold separately (or, in some cases, built into higher-end models) include pressure gauges, custom-built tampers, and alternative portafilters.

Each serves a separate purpose, but they all boil down to one general fact: Extra parts are intended to make the process of manually brewing espresso easier. A pressure gauge will ensure you’re able to precisely apply pressure without going over or under. Similarly, a bottomless or flow control portafilter will alter how your coffee extracts, allowing you to exercise a bit more freedom to experiment.

Ultimately, extra bits and bobs will help, but their absence shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

Features to Look Out for When Buying a Manual Espresso Machine

There are three questions you need to ask yourself when shopping for a manual machine:

Can I Apply the Pressure Myself?

If you struggle with arthritis or a similarly restrictive disability, consider a spring piston machine to alleviate some effort.

Do I Want to Travel With This?

If yes, look for machines that can easily break down and travel, like the Flair Neo Flex. If not, consider machines that can be permanently affixed to your coffee bar or counter, like the Flair 58. (Both are listed below with more details.)

How Much Effort Am I Willing to Put Into Making Coffee Each Morning?

If the answer is “as little as possible,” you’re going to want to either opt for a higher-end manual with more gadgetry to assist that early morning pre-coffee trudge or a more modern semi- or super-automatic machine.

How to Choose the Best Manual Espresso Machine for You

When you’ve finally settled on buying a manual espresso machine, it’s time to look at your options. Each is going to suit different people, well, differently, so keep the advice above in mind.

Each of Flair’s manual espresso machines is built for a slightly different use case:

Flair Neo Flex

The Neo Flex is Flair’s entry-level manual espresso machine, and it’s suited to two types of people:

1. Budget shoppers
2. Newcomers

As their most affordable option, the Neo Flex comes with very little in terms of extras, but it allows those who are curious about manual espresso machines an easy jumping-in point. There aren’t any special parts to assist, such as the 58’s electrically heated portafilter or the Pro 2’s pressure gauge, but that means the experience is simple. It allows the user to focus on the basics of brewing espresso and nothing else.

Flair Classic

The Classic is a small step up from the Neo Flex, making it an excellent choice for:

1. (Slightly higher) budget shoppers
2. Espresso enthusiasts who travel regularly

It’s slightly (~$60) more expensive than its little brother, but it provides quite a bit more for a small step up in price. The Classic allows enthusiasts the option to affix their machine’s base to the post, making it a more permanent placement in the kitchen, and it comes with some extra goodies.

The carry case makes the Classic ideal for on-the-go espresso, while the funnel, tamper, and dosing kit allow you to take everything in one package. In comparison, traveling with the Neo Flex will require a separate bag to include all of your gadgets, which is less than ideal when trying to pack light.

Flair Pro 2

The Flair Pro 2 is, as implied by the name, intended for those who are a bit more serious about their espresso. Sitting at double the price of the Classic, the Flair Pro 2 is excellent for:

1. Serious espresso enthusiasts
2. Regular travelers

Just like the Classic, the Flair Pro 2 comes with a travel case and more gadgetry, but unlike the Classic, it also provides a pressure gauge and copper baseplate to retain heat. This alone is a game-changer, as it allows the user to pull multiple shots in succession without needing to re-pre-heat (if that’s a word) the portafilter.

Flair 58

Finally, we reach Flair’s magnum opus, the 58. This thing is for extremely serious manual espresso enthusiasts — but it’s worth the investment.

The Flair 58 offers the portability of its little brothers while providing a more modern take on the traditional manual machine. With an electrically heated portafilter and a larger (58mm) basket, users can adapt to their favorite roast and garner a tad more control over every aspect of their brew. On the same note of ease of use, the Flair 58 features an extended lever and wider base, making the act of applying pressure just a little more intuitive than its predecessors.

(Plus, those wood accents are flat-out sexy.)

Find the Best Manual Espresso Machine for You

At the end of the day, manual espresso machines are quite simple beasts. Whether that’s a good thing is going to be a choice for you, and you alone, but knowing how and why they work is an incredibly handy thing. They provide far more control than just about any other semi-automatic (let alone super-automatic machines) can, but that comes at a price. Namely, it comes at the cost of trial and error.

You will need to pull a few shots to get your manual espresso machine fully dialed in, but once you do, the results will be shocking. And, while it’s a bit more of a niche application, manual espresso machines are perhaps the best option on the market for those who want a travel-ready espresso machine.

If this article left you curious about finding your own manual espresso machine, reach out to a Curated Coffee and Espresso Expert. We hang out here because we love coffee, so pick our brains to get what you need.