Manual espresso machines are something of my white whale — I love them so much, and yet finding a truly top-tier option can be a hassle. There are many, many brands on the market that offer some form of manual espresso machine, but only a few do it well.

While I plan to highlight the best of the best, there’s always the chance that you want to learn more. If so, reach out to a Curated Coffee and Espresso Expert. We’re Experts for good reason: We love what we do and, importantly, know perhaps too much about manual espresso machines, coffee, and just about every other facet of the hobby. Now, onto the list.

The 5 Best Manual Espresso Machines of the Year

Side note: As these are manual lever espresso machines, you will likely need additional equipment to use them properly. This will include a burr grinder to control grind size, a water tank and/or @sellableLink@{"sellableId":"AgAAADAA-ddywiySTGmJnR-Qe1BFg","text":"kettle to boil water"}@sellableLink@, and, of course, your favorite coffee beans._

Most of the entries in this list all come from the same manufacturer, Flair. They’re a modern brand that’s built a name for extremely efficient, portable, manual espresso machines that range from excellent budget entries to premier options. However, there’s one exception I’d like to cover first.

The La Pavoni Esperto Competente

The Good

La Pavoni is one of the most well-known and longest-standing Italian espresso machine brands in the world. They’ve built a name for incredibly high-quality, delicious espresso, and they did it all on the back of their gorgeous lever espresso machine. Where many brands opted to go automatic or semi-automatic over the years, La Pavoni has stood strong with tradition.

For better and for worse, this means that the Esperto Competente is arguably the best (depending on your needs and budget) manual espresso maker on the market. It features a jaw-dropping aesthetic of gold, chromed brass, and wood, creating an elegant presence in your kitchen.

Perhaps more importantly, though, the La Pavoni Esperto Competente fits into just about any amount of counter space available. Like many of the machines on this list, its small footprint comes from its simplicity. Unlike its competition, though, this espresso maker comes with a:

• Single boiler
• Brew unit manometer
• Pressure gauge
• Steam wand
• Water level indicator

While this isn’t the end of what the Competente offers, it gives some insight into why I love this thing so much. It truly shines in extraction, especially for a compact lever machine, and is a common top pick for many professionals for a reason.

The Bad

Truthfully, there isn’t much that’s bad about this machine. After all, the brand has had over 100 years to perfect a manual espresso machine. With that said, though, their expertise comes at a price. This means that those seeking a truly top-end manual espresso maker that will last for years — or decades with proper maintenance — will likely not need to buy another machine until retirement.

The only other minor gripes I have with this machine lie in the very nature of what it is. Manual machines seldom shine when it comes to heat retention, and this machine is different, but in the opposite direction you’d expect. It is so efficient at retaining heat that it can overheat with sustained use and often needs time to cool to properly brew espresso.

The Verdict

Ultimately, La Pavoni is a mainstay in the world of manual espresso makers for a reason. They offer some of the best quality on the market, for a price, and in return offer a long-lasting centerpiece for your kitchen.

The Flair 58

The Good

Now, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Flair 58 is (barring our next entry) Flair’s best machine, hands down. It’s the culmination of years of experience and trial and error, resulting in what may be the sexiest portable espresso maker on the market.

Speaking of travel, that’s where Flair (as a brand) shines — their espresso makers are built to break down and reassemble anywhere, meaning you can bring your favorite latte, cappuccino, or simple espresso shot anywhere the road takes you. The Flair 58 features a(n):

• 58mm portafilter basket
• Extended lever
• Wide base
• Electric portafilter
• Pressure gauge

Additionally, users will find that the Flair 58’s aesthetic, with hardwood accents and a sleek matte black design, really shines on just about any kitchen countertop.

As shown in this review, the Flair 58 is nearly perfect for most people who want a manual espresso machine. It takes a great deal of guesswork out of each shot, allowing users to fine-tune the smaller parts of their brew process with pre-infusion rather than pray for perfection.

The Bad

Unfortunately, as you’ll see throughout this review, manual espresso makers are not known for their ability to steam milk. While the La Pavoni can, it also runs far higher in price than the Flair 58. As such, the Flair 58 is unable to steam milk, meaning you’ll need to invest in a separate device to do so.

Otherwise, though, there’s very little to complain about here.

The Verdict

The Flair 58 combines a gorgeous look with impeccable performance, making it the best in Flair’s lineup, behind the 58+ of course. Flair combines many of the features that you’ll see below on their more budget-friendly choices with hardwood and slightly improved basic features to create an excellent manual espresso maker.

It provides superb taste, incredibly good shots, and complete control while looking gorgeous in the process.

The Flair 58+

The Good

This is the crown jewel in Flair’s lineup. Just as the Flair 58 took inspiration from the Pro 2 and Neo Flex (shown below) to improve the small things, so too does the 58+. This espresso maker is an absolute beast, offering a:

• 3-heat preheat system (low, medium, high)
• Detachable preheat controller
• Both proprietary Flair portafilters (high and low flow)
• Dark motif screws and custom branding
• Walnut accents

All of the expected bells and whistles from the 58, such as a pressure gauge and extended lever and base, are still there, but the 58+ somehow makes them look better.

And if that weren’t enough, this machine comes with the ability (unique to Flair espresso makers) to quickly and easily break down — or be permanently affixed to a countertop — for use in any place your journey may bring you.

The Bad

There is, truthfully, not much that I can say about the Flair 58+ that isn’t positive. Its one downfall for some users, though, will be its price. It’s the most expensive option from Flair, but that expense comes with exceptionally durable parts that will last for years and, perhaps more importantly, look incredible while doing so.

The Verdict

If you want to invest in a gorgeous, high-end manual espresso maker, there are few options on the market better than the Flair 58+. It combines the advancements of its predecessor with a sleek new look and a few major upgrades, namely the detachable preheat controller. Bonus points if you travel regularly, as the Flair 58+ is fantastic anywhere that you have access to electricity.

The Flair Pro 2

The Good

This is what I consider the bar standard machine from Flair. While they’ve made many machines (such as, obviously, the Pro 1), this model takes inspiration from their past machines to improve on some smaller features that may go unnoticed if you never used its predecessors.

The Flair Pro 2 features a(n):

• Pressure gauge
• Proprietary bottomless easy-flow portafilter
• High-grade stainless steel and silicone frame
• Travel case
• Improved heat retention

While it lacks the electric portafilter basket and preheat options of many of the others on this list, this makes the Flair Pro 2 perhaps the best-suited in their lineup for travel. Its case makes packing nearly effortless, and its lack of need for electricity or internal pumps does come with the added perk that it shines on camping trips where you only have the ability to boil hot water.

The Bad

Once again, there’s not so much that’s bad that I can say about the Pro 2, as much as there are things to note. As it lacks an electric preheat controller, users will need to exercise more precise care in heating their water (and portafilter), leading to a touch more work than the 58 or 58+. Just like the La Pavoni, the Pro 2 also suffers from overly efficient heat retention, meaning users will likely need to wait a bit longer between preheating and brewing than they would with the Flair 58+. With that said, it’s still a fantastic machine.

The Verdict

I highly recommend the Flair Pro 2 for users who travel regularly and want consistent, frill-free espresso on the road. While it won’t shine for regular home use as much as its upgraded cousins, the Pro 2 still performs admirably when tasked with the basics.

The Flair Neo Flex

The Good

This is Flair’s budget entry. Sitting at $99, it’s by far the most affordable — and barebones — machine on this list. The Flair Neo Flex features a:

• Bottomless and flow-control proprietary portafilters
• Lightweight (4.51lbs/~2kg) polycarbonate frame

That’s it — really. While users can purchase many of the additions separately, such as the pressure gauge and carry case featured on later models, it comes with very little in terms of extras. But for the price, there is quite literally no model of manual espresso machine that can perform nearly as well, making it the most budget-friendly entry on our list.

The Bad

Arguably the only downside to the Flair Neo Flex, beyond its lacking features, is its basic design. While the polycarbonate frame is incredibly lightweight, making it great for travel, it sacrifices durability.

The later models from Flair use stainless steel and silicone, widen the base, and extend the lever for ease of use — and that’s based on feedback from the Neo Flex. Users who struggle with upper body strength or restrictive disabilities such as arthritis (me too, don’t worry) may find that this machine is relatively difficult to properly work without hurting themselves or damaging the lever.

The Verdict

The Neo Flex is a mainstay for Flair’s lineup because it’s easy to use, affordable, and extremely well suited to travel and camping. While it’s a barebones espresso maker, it will still pull a delicious espresso shot — you’ll just have to work a bit more for it.

Find the Best Manual Espresso Maker for You

Whether you want to go all out with a La Pavoni, invest in aesthetics with the Flair 58+, or dive into the world of manual espresso makers with the affordable Neo Flex, there are options out there for everyone.

This can mean that you’ll be stuck looking at some minor features, but luckily, that’s what we’re here for. Curated Coffee and Espresso Experts are available, just for you, to ensure you get the best product possible for your specific needs — so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Curious about the difference between a direct lever and a spring piston machine, or how to get the perfect crema with your manual coffee maker? Check out this article for all the goods.