The 4 Greatest Espresso Tampers of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

For these simply beginning their espresso journey, there’s a whole lot of gear to think about. Selecting the finest espresso machine on your wants is a should, together with buying an espresso grinder. Enjoyable demitasse cups and espresso beans are additionally apparent selections. However tamping, which is arguably a very powerful step in espresso brewing, is routinely neglected.

“The aim of tamping is twofold: firstly, to compress the grounds tightly collectively, and secondly, to create a mattress of grounds of constant depth and levelness,” explains Madeline Jones, account supervisor and coach at Uncommon Breed Espresso. Correct tamping ensures that the pressurized water exerted by the espresso machine flows by the grounds evenly. “If the grounds should not compressed sufficient, the areas between the grounds will probably be inconsistent in measurement,” Jones says. “This permits water to stream extra rapidly by some areas of the mattress of grounds and extra slowly by others, which impacts how a lot taste is pulled from the grounds.”

Many dwelling espresso machines come pre-packaged with a tamper. Typically, they’re produced from flimsy plastic and don’t correctly match the portafilter. If you’d like tamper, you’re going to have to purchase it individually. I took on the duty of discovering the very best ones, testing just a few totally different types at a wide range of worth factors. 

The Winners, at a Look

This high-end tamper is a favourite amongst dwelling baristas for good motive: It’s fashionable, sturdy, ergonomically designed, and pleasantly weighty. Better of all, the deal with size is adjustable. It’s expensive, however with a easy system like a tamper, the little particulars matter and the Pullman BigStep will get every part proper.

Calibrated, spring-loaded tampers apply constant strain by simply pushing within the deal with. The Normcore’s construct high quality is top-notch with a contemporary, matte black end and a sturdy, ergonomic, tapered deal with. It contains a number of calibrated springs that help you regulate the strain.

We’ve really useful this tamper earlier than. The 2-in-one leveler and tamper delivers completely leveled espresso and takes a whole lot of the guesswork out of the tamping course of. For the espresso nerds on the market, you’ll be able to nonetheless tweak the depth of the tamp and the leveler utilizing the inner threading mechanism to dial issues in as exactly as you’d like.

This tamper from LuxHaus supplies a extra inexpensive various to the Pullman BigStep, however sacrifices little or no when it comes to construct high quality or design. It’s hefty and durable with a deal with design that makes it snug to make use of. In our assessments, it produced constant outcomes, with degree pucks, no channeling, and scrumptious espresso.

The Assessments

• Construct High quality Take a look at: Whereas utilizing every tamper, I assessed its construct high quality, noting its dimensions, form, supplies, and weight.
• Tamping Take a look at: I used every tamper to tamp after which brew a shot of espresso, weighing the grounds pre-tamping to make sure consistency from mannequin to mannequin. I famous how lengthy it took to drag the shot and whether or not the water flowed by the portafilter on the proper price. I additionally taste-tasted every shot.
• Again-to-Again Shot Take a look at: Following all the identical parameters because the above tamping take a look at, I tamped and pulled back-to-back photographs utilizing my profitable tampers. I needed to see if they might ship the identical outcomes each time.
• Ergonomics Take a look at: I famous how straightforward every tamper was to make use of and the way snug it was in my arms. Although not prone to occur at dwelling, accidents of the wrist and hand should not unprecedented amongst skilled baristas because of the repetitive movement of tamping. An ergonomically designed deal with helps forestall this. 
• Cleanup Take a look at: For essentially the most half, cleansing tampers is a straightforward matter of wiping dry espresso grounds off of the bottom, however when testing, I famous any design nuances or flaws that made cleansing tougher. 

What We Discovered

Consistency Was Every thing

Tamping is without doubt one of the most vital variables in brewing espresso and by far the best step to mess up. The perfect tampers persistently and uniformly degree and compress pucks each time. Any fashions which can be cumbersome or don’t match the portafilter effectively can result in an uneven tamp and poor extraction. For instance, tampers with uncomfortable handles made it tougher to evenly apply strain to the portafilter, which generally results in channeling. Spring-loaded tampers keep away from this by having a lip that retains the tamper degree with the portafilter’s partitions.

Which Tampers Had the Greatest Construct High quality? 

If used recurrently, a tamper goes to be subjected to a whole lot of drive and wishes to have the ability to maintain up. The deal with receives a lot of the strain, so make certain to decide on one which’s strong and durable. Throughout my testing, I discovered that the very best tampers had chrome steel bases. Not solely did they’ve important weight to them, which helped with making use of the right quantity of strain, however they have been much less prone to bend, warp, or break. “What to keep away from is plastic or aluminum. They’re too flimsy and light-weight,” Jones says. 

Tamper Kind Is a Matter of Choice

Of the three types of tampers I examined, every had their very own execs and cons. In the end, you must determine which works finest on your wants and espresso machine, however there listed here are some issues to remember:

• The traditional model of tamper is easy. It’s mainly a deal with hooked up to a large cylindrical base and is essentially the most broadly used sort. Due to its simplicity, it takes a little bit of follow to make use of appropriately. You have to make certain the tamper is degree with the portafilter and apply the right quantity of strain (30 to 40 kilos of drive) by hand.
• Spring-loaded or calibrated tampers are constructed with an inner spring that, when compressed, delivers a exact, predetermined quantity of strain. Like a traditional tamper, it nonetheless must be used appropriately to get a superbly degree tamp, however it removes the strain guesswork. Nonetheless, if used improperly, it’s potential to push previous the place the spring stops and over-tamp the espresso. With heavy use, the springs may break or dislodge. Due to their inner springs, calibrated tampers additionally can’t be washed with water.
• Palm tampers are newer to the house espresso scene. This model works by tamping to a predetermined depth within the portafilter as an alternative of a calibrated strain, which makes them very constant. They usually have a leveler on one aspect that helps make sure the grounds are even earlier than tamping. Their tamping depth is adjustable.

Method Was (and Is) Vital

In the end, no tamper is foolproof. Studying find out how to use your tamper correctly along with your espresso machine and grinder will aid you pull persistently scrumptious photographs. Listed here are some ideas:

• Use correct type to stop pressure accidents. Hold your wrist straight and your elbow bent at about 90 levels, making use of strain by your shoulder and triceps somewhat than your wrist. 
• Make sure the tamper is degree with the espresso mattress earlier than making use of strain to keep away from uneven extraction. 
• Concentrate on reaching constant tamping strain somewhat than measuring actual kilos, however rule of thumb is to shoot for 30 to 40 kilos of strain per sq. inch
• If it’s essential to regulate the extraction time, modify the grind measurement as an alternative of altering tamp strain.

The Standards: What to Search for in an Espresso Tamper

Since they’re used to use strain to portafilter baskets, the very best tampers are sturdy and have ergonomic handles. Most significantly, the highest tampers ship constant outcomes repeatedly.

Our Favourite Tampers

What we favored: The Pullman BigStep tamper is the Ferrari of traditional tampers. Its construct high quality is top-notch and it’s ergonomic, with an amazing heft and balanced weight distribution. Better of all, it produced persistently tasty espresso over a number of assessments. It additionally has spacers you need to use to regulate the size of the deal with to fit your wants. 

What we didn’t like: At about $130, this tamper is prone to be too costly for some. However, I wouldn’t advocate it if it was something lower than stellar all through my testing.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Chrome steel, rubber, aluminum
• Dimensions: 3.5-inch deal with (adjustable with spacers); 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

What we favored: Like most spring-loaded tampers, the Normcore is constructed with two springs and a lip that applies a gentle, constant quantity of strain each time. It additionally avoids spring-loaded tamper’s greatest weak spot: It retains the grounds degree with a lip that matches over the portafilter and prevents the person from pushing previous the place the spring stops when tamping. The Normcore comes with substitute springs calibrated to fifteen, 25, and 30 psi so the person can choose which strain works finest with their espresso machine. 

What we didn’t like: The strain utilized to the bottom portafilter is determined by the springs and isn’t a variable you’ll be able to management. For some dwelling baristas, that is likely to be a draw back, however with a little bit of dialing in, the consistency is value it.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Anodized aluminum deal with with chrome steel base
• Dimensions: 3.3-inch deal with; 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 1.08 kilos
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

What we favored: Relating to consistency, this model of tamper is as reliable because it will get. This tamper has a distributor device on one aspect, which can be utilized to degree the highest layer of the bottom espresso. As soon as flattened, simply flip the tamper over and press all the way down to compress the grinds into a superbly leveled puck. For espresso snobs, you’ll be able to tweak the depth of the tamp and the leveler utilizing the inner threading mechanism.

What we didn’t like: After utilizing normal tampers with handles, palm tampers take a bit of getting used to. They compress the espresso within the portafilter basket to a selected depth as an alternative of utilizing strain, so it’s potential to over- or under-tamp in the event that they’re not calibrated correctly. Fortunately, as soon as dialed in, it produced the identical outcomes each time.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Chrome steel and durable plastic
• Dimensions: 2.75-inch diameter by 2-inch top, 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 1.19 kilos
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

What we favored: For an inexpensive tamper, I like to recommend the LuxHaus. The deal with is well-shaped and feels sturdy and cozy. All through my tamping assessments, it created constant, degree pucks that pulled scrumptious espresso photographs.

What we didn’t like: Though performing effectively, the load distribution felt a bit of off, although it’s solely noticeable when evaluating the LuxHaus side-by-side with different tampers.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Chrome steel, arduous plastic
• Dimensions: 4-inch deal with; 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

The Competitors

• The Pressure Tamper: This spring-loaded tamper labored effectively in my assessments, however at almost 5 occasions the worth of our prime decide, I didn’t discover a marked efficiency enchancment.
• MATOW Espresso Distributor & Tamper: Nearly similar to the highest palm decide, the MATOW tamper carried out equally, however I discovered the Crema was barely simpler to regulate correctly.
• IKAPE Espresso Tamper: Very similar to the Normcore tamper, IKAPE’s double spring-loaded produces even, degree pucks of espresso. The Normcore carried out barely higher in subsequent style assessments, however this tamper is a strong various.
• Rhino Espresso Gear Black Tamper: Although sturdy, I discovered the deal with on this Rhino tamper to be cumbersome and top-heavy.
• FusedLine Sage Barista Tamper: This strong chrome steel tamper is constructed to final, however the deal with was quick and awkward to carry. 
• CreativeWerk Espresso Tamper: I beloved the ergonomic picket deal with on this one, however the weight distribution felt bottom-heavy. It could be an amazing match aesthetically in sure kitchens.

FAQs

Do you have to tamp twice? 

If accomplished correctly, tamping twice is pointless. “Undoubtedly don’t tamp, knock the aspect of the portafilter with the tamper, and tamp once more,” Jones explains. “Not solely are you disturbing the evenly distributed espresso mattress, you threat damaging the portafilter and tamper within the course of.”

What measurement of espresso tamper must you purchase?  

Totally different espresso machines require totally different sizes of tampers. The scale of the portafilter basket determines what measurement of tamper you want. “You will need to match the tamper to the grouphead, in any other case it gained’t match or will probably be too small to correctly compact the espresso grounds evenly,” Jones explains.

Do you have to twist whereas tamping? 

No, twisting can disrupt the grounds and trigger an uneven mattress. “Twisting whereas making use of strain creates sheared layers contained in the portafilter,” Jones explains. “The purpose of tamping is to take away air pockets and create a uniform mattress of espresso.”

Why We’re the Consultants

• Dylan Ettinger is a Critical Eats contributor who makes a speciality of espresso, spirits, cocktails, and barware. With over a decade of expertise within the specialty espresso business, he has spent the final 4 years testing and reviewing espresso grinders, espresso machines, pour-over cones, and different dwelling espresso home equipment for a wide range of publications.
• For this piece, he mixed his expertise within the espresso business with that of Madeline Jones, account supervisor and coach at Uncommon Breed Espresso, with a purpose to decide what qualities make the very best espresso tamper. 
• Dylan examined 10 espresso tampers for this evaluate.