Discover the Perfect Blend of Style, Function, and Quality in Kitchen Tools and Accessories

The 4 Finest Espresso Tampers of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

Straight to the Level

Our favourite spring-loaded tamper is the extraordinarily constant and durable Normcore V4 Coffee Tamper. For a palm tamper, the Crema Coffee Products Distributor/Leveler & Hand Tamper has a built-in leveler and tamps pucks constantly time after time.

For these simply beginning their espresso journey, there’s quite a lot of gear to contemplate. Selecting the best espresso machine to your wants is a should, together with buying an espresso grinder. Enjoyable demitasse cups and espresso beans are additionally apparent decisions. However tamping, which is arguably an important step in espresso brewing, is routinely ignored.

“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 Rare Breed Coffee. Correct tamping ensures that the pressurized water exerted by the espresso machine flows by means of the grounds evenly. “If the grounds will not be compressed sufficient, the areas between the grounds shall be inconsistent in measurement,” Jones says. “This enables water to move extra shortly by means of some areas of the mattress of grounds and extra slowly by means of others, which impacts how a lot taste is pulled from the grounds.”

Many house espresso machines come pre-packaged with a tamper. Typically, they’re constructed from flimsy plastic and don’t correctly match the portafilter. In order for you a superb tamper, you’re going to have to purchase it individually. I took on the duty of discovering the perfect ones, testing just a few completely different kinds at quite a lot of value factors. 

The Winners, at a Look


PHOTO: Prima Espresso Tools

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

Normcore V4 Coffee Tamper

PHOTO: Amazon

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 consists of a number of calibrated springs that assist you to modify the strain.

Amazon Crema Coffee Products Coffee Distributor and Hand Tamper

PHOTO: Amazon

We’ve really helpful this tamper before. The 2-in-one leveler and tamper delivers completely leveled espresso and takes quite a lot of the guesswork out of the tamping course of. For the espresso nerds on the market, you possibly can 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.

LuxHaus Espresso Tamper

PHOTO: Amazon

This tamper from LuxHaus gives a extra inexpensive different 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 exams, it produced constant outcomes, with stage pucks, no channeling, and scrumptious espresso.

The Exams

Severe Eats / Russell Kilgore


  • Construct High quality Check: Whereas utilizing every tamper, I assessed its construct high quality, noting its dimensions, form, supplies, and weight.
  • Tamping Check: 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 tug the shot and whether or not the water flowed by means of the portafilter on the proper price. I additionally taste-tasted every shot.
  • Again-to-Again Shot Check: Following all the identical parameters because the above tamping take a look at, I tamped and pulled back-to-back photographs utilizing my successful tampers. I wished to see if they may ship the identical outcomes each time.
  • Ergonomics Check: I famous how simple every tamper was to make use of and the way snug it was in my fingers. Although not prone to occur at house, accidents of the wrist and hand will not be exceptional amongst skilled baristas as a result of repetitive movement of tamping. An ergonomically designed deal with helps forestall this. 
  • Cleanup Check: For probably 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 All the pieces

We favored this palm tamper as a result of it was tremendous constant.

Severe Eats / Russell Kilgore


Tamping is among the most vital variables in brewing espresso and by far the best step to mess up. The perfect tampers constantly and uniformly stage and compress pucks each time. Any fashions which might be cumbersome or don’t match the portafilter properly 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 typically results in channeling. Spring-loaded tampers keep away from this by having a lip that retains the tamper stage with the portafilter’s partitions.

Which Tampers Had the Finest Construct High quality? 

All of our favourite tampers had stainless-steel elements, which bodes properly for his or her longevity.

Severe Eats / Russell Kilgore


If used recurrently, a tamper goes to be subjected to quite a lot of power and desires to have the ability to maintain up. The deal with receives many of the strain, so make sure that to decide on one which’s strong and durable. Throughout my testing, I discovered that the perfect tampers had stainless-steel bases. Not solely did they’ve important weight to them, which helped with making use of the correct quantity of strain, however they had 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

A spring-loaded tamper (left) and a basic tamper (proper).

Severe Eats / Russell Kilgore


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

  • The basic model of tamper is easy. It’s principally a deal with connected to a large cylindrical base and is probably the most broadly used sort. Due to its simplicity, it takes a little bit of apply to make use of appropriately. It’s essential make sure that the tamper is stage with the portafilter and apply the correct quantity of strain (30 to 40 kilos of power) by hand.
  • Spring-loaded or calibrated tampers are constructed with an inside spring that, when compressed, delivers a exact, predetermined quantity of strain. Like a basic tamper, it nonetheless must be used appropriately to get a superbly stage tamp, but it surely 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 also break or dislodge. Due to their inside 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 a substitute of a calibrated strain, which makes them very constant. They typically have a leveler on one facet that helps make sure the grounds are even earlier than tamping. Their tamping depth is adjustable.

Approach Was (and Is) Necessary

Get your tamper stage with the espresso mattress *earlier than* you begin making use of strain.

Severe Eats / Russell Kilgore


In the end, no tamper is foolproof. Studying tips on how to use your tamper correctly together with your espresso machine and grinder will show you how to pull constantly scrumptious photographs. Listed here are some ideas:

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

The Standards: What to Search for in an Espresso Tamper

Severe Eats / Russell Kilgore


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

Our Favourite Tampers

Pullman Breville BigStep Tamper

PHOTO: Prima Espresso Tools

What we favored: The Pullman BigStep tamper is the Ferrari of basic tampers. Its construct high quality is top-notch and it’s ergonomic, with a fantastic heft and balanced weight distribution. Better of all, it produced constantly tasty espresso over a number of exams. It additionally has spacers you should 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 suggest 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

Normcore V4 Coffee Tamper

PHOTO: Amazon

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 largest weak point: It retains the grounds stage 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 alternative 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 possibly can management. For some house baristas, that could 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 stainless-steel base
  • Dimensions: 3.3-inch deal with; 53.3-millimeter base
  • Weight: 1.08 kilos
  • Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

Amazon Crema Coffee Products Coffee Distributor and Hand Tamper

PHOTO: Amazon

What we favored: In terms of consistency, this model of tamper is as reliable because it will get. This tamper has a distributor device on one facet, which can be utilized to stage 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 possibly can tweak the depth of the tamp and the leveler utilizing the inner threading mechanism.

What we didn’t like: After utilizing customary tampers with handles, palm tampers take a bit getting used to. They compress the espresso within the portafilter basket to a selected depth as a substitute 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 peak, 53.3-millimeter base
  • Weight: 1.19 kilos
  • Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

LuxHaus Espresso Tamper

PHOTO: Amazon

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

What we didn’t like: Though performing properly, the load distribution felt a bit 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

Severe Eats / Nick Simpson


The Competitors

  • The Force Tamper: This spring-loaded tamper labored properly in my exams, however at practically 5 occasions the worth of our high choose, I didn’t discover a marked efficiency enchancment.
  • MATOW Coffee Distributor & Tamper: Nearly an identical to the highest palm choose, 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, stage pucks of espresso. The Normcore carried out barely higher in subsequent style exams, however this tamper is a strong different.
  • Rhino Coffee 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 stainless-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 will be a fantastic match aesthetically in sure kitchens.

FAQs

Must you tamp twice? 

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

What measurement of espresso tamper do you have to purchase?  

Totally different espresso machines require completely different sizes of tampers. The dimensions of the portafilter basket determines what measurement of tamper you want. “It is very important match the tamper to the grouphead, in any other case it gained’t match or shall be too small to correctly compact the espresso grounds evenly,” Jones explains.

Must you 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 objective of tamping is to take away air pockets and create a uniform mattress of espresso.”

Why We’re the Consultants

  • Dylan Ettinger is a Severe Eats contributor who focuses on 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 house espresso home equipment for quite a lot of publications.
  • For this piece, he mixed his expertise within the espresso business with that of Madeline Jones, account supervisor and coach at Rare Breed Coffee, with a purpose to decide what qualities make the perfect espresso tamper. 
  • Dylan examined 10 espresso tampers for this overview.

Trending Merchandise

Added to wishlistRemoved from wishlist 0
Add to compare
KitchenAid RRK150IC 5 Qt. Artisan Series – Ice (Renewed)

KitchenAid RRK150IC 5 Qt. Artisan Series – Ice (Renewed)

$299.87
.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

ShopKitchenTools
Logo
Register New Account
Compare items
  • Total (0)
Compare
0
Shopping cart