The 12 Best Espresso Tampers for Delicious Coffee

Quick Comparison: 12 Top Espresso Tampers

Why a Tamper is Essential for Making Espresso Beverages

There are lots of things you’ll need to think about when choosing an espresso tamper, from the size to the materials used in construction, and even the shape of the tool you’ll use to press down on fresh ground coffee beans. However, before we get into any of that, you might be wondering why a coffee tamper is so essential and why it should be a part of your home, café, or restaurant.

One of the things that people love about espresso is how rich and full-flavored it can be compared to a traditional cup of drip coffee. However, to create the distinctive flavor, the coffee grounds used in an espresso machine have to be packed in tightly next to each other. Preventing pockets of air from reaching the beans is a must, which is precisely what a tamper is designed to do.

The same applies to using the tamper itself. If the grounds aren’t evenly tamped down to remove all of the air, the espresso shot you create isn’t going to have the taste that you are looking for. If you speed through the tamping process, it can create areas that are less pressed than others, which also leads to a shot that isn’t as tasty as it could be.

When the espresso machine rushes water through the grounds, it will look for areas that contain air, which means it isn’t going to coat the grounds the way it should in order to extract all the flavors from within them. When you use a tamper to make a “puck” of coffee and place that into the portafilter, you’ll enjoy better espresso beverages than ever before.

Top Features to Be Aware of When Buying the Best Espresso Tamper

Now that you understand why an espresso tamper is such an essential part of making espresso drinks, we can delve into the various features that make one tamper better than the next. We’ll take a look at everything from the size of tampers to what materials they are made from and how much they weigh so you can make the best buying decision for your specific needs.

Selecting the Right Size for Your Espresso Tamper

In most cases, you will see that espresso tampers are measured in millimeters. Tampers come in a range of sizes, but most of the ones you find on the market will range from about 48mm to 58mm. So, how do you know which tamper size will be the perfect one for your needs?

The best tamper to use is one that is the exact same size as the basket that you use for your espresso maker. Since this can vary to a considerable degree, it’s important to be sure the tamper you choose is compatible before you decide to buy it.

Sometimes this is as easy as looking for the manufacturer name on the tamper or its specifications. However, at other times, it might be more difficult. If you aren’t quite sure how large the basket is for your own espresso machine, now is the perfect time to dig out your manual and see what it says.

Those who have no manual or are having trouble finding it can often find this information online. Look up the model of your espresso machine and the word manual and see what pops up. Regardless of how you find out this information, it’s crucial to have, since the wrong size tamper is simply not going to work out.

Choosing an Espresso Tamper with an Ideal Weight

It’s hard to give a definitive answer on what weight is the best for your espresso machine, but one thing is sure: you need to provide around 30 pounds of pressure to the beans to tamp them down properly. Some people find that a one-pound tamper is ideal, while others will choose lighter and heavier options.

If you are looking for the most straightforward option, go for a higher weight tamper. This will require you to use less pressure to force the beans together into a puck to make caffeinated beverages. This is one of the reasons that experts will tell you to stay away from plastic tampers and stick with ones made of stainless steel, since it is a more substantial material.

Deciding the Appropriate Materials for Your New Espresso Tamper

As we just mentioned, stainless steel is often recommended for espresso tampers. This has to do with the fact that it is reasonably heavy, but it’s not the only reason. Any tamper that offers durable materials can fit the bill; it just happens to be true that stainless steel is the most commonly available and often comes at a reasonable price.

Also, stainless steel won’t react with your coffee beans to create an unsavory taste, and it’s known for being simple and easy to clean. While other materials can be used, make sure the tamper offers many of these things so it’s convenient for you to use on a regular basis.

The Decision to Choose a Traditional or Calibrated Espresso Tamper

There are pros and cons to choosing a solid tamper, just as there are to operating a calibrated tamper. A solid tamper is often the choice of baristas who have been in the business for years and have a tremendous amount of experience tamping espresso. On the other hand, a calibrated tamper ensures you tamp the coffee down precisely to get the best possible taste.

Essentially, calibrated varieties have a separate base and handle that connect and make a noise when you reach 30 pounds of pressure. This takes all of the guessing out of your tamping and ensures the best flavor for every drink you make. These work well for most people who are new to espresso-making, but they can also be a bit more expensive than other models.

Selecting Between a Convex or Flat Tamper for Making Espresso Beverages

Another distinction between tampers that you will notice is that some have a completely flat bottom while others have a bit of a curve along the edges. The latter is created this way to prevent water from entering the portafilter, which can lead to a shot that tastes worst than expected. However, both can offer a tasty shot; it’s just a matter of preference and which you find works the best for your needs.

Someone who is more experienced with espresso will find they can achieve the same results with a flat tamper as a convex one. Still, beginners may appreciate the additional simplicity that the rounded tamper has to offer. Think about your skill level and base your buying decision on that.

Taking a Look at Different Handles Used on Espresso Tampers

When you’re deciding between several tampers, you want to take a look at the handle to ensure it’s made from a durable material that is going to last. Some of these tampers are made of a single piece of stainless steel, while others may have plastic, wooden, or other materials used for the handles. You want to be sure it’s going to last and that you won’t need another tamper in a few months, especially if you make tons of espresso drinks every day.

Another thing to watch for is whether the handle is going to be comfortable. This can be challenging to do online, but often reviews will mention whether the handle has an excellent grip and is easy to use. If you have a tamper you are replacing and enjoy the way the handle works, use that as a guide for your next one.

Don’t Forget to Take Your Budget into Account with Your Espresso Tamper

While most of the tampers on the market are reasonably inexpensive and fall into the same price range, you will want to be sure your budget can handle the choice you make. This will help you decide if you can afford the quality you want with your tamper or whether you should wait to buy the one you have your heart set on.

It’s always a good idea to take your budget and match it with durability and quality over the aesthetics if one tamper is beyond your means and another is squarely affordable for you. When you know your budget from the beginning, you can also look only at tampers that fit the bill, so you don’t end up spending more than you expected.

Conclusion