The 10 Best Espresso Tampers of 2020

Tamping the coffee is not a difficult task if you have the right espresso tamper. Moreover, people do not realize the importance of having a perfect coffee tamper can change the whole coffee experience. To be precise, tamping is the term related to the espresso brewing process only. None of the other coffee brewing methods needs tamping.

Top Picks for Best for 2020 – At a Glance

What is a Tamper?

Tamper is the tool used as an accessory with the espresso machines. Basically, the coffee grounds in the portafilter are supposed to be tamped (i.e. compressed) to be able to brew the grounds perfectly. Tamping hence has much importance in brewing the espresso shot. In fact, espresso machine tamper is a thing which is an automatic tamper equipped in the coffee machine.

Tamping is the term relating to the espresso coffee brewing, more or less most us know tamper is used for tamping. Because when the portafilter is filled with the coffee grounds and distributed evenly, yet need for tamping the grounds persists. For that reason, we use the espresso tamper which has the smooth head nearly coinciding with the portafilter.

How does it work?

Tamper works as the solid body which compresses the loose coffee grounds in the portafilter evenly. After compressing the coffee grounds, the coffee element in the portafilter takes the shape similar to a puck. In fact, the tamped coffee is popularly called as coffee-puck.

Not to mention, compressing in our case means minimizing the air voids in the coffee grounds without essentially leaving uneven cracks or opening.

Types of the Espresso Tampers

Tamping the coffee doesn’t get any better than using the perfect tamping tool out of the various types. That said on a lighter note, espresso tampers will have similar use despite you go for different types. Because tamping the coffee is perfection which anyone can attain after practicing a few times.

The espresso tampers are differentiated for two different parameters namely the Regular or Calibrated(automatic espresso tamper), whereas, the second parameter is the profile of the tamping face – Flat or Convex.

Best Tamper Reviews

Here, you will find the best coffee tamper which we have reviewed considering many parameters right from the cost to the making.

#1. Espro Calibrated Tamper Flat 3058F

Starting with the best coffee tamper of this review, the Espro tamper is the flat bottom stainless steel tool. The build quality and design of the tool looks good with a broad handle to grip the espresso presser firmly.

Not to mention, the calibrated mechanism of the tamping tool restrains you from applying the pressure beyond 30 pounds. You can wait for the click to stop applying further force to tamp the coffee grounds.

This tool has a clicking mechanism which will produce a clicking sound once you’ve reached the to the limit tamping the grounds. Apart from that, this tool is made of the flat bottom available in six different sizes.

The best part about this espresso tamper is its shining body and the firm handle made of rugged quality. As the matter of fact, this tool with its premium touch weighing 1 pound feels perfect tamping the grounds like a barista tamper.

#2. Benicci Espresso Coffee Tamper

Coming to the second best espresso tamper on of our review, the solid tamping tool which instills the confidence in you while tamping. The body of the tamper does not require any mention about its quality. Because of its compact stainless steel body weighing 1.4 pounds.

On the other hand, the profile of the bottom face of the espresso tamper is of convex shape. The minor curve bulging out of the tamper suits for tamping the grounds. It provides a hint for the water leading it to focus uniformly on the puck majorly to the center.

Additionally, the tool has a solid unibody and bare handle to hold while tamping. It can get slippery if you reside in a warm environment or sweaty palms.

Nevertheless, the tool is the best for the task especially if you are looking one for your 58 mm bore portafilter.

#3. LuxHaus Calibrated Espresso Tamper

Coming back to the calibrated coffee tamping tool, the LuxHaux coffee tamper has two different variants available. It includes the 49 mm as well as the 51mm tamper base which will be compatible with most portafilters.

Additionally, the 1 pound stainless steel tool coated with the plastic handle for firm grip does a great job tamping the coffee. Not to mention, the espresso tamper is calibrated for applying pressure up to 30 pounds.

On the contrary, the actual application of pressure would lead to clicking before reaching the described pressure. Nevertheless, still, the tool sufficiently applies the pressure suitable for tamping the coffee ground into a puck.

Adding to the fact, the plastic handle works great for gripping and using the tool. But it will cause abrupt movements which you shall glue it using a superglue.

#4. Omgogo Stainless Steel Coffee Tamper 51mm

Omgogo is one more reliable tamping tool on our espresso tamper reviews, the tamping tool which is available in three different sizes. Moreover, the variants Omgogo makes are compatible with most of the portafilter out there.

We are looking at the tamper made of stainless steel weighing about 1 pound(weight varies for different variants). It has the firm wooden handle on top of it for gripping. You can unscrew the handle while not in use. The smooth texture of the handle and rugged stainless steel body of the espresso presser works great for tamping.

Omgogo delivers the best quality tamper for the price. Further, this tamping tool does not exploit the loophole by producing the electroplated or chrome plated product. Instead, this tool comes with the homogeneous stainless steel body.

You need to take care of the espresso tamper while washing. Because the threads of the handle screw will get rusty.

#5. BlueSnail Coffee Tamper/Espresso Tamper

BlueSnail tamper is the unibody tool weighing 1 pound and sufficient for tamping the grounds. The unibody design of the tool allows easy cleaning and washing.

No to mention, the flat, smooth tamping face of the tool helps easing the tamping and relieving the pressure after tamping. However, the material of the tamper has one problem, we have described in the next paragraph.

The espresso tamper is simply made of the iron material with dual layer electroplated on it. These layers include copper and stainless steel/chrome. Generally, for plating the stainless steel on any metal material, copper plating is a prerequisite. In the same manner, the manufacturer has uses both these layers.

Apart from that, the electroplating helps in reducing the cost of production, in turn, you can have the product at a lower cost. Also, this tool is good to use as long as the electroplated layer does not come off.

#6. HIC Harold 43739 Dual-Sided Tamper

Coming to the one of the kinds coffee tamping tool, this is a double-headed tamping tool with two different diameters. This tool makes tamping convenient to the point when you can easily use it for differently sized portafilters.

Having differently sized portafilter is a common notion for the restaurants and coffee bars. In fact, some coffee lovers also invest in getting a wide range of coffee products for brewing coffee perfectly.

Additionally, the material of the tamping tool has the stainless steel plated on the metal base throughout the body. Whereas, the flimsy layer might peel off after a few times of use.

Nevertheless, using this espresso tamper will certainly save a huge sum of money that you might spend buying different portafilters.

#7. SMKF Coffee Distributor Palm Espresso Tampers

Starting with the compact tamper, this is an adjustable espresso presser with a firm gripping handle. In fact, you can use this tamper either for tamping or leveling the grounds.

Moreover, this tamper has greater benefit for tamping vertically as well as without using much of effort. Because of the compact design of the tamping tool, tamping the grounds using your palms is a great option.

Not to mention, adjustable height of the tamper allows you to set the suitable measure of the tool. Along with that, the wide handle of the tool with its diameter measuring 64 mm is easy to use.

Lastly, you can choose the espresso tamper from its various color options. It means the handle of the tamper will have a different color with the constant stainless steel silver shade on its tamping base.

#8. Motalius 58mm Espresso Tamper – Solid Unibody Design

Motalius is the premium product for tamping the coffee grounds which not only has the precise body but also precise material selection. The stainless steel presser tool has the unibody tamping base and the handle.

In addition to that, the Motalius tamper is the tamping tool of the kind you usually watch the Baristas use. The rugged build quality and the shiny finish of the tamper makes this product the best.

However, the cost of the product might not be the cheapest you have used so far. Along with that, some users have noticed the uneven finish of the tamping head

Nonetheless, we don’t doubt the quality of the product being objectionable but a few products of some batch might have had the defects. Also, getting this espresso tamper is way more affordable if you plan on having a pressing tool which both looks good as well as tamps good.

#9. Purple Mountain Tamper for Espresso Coffee

Here, we have a heavy tamp-tool for espresso which hardly requires any external pressure. Moreover, using the unibody espresso tamper made of solid stainless steel never gets any better than using the Purple Mountain.

Additionally, the range of four different espresso tampers allows you to choose the most appropriate product for its diameter fitting in your portafilter.

Further, this product despite having a huge price tag is amongst the favorites for most of the Baristas. Because of the tamper weighing about 1.5 pounds with the solid stainless steel body makes tamping the task of confidence than bothering for precision.

Having said that, tamping the grounds rightly will not be a hassle for you even if you are learning to tamp apparently.

#10. Motta 8100/B Coffee Tamper 58mm Tamper Base

With the last review of our list of best espresso tampers from different brands, here comes the Motta tamper. It is another tamper which is the preference for many Baristas for its precise design.

Adding to the fact, this espresso tamper comes with the wooden handle namely of the ash wood. It gives a premium feel to the tamper gives one of the best experiences you have brewing the espressos.

In the same manner, the flat tamping face of the espresso presser with utmost smoothness. In fact, the mirror-like finish gives an error-free tamp to the grounds.

Lastly, you get to choose between the three products which vary in color of the handle. Whereas, the dimensions remain the same for each of those variants.

THE ENDNOTE

To summarize the review, we have seen the use and importance of tamping along with getting through the best espresso tampers available on the market. Also, the guide for buying the tamper which helps you to narrow down your search for an espresso tamper to the best one.

We hope, you have a clear idea for which product to go for. Still, you can ask us any doubt regarding the coffee topics via commenting and we will be more than happy to assist you.