Manual espresso makers under $100 — actually drinkable, or just pour-over with extra steps?
I am cheap and I already do pour-over every morning. I keep seeing Flair-style manual espresso presses around $80 and I am tempted, but I suspect this is a trap: the press is $80 and then I 'need' a $200 grinder to make it taste like anything. Has anyone actually stuck with a sub-$100 manual press for months? Is the espresso real, or should I stay in my lane?
1 answer
- Real espresso, but it's a whole ritual
I have used a manual press for about eight months and yes, the espresso is real — thick, syrupy shots, genuinely better than my old moka pot. But your suspicion is half right: the grinder matters more than the press. I pair mine with a decent hand grinder and preheating the brew head is non-negotiable or the shots run sour. If you love the pour-over routine and hate fuss, you will resent it within a month. If you enjoy the process, it's the best $80 in coffee.