What is the best compact espresso machine for beginners?

For beginners who want to learn the craft, the Gaggia Classic Pro is the best compact espresso machine. It offers professional features in a small footprint.

Is a compact espresso machine worth it?

Yes. Modern compact espresso machines often use the same internal pumps and heating elements as larger machines, just with smaller water reservoirs and fewer bells and whistles.

Can I use a Nespresso as a compact espresso machine?

Absolutely. If convenience and size are your top priorities, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus is an excellent compact choice that requires zero barista skills.

The Best Spring Loaded Coffee Tamper for Perfect Espresso

Daniel Norris Dec 18, 2025 9:32:24 AM

Coffee Espresso

If you have an espresso machine at home, you probably have a plastic "tamper" that came in the box. It feels like a toy, it’s light as a feather, and it is almost certainly ruining your coffee.

Even if you have a solid metal tamper, you still have a variable to deal with: You.

Are you pressing down with 30 pounds of pressure? 15 pounds? Is your arm perfectly level? If you tamp unevenly, the water will find the path of least resistance (channeling), and your espresso will taste sour or bitter.

The solution is simple: You need a spring loaded coffee tamper.

Why Spring Loaded?

A spring loaded coffee tamper takes the guesswork out of the process. It has an internal mechanism that clicks or releases only when you hit a specific pressure threshold (usually around 30lbs). It also typically features a "leveling plate" that sits on the rim of your portafilter, ensuring you can't tamp crookedly.

It turns a skill that takes months to master into something you can do perfectly on your first try. Which I personally have loved as I entered the at-home espresso world.

MY CHOICE: TIMEMORE 58mm Espresso Tamper

You can spend hundreds of dollars on precision tampers, but you don't need to. The TIMEMORE 58mm Espresso Tamper is the best spring loaded coffee tamper for the money.

Here is why I use it:

Consistency: It clicks at the exact same pressure every single time.
Leveling: The outer ring rests on the basket, so it is physically impossible to tamp at a weird angle.
Feel: It is heavy, solid, and satisfying to use. It makes the "toy" tampers feel embarrassing.

The Setup

This tamper is a 58mm size, which makes it the perfect upgrade for the Gaggia Classic Pro E24 Espresso Machine. The Gaggia is a fantastic machine, but the stock plastic tamper it comes with is famously terrible. Pairing the Gaggia with the Timemore tamper is the single biggest "quality of life" upgrade you can make.

Don't Forget The Beans

A perfect tamp can't save stale beans. If you are using old coffee, no amount of precision tamping will make it taste good.

I highly recommend setting up a subscription with Trade Coffee. They send you beans that are roasted to order, meaning they are at peak freshness when they hit your doorstep.

Get the right beans, get the spring loaded coffee tamper, and stop guessing your way through your morning espresso.