Best overall
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8.4Great
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Espresso Machines5$500
Community favorite
Flair Espresso
Flair 58 Plus 2
Direct-lever 58 mm espresso press with a built-in preheater and gauge: superb shots and full pressure control, with a steep learning curve.
8.3
Great
Coffee Reviews score
See the breakdown →
Community
—/10
- Type
- Manual lever espresso maker
- Operation
- Direct lever; you generate pressure by hand
- Portafilter
- 58 mm walnut-handled; high-dose, low-dose and pressurized baskets
- Typical price
- $699
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Last reviewed October 17, 2026 by the Coffee Reviews editors · How we score
Direct-lever 58 mm espresso press with a built-in preheater and gauge: superb shots and full pressure control, with a steep learning curve.
Flair's flagship manual espresso maker: you pour kettle water into a preheated stainless brew chamber and pull the lever while watching a pressure gauge, giving full control over pre-infusion and pressure profiles. The integrated preheat controller offers 85, 90 and 95°C settings, it uses a 58 mm portafilter with three baskets, and Flair backs it with a 5-year limited warranty. It makes espresso only (no steam wand) and needs a capable grinder and a kettle.
Best for
- Espresso enthusiasts who want to profile pressure by hand
- Straight-espresso drinkers
- Small kitchens and travel (it unplugs to brew)
What we like
- Full control over pre-infusion and pressure with a built-in gauge
- Integrated three-step preheat controller
- 58 mm portafilter with three baskets and a stainless brew path
- 5-year limited warranty and a compact footprint
Watch-outs
- Steep learning curve and unforgiving puck prep
- Needs a separate high-quality grinder and a kettle
- No steam wand for milk drinks
- About 10 minutes of preheating per session
How it scored
The breakdown.
8.3Great
Gear score out of 10, weighted across five factors.
- Performance30%9.0
Manual pressure profiling with a 58 mm basket and gauge; Coffeeness was blown away by the pre-infusion and pressure control and got full-bodied, complex shots.
- Build & reliability20%9.0
Stainless brew path, solid lever frame and a 5-year limited warranty on the stand and metal brew-head parts.
- Ease of use15%6.2
Steep learning curve, around 10 minutes of preheating, unforgiving 58 mm puck prep, and you need a kettle and a capable grinder; no steam wand.
- Value20%7.8
$699 buys shot quality reviewers compare with far pricier machines, but a quality grinder and kettle are extra and there is no milk steaming.
- Community love15%8.6
Widely reviewed by espresso creators (Lance Hedrick, Daddy Got Coffee, Liz Happybeans), with praise for cup quality and debate over the manual ritual.
Creator video reviews
Watch it in action.
2 positive2 mixed
Independent creators, verified with YouTube and TikTok. We don’t pay for reviews and creators don’t pay us.
What people are saying
From the forums.
Verbatim from Reddit, forums and long-term owner write-ups — linked so you can read the full thread.
“Seriously, I was blown away by the way I was able to gently pre-infuse my coffee puck before ramping up the pressure, then gently reduce pressure toward the end of the extraction.”
“As I’ve mentioned elsewhere in this Flair 58 review, there’s quite a steep learning curve involved in mastering this machine.”
“Seeing as this Flair espresso machine is equipped with a 58mm portafilter, it’s not at all forgiving of mistakes during puck prep.”
Specifications
By the numbers.
- Model
- 05116559B
- Operation
- Direct lever; you generate pressure by hand
- Portafilter
- 58 mm walnut-handled; high-dose, low-dose and pressurized baskets
- Dose
- 16–20 g standard
- Capacity
- 90 ml water; yield up to 55 ml
- Preheat
- Integrated controller: 85°C (185°F), 90°C (194°F) or 95°C (203°F)
- Pressure gauge
- Built-in
- Brew path
- All stainless steel
- Power
- Included power supply for the preheater; unplugs to brew without wires
- Milk
- None (espresso only)
- Dimensions
- 7.5 × 13 in base; 11 in tall with lever lowered
- Weight
- 12 lb
- Warranty
- 5-year limited (press stand and non-electrical brew-head parts; shorter coverage on preheat electronics)
- Brews
- Espresso
- Typical price
- $699 (checked October 2026)
Community
Member tasting notes & discussion.
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Discussion
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Own Flair Espresso Flair 58 Plus 2? Ask a question or share your recipe — you’ll be the first.
FAQ
Good questions.
Do I need a kettle?
Yes. You pour hot water into the brew chamber. Flair says a temperature-controlled kettle isn't required but makes the workflow easier, and recommends at least a kettle with a thermometer.
How does the preheat controller work?
It is built into the base with three settings, 85°C, 90°C and 95°C (185°F, 194°F and 203°F), roughly matching dark, medium and light roasts. It runs on the included power supply, and the machine unplugs so you can brew without wires.
Can it steam milk?
No. It makes espresso only; Flair sells separate stovetop and electric steam kits for the 58 Plus 2.
Alternatives
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Best value
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8.3Great
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Breville
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8.0Great
The Barista Express with assisted dosing and a 22 lb auto-tamp lever: same cup potential, far fewer beginner mistakes.
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