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A high quality espresso tamper, correctly sized for your espresso machine and portafilter, is a critical yet often overlooked piece of equipment for every home barista.
Choosing a coffee tamper for your equipment, needs and budget can be confusing hence we have created a shortlist of the best espresso tampers available today.
Before we get started, an alternative tamper option which we recommend considering is an espresso distributor tool which nowadays often comes complete with a combined tamper built in.
Comparison of Espresso Tampers
| Brand | Tamper Sizes | Our Rating |
| Motalius | 58mm tamper | 4.6/5 |
| Normcore | 58.3mm tamper | 3.5/5 |
| HIC Dual-Sided | 55mm tamper | 4.0/5 |
| Diguo Elegance | 53mm tamper | 4.5/5 |
| Omgogo Distributor | 51mm tamper | 4.5/5 |
| BlueSnail | 51mm tamper | 4.5/5 |
Before selecting an espresso tamper, it’s really important that you know exactly what size tamper you require for your espresso machine. If you’re not sure which size you need then please refer to this super handy size chart.
Okay, now that you know what tamper size you need, let’s take a look at our top picks:
1. Motalius Espresso Tamper 58mm
Motalius has received a lot of positive feedback over the years. The primary reason behind this is its magnificent design language. Carved out of a stainless steel block, this great tamper looks so exquisite that it can easily be mistaken for a paperweight.
However, don’t let the looks fool you.
Motalius has given complete attention to functionality by making it rust-resistant, uniformly weighted, and low maintenance. Check the inner diameter of your portafilter before making the purchase, as the tamping base is a bit larger.
2. Normcore Spring Combo 58.3mm Tamper
The espresso coffee temper by Normcore Spring ensures that you get the exact flavor of smooth and creamy coffee straight out of your espresso machine, like you get from the professional baristas out there.
The Normcore Tamper was designed with the simplicity and authenticity of coffee preparation in mind, ensuring perfectly leveled, completely flat, and thoroughly compacted espresso grounds every time.
Your even tamp will always be perpendicular to the coffee surface since the flange of the coffee leveler sits perfectly on the rim of the filter basket. The equipment comes in good quality packaging that includes a useful aluminum alloy tamper stand to protect your tamper from scratches.
3. HIC Dual-Sided Espresso Tamper 55mm
This one is ideal for those on a tight budget who want to find the best tamper for their coffee distribution.
The HIC dual-sided tamper is made of heavy-duty aluminum, which saves money but has no effect on its usability or safety. This heavy tamper is simple to clean and does not require any special expertise to use when tamping.
For a thicker, more flavorful espresso beverage, HIC’s Dual-Sided Espresso Tamper compresses ground espresso coffee into a consistent shot.
4. Diguo 53mm Tamper
Coming with warm undertones of brown, black, and silver, this distribution tool has a dual height feature, making it highly versatile. It works well with most of the 58mm portafilter baskets and is manufactured using food safe stainless steel.
The ergonomic handle with smooth texture ensures a firm grip and improved stability.
Diguo offers this tamper in four different sizes – 49mm, 51mm, 53mm, and 58mm. Measure your portafilter carefully before making your purchase.
A 1-2 mm extra margin width is acceptable.
5. Omgogo Distribution Tool / Tamper 51mm
If you want the perfect blend of functionality and comfort, then this is the product for you. Omgogo adds a classic touch to this tamper by reinforcing the handle with warm rosewood with a smooth rounded texture for a comfortable grip.
Four size options, no-frill face, and stainless steel build are some features that make this product worth the price.
6. BlueSnail Tamper 51mm
If you’re looking for a sturdy and heavy weighted tamper, Blue Snail’s tamper could be the best choice for you. This tool is made up of iron and stainless steel in order to keep up with durability.
Its heaviness also makes sure that the good espresso coffee grounds are leveled or tamped perfectly, leaving no signs of lumps.
This tamper fits perfectly with the portafilter basket and works completely fine with espresso machines like the EC860, Capresso EC100, DeLonghi Dedica, Capresso EC Pro, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a coffee tamper do?
A coffee tamper is a tool used by home and professional baristas to evenly disperse and compress the ground coffee beans in the portafilter. This is an important step in the coffee brewing process to ensure maximum flavor and crema is extracted from the coffee beans during extraction.
Does a coffee tamper make a difference?
A coffee tamper makes a notable difference in the taste of your good espresso and the thickness and richness of the crema. By tamping the coffee grind prior to extraction, to prevent channeling which can compromise the coffee taste.
What can I use instead of a coffee tamper?
While you could use anything from a beer bottle to a teaspoon as a coffee tamper we don’t recommend it because it’s critical that the tamper is sized correctly for your portafilter to ensure an even tamp distribution of coffee and prevent micro channeling during coffee extraction
Should you tamp your coffee?
You should always tamp your coffee prior to pulling the perfect espresso shot. Why? Because this will enhance the flavor and crema of your great espresso.
Verdict
Hopefully by now you understand the importance of tamping and, therefore, of selecting the best coffee tamper which is correctly sized for your portafilter.
After countless hours of testing we recommend these tampers as the best-in-class and you can select accordingly based on which diameter you need for your espresso machine:
- Best 58mm tamper: Motalius
- Best 55mm tamper: HIC Dual-Sided
- Best 53mm tamper: Diguo Elegance
- Best 51mm espresso presser: Omgogo Distributor & Tamper
