Flair The NEO Flex with Carrying Case UPDATED Direct Lever Manual Espresso Maker for Beginners and Travel -

I've been interested in the Flair models for some time as a vacation/camping option, but the added cost of adding a pressure gauge had me look towards other options. I used the Staresso Plus last year with good results, but it started to fall apart pretty quickly with moderate use. This Flair 2024 refresh, with it's inclusion of a pressure gauge and affordable pricing, was a great purchase for my last vacation. With the correct grind, this makes fantastic espresso shots using the included black "naked" portafilter - if fact the included red one can be converted to "naked" by removing the pressurized bottom section, which is great for puck prep and pulling multiple shots in a row! The base is just two parts and is easily disassembled for portability. This refresh intentionally thinned the metal of the unit to avoid some of the pre-heating time that previous models required - again, is great for camping/vacation use cases! I've used Rancilio Silvia's for daily espresso for several decades and can attest to the quality of the shots this can produce (under the typical right conditions of grind/tamp/pressure/heat). I do wonder about the longevity of some of the components. The base is plastic, but seems sturdy, although it does make some creaking noises when pulling shots. The pressure gauge is rudimentary at best and does not specify bars - so this is something that could fail prematurely. Also of concern are the gaskets - I'm not sure if Flair sells replacements, but it would be great if they do to extend the life of the product. Read more

Let me start off by saying I think it's better to buy this from the Flair website than on Amazon. Amazon will likely get you the product faster, but they don't sell the Nespresso pod adapter on Amazon. You can also easily find coupons for your first purchase on Flair's site. In case you're wondering why I say this and still bought from Amazon, I didn't know about the pod adapter until after I got my order from Amazon. Now, if you know that you won't ever use pods with this, then just buy it from Amazon. It's the same product, (at the time I'm writing this) the same price, and it'll likely get to you faster. But I really think the pod adapter is worth it. I've only made one proper espresso with this machine so far, and it was a bit fiddly to do. You need to separate everything, put the cylinder in its cap thing, pour hot water in to heat the cylinder, prep the portafilter (grind then add in your coffee and evenly tamp it down), empty the water chamber, assemble everything, then pull the lever making sure that you maintain the right pressure for the right amount of time of extraction, then clean everything up. It's not difficult, but it's not something that's fun when you are looking for your caffeine fix at the start of the day. I'm sure after enough practice I won't think it's a big deal, but removing the bit with the espresso grounds is amazing when I just want something quick. Though the taste of my properly made shot was better than the pods I bought. Anyway, five stars still because this thing works perfectly and makes a great shot of espresso. Read more

I think this is an excellent product. The first time I used it, after reading the instructions and watching a few videos, it felt a bit tricky. But by the second try, it became super easy to use. I didn’t give it 5 stars because, for me, a 5 is at the level of a professional espresso machine. However, after using it more than five times, I started experimenting with coffee grind size, water temperature, and other details until I achieved results that honestly surprised me. Since this is only for making espresso, I bought a milk frother, but I didn’t like it—my coffee came out too foamy. Now, I simply heat the milk and pour it into the espresso, and it makes a perfect classic café con leche. Truly excellent. The only downside, and I saw this mentioned in a couple of other reviews, is that making a shot takes a bit of time. Still, if you have the patience to enjoy a good coffee every now and then, and with some practice, you can make a double shot in about five minutes. Definitely recommended, especially for the great price. Read more

I really enjoy making espresso with my flair. It's a good result for the $. I found the alignment of the pressure gauge to not fit very well, so much that it reduces the ability of the head to build pressure because it's not centered when the gauge is used. I returned it. Additionally there is a major design flaw in the silicone base used to preheat the chamber. The first time I used it I picked up the chamber and the bottom dropped out spilling hot water down the front of me. Flair provided some technique suggestions, which I felt were totally inappropriate versus addressing the bad design and foreseeable safety issues with using a silicone mold that has no connection to the chamber. If they keep this up they are asking for legal trouble. I would suggest they actually redesign the component so that it attached securely and make it right for people. Update- The very thin piece of plastic that holds the lower rubber gasket on has broken. I have reached out to flair, but have received no response to the warranty request. Lowering review to 1 star for absolutely no follow up regarding outreach. Read more