You'll probably be aware of the fact that if you use an espresso machine, you need a tamper. But you may not know how big of an impact they can have on the taste and quality of your beverage. Whether it's for a quick morning shot or you need something that can stand up to the rigours of a modern cafe environment, a high-quality coffee tamper is well worth the investment.
Most home machines come with a plastic espresso tamper, but these are practically useless if you want to get the most from your beans. The best coffee tampers are durable, ergonomic, and easy to use without putting pressure on your wrist. We've picked ten recommendations available in the UK from great brands like De'Longhi, LuxHaus, and Apexstone!
Quick List - Top Coffee Tampers
De'Longhi
A Quality Wooden-Handled Tamper From One of the World’s Premier Coffee Machine Manufacturers
LuxHaus
This Precise, Calibrated Pressure Option Takes the Strain Out of Tamping
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The most important thing to keep in mind is the size of your portafilter baskets as this ensures that your tamper will slot neatly inside. If your tamper is too small, you're going to end up with an uneven tamp that will negatively affect the taste of your espresso. If it's too big, it simply won't fit inside the basket at all.
You can make sure a tamper fits by measuring your portafilter's diameter straight across the middle. The tamper should be slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the portafilter basket. Most home espresso machines sit between 49 and 53 mm, with 51 mm being the most common, while commercial machine baskets are usually 58 mm in diameter.
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Depending on whether you're diving headfirst into the world of speciality coffee or you're simply looking for something to wake you up in the morning, you'll want to put some thought into how comfortable the tamper is to use. If you have smaller hands, you may want to consider a tamper that's shorter than 90 mm. However, a lot of it is down to preference and even how it looks on your counter.
When it comes to weight, a heavier tamper tends to indicate a higher quality as the extra mass helps to compact the coffee grinds more efficiently. A lighter tamper will require more force which, combined with a handle that's too tall, can cause injuries and strains if used regularly.
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Finally, you'll want to put some consideration into the materials a tamper is made from. The majority of bases are made from either stainless steel or an aluminium alloy to protect against corrosion while being safe to use with foodstuffs. Aluminium is cheaper and lighter than steel but not as durable in the long term.
For the handle, the main choice is between wood and plastic. While this mostly comes down to personal preference, most professional baristas prefer the feel of wood over a rubber or plastic handle when used regularly. Synthetic materials, however, tend to be easier to clean.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | De'Longhi Coffee Tamper|DLSC058 | ![]() | A Quality Wooden-Handled Tamper From One of the World’s Premier Coffee Machine Manufacturers | |
2 | Aptspade Coffee Tamper | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly Option for 51 mm Baskets That’s a Pleasure to Use | |
3 | LuxHaus Calibrated Pressure Tamper | ![]() | This Precise, Calibrated Pressure Option Takes the Strain Out of Tamping | |
4 | Apexstone Coffee Distributor & Tamper | ![]() | Distribute and Tamp at the Same Time With This Unique Option | |
5 | Motta Competition Coffee Tamper|8102/M | ![]() | A Competition-Worthy Tamper That's Both Comfortable and Stylish | |
6 | Dailyart Coffee Tamper | ![]() | A Great Entry Point for Budding Baristas and Commercial Machines | |
7 | Diguo Elegance Wooden Coffee Tamper | ![]() | An Aesthetically Pleasing Accessory With Different Height Settings for Smaller Baskets | |
8 | Omgogo Stainless Steel Coffee Tamper | ![]() | A Solid Tamper for a 49 mm Basket With a Wooden Handle | |
9 | RSVP International Dual Sided Coffee Espresso Tamper | ![]() | A Simple and Effective Dual-Sided Tamper Made From an Aluminium Alloy | |
10 | De'Longhi Coffee Scoop & Tamper | ![]() | A Cheap and Convenient Choice for Those Who Enjoy Milk and Sugar in Their Morning Coffee |
De'Longhi is one of the world's leading brands when it comes to home coffee machines, so it's no surprise that their espresso tampers meet the same high-quality standards. This two-part tamper has a wooden handle and stainless steel base, which unscrew from one another for easy cleaning.
It is weighty without feeling too bulky, meaning it's easy to line up an even tamp and press down without too much pressure. If you're looking for the perfect accompaniment to a home espresso machine, this is one of the best around – and it doesn't break the bank.
This coffee tamper from Aptspade is made from a chrome-plated aluminium alloy that is non-corrosive. At 200 grams, it's got a nice weight to it while being on the lighter end of the spectrum for those who don't want something too hefty.
Thanks to the flattened top, it's comfortable to use for people with both large and small hands, even though the tamper itself is quite short. As a massive step up from any flimsy plastic options included with most machines, this is well worth the small investment.
If you're looking for precision and uniformity when making your morning espresso, this calibrated pressure tamper from LuxHaus is a premium option that won't disappoint. Although it's a tall tamper, you won't have any issues with discomfort or strain.
The calibrated compression mechanism means that no matter how hard you press down, the same amount of force will be applied. This removes one of the many variables that can affect the taste of your coffee, resulting in a consistently better cup.
The unique design of this tamper allows you to use the palm of your hand in order to create a consistently even tamp by having a straight arm at a right angle from your work surface. When used, it evens out the top of your grinds as well as tamping.
Even though it has a low profile, it's incredibly durable and weighty at 490 grams, meaning that the risk of you straining your wrist is at a minimum. If you've tried other tampers and take issue with their handles, this is well worth picking up.
For those playing around with a commercial-grade espresso machine, the Competition Coffee Tamper from Motta is a worthwhile investment. Whether you have lofty career goals in the coffee industry or you're an avid hobbyist, this is the sort of tamper used by the pros.
At over 531 grams, it is a heavy-duty option that'll only require the lightest touch to get an even tamp. The stainless steel base and wooden handle combine to create something that is both comfortable to use and aesthetically pleasing.
If you're a fan of barista-quality espresso but are new to the world of making your own, this calibrated coffee tamper from Dailyart is a great starting point. No matter how hard you press, the tamper provides thirty pounds (roughly 13 kg) of force indicated with a satisfying click.
The plastic handle makes it easy to clean, but some people may not find it the most comfortable option on the market. For those making the step up from home espresso machine to commercial, this is an excellent first purchase to achieve a consistent cup.
This elegant tamper from Diguo features a removable spacer sitting between the base and handle that allows you to change the height for maximum comfort. The wooden handle has a lovely finish and the two-tone effect is certainly handsome.
There is a rubber coating on the top of the base that some may find uncomfortable, but others may prefer the softer material on their fingertips. If you're looking for a beautiful tamper for a smaller basket size, give this one a go.
There's a lot to like about this stainless steel coffee tamper from Omgogo; the wooden handle is comfortable, it has a nice weight, and the customer reviews are extremely positive. If you're after something for a 49 mm basket, you can't go too far wrong with this option.
While there aren't any noticeable drawbacks to this tamper, there's also not much to get excited about. It doesn't represent a fantastic bargain or have a stunning aesthetic, it's just a solid tamper that does exactly what it sets out to do.
Made from a heavy die-cast aluminium alloy, this dual-sided espresso tamper from RSVP International is a simple but effective tool. Compatible with both 51 and 53 mm baskets, it's easy to use and easy to clean.
While a dual-sided coffee tamper sounds like a good idea at first, the reality is that you're unlikely to have two different basket sizes on your coffee machine. Still, if you're looking for something cheap that's a step up from a plastic option and will make use of both sizes, this is a good buy.
It'd be remiss if we didn't include this Coffee Scoop & Tamper combo from De'Longhi. It actually makes quite a convenient choice for those who like their morning coffee with plenty of milk and sugar. If you're after a cheap option and aren't too bothered about flavour notes and taste profiles, this could be useful.
On the other hand, if you want to get the most from your espresso and enjoy playing around with different recipes and beans, as a tamper this is next to useless. It's fine for popping pre-ground beans into a basket and flattening them somewhat, though.
No. 1: De'Longhi|Coffee Tamper|DLSC058
No. 2: Aptspade|Coffee Tamper
No. 3: LuxHaus |Calibrated Pressure Tamper
No. 4: Apexstone|Coffee Distributor & Tamper
No. 5: Motta|Competition Coffee Tamper|8102/M
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