| Status | Rejected |
| Time Tested | 17 Days |
| Machines Tested With |
Rancilio Silvia Breville Barista Express |
| Overall Recommendation | No |
Verdict
š“ Rejected
These tampers did not earn a place on our coffee bench.
While they performed the basic function of tamping and were reasonably comfortable to use, the poor handle finish, firm spring mechanism and tendency to collect coffee grounds made them less enjoyable to use than our existing alternatives.
What We Liked
- Reasonable weight.
- Comfortable enough during normal use.
- No loosening during testing.
- Available in both 53mm and 58mm sizes.
Why We Rejected It
The biggest disappointment was the handle. Despite being described as a wooden handle, it was actually plastic with a wood-effect finish. The finish looked and felt cheap, and the colouring was noticeably different between the 53mm and 58mm versions we tested.
We also found the spring mechanism very firm, which made the tamping experience less comfortable and consistent than our preferred tampers.
Coffee grounds quickly accumulated between the tamping plate and the plate that rests on the basket, requiring more frequent cleaning. We also noticed significant scratching on the internal shaft during the testing period.
None of these issues alone would necessarily make a tamper unusable, but together they resulted in a product we simply didn't enjoy using.
Would We Recommend It?
No.
After 10 days and approximately 20 coffees, we consistently preferred the tampers already on our bench.
A tamper is a tool you'll potentially use multiple times every day. For us, it needs to feel well-made, be comfortable and consistent to use, and be something we genuinely enjoy having in our workflow.
Lab Notes
What surprised us most was the handle. We expected a wooden handle based on the product description but received a plastic handle with a wood-effect finish. The difference in colouring between the 53mm and 58mm versions also raised concerns about consistency.
The tamper itself works, but there wasn't anything about it that made us want to reach for it over the alternatives already on our bench.
Rather than needing one or two small improvements, we think this product would require substantial changes to the materials, finish and mechanism before we'd consider testing another version.
