Quick answer: The Flair Espresso Maker is a hand-powered lever press that makes real espresso, with crema, for a fraction of the price of a lever machine, and it packs into a travel case. We reviewed the Flair Signature PRO 2. It has since been discontinued; today the Flair 49 PRO leads the PRO line, and the Flair Classic remains the budget option.
Good espresso at home usually means an expensive machine. The Flair takes a different route: you heat the water, you supply the pressure with a lever, and you control every variable. Here is how it performed for us, what it is like to live with, and which Flair to buy now.
If you really want to duplicate a shot of espresso that you get from a high-quality espresso maker, the Flair will get you there.
Lem Butler – 2016 U.S. Barista Champion
In this guide 8 sections
Which Flair espresso maker should you buy today?
Flair’s lineup has changed since our review. As of October 2026, Flair sells four espresso makers new:
| Model | Best for | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flair 2GO | Travel | Folds into a carry case; 12–18 g dose, pressure gauge | Check price on Amazon |
| Flair Classic | Budget | 12–18 g dose, up to about 40 ml of espresso | Check price on Amazon |
| Flair 49 PRO | Most home users | Successor to the PRO 2 and PRO 3; pressure gauge, 12–20 g dose, up to 55 ml | Check price on Amazon |
| Flair 58 Plus 2 | Enthusiasts | 58 mm portafilter, built-in brew-head preheating | Check price on Amazon |
The Signature and Signature PRO 2 we reviewed are no longer sold new; Flair’s old Signature page now redirects to the Classic, and the PRO 2 and PRO 3 are only available refurbished. Our impressions below still describe how a Flair works and feels, and the 49 PRO is the closest current model.
Our Flair Signature PRO 2 review
As a long-time espresso fan, it was love at first sight. A special thanks to Andrew and the team behind Flair Espresso for providing the Flair Signature PRO 2 we reviewed.
When you first hold the Flair, the quality and attention to detail are evident. Everything feels solid, and small touches such as the embossed logos give it an executive feel. It costs a fraction of what most lever espresso machines cost while brewing high-quality espresso.
Click here to check pricing and to read more reviews
Where the Flair came from
Flair launched on Kickstarter in 2016 from Intact Idea, a California company. It beat its $45,000 goal, raising $57,722 from 371 backers. Lem Butler, the 2016 US Barista Champion, later became Flair’s first ambassador.
What comes in the box
The Signature PRO 2 came with a bottomless portafilter, a pressure gauge, a stainless steel tamper and a stylish travel case designed to carry the Flair on trips. These are the parts:
Flair Base
The base is made of polished aluminum with four rubber feet to prevent sliding
Flair Piston Arm Assembly
This is the lever part of the flair that pushes down to build presser to brew the espresso
Flair Brewing Cylinder
This is the large stainless steel cylinder that holds all the pressure while brewing
Flair Filter Portafilter
This is where you put the coffee grounds and is inserted into the brewing cylinder when brewing
Dispersion Screen
This goes on top of the ground coffee in the portafilter and prevents the water from disturbing the coffee
Stainless Steel Spout
The spout helps with brewing and cleaning and attaches to the bottom of the portafilter
Preheat Cap
This fits onto the bottom of the cylinder and allows you to pour boiling water to preheat the flair
Stainless Steel Tamper
The stainless steel tamper is an upgraded tamper that is very heavy
Drip Tray
The drip tray fits into the base of the flair and catches any linger drops of espresso
Piston with Pressure Gauge
This is the piece that creates pressure when pushed down on the water and fits inside the brewing cylinder
Dosing Cup & Tamper
The dosing cup can be used as a tamper and to measure your beans before brewing
Filling Funnel
This funnel helps pour your coffee grounds into the portafilter
Our Signature with the basic accessories weighed 3.5 lb, light enough to pack for travel. Assembled, the base measured 12.5″ by 7″ and stood 10.5″ tall, small enough for any counter.
Assembly
The Flair arrives unassembled, but it takes a minute: slot the lever assembly into the base and fix it with the included screw and hex key, fit the drip tray, then press the portafilter into the brewing cylinder and place it on the lever assembly.
How do you brew espresso with the Flair?
Because the Flair is not electric (apart from the 58 series’ heated brew head), you heat the water and preheat the parts yourself. In short:
- Preheat the brewing cylinder with boiling water. A tip we got from Flair: set the cylinder over the steam hole of your kettle while the water boils.
- Grind finely for espresso, dose the portafilter, tamp lightly and add the dispersion screen.
- Assemble the cylinder and portafilter on the lever, add hot water, and pre-infuse by pulling the lever gently.
- Pull the lever down firmly until the gauge reads in the espresso zone and hold it. Flair’s own guide suggests 6–9 bar for about 35–45 seconds.
If shots run much longer, grind coarser; if they gush through quickly, grind finer. Our Signature PRO 2 produced up to about 50 ml of espresso. For our full recipe, dialing-in tips and pre-infusion technique, read our guide on how to pull the perfect espresso with the Flair.
What makes the Flair special?
The Flair makes real espresso, with no automation at all, and that is what makes it fun. You learn how fine to grind (the hardest part), how hard to tamp, how to preheat and how much pressure gives the best shot. The look and feel are excellent, and everyone who sees it is curious about it.
It is also portable: it comes in a travel case and packs up by unscrewing one bolt. If you brew on the road, see our guide to coffee makers for camping.
What are the downsides of the Flair?
Making espresso for a crowd is a lot of work. With one brew head and cylinder, you have to clean and preheat between shots, so you cannot pull back-to-back shots the way you can on a regular machine. For a long-term test of one machine, read our Maxim’s La Seine X review after six months of daily use.
It is also slow. My estimate is about 10 minutes per shot, and it is hands-on the whole time, before you count cleanup. If you need a quick coffee before work, the Flair may not be for you; an electric machine from our best espresso machines list will be faster.
How does the Flair compare with other manual espresso makers?
- ROK: a similar lever concept, but the Flair looks and feels higher quality.
- Handpresso: smaller, but in our experience its shots were weak; the Flair reaches real espresso pressure with thick crema.
- La Pavoni Europiccola: its built-in boiler saves work, but it costs far more, gives you less control over water temperature, and tends to overheat when pulling several shots in a row.
For the price, few machines match the Flair’s results. Read the reviews on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Flair espresso maker worth it?
Yes, if you enjoy a hands-on ritual. It delivers authentic espresso on a well-built platform for far less than a lever machine. If you want speed or convenience, an electric machine is a better fit.
Is the Flair Signature PRO 2 discontinued?
Yes. Flair no longer sells the Signature, PRO 2 or PRO 3 new. The Flair 49 PRO is the current model in the PRO line.
What is the difference between the Flair Signature and the Signature PRO 2?
The Signature PRO 2 uses Flair’s larger PRO brew head and adds an ergonomic silicone grip on the lever; the Signature uses the smaller standard brew head (Flair support). Our PRO 2 also came with a pressure gauge and a bottomless portafilter. Both are discontinued, and the Flair 49 PRO is the closest current model.
Do you need a special grinder for the Flair?
You need a grinder that can grind finely and consistently for espresso, which in practice means a good burr grinder. Pre-ground coffee is usually too coarse.
Conclusion
The Flair has everything you need to brew barista-quality espresso and makes a great first impression on the counter. The only caveat is the learning curve and the manual process, but once you get the hang of it, it is a joy to use. Overall, the Flair is an excellent value that delivers authentic espresso.
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It’s impossible to get information on the Flair site since the beginning of the month. Are they “alive”?