Flair NEO Flex Espresso Maker Review
The Flair NEO Flex is a manual espresso maker that promises café-quality coffee at home. With a price tag of $99 and a robust rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 532 reviews, it certainly piques interest.
This updated version includes a pressure gauge and two portafilters, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned baristas. Let’s dive into what makes the Flair NEO Flex a standout choice for home espresso enthusiasts.
Upon unboxing the Flair NEO Flex, the quality of the build immediately stood out. The metal frame and the smart design for easy assembly and disassembly make it perfect for both home use and travel.
Using the Flair NEO Flex has been a rewarding experience. The manual lever system offers complete control over the extraction process, allowing for experimentation with different pressure profiles. The espresso produced is consistently rich and flavorful, easily rivaling that of high-end machines.
Handcraft Espresso at Home
The Flair NEO Flex allows you to handcraft espresso from the comfort of your home. This 100% human-powered, manual espresso press makes it possible to produce professional-quality shots of espresso. By adding 60ml of boiled water and a dose of up to 18 grams, you can yield a 40 ml shot with beautiful crema. This feature is particularly appealing to those who enjoy a hands-on approach to their coffee-making experience.
Key Product Updates
The updated NEO Flex now boasts two essential updates: an integrated pressure gauge and a new thin brewing cylinder that requires no preheat. These enhancements make brewing espresso even more straightforward and ensure you get delicious results every time. The pressure gauge provides direct feedback while brewing, helping you achieve the perfect shot.
Choose Your Portafilter
The Flair NEO Flex comes with two different portafilters, allowing users to choose between convenience and control. The red Flow Control portafilter doesn’t require a high-quality burr grinder and automatically generates the pressure needed for excellent espresso extraction. For those seeking more control, the Bottomless 2-in-1 Portafilter is available but requires a high-quality burr grinder.
Brews Real Espresso
The lever system of the NEO Flex can generate between 6-9 BAR of pressure, essential for extracting café-quality espresso. This system gives users complete control over their extraction, allowing them to brew at different pressure profiles to achieve their desired taste. The NEO Flex ensures that you get real espresso, whether at home or on the go.
Espresso Within Reach
Constructed from a lightweight poly frame, the NEO Flex is both strong and durable while being light enough to take anywhere. The design draws on Flair’s existing lever-based espresso technology, guaranteeing delicious espresso every time. This portability makes it an excellent choice for those who want quality espresso without being confined to their kitchen.
Easy to Clean
Cleaning the Flair NEO Flex is a breeze thanks to its patented, removable brewing head. After brewing your espresso, you can easily remove the entire brewing head, separate the parts, and rinse them with cool water. This straightforward cleaning process means you can spend more time enjoying your coffee and less time on maintenance.
First Impressions
Upon opening the box, the first thing you’ll notice is the high quality of the Flair NEO Flex. The grey finished metal frame, combined with the red and stainless color of the group head and portafilter, gives it a premium look. The frame attaches and detaches smartly, making it stable yet easy to take apart for storage or travel.
Sexy Plastic Coffee Juicer
The Flair NEO Flex excels at making lattes, offering a smoother workflow than expected. The narrow filter gives a ton of body to the shots, which complements milk well. This design makes both expensive and cheap beans taste good, allowing you to enjoy quality lattes without breaking the bank.
An Amazing Achievement
The Flair NEO Flex produces real espresso at a surprisingly low price, but it does require some practice. Users need to understand some principles and techniques to get the best results. If you’re willing to invest the time to learn, this machine offers an unbeatable bargain for espresso enthusiasts.
Easy Journey into Espresso
The Flair NEO Flex serves as an excellent introduction to espresso, particularly for those new to the craft. The pressurized portafilters are user-friendly and allow for good results even with pre-ground coffee. Upgrading to the bottomless portafilter can provide an even better experience, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and more experienced users.
Pros:
- Produces professional quality espresso at home.
- Comes with both pressurized and non-pressurized portafilters for versatility.
- Easy to clean with a removable brewing head.
Cons:
- Requires some learning and practice to use effectively.
- Plastic components may seem less durable.
- Small capacity and longer workflow compared to electric machines.
Read also:
- Ultimate 20 Bar Home Espresso Machine Review
- Gaggia Brera: A Reliable Espresso Machine
- Barista-Level Coffee at Home: Philips 2200 Review
Conclusion
In summary, the Flair NEO Flex is an excellent entry-level manual espresso maker that offers a lot of value for its price. Its portability, ease of use, and quality of espresso make it a great investment for coffee lovers.
Whether you are new to espresso making or looking for a reliable backup machine, the Flair NEO Flex is a solid choice. It’s a tool that not only simplifies the process but also makes it enjoyable.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Can I use pre-ground coffee with the Flair NEO Flex?
Answer: Yes, the Flair NEO Flex comes with a pressurized portafilter that allows you to use pre-ground coffee and still get good results.
Question: Do I need to preheat the machine before brewing?
Answer: No, the updated NEO Flex features a thin brewing cylinder that requires no preheating.
Question: Is the Flair NEO Flex suitable for travel?
Answer: Yes, its lightweight poly frame makes it durable yet portable, ideal for taking on trips.
