HUGH V4 Lever Portable Espresso Maker, Double Espresso Shot with Ridgeless Portafilter Basket, Manually Operated, Perfect for Hiking & Camping (Non- pressurized Filter)

Overall: Honestly, I didn’t think I’d enjoy this product as much as I do. It’s a great travel espresso machine, but more than that at this price, it’s a great entry level machine as well. If you’re willing to put in the effort of course. I was debating getting the Wacaco Picopresso over this, but ultimately decided the overall plastic build and failure rate of the Picopresso just wasn’t worth it. Build: While it’s not perfect, I would say it’s more than adequate for its price. The handles glide smooth and feel robust. The body is plastic, but doesn’t feel like it will break any time soon. The assembly and disassembly are straightforward and relatively easy for back to back shots. The included tamper is not great and dosing funnel is well… terrible. Yeah, don’t even bother with the funnel. Performance: Once you dial in your grind size, the shots I’ve been able to pull have been fantastic. Sure, it takes a bit of effort to dial everything in. But if you’re willing to put in that effort, the results will speak for themselves. Conclusion: With that said if you’re looking for an affordable entry level espresso machine where you can control all the variables, this will most certainly scratch that itch. As for me, I’ve been enjoying this product so much that I’ve started to look into Hugh’s more expensive Pro and Orbit machines (currently both sold out) as well as offerings from Flair, Strad and Newton Espresso to step up my game.

I like this little espresso maker. There is a learning curve and you will make quite a mess until you learn to do it properly. The only thing I didn't like with this unit is the horrible plastic funnel that came with it for the coffee grounds. It wasn't machine correctly and it falls off at the drop of a hat. It's all but useless. They're going to bother putting a funnel in there at least make it a decent one that works properly. Other than that I am completely satisfied. By the way I did buy a good funnel that works properly and stays on.

bought this from Aramex, and I’m really happy with it! It’s super easy to use, making it perfect for home, office, or even travel. The build quality feels solid, and it brews a delicious cup of coffee every time. Yes, it’s a little bit pricey, but honestly, it’s worth every penny for the convenience and quality you get. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves fresh coffee on the go!

I like that it is portable and packable but it takes a while before you can find the right mix and technique to make good coffee.

So far my favorite manual espresso maker. I own the original Flair Neo, a Staresso Pro, a nanopresso, a tripresso, etc... In terms of quality, it is right up there with my original Flair Neo, which is made entirely of metal. The leverpresso is made of plastic, but feels very heavy duty. It can be completely taken apart easily for deep cleaning. Unlike the Neo, the leverpresso can use third party baskets, which let's you use all kinds of third party accessories like tampers, puck screens, paper filters etc... the water chamber is also much larger than the other machines I own. This is advantageous for a few reasons. The large water chamber helps the device maintain a stable temperature. A smaller chamber will cool quicker, which can lead to under extraction. The large chamber also lets you pull lungo shots. In addition the water chamber can be refilled without disturbing the puck, allowing you to make 'spro-overs. This is the only manual machine I own that allows for this easily. I can do it with the Staresso, but not quite so easily. The separate stand is quite expensive. However, with the stand it functions similarly to a cafelat robot which is a much much more expensive machine. This might be the most underrated affordable manual espresso machine.