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Reviews

Hands-on tests measured on the bench, and first looks at kit we have not tested yet, marked as such and never scored.

AeroPress

AeroPress Original: first look

A ten-ounce plastic press that steeps, then pushes the coffee through paper. What the specification promises, who it suits and where it stops.

Filter grinders

Baratza Virtuoso+: first look

The Encore's body with Baratza's M2 burr and a timer to a tenth of a second. What the extra money buys over the Encore, and who should pay it.

Moka pot

Bialetti Moka Express 3-cup: first look

The 1933 eight-sided aluminium moka pot in its 3-cup size: what the specification says, how it brews and who should buy it over a steel pot.

Chemex

Chemex Classic 6-cup: first look

One piece of borosilicate glass, a heavy bonded filter and 30 oz of capacity. What the Classic 6-cup is built for, and who should skip it.

Electric grinders

Fellow Opus 2: first look

48 mm conical burrs, a stepless dial and a range from espresso to cold brew for $199.95. What the spec promises, and where the Ode Gen 2 still wins.

Pour over

Hario Switch 02: first look

A glass V60 cone on a valve base, so you can steep first and drain on cue. What the Switch 02 spec promises, and who should buy it.

Espresso machines

Lelit Mara X V2: first look

A heat exchanger that watches its own brew temperature. What the Mara X V2's two probes, 1.8 L boiler and 58 mm group promise, and who it suits.

Espresso machines

Sage Barista Express Impress: first look

A Barista Express that doses and tamps for you: what the lever, the 25-step grinder and the 54 mm basket mean before you buy one.

Electric grinders

Timemore Sculptor 064S: first look

64 mm flat burrs, a stepless dial and a variable-speed brushless motor in a single-dose grinder. What the spec promises for espresso and filter.

Espresso grinders

Baratza Encore ESP review

Forty espresso steps, a repairable chassis and low retention for the money. Four weeks of testing on a single-boiler machine.