After unboxing and setting up the unit, there's no denying this is a great looking piece of hardware. The metal components have a nice heft, and the black frame/copper base definitely invoke the coffee theme.

Upon using it, I noticed the portafilters required a little bit of force to click into the base and sit level. This didn't seem intentional, but more like a tolerance issue, because one portafilter exhibited the issue more than the other, and both exhibited the issue to varying degrees depending on how they were rotated. The main problem was removal, pulling the unit straight up would result in the chamber separating from the portafilter, so I had to push upwards from the bottom while pulling from the top, which isn't advisable when the whole unit is quite hot. As a result, I'd have to let everything cool down before I could get it out, which defeated the purpose of have two units and making back to back shots. Not being sure whether the issue was the base or the portafilters, I ordered another unit for comparison purposes.

First unit base + First unit portafilters = clicked in, difficult removal
First unit base + Second unit portafilters = no click in, zero effort removal
Second unit base + First unit portafilters = clicked in, difficult removal
Second unit base + Second unit portafilters = almost perfect, but one portafilter exhibited very slight resistance at certain rotations before resting flat

All this leads me to believe the issue is almost entirely with the portafilters. I ended up returning the second unit, with the portafilters from the first unit. Amazingly, a free replacement portafilter just showed up today, along a letter stating that they were aware of a manufacturing defect impacting some portafilters. Because I got the bundle with 2 units, and both had the issue, this single replacement alone wouldn't have actually been sufficient, but it would highlight the defect to a customer who maybe thought it was normal, so this is good customer service. In any event, I now have 3 portafilters that fit perfectly into the base.

Anyways, on to what the unit actually does. Having never owned an espresso machine, it functions basically like an Aeropress, with a few extra steps required before brewing, which are...precisely weighing the grounds, tamping the grounds, and preheating the cylinder. Likewise, cleanup has a few extra steps, but none of these steps are difficult. The result is excellent espresso, and on the first day, better lattes than anything I've made with the Aeropress. While the unit is technically portable, I'll continue to use my Aeropress for coffee on the go, but I enjoy being able to make real espresso at home with a device that's very affordable, and one that should be extremely low maintenance in the long run (other than O-rings wearing over time, it doesn't seem like much can go wrong, due to the simplicity of design).

From a design standpoint, it's very good, but there are a few minor things that could be better. The base can wobble a bit if there's any horizontal forces applied, which I think has less to do with the oval base, and more to do with the tripod layout of the rubber bumpers on the bottom. The piston could also have something at the top so it's easier to grip and pull out of the cylinder by hand. The instructions show how you can use the plastic tamper to force the piston up and out, but the metal tamper doesn't seem like it should be used for this role, so at this point the plastic tamper is just one more thing on the counter.

I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my husband, and he LOVES it! Not only does it look classy, but it makes pulling great shots easy. The clean up is simple, and you can control how much time/force is used to pull a steady shot every time.
If you are a coffee connoisseur, (or just appreciate some fine espresso)then this is for you.

GREAT IDEA, GREAT PRODUCT. THIS IS NOT A MACHINE BUT A TOOL. NOT FOR EVERYONE.

I'm picky: I love good design and quality manufacturing. I carefully research products and their reviews, and I avoid impulsive purchases.

SO LET ME SAVE YOU THE TIME & WORK:

If you enjoy taking your time and take pride in hand-crafting an excellent shot of espresso at home then seriously consider the Flair Signature Expresso Maker (Bundle with stainless steel tamper).

It's beautifully made, the metal colors and textures look great and all the components are of great quality, both metal and plastic ones. The tamper feels perfectly right in the hand and all the components fit perfectly into one another. Even the carrying case is made of very good materials and is well manufactured and it's not some cheap afterthought thrown in.

Think of the Flair not so much as a machine but as a tool. So you are responsible for what comes out of it. Not understanding this seems to be the source of virtually any negative comments about it out in the ether. So you have control of the variables: grind, compaction of the coffee, temperature, pressure, time. The Flair is a tool to be enjoyed in making great coffee. However, it isn't rocket science either.

It currently takes me about 6 minutes to make a shot of espresso. The vast majority of the time is dedicated to grinding the coffee in a very slow burr grinder I have. Starting out with ground coffee, it should only take you about a minute more than it takes you to boil a cup of water.

DO NOT GET THIS if you want a fast, easy and perfectly consistent cup of coffee in a rush and without any work or attention or if you want to mass produce 8 shots for all of your friends to chug them simultaneously. For that you can get a Nespresso machine.

Considering that the Flair doesn't rely on the popular coffee pods nor on electricity (I've lived in N.America and Europe and it stinks to leave good appliances behind!) the Flair truly feels like something that could last a lifetime, which is rare nowadays.

DESIGN NERD-OUT:
For the design freaks out there, there are three possible design improvements, none of which are relevant to the quality of the espresso produced, but could nonetheless take this product from "great" to "gorgeous":

1) The main hinge at the top of the machine is strong but its components have a loose fit so the handle wobbles. To be clear: It doesn't seem weak, only loose-fitting. It would be awesome if it had a tight and smooth, gliding feel to its movement.
2) The joint where the base attaches to the vertical arm is also a bit loose, yet reliably held together with a bolt. Note: The Flair comes apart at this joint for packing, making it surprisingly portable.
3) The base has three rubber feet and, oddly, two more which are metal extensions of the base. This makes the base slightly less stable than if could be if all 5 were rubberized.

OVERALL, A WELL-BUILT TOOL TO MAKE AWESOME SHOTS OF ESPRESSO AT HOME FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I purchased the Flair in December 2017 and have absolutely loved using it. I actually pulled a shot with crema the very first time using it - possibly luck, but mostly (I think) owing to the straightforwardness and intelligence of the design. The biggest differentiating factor for me was the all-metal components (you do have to upgrade to the stainless steel piston) inside the brew chamber. Unlike other manual espresso makers that have plastic parts that inherently lose heat quickly, you can "pre-heat" the Flair's brew chamber (I do it by placing it in a cup of water off the boil during setup) so that when you do add water for the shot, it doesn't create a sub-par shot due to temperature dropping too low. Quite the opposite. They've somehow created a machine where every component is removable (and washable... also huge) and yet its operation is easy and simple. I'm even able to fit my pocket scale on the drip tray, for consistency in ratios between shots.

I have a coffee farm in Kona, Hawaii. Been home roasting my own green coffee since 2005. Over the years we brew with french press, Bialetti stove top, recently an Aeropress. Still use these brewers. Would grab an espresso at the local coffee shop once in a while, but wanted to make espresso at home as the coffee shop is almost 20 miles from the farm. Was considering a $2,500 espresso machine but the counter space is limited. Got the bundle so can do 2 shots without washing. Also got a Bellman stovetop steamer 50ss for my wife's morning cappuccino. Been having a lot fun with it. My wife says her cappuccino tastes just as good as the coffee shop. Now making 2-3 espresso based drinks throughout the day for my wife and I, in addition to my morning cup of brewed coffee. Good thing I have my own coffee farm as going thru way more green bean. Takes a little time, but not difficult and I enjoy the ritual. Fast clean up. Not worried about it breaking down.