Lever espresso makers like the Flair range and small pump machines like the Breville Bambino both make espresso at home. They ask for very different routines. The quick rule: manual makers trade convenience for control and space, and pump machines trade control for speed and steam.
Side by side
| Spec | Flair 49 PRO | Flair 58 Plus 2 | Breville Bambino | Gaggia Classic Evo Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basket | 49 mm; pressurized and bottomless baskets | 58 mm; high-dose, low-dose and pressurized baskets | Not stated | Not stated |
| Portafilter | Not stated | Not stated | 54 mm | 58 mm; baskets 7 g single, 14 g double, 14 g pressurized |
| Heating | None; water comes from a kettle | Integrated brew-cylinder preheater, Low/Medium/High; water from a kettle | ThermoJet; Breville claims extraction temperature in 3 s | Single boiler, lead-free brass, 3.5 oz; no PID |
| Steam | None; milk drinks need a separate frother | None; milk drinks need a separate frother | Manual steam wand | Commercial-style 2-hole wand; 180 ml milk in about 40–45 s (CoffeeGeek) |
| Dimensions | 13.5 in L × 7.5 in W × 11 in H | 17.5 × 13 × 6.5 in | Breville lists 11.9 × 6.1 × 13.5 in | 8 in W × 9.5 in D × 14.2 in H |
| Editorial score | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Where to buy | Check price on Amazon: Flair 49 PRO (opens Amazon in a new tab)Flair 49 PRO, black | View on Flair's site | Check price on Amazon: Breville Bambino (opens Amazon in a new tab)BES450BSS, brushed stainless | Check price on Amazon: Gaggia Classic Evo Pro (opens Amazon in a new tab)RI9380/49, Thunder Black |
Figures are as stated by the linked sources on each review page; "Not stated" means we did not find the figure in an accessible primary source.
The routine each one asks for
Manual lever (Flair): boil water in a kettle, preheat the brew cylinder (the 58 Plus 2 heats its cylinder electrically), dose and tamp, fill with hot water, then press while watching the gauge. There is no steam wand, so milk drinks need a separate frother.
Pump machine (Bambino, Gaggia): switch on and flush to warm the group. CoffeeGeek recommends blank shots on the Bambino (CoffeeGeek), and timing around the heating cycle on the Gaggia (CoffeeGeek). Then dose, tamp and brew, and steam milk from the same machine.
What each needs besides the maker
Recommendation
For mostly straight espresso with the smallest, quietest footprint, and the patience for a hands-on routine, I'd start with a Flair. For daily milk drinks or several shots in a row, a pump machine is the practical choice.
Sources
- Flair 58 Plus 2 — Flair Espresso. Manufacturer. Accessed September 26, 2026.
- Breville Bambino Espresso Machine first look — CoffeeGeek. Independent review. Mark Prince, 2024. Accessed September 26, 2026.
- Gaggia Classic Evo Pro first look — CoffeeGeek. Independent review. Mark Prince, 2023-11-02. Accessed September 26, 2026.