Flair Espresso: Which Model Suits You?
Flair builds espresso machines without a pump and without electricity: you press, a pressure gauge shows you what you're doing. Nothing teaches the connection between grind size and pressure faster.
Which models are currently available?
| Model | Portafilter | Pressure gauge | Preheating | Designed for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flair 2GO | 40 mm | ja | none | Travel, office, camping |
| Flair Classic | 40 mm | ja | none | Getting started at home |
| Flair 49 PRO | 49 mm | ja | none, stainless steel brew head | Larger shots |
| Flair 58 Plus 2 | 58 mm | ja | three-stage control | Full setup |
Older descriptions often mention the NEO, PRO 2, or Flair 58. Flair no longer carries these models. The PRO 2 was replaced by the 49 PRO, and the 58 by the 58 Plus 2.
Why do you learn faster with a Flair?
Because you generate the pressure yourself. A grind that's too coarse won't make the needle rise, one that's too fine locks the lever. The cracking of the puck is something you feel, and the gauge shows you exactly when it happens. A pump machine doesn't give you that feedback so directly.
If you want to work on extraction at the same time, our Dial-in without a stopwatch is the right guide – the method works just the same on the Flair.
What else you need
- A good grinder. This isn't a recommendation, it's a requirement. Without an even grind, a lever machine gets frustrating faster than any pump machine. Our coffee grinders.
- A scale. Dose in and dose out are your only measurements here. Our barista scale.
- Hot water. A kettle is enough. The temperature is entirely up to you – in practice, you work outward from around 93 degrees toward whatever tastes right for your roast.
- A milk frother, if cappuccino is part of your routine. The Flair doesn't have a steam wand.
Who is this not for?
For anyone who has to leave the house in four minutes flat in the morning. A Flair is a ritual, not the push of a button: heat water, preheat, grind, tamp, pull, disassemble, rinse. If that feels like a burden, you'll be happier with a pump machine – and that's completely fine. There's no prescribed path to a good cup.
With us
The complete Flair range including coffee beans from our own roastery. If you're not sure whether lever or pump is right for you, our guide on single boiler, twin boiler, or dual boiler machines lists the alternatives, and in the showroom you can pull shots on both side by side.
See it in person
- Bern – Gerberngasse 44, 3011 Bern. Monday to Saturday, 10 to 18h.
- Zürich – Hagenholzstrasse 50b, 8050 Zürich. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 to 17h.
A machine that looks right on paper can still be wrong in your own kitchen – because of the clearance under a wall cabinet, because of the noise, because of the question of who gets to use it first in the morning. Come by or book a consultation appointment.
Sources
- Model list, portafilter diameter, pressure gauge, and preheat control: product overview and buyer's guide on flairespresso.com, accessed August 2026.
- Replacement of the PRO 2 by the Flair 49 PRO: trade press; the manufacturer does not describe it as a replacement.
Frequently asked questions about Flair
Which Flair models are currently available?
Flair 58 Plus 2, Flair 49 PRO, Flair Classic, and Flair 2GO. The NEO, NEO Flex, and PRO 2 are no longer in the catalog, nor are the Flair 58, 58+, and 58x.
Which Flair model is for beginners?
The Flair Classic. It costs the least, has a pressure gauge like all the models, and teaches you the most important thing: that grind size and pressure are connected.
Which model for on the go?
The Flair 2GO. It packs down the most compactly and is designed for travel, the office, and camping.
Which model for 58mm accessories?
Only the Flair 58 Plus 2 has a 58-millimeter portafilter. On the 2GO and Classic it's 40 millimeters, on the 49 PRO it's 49 – there you need Flair accessories.
Can I froth milk with a Flair?
Not with the machine itself. Flair offers separate frothers for that, including the electric eWizard.
Does the Flair need electricity?
No. All four models are manual lever presses. Only the 58 Plus 2 uses electricity for its preheat control, not for building pressure.
What do I need in addition to the Flair?
Hot water, a good grinder, and a scale. The grinder isn't optional – without an even grind, a lever machine gets frustrating faster than any pump machine.
How hot does the water need to be?
Since you pour it in yourself, the choice is yours. In practice, you work outward from around 93 degrees toward whatever tastes right for your roast – lighter roasts usually a bit hotter, darker ones a bit cooler.
