Olympia Express Tamper 54mm Red – Original Tamper for Maximatic, Made in Switzerland
You pick it up, and the balance feels just right. The red lacquered wooden handle warms comfortably in your hand, the stainless steel base feels heavy and stable between your thumb and forefinger. You place it on the freshly dosed puck in your 54mm Maximatic basket, press down evenly – and you realize why the Olympia logo is on every tamper that leaves the factory in Schwanden: someone has put thought into every detail here.
What makes this tamper special
Original size for the Maximatic
Ø 54 mm – the exact size of the Olympia Maximatic baskets. The tamper sits cleanly in the basket, without tilting, without play at the edges. The base has a special shape for even pressure distribution over the entire puck. Anyone who has ever tamped with a poorly fitting tamper knows: these 0.5 millimeters can determine whether the espresso channels or not.
Lacquered handle, Swiss attention to detail
The handle in Olympia Red is lacquered and feels warm in the hand. Printed Olympia logo. Stainless steel base with a special tamping surface. Like everything from Schwanden, it is designed for longevity, not for seasonal use.
At a glance
| Base diameter |
54 mm |
| Base material |
Stainless steel, special tamping surface |
| Handle material |
Wood, red lacquered |
| Logo |
Olympia Express printed |
| Compatibility |
Olympia Express Maximatic (54mm baskets) |
| Origin |
Schwanden, Canton Glarus, Switzerland |
Three ways to a tamper – honestly compared
We offer three sensible options for 54mm tampers, and none is objectively better than the other – they cater to different needs.
Affordable and precise: Normcore
If you want a spring mechanism for reproducible pressure without a premium price: the Normcore Spring-Loaded Tamper in 54 mm has been a classic in the affordable segment for years. Stable construction, multiple pressure settings adjustable, significantly cheaper than premium alternatives.
Swiss Original: Olympia Express
This tamper here. Made for the Maximatic, by the machine's manufacturer. Logo, appearance, and size fit perfectly. No spring mechanism – you apply the pressure yourself. For many Maximatic owners, this is exactly right: a Swiss manufactured machine deserves a Swiss manufactured tamper.
Premium level: Weber Workshops
If you want the endgame – unibody construction from a single piece, numerous base profiles to choose from, calibration function: the Weber Workshops Tamper family is what many professionals worldwide use. Significantly more expensive, but uncompromising.
Who this Olympia tamper is made for
For everyone who owns a Maximatic and wants a tamper that matches the machine set – aesthetically and in size. If you prefer a simpler and cheaper version from the manufacturer, take a look at the black tamper with logo (54 mm). Our opinion: the original Olympia tamper is the most honest choice for a Maximatic – it is made for exactly this machine. Others see it differently.
Accessories that fit the Maximatic setup
A tamping mat protects your counter and portafilter – affordable and solid from the Normcore Collection. For reproducible puck distribution before tamping: the Olympia-Original Puck Prep Tool in 54 mm (Swiss made), cheaper a Normcore WDT-Tool, premium endgame the Moonraker from the Weber Workshops Collection. The machine itself: Olympia Express Collection. Consulting tool: Coffee Machine Comparison and Consultation.
Frequently asked questions about the Olympia Express Tamper 54 mm red
Does the 54mm tamper also fit other machines?
The 54mm tamper fits all portafilters with 54mm baskets – this is the standard size for many home espresso machines (Maximatic, Breville/Sage, some Saeco models). For Cremina and Cremina SL (49 mm), there is a separate 49mm version. For the Mina (separate size), there is a dedicated mini tamper.
What is the difference to the black Olympia tamper?
The red tamper has a higher quality finish: red lacquered wooden handle, more precise tamping surface, feels heavier in the hand. The black tamper is the simpler, everyday version at a lower price. Both have the same 54mm size and fit the Maximatic.
What is the difference between a Normcore or Weber Workshops tamper?
Olympia is the original tamper from the machine manufacturer – precisely fitting and aesthetically consistent with the Maximatic. Normcore offers spring-calibrated tampers in the affordable range, which allows for reproducible pressure. Weber Workshops is in the premium segment with unibody constructions and maximum craftsmanship. Which way is right is a matter of taste – all three are legitimate.
How do you tamp correctly on a Maximatic?
Place the basket on the tamping mat, distribute the ground coffee evenly (a Puck Prep Tool or WDT-Tool helps), place the tamper vertically, press down with even pressure until resistance is felt. The pressure itself is less important than the evenness – the main thing is that the puck is level and dense at the bottom. Our opinion is one of many.
Where can I buy or see the Olympia Tamper live?
Online via coffeecoachingclub.ch with delivery in 2–4 working days to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Discover it on-site in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44, 3011 Bern) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b, 8050 Zurich). Click and Collect is possible at both locations.
Roastery Tip from our Coffee Roastery
The original Olympia tamper is one of those small investments that has a bigger impact in everyday use than its price suggests. We use it ourselves – not because it's "the best" tamper on the market, but because it belongs to the Maximatic like the logo belongs to the boiler. If you're adventurous and want to test reproducible spring pressure, you can just as well start with Normcore, and if you want absolute premium, go for Weber. Three paths, all viable. For beans, we recommend the Cozy Chocolate or the Nutty Delight for the Maximatic – both harmonize wonderfully with the heat exchanger's flavor profile.
