Normcore 53.3mm Palm Tamper - Espresso Tamper Built-In Spring - Barista Coffee Leveler Tool - Stainless Steel Flat Base - Anodized Aluminum Tamper Stand Holder

I've been researching what tamper to get to replace the one I got with my Sage Bambino Plus, and eventually decided on this one.The metal tamper that comes with the Bambino Plus doesn't even fit its own basket properly, plus human error can happen for even the most seasoned home barista causing them to not tamp completely flat, so a replacement was definitely needed!I was choosing between this, the Normcore v4.1, the Normcore v5.4 and the MH3-Bomber Force Tamper. The Normcore V4 and v5 tampers were too expensive, the MH3 was cheaper and looked nice but had more concerning things in it's reviews, and this one was the cheapest and has pretty decent reviews. Also in the end I thought my wrists would thank me more in the future with a palm tamper.I actually mainly use a bottomless portafilter from Notsek with an IMS Precision H28 basket with my Bambino Plus and this tamper fits the basket pretty much perfectly.Tamping is easy, and for a while it seemed a bit too easy, but actually the coffee pucks are stable even when dry, but definitely after use.I'm also finding that I can grind the beans I was currently using a bit finer now that I'm using this tamper, since the tamp is now perfectly flat due to the self-levelling feature, and I get the same pressure every time thanks to the 30lb of pressure applied by the loaded spring.I also find this easy to clean by just brushing and coffee grinds off after use, not that many stick to it. Also, thanks to the self levelling guard, I have not found any coffee grinds trapped anywhere.Overall I'm very impressed and will be sticking with this tamper with my setup. I would recommend it to anyone with a decent basket, and especially to anyone who is new to espresso and wants to achieve consistent tamps.

Working as it should. Adjustable depth, so far so good after 6 months of usage

Really good quality

Amazing distribution tool and postage was super quick

There are MANY variables when preparing or trying to prepare an espresso at home. The bean, the coarseness of the grind, the weight of coffee to use.. and the list goes on. Puck preparation is part of that and if you can eliminate some variable by using tools that will ensure a consistency in the process then it’s a great help. I have invested in the Normcore “holy trilogy”, fine wire distribution tool, this distribution tool and the calibrated tamper. Prior to this, my puck preparation varied, maybe just a bit, from day to day. Using a tool like this ensures that after using the fine wire distributor to eradicate clumps to stop channeling, the level of the grounds in the portafilter basket are level i.e. not higher on one side of the basket to the other - causing uneven extraction. I then follow this up by using the calibrated tamper to get the same compression day in, day out.This tool is easy to adjust for different coffee depths, it spins easily on the top of the basket and is easy to clean - just a brush off of any grounds.It looks good in the Matt black finish and Normcore logo and does a great job.

This is a great tamper when you’re getting into this rabbit hole that is espresso/coffee making.An issue I was having was knowing how far down to tamp, how hard etc. It was a variable, and variables are bad!!This tamper means I get a nice, consistent tamp every time. Push down and eventually the spring yields. Job done.The tamper itself feels weighty and well made. It even has a little metal “holder” to store it on the side when not in use. Would highly recommend this for anyone starting out on their coffee journey.

The tamper feels solid and easy to operate, it's a bit harder than normal tampers but the levelling edge helps a lot, I wish they made one in wood though, overall satisfied

This product is well made, but you are unable to adjust. Depending on whether you want a single or double shot, I found with a double shot this did not tamp the puck effectively ( puck was too loose) due to the lack of adjustment.