Flair 58

A manual lever is like driving a stick vs an automatic car. The lever gives you all the control and the best shots I’ve ever had are with profiles only possible on a lever (or very expensive computerized machines). If you are a little adventurous go with a lever machine. Starting with a Flair/Cafelot/LaPavoni/Odyssey will let you learn a lot and make unbeatable extractions. If you don’t need to steam milk then a Flair58 is an excellent choice (I love mine!) and no temperature management like an LP. If a steam wand is important then LaPavoni or Odyssey Argos. If you just want you push a button and get a decent shot easy, then Bambino is for you. And don’t forget there is no good shot without a good grinder.

The Flair 58 platform is pretty much my ideal. I’ve got full BT graphing with scale and pressure sensor, and combining that with the manual feel of the lever interacting with the puck is the right combination of data- and human-driven coffee-making for me. I have a 46 mm step down basket and I’d maybe like a heated Flair version of that (like the 49 but heated). There are maybe other ways to optimise the platform but the Meticulous is too detached from the human side for me, as are the Decent machines, but I definitely feel like they are taking the best alternative approach. Other lever machines like the Strietman seem excellent, but take a more proprietary approach.

You were right the first time - I have the 58. I used to have the Pro2, and it was quite fiddly assembling it every time (although you get used to it), and the heat loss even with good preheating made everything quite a rush. So I was talking about my experience after upgrading. If anything, the 58 mm diameter reduces the cup quality, that’s why I have the step down basket to 46 mm. That way I get the best taste like the Pro and Classic but don’t need to worry about heating. Your Classic probably has less issues with heating than the Pro2 since it’s thinner, and they made the chamber thinner on the Pro3, probably for similar reasons

Happy Tamper has an alternative 58 mm basket with a conical geometry that they say achieves something similar to a step down basket. They call it the Fusion Shot. I have the Graph 58-46 and I like it a lot but on the Flair I feel like the extra distance from the step makes it behave a little oddly

I am using a Flair 58LE and a Nanofoamer Pro v2 I love it! Would recommend it 100%

Flair 58+2 and a Niche, is literally what I have.

For straight espresso a flair or robot, with a reasonable grinder has worked well for me for a long time. You didn't mention if milk was important to you, obviously these mean additional devices are required. If milk is your thing a Bambino may well be the path the go down.

Flair 58. Heats up super quick really, and you get the benefit of flow control.

58+2 (own this already), timemore sculptor 64s, morning dream steamer. This is my end game.. I love manual lever machine, hate manual grind, and still cannot steam milk properly on my stove steamer.

I'd be mostly concerned with adequate, consistent, and stable brew temps. The Flair 58 is better than the Robot and other Flair models for back-to-back shots IMO, and you have access to more accessories. The Robot can also be difficult to come by.