Staresso Portable Machines: The Perfect Gift For Any Coffee Lover

By Manolis Zografakis

In the world of portable espresso machines, Staresso has made quite a name for itself with two prominent contenders – the Staresso Classic and the Staresso Plus (along with the Staresso Travel, although I haven’t had the chance to try that one yet).

As a coffee enthusiast and avid traveler, having a portable espresso machine has become second nature to me. Recently, I received two espresso machines from Staresso for testing and to share my thoughts. In this post, I’ll provide my insights into both the Staresso Classic and the Staresso Plus.

Staresso Classic (SP-200): Compact Perfection

Out of the two, the Staresso Classic was the first one that I got my hands on and tried out, and it immediately won me over with its compact design and remarkable ease of use. This little powerhouse is designed for a solo coffee experience, making it an ideal companion for a single coffee lover on the go. It’s beautiful and incredibly simple to operate, requiring minimal effort to brew a perfect cup of espresso. Honestly, for some reason, I never thought I would be able to enjoy a quality cup of coffee like the one made at a local coffee place, all from a portable machine.

One standout feature of the Staresso Classic is its compatibility with coffee capsules. This feature significantly speeds up the coffee-making process, perfect for those mornings when you’re in a hurry to hit the road. All you need to do is load your favorite coffee capsule, warm the water, pour the water into the machine, and pump it. Within a minute, you’ll be savoring a rich and flavorful espresso.

The pumping part was quite fun, and it was quite convenient to have the possibility to lock the handle when not using it and reduce the size of the machine.

The quality of coffee produced by the Staresso Classic is nothing short of impressive. The espresso had a delightful crema, and the taste was on par with what you’d expect from a top-notch coffee machine. It’s a reliable choice for those who crave quality coffee while traveling light. The Classic one costs just €67,38.

Staresso Plus: Bigger and Better for Sharing

On the other hand, the Staresso Plus is quite fancier and perfect for those who enjoy a double espresso. The design is quite impressive and it reminds me of professional radio microphones (or perhaps I just miss the years of being a radio producer…). Staresso Plus is designed for coffee enthusiasts who prefer a larger dose of their favorite brew. While it retains a compact size similar to the Classic one mentioned above but slightly bigger and heavier, it’s designed to cater to double espressos. The increased size means you can brew double espressos or share your coffee experience with a fellow traveler. One downside is that the Staresso Plus does not support coffee pods, like the Staresso Classic or the Staresso Travel. The Plus model is priced at €106.26, making it an excellent investment for coffee lovers who want more from their portable espresso machine. The Plus costs just €105,90.