Cafelat Robot Barista vs Flair Pro 2 Espresso Maker Comparison

A comparison of the Best Manual Espresso Brewers available. It's the Cafelat Robot barista versus the Flair Signature Pro 2. Which one is best?

The Cafelat Robot is capable of making very real and delicious espresso coffee. It does this using high quality steel parts, with no plastics used, a standard 58mm filter basket and pressures more commonly used in espresso and lever machines for extraction.

As manual espresso makers go, the Cafelat Robot is very simple to use with only a portafilter and dispersion screen as the removable parts allowing a simple workflow for quick multiple shots and cleaning out the portafilter.

Basic Cafelat Robot Instructions:

Detach the portafilter and preheat with hot water.
Fill the basket with freshly ground coffee and tamp.
Place in dispersion screen, fill the reservoir with hot water, and lock in portafilter.
Press down evenly on the Robot arms to begin extraction to enjoy your espresso.
CAFELAT ROBOT ESPRESSO MAKER FEATURES
Thick, Creamy Espresso — Extract the ideal double or single espresso no matter your level of coffee making experience

Only Two removable Parts — Makes for simple workflow, easy cleaning, storage.

Extended Durability — With almost no wear on stainless steel and aluminum, will last for years of service.

Bottomless Portafilter — Used for best results, though there is an attachable double spout.

Precise Pressurized Extraction — Manage the perfect flow and extraction, pressing down on the robot arms to complete your shot.

CAFELATE ROBOT INCLUDES:
The main body of the Robot with the arms and base assembled.
1 Portafilter with detachable portafilter spout
1 Filter basket
1 Stainless steel tamper
1 Stainless steel dispersion disc (filter screen)
1 Silicone mat
CAFELAT ROBOT GREEN BARISTA INCLUDES:
Everything mentioned above in Cafelat Robot Espresso Maker + the additional Espresso Brewing Gauge
THE SPECIFICS
Materials Premium Aluminium Body, Stainless Steel
Dimensions 30cm x 16cm x 23cm
Weight 2.8kg
Portafilter Capacity 16-25 grams
Brews Capacity Approx. 50 ml
Pressure Up To 16 Bars

The Flair Espresso Maker Signature PRO 2 . The Flair range has added value in this series by including the very best of features so you can achieve a premium espresso extraction with control and precision.

This espresso machine is elegantly designed, durably constructed, and empowering to espresso brewers & filter aficionados alike. This easy-to-use espresso maker can generate pressure to a style of espresso more commonly found in commercial espresso machines. It’s capable of producing full-flavored, full-bodied espresso; rich in crema.

Additions to the Signature Pro 2 such as a stainless steel spout that clips on to the bottomless portafilter for a concentrated flow of espresso, silicone grips to the handle and pressure gauge for improved work flow and an enhanced-flow bottomless portafilter make this the superior espresso maker to take with you anywhere you want.

Flair Espresso Maker Signature PRO 2 Coffee Instructions:

Detach the brewing head and preheat with hot water.
Fill the basket with freshly ground coffee and tamp.
Reattach the head, fill the reservoir with hot water
Press down on the handle to begin extraction.
Use the pressure gauge to control flow and extraction
After 25-45 seconds, enjoy your full-flavored espresso shot.
FLAIR ESPRESSO MAKER SIGNATURE PRO TWO SINGLE FEATURES
Precise Espresso Brewing — Pull down the lever watch the pressure gauge increase.

Elevated Quality Materials — Durable stainless steel finish in the two-piece drip tray and brewing elements.

Increased Volume Out — Larger filter basket and more customisable depth plunger allows double espressos.

Observe the extraction — A Bottomless portafilter delivers stunning views of your espresso extraction.

Heavy Duty Frame — Reinforced by previous models, the Flair Pro boasts a stronger more stable frame.

Simple to store, easy to transport — Super easy to clean stainless materials, it packs flat straight into its own carry case.

The detachable brewing head makes cleaning up after you brew simple for the morning ritual. All the pieces easily pack away to fit in to a carrying case, which makes it perfect for taking your beloved espresso wherever you go.

#alternativebrewing #comparison #coffee

[labalo]

Yep. I chose right - robot. Loving it so far.

[Rturroo]

Robot all the way . Work flow is real easy, if you want to preheat pull a dummy shot with your drinking vessel and you knock out two birds with one stone. Feels solid and looks great. Pulled shots very casually without being so scientific about it and was always pleased! Def would Recommend.

[NQ]

I have both and I much prefer the cafelat robot. The workflow is less! I hate the way the flair goes together it is much more fiddly and the preheat is absolutely required on the flair there is a possibility of a leak and accident on the flair that doesn't exist on the robot. I do have a workflow to preheat the Robot but not necessary. I have three daily drivers with the robot in first position. I also have a super automatic and Clever dripper immersion system. I also have a la Pavoni and several espresso machines that almost never get used anymore
I would agree with your assessment the flair is easier to travel with but my Robot gets wrapped in a towel and goes in my suitcase along with a hand grinder. I use to Carry in my backpack but TSA is arbitrary and I have had problems. never rejected but additional screening.
Thank you for the comparison and the video

[phosphor]

Well done, clearly explained, good work! One thing about locking in the Robot's portafilter: It is recommended to turn it to thr righthand side, because only then you lock it fully in. When turning it to the lefthand side, you will miss one of the contact point where the PF rests inside the main body.

[AZyzk]

Your videos are clear and concise.
As a barista in training and coffee enthusiast who needs to choose wisely where I spend my money this info is precious.
Thank you very much!

[igalk]

great recipe/profile for robot:
i input 18g fresh dark roast beans, ground fine enough(till the robot hands don't have too much resistance, which is great feedback) for espresso,
i use [1:2.2] ratio, means i expect 40g espresso out of 18g beans,
so i tamp, and add water, for dark roast(from full city to italian roast) it doesn't need any temperature management, only boiling temp water,
then i do pre-infusion of 2 bar pressure, till i see some drops, that are not only from the outside ring of the cake, but from the middle too,
probably couple of seconds, not too long,
then i do 70% of the extraction at 7-9 bars gradual pressure, usually 8,
than in the last 10g i lower to 6-4 bars gradual pressure,
so 5% 2 bar, then 70% 8 bars, then 25% at 4 bars...
it produces a lot less channeling then automatic machine that do straight 9 bars from start to end,
turns out pretty good, must use scale & timer for this, like acaia lunar or similar

[zxcvbnmmasdfghjkl]

So I’ve noticed amazing results when I do a couple of things to my flair pro 2.
-distributing my grind
-allow for blooming after pouring water into the chamber right before applying pressure

[coffeewithcarl]

The comparison we all needed! I I had to choose I would go with the Flair.

[willychua]

I was considering both option but I love the workflow of the robot and ease of cleaning which suits me personally better. I would love try the flair for the taste comparison if budget allow or a friend would have it in the near future

[zixzysm]

Thanks for the comparison. Already have the Robot, was seriously considering getting the Flair as an extra machine. Now I know when that day comes, it’s going to be another Robot instead. So much easier and less fidgety workflow. So many less parts to lose or mislay. Now, if there only was a place to keep the shower screen... a thicker rubber support with a hole in it perhaps?
P.S. I never use the spouts. They look nice but they are not needed and impractical => They don’t get used.

[xrypro]

Flair all day. With correct workflow and technique, it is not that finicky as to what people said in coffee forum.

[MikeFLHT]

Good comparison video. I came to the same conclusion you did. Both are pretty good but the Flair ekes out the Robot.

[dreimer]

Great video. I've been going down a research rabbit hole on espresso machines to replace my crappy Breville which steams ok, but can't make espresso for shit. I've only just discovered the Flair and Robot as options. Your video does a great job explaining the pros and cons of each.

[collider]

Have used Robot every day last year and a half. Used Aeropress for probably 15 years before that. The Robot workflow takes exactly the same amount of time/energy the Aeropress did and makes fantastic shots. I got it without the pressure gauge and don't regret it. You get used to what pressure works best pretty quickly. Also @Alternative Brewing, The Robot tamper is shaped like it is because it fits into the robot hands for storage. Travel was a factor in my decision, but ease of use and looks of Robot won me over, and I take the Aeropress when I'm away. Great review.

[peppermint]

I've been used Flair Pro 2 for almost 1 year, and it's still amazing like I did for the first time even I use this everyday. Have upgrade the tools by using dt, scale and a wdt. This is a great mechine.

Robot has a same price like Flair 58 (almost), and the sparepart that I don't know where to buy in my country. Thats the reason why I choose Pro 2, and I also think it's a fair what I get for Pro2 with that price..

[gmo]

The internet was incomplete before this.

[chrisjs]

I have the Flair Signature (non pro) and it makes the best coffee I have ever tasted. Also have a Rok and the flair is much better. The Flair is much less picky about grind size but obviously you do get better results with a better grinder. The signature maxes out at 18-19g in and about 40g out but that does always result in excellent coffee.

One and only con. It’s a high hassle clean up. Small price to pay for an excellent coffee.

I wonder if the pro is worth the upgrade if you already use the stainless steel piston on the signature?

[nissiendoesyoutube]

you can buy a double spout for the flair

[RyanGazling]

Amazing review and comparison sir. Thank you!

[zorqis]

As a Flair Pro user I admit the standard 58mm filter basket on the Robot was a better design decision, if you could swap it for say a standard VST filter, but you can't, so that point is moot. The portability, added mass of the group and hence consistency of brewing temperatures, plus personal esthetic reasons and price would make me buy the Flair again. I can pull nearly identical and very satisfying shots from the Flair. Get the Flair Pro 2 for better filter (also works with the Flair Pro) but I like the older shower screen more. The user flow is simpler with the Robot, though.