Does it need electricity or batteries?

No. It is fully manual: you add hot water and press by hand, so it works anywhere you can heat water.

Can it use both ground coffee and capsules?

Yes. It is built for coffee grounds and capsules, so you can switch between them.

How long does a shot take?

Brewing takes about one to two minutes, depending on how hard you press.

Is it good for travel?

Yes. It is compact and needs no power, which is why owners call it ideal for travel and camping.

Does it make real espresso with crema?

It produces a crema-topped shot from grounds, but the standard basket is not pressurized, so crema is lighter than from a pump machine.

The brewer itself; check the listing for included baskets and capsules adapters before buying.

STARESSO Classic Portable Espresso Maker Price History: Lowest $69.90

Q: Where is the STARESSO Classic Portable Espresso Maker - SP200 Classic cheapest?

At STARESSO, for $69.90, as of our latest check.

Q: What do buyers say about the STARESSO Classic Portable Espresso Maker - SP200 Classic?

Rated 5 out of 5 from 37 ratings. Buyers like: Super easy to use and feels really well-made; Perfect for travel; compact enough to take anywhere; Flexibility of using both capsules and ground coffee; taste is great. Common complaints: Filter insert is still black plastic; reviewer wants all stainless steel where water and grinds go; Wants a pressurized stainless steel filter basket; the separately bought one-piece basket isn't pressurized so can't make true espresso with crema.

What reviewers say

5 / 537 ratings

Owners rate it highly, calling it easy to use, well built and ideal for travel, with good-tasting shots from grounds or capsules. The main complaints concern plastic filter parts and the lack of a pressurized stainless basket.

What people mention

Build qualityPraisedOwners say it feels well made and one used earlier models twice daily for five years, replacing only the rubber.
PortabilityPraisedReviewers call it compact enough to take anywhere and perfect for travel.
Coffee flexibilityPraisedBuyers like brewing from both capsules and ground coffee.
TastePraisedOwners report great-tasting espresso made on the go with hot water and grounds.
Plastic partsCriticisedThe filter insert is black plastic, and some want stainless steel wherever water and grinds go.
CremaMixedThe separately bought one-piece basket isn't pressurized, so it can't make true espresso with crema.

From STARESSO

Easy to press and eco-friendly: advanced pressure technology, no electricity needed
Portable and fashionable compact design, Red Dot Design Award winner
Easy to clean for quick, hassle-free maintenance
FDA-certified high-quality durable stainless steel inner construction
Works with both coffee grounds and capsules
Barista-level brew quality with golden crema in seconds

Materials: 304 stainless steel pressure pump, tank liner, powder cup and aluminum threads form an all-metal core; all contact materials are food-grade and FDA certified.
Guarantee: 30 Days Money Back Guarantee.

About the STARESSO Classic Portable Espresso Maker - SP200 Classic

The STARESSO Classic Portable Espresso Maker (SP200 Classic) is a manual espresso maker that needs no electricity. It uses a pressure pump that you press by hand to brew. Brewing takes 1 to 2 minutes and produces espresso with a golden crema.

The inner construction is stainless steel. The pressure pump, tank liner, powder cup and aluminum threads form an all-metal core. All contact materials are food-grade and FDA certified.

It works with both ground coffee and capsules. The compact design won a Red Dot Design Award and is made for easy portability. It is designed for quick, low-maintenance cleaning.

Brewing time: 1-2 minutes
Compatible coffee: Ground coffee and capsules
Power source: Electricity-free (manual pressure pump)
Material: 304 stainless steel pressure pump, tank liner and powder cup; aluminum threads
Certification: Contact materials are food-grade and FDA certified
Award: Red Dot Design Award winner

What buyers say

Buyers like

Super easy to use and feels really well-made
Perfect for travel; compact enough to take anywhere
Flexibility of using both capsules and ground coffee; taste is great
Simple and effective for making espresso on the go with just hot water and good coffee grounds
Makes great coffee
Durable: one reviewer used earlier Staresso models twice daily for 5 years, only needing to replace the rubber

Buyers complain about

Filter insert is still black plastic; reviewer wants all stainless steel where water and grinds go
Wants a pressurized stainless steel filter basket; the separately bought one-piece basket isn't pressurized so can't make true espresso with crema