The Aptitude Neo Flex is the most recent entry-level, totally handbook espresso maker from Aptitude Espresso, an organization identified for designing machines with the aim of delivering barista-level outcomes at dwelling. That’s to not say they’re a “worth” model or solely targeted on newbies: a few of their machines are featured in Michelin-starred eating places’ espresso packages. The Neo Flex is their bid to make extremely customizable, high quality brewing accessible to first-timers by simplifying the lever-action mechanism and doing it at a remarkably approachable worth level of $99.
Aptitude’s story begins with founder Sergio Landau, a retired Brazilian mechanical engineer who says he spent three a long time iterating by means of dozens of prototypes. In 2016, he launched the primary Aptitude (now Basic) on Kickstarter, aiming to strip the espresso machine right down to its necessities: handbook, minimal, elegant. The marketing campaign hit its aim in simply days, attracting each design geeks and low purists. The Basic was adopted by the extra refined Aptitude Signature, after which in 2018, the Aptitude Professional, which added a stress gauge, bottomless portafilter, and improved reservoir.
In 2021, Aptitude debuted the game-changing Aptitude 58 which, naturally got here with a 58mm portafilter, preheated group, and stress profiling. It suffered from an ungainly energy brick and awkward controls. They later upgraded with the discharge of the 58+ and 58+2 with built-in energy, shot mirror, and higher ergonomics. In 2024, CoffeeGeek topped the Aptitude 58 as our prime handbook lever machine, and internally, that crown’s already been handed on to the 58+2 this yr.
But Aptitude’s innovation has by no means been solely targeted on the excessive finish. In parallel with their flagship growth, in addition they began engaged on the price range finish of the spectrum after they launched the Neo Flex in 2023 as a budget-friendly, plastic-frame entry level. The primary model was extraordinarily fundamental, missing even a stress gauge to watch (they later added a minimal one, nevertheless it was nothing to be significantly enthusiastic about.) It had combined opinions, so that they took suggestions from clients to coronary heart and are again with a brand new, upgraded model.
The most recent iteration of the Neo Flex attracts on the close to decade of Aptitude improvements and experimentation, making it probably the most inexpensive and bang to your price range bundle they’ve ever provided. The query is: How does it maintain up in precise everyday use? And is the brand new Neo Flex nonetheless a viable espresso choice given its extra price range supplies and equipment?
Let’s discover this in our Snapshot Evaluate.
