Discovering The Little Guy: A Game-Changer in Home Espresso Machines

At Ublend®, we’re surrounded by high-end commercial espresso machines every day. However, every so often, we come across a home machine that truly stands out. This time, it’s The Little Guy.

We recently got our hands on this beautifully engineered stovetop espresso maker. Let’s just say, the results left our roastery team wide-eyed and buzzing—both literally and figuratively.

What Is The Little Guy?

In short, The Little Guy is a compact, stainless steel espresso machine designed in Australia. It allows home baristas to extract true café-quality espresso—no pods, no gimmicks, just great coffee.

But it’s more than just a machine. It’s a ritual. It’s for those who geek out over brew ratios, crema texture, and perfectly microfoamed milk.

What We Loved About The Little Guy

Real Espresso. No Compromises.

This isn’t stovetop moka pot coffee pretending to be espresso. The Little Guy reaches around 9 bars of pressure, just like a commercial machine. With the right grind and tamp, we pulled shots that matched what we’d expect from a quality café setup.

The espresso had a rich, syrupy texture with tiger-striped crema. The balanced sweetness and clarity surprised even our most seasoned roasters.

Built Like a Tank (But a Very Beautiful One)

Every part of this machine screams precision. From the weight of the portafilter to the stainless-steel boiler and group head, it’s clearly built to last. Its minimalist, industrial design adds significant countertop appeal.

The craftsmanship reminded us of vintage Italian lever machines, but with the refinement and durability of modern Aussie engineering.

Easy to Use (Once You Learn the Flow)

There’s a learning curve, yes. However, once you follow the instructions and dial in your grind, the routine becomes second nature. Fill the chamber, heat gently on your stove, and let the pressure do its magic. In about 5 minutes, you’re pulling double shots and steaming milk like a pro.

If you’re using an induction cooktop, we recommend getting The Little Guy Induction Top. It makes the process even smoother.

Things to Keep in Mind

We’re all about transparency, so here are a few things worth noting:

• You get two shots per cycle, which is fine for one or two people but may not suffice for a crowd.

• Between shots, the machine needs to cool down, although this can be sped up under cold water.

• It takes a quality grinder and some barista knowledge to get the most out of it.

  
  

If you care about coffee—and we know you do—that’s all part of the fun.

Who’s It For?

• Home espresso enthusiasts

• Baristas seeking a solid travel machine

• Design lovers looking for something more beautiful than a plastic appliance

• Anyone tired of disappointing home espresso machines

  
  

Our Final Thoughts

If you're serious about espresso at home and love the ritual of making coffee (not just pressing a button), The Little Guy is well worth the investment. It’s built to last, looks stunning, and most importantly—delivers a cup that holds up to your favourite café.

And yes, we’re now proudly using one in the Ublend test kitchen.

Curious to try it yourself?

Check it out at lovethelittleguy.com and support a passionate Australian company making truly special gear for coffee lovers.

If you ever need the perfect coffee to brew with it—well, you know where to find us. 😉

Your Coffee. Your Brand.

We’re not just recommending it because it’s part of the family. The Little Guy is a sister company to Ublend®, and we’re both proudly owned by the Kaffeina Group. This is a genuine review based on hands-on testing. The verdict is clear: this is a serious piece of kit that delivers professional results at home. We’d back it either way.

Your Espresso Just Got Better.— The Ublend® Team