Palm tamper

A tamper with no handle — shaped instead like a low dome or puck that sits in the palm of your hand. You press straight down using body weight rather than arm strength.

Why it matters — Traditional tampers with handles encourage wrist movement, which can cause repetitive strain over a busy shift. A palm tamper uses arm and shoulder weight instead, which is gentler on the wrist over hundreds of shots a day.

Good to know

• Match the base diameter to the basket (typically 58.4 mm for a 58 mm basket).
• Lighter palm tampers (200–300 g) work better than heavier ones — let your weight do the press, not the tool.

Related: Tampers