When Timemore offered me the chance to test their PUCKS set, I accepted without hesitation. I had already had the Millab M01 and the Millab E01 from the brand in my hands, and I have very fond memories of both — a truly remarkable build quality for coffee equipment — Millab being Timemore's premium line, we're talking about very high-end gear. Needless to say, my expectations were high, with the PUCKS set expected to sit in the same tier of finish. The PUCKS set brings three tools together in one: a calibrated tamper, a gravity distributor, and a WDT tool. All of this for €209, compatible only with 58 mm baskets — the set is available on Amazon. Is it worth it? After several weeks of daily use, here is my verdict.
This set was sent to me by Timemore. The writing of this article is entirely independent: my evaluation is based solely on my real user experience, with no commercial influence whatsoever.
The Calibrated Tamper — Precision and a Pleasure to Hold
The PUCKS tamper is the centerpiece of the set, and the one that surprised me the most. This isn't my first calibrated tamper: I had already tested a Timemore Impulse Impact and a MHW 3Bomber, both quality tools with an excellent feel in the hand. I therefore had some reservations about the grip of the PUCKS tamper, which is a handleless tamper. But after several uses, I was wrong: the grip is different from what I was used to, but very pleasant.
The mechanism is simple and effective: a progressive spring system calibrates the pressure to 13.6 kg (30 lbs), and an audible and tactile click signals, unambiguously, that the target has been reached. This consistency truly changes the workflow — before switching to a calibrated tamper, I used to tamp "by feel," with variations depending on the time of day or fatigue; now, every tamp is identical.
Find the Timemore PUCKS set on Amazon or on the official Timemore website
The distributor — a base that self-adjusts to the coffee level
The gravity distributor is the tool that took me the longest to truly appreciate. Not because it's bad — far from it — but because its operation is so discreet you could almost forget what it's doing. And yet, it does something important.
The principle is ingenious: the base of the distributor features a star-shaped pattern that automatically adapts to the height of the coffee in the portafilter, with no manual adjustment needed — you set it down, turn it gently, and the grounds redistribute evenly. No ring to screw on, no height to calibrate: it's self-adaptive, and it works. The magnetic attachment is well thought out — the tool stays in place during rotation, without the outer shell spinning off in one direction while the base turns in the other, a problem I had already encountered with other tools.
The cherry wood finish, consistent with the rest of the set, and a heavy, well-balanced distributor that neither slides nor tips over: the build quality echoes that of the tamper, designed to last. I use it systematically after my WDT, just before tamping, and the resulting grounds surface is noticeably flatter and more even than with my previous tools.
The distributor works by gravity: do not press down on it, simply let it rest on the grounds and rotate it gently. A light touch is all it takes — it's the design that does the work, not the force applied.
The Timemore PUCKS set (tamper + distributor + WDT) on Amazon
4 tips to avoid channeling with a bottomless portafilter
Discover how to avoid channeling during your espresso extractions with a bottomless portafilter.
Read the article →
If you're looking to understand why channeling ruins your espressos and how to avoid it, take a look at my anti-channeling tips for bottomless portafilters. And if you want to go further on grounds distribution, the article on distribution in the portafilter is an ideal complementary read.
The WDT Tool — the one I was most worried about, and the one that reassured me most
I'll be honest: it wasn't the WDT principle itself that worried me — it has proven its worth many times over and does an excellent job of breaking up clumps of grounds. What made me more cautious was the comparison with my previous model, the WDT Apollo — the Chinese imitation of the Weber Moonraker: its gear mechanism required a real push to get started and turned with less consistency, in jerky bursts. The WDT does not rely on this gear system: it is this absence of gears, combined with its dual bearing, that allows it to spin very easily and continuously — not "on its own," since the grounds provide a slight resistance, but with a fluidity that makes it noticeably more pleasant to use.
The Timemore PUCKS WDT is in a different league entirely. The 8 needles of 0.3 mm penetrate the grounds without displacing them abruptly, carried by a dual-bearing mount that ensures smooth, jerk-free 360° rotation. You place the tool using its magnetic attachment, give it a gentle push, and it spins on its own for several seconds, reaching deep into the grounds. A premium tool — one you can feel is premium the moment you pick it up.
The detail that makes the difference: Timemore has included 8 replacement needles, which reflects genuine thought about the product's longevity. Needles are inherently fragile — a drop, a wrong move, and a needle can bend. Having spare needles included in the box is a thoughtful touch that I appreciate. The maple wood handle contrasts slightly with the cherry wood of the other two tools, but the overall set remains cohesive and elegant. And cleaning the needles after use? Easy: just rest the WDT on its magnetic base, give it a small spin, and the residual grounds fall away naturally.
See the current price of the Timemore PUCKS set on Amazon or on the official Timemore website
The stand — a base that surprises with its quality
The three tools in the set rest on a shared stand, and this is a detail I didn't expect to be of such quality. At first glance, I would have thought it was wood — the finish is deceiving. It is actually made of plastic, but a dense, well-molded plastic: it's not the kind of thin material that deforms under finger pressure. The construction inspires confidence, and I'm convinced that it will last just as long as the rest of the elements in the set. And I don't think this choice of plastic is a matter of cost-cutting, but rather of aesthetics: the white achieved pairs very well with the tools placed on top of it.
Conclusion — A demanding set, for results that live up to expectations
The Timemore PUCKS set fully deserves its rating of 4.5/5. The result in the cup is tangible: channeling noticeably reduced, more consistent extractions, homogeneous crema. The price of €209 remains high, but it holds up: an equivalent set from Normcore reaches a similar total, without the aesthetic coherence or the quality of finish that Timemore has already proven with its grinders — and which is fully evident in the Millab M01. I recommend it to passionate enthusiasts who want to refine their workflow without stepping into professional equipment (such as an electric tamper). My only personal gripe: the stand is made of plastic. I don't think Timemore chose this material to cut costs — you can feel the quality, and the decision reflects a genuine aesthetic consistency — but I would still have preferred wood.
- Wood finishes
- Calibrated tamper highly effective — a crisp click, cup-to-cup consistency immediately noticeable
- Orbital WDT — dual bearing, smooth rotation, 0.3 mm needles that are genuinely effective
- Replacement needles included
- Self-adaptive distributor — no height adjustment needed, it simply works
- Concrete reduction of channeling
- Price of €209 — high, even if justified by the quality
- 58 mm compatible only — no alternative for other basket diameters
To go further
4 tips to avoid channeling with a bottomless portafilter
Discover how to avoid channeling during your espresso extractions with a bottomless portafilter.
Read the article →Barista Tip: Distributing Coffee Grounds in a Portafilter
Learn to properly distribute grounds in your portafilter to avoid channeling. Barista techniques and tool recommendations for consistent espresso.
Read the article →
5 Reasons Your Filter Coffee Isn't Perfect (Fix It)
Fix 5 common filter coffee mistakes — pouring, grind, filters, dripper, and dense beans — with practical solutions from coffee specialist Asser Christensen.
Read the article →