--- title: How does the NEO Flex differ from other Flair models? description: The NEO Flex is perfect for beginners! --- [![company logo](https://support.flairespresso.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png?height=120&name=flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png)](https://flairespresso.com) [Flair Help Center](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) FAQs - [Account Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information) - [Account and Purchase History](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#account-and-purchase-history) - [Managing Payments and Billing](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#managing-payments-and-billing) - [Processing and Shipping Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#processing-and-shipping-information) - [Promotions](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#promotions) - [Returns and Warranty](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty) - [Return Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#return-information) - [Warranty Policy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#warranty-policy) - [Partners and Collaborators](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/partners-and-collaborators) - [Before You Buy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy) - [Espresso 101](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#espresso-101) - [Flair FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#flair-faqs) - [The Flair 58 Family](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#recommendations) - [The Flair 58+](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#the-flair-58) - [The PRO2](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#recommendations) - [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#recommendations) - [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#recommendations) - [The Royal Grinder](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#faqs) - [The Signature](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#recommendations) - [The NEO](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#recommendations) [Back to home](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) 1. [Flair Help Center](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) 2. [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) 3. FAQs - [Account Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information) - [Account and Purchase History](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#account-and-purchase-history) - [Managing Payments and Billing](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#managing-payments-and-billing) - [Processing and Shipping Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#processing-and-shipping-information) - [Promotions](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#promotions) - [Returns and Warranty](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty) - [Return Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#return-information) - [Warranty Policy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#warranty-policy) - [Partners and Collaborators](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/partners-and-collaborators) - [Before You Buy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy) - [Espresso 101](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#espresso-101) - [Flair FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#flair-faqs) - [The Flair 58 Family](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#recommendations) - [The Flair 58+](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#the-flair-58) - [The PRO2](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#recommendations) - [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#recommendations) - [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#recommendations) - [The Royal Grinder](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#faqs) - [The Signature](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#recommendations) - [The NEO](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#recommendations) # How does the NEO Flex differ from other Flair models? ## The NEO Flex is perfect for beginners! The NEO Flex comes with our Flow Control Portafilter (a "pressurized portafilter"), allowing users to brew espresso without requiring an espresso-capable grinder or fresh, whole beans. Thanks to its inner "Flow Control" properties, the passage of water through the portafilter is restricted, ensuring pressure is built within the brew head even if a too coarse or inconsistent grind size is used. You can even use pre-ground coffee!  While this does limit the potential quality of the espresso - as you cannot dial-in the grind size to your specific preferences - it is a wonderful option for those new to the world of espresso, or without access to the additional equipment or time required of our additional other models.  However, it also comes standard with our Bottomless 2-in-1 portafilter (a "non-pressurized" portafilter), meaning the grind size must be very fine, and very consistent, to slow the flow of water through the brew head to craft this same pressure, and therefore, genuine espresso.  This allows users to grow as they go with their NEO Flex.  Other key differences include the polycarbonate frame compared to other Flair's aluminum frame, and an incompatibility with the Pressure Gauge Kit and Custom Carrying Case.  flairespresso.com Help Center - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new)