OLIVETTI has definitely made it's way to my heart as a typewriter user - with it's intricate and delicate designs. BOLD. ICONIC. IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE. 

Today we are reviewing some of the more famous Olivetti typewriter models. As typewriters are very individual, personal items not everyone might agree with what is to be said here but here we go anyway.

Let us know in the comments if you agree with the ranking, if you have used an Olivetti let us know how you rate it.

RANKING OLIVETTI TYPEWRITERS

PORTABLES CATEGORY

(1) Olivetti Lettera 32

Typing experience: 9/10

Maintenance needed: 7.5/10

They are light, small, with tabulator and a BASKET SHIFT! Most portables lack those functions. This, and the bigger sized carriage return lever make it (personally) one of the best portables Olivetti made. Some describe it as snappy, smooth, low-resistance. This is a 4kg light portable with a sturdy cast iron body that you need to worry about denting.

(2) Olivetti Lettera 22

Typing experience: 7/10

Maintenance needed: 8/10

Lettera 22 are known to be built sturdy and considered high quality. They do have smaller keys than Lettera 32, and might feel more heavy and sluggish compared to 32. Hence, the lower user experience score. Personally, the score is lower since my fingers can sometimes slip through the keys but this is very personal.

Maintenance wise, rubber components and grommets tend to wear out faster.

(3) Olivetti Dora

Typing experience: 7.5/10

Maintenance needed: 6.5/10

Dora is similar to the Lettera 32 model, but more simplified and plastic bodied without the Tabulator. They are smooth, light and good for fast typing.

(4) Olivetti Valentine

Typing experience: 6.5/10

Maintenance needed: 6/10

An Olivetti Valentine typewriters is not just feel-good typewriter but also a tribute to culture & design, you can see it displayed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) & Metropolitan Museum in New York as well as the Museum of Design in London.

Featuring a sleek design, lightweight basket shift and a thin spacebar, it is not for everyone but it is definitely cool to experience typing on one. That being said, most people do conclude these are better for display than typing on, especially fast typists but that is not necessary the truth for everyone. Other cons: Plastic shell prone to cracks and rubber on cases often needs replacements.

And while it might NOT have been a bestseller in it's time - it's a typewriter model that is still sought after today and much appreciated by collectors worldwide.

Honourable mention: Olivetti Lettera 35 - a budget portable; reliable but less refined than 22/32 models.

SEMI-PORTABLE CATEGORY

(1) Olivetti Studio 44

Typing experience: 9/10

Maintenance needed: 8/10

Some say the best‑typing Olivetti; heavy but incredibly smooth. With a big carriage return lever you don't need to go "look for".

(2) Olivetti Studio 45

Typing experience: 7.5/10

Maintenance needed: 7.5/10

Plastic bodied, very similar to the 44 model, slightly lighter, good all-round.

The extra large desktop models not mentioned but great for office use are M40, & Lexikon 80.

As well as one more model I have not tested myself, but is known to be a power horse - Praxis 48, however it is electric, and might be hard to find parts for.

For anyone curious about Olivetti typewriters, they certainly bring some personality to your own desk. From snappy to undeniably stylish Olivetti is a brand that has a lot to offer.

If you have not used an Olivetti before you can’t help but wonder which Olivetti would win your heart—could one of these iconic machines surprise you and find a permanent spot on your desk?