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Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez
If there's one thing (most!) Serious Eats staffers agree on, it's coffee. We don't necessarily agree on a preferred brew method or what coffee beans are best; we just are all on the same page about coffee being essential to our daily lives and for us to function.
As such, we have some thoughts on what coffee equipment we recommend. And, of course, we've also reviewed lots of coffee gear on this very site. So in the name of giving you a comprehensive roundup of our favorite coffee gadgets, the list below includes both editor picks and products that have won our extensive testings.
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OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee GrinderAfter reviewing coffee grinders, we named this model from OXO the best model for most people. It has a straightforward design that's intuitive to use and it delivers consistent grinding results at an affordable price tag. For those looking for an upgraded grinder to maximize their control over grind size, we recommend the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Price at time of publish: $100
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Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee GrinderOur Updates Editor Jacob Dean wants to also give a shoutout to the Baratza Encore grinder (another one of our top-rated coffee grinders). "A conical burr grinder is a must-own, and the Baratza Encore is basically the best entry-level grinder on the market," Jacob says. "My wife and I have used it for years and it's one our essential pieces of kitchen gear."
Price at time of publish: $160
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AeroPress Coffee Maker
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso MakerFor those looking to brew a single-serving of coffee, there is the AeroPress. It's compact, affordable, and easy to set up. Heck, you can even buy an attachment that allows you to brew espresso-style coffee with it (which we do recommend).
Price at time of publish: $40
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Fellow Clara French Press
Fellow Clara French PressWe named the Fellow Clara French Press our overall favorite after testing 10 different French presses. It has a sleek, matte finish, a weighted handle that makes for a balanced pour, and a double-walled chamber that provides excellent heat retention. In short: It's great. For those looking for a more budget-friendly model, we liked the French press from Coffee Gator.
Price at time of publish: $99
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MiiR Camp Cup
MiiR Camp CupCoffee drinkware is, of course, very important too and can extend how long you enjoy a hot cup of coffee. "I drink out of this mug almost every morning and it keeps my coffee hot for hours. Features like the square handle and slide lid make it both functional and easy to look at (plus it's available in a multitude of colors)," Associate Editor Kristina Razon says.
Price at time of publish: $43
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Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
Ember Travel Mug²If you're into smart gadgets, it's worth giving the Ember Travel Mug a look. It's controlled by an app, where you set your ideal coffee temperature (135°F is our go-to). When you pour coffee in the mug, it lets the coffee cool down to this preset temperature and then holds it there for hours. You can check out our full review of it here.
Price at time of publish: $190
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OXO Compact Cold Brew Maker
OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee MakerOur favorite cold brew maker is this model from OXO. It produces fantastic cold brew, is easy to use, and is on the small side, which means it's easier to store. Plus, its compact glass carafe fits the fridge. If you're looking for a larger cold brew maker, we recommend this one from Toddy.
Price at time of publish: $35
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Breville Milk Cafe Milk Frother
Breville Milk Cafe FrotherWhen we tested milk frothers, we looked at foam quality, versatility, and design. This model from Breville was one of our favorites, as it offers a temperature control and has a large capacity, so it can fit enough milk for a few drinks at once. For those who are looking to make DIY lattes or cappuccinos but are on a budget or lack the storage space for an electric model, we recommend this handheld frother from Golde.
Price at time of publish: $160
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Kalita Pour-Over Coffee Brewer
Kalita Wave 185 DripperOf the pour-over devices on the market, the Kalita Wave is one of our favorites. "Its flat-bottom design makes even extraction of the coffee easier, for a more consistent cup," says Senior Culinary Director Daniel Gritzer. "[It's a] foolproof device for small-batch pour-over."
Price at time of publish: $48
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Stanley Legacy Quadvac Travel Mug
Stanley Legacy Quadvac Trigger-Action MugAfter testing 11 travel mugs, this model from Stanley came out on top. It's incredibly durable, offers excellent heat and cold retention, and comes with a lifetime warranty. For those looking to bring a whole lot of coffee with them, we also reviewed the best insulated thermoses.
Price at time of publish: $30
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The Breville Bambino Plus
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso MachineWhen we reviewed espresso machines, we looked for ones that were easy to use and produced high-quality coffee. This model from Breville ticked all of our boxes and has a built-in steamer. Even testers that had no coffee experience had success with this model. As we said in our review, "it’s almost more difficult to make a bad espresso drink with this machine than it is to make a good one."
Price at time of publish: $500
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Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker
Bialetti Moka Express Espresso MakerOf course, espresso machines are expensive. For a cheaper alternative, we also love a Moka Pot, which is a classic for a good reason. Associate Editor Yasmine Maggio uses her Moka Pot and a handheld milk frother to make "a near-replica of a cappuccino," she writes.
Price at time of publish: $50
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Mud Australia Espresso Cup
Mud Australia Espresso CupIf you have an espresso machine you need a couple of espresso cups, naturally. These handmade ones from Mud Australia are some of our favorites. They're comfortable to hold and come in beautiful matte shades, like Ash and Plum.
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Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle
Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric KettleA variable temperature electric kettle is worth having in your coffee arsenal. As we explained in our electric kettles review, coffee is "considered by many pros to be best when brewed at between 195 and 205°F, below the boiling point (212°F)." This means a kettle that can heat water to a precise temperature and hold it there is very helpful when brewing with, say, a French press. Our favorite is this model from Cuisinart, which has a plethora of settings and is easy to use.
Price at time of publish: $100
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Fellow Gooseneck Kettle
Fellow Stagg EKG Plus Electric Gooseneck KettleIf pour-over coffee is more your speed, a gooseneck kettle, with its precise spout, is ideal for the kind of even, gentle pour needed this method calls for. Again, we like a variable temperature model so we can set a specific temperature depending on the roast we're brewing.
Price at time of publish: $165
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OXO 8-Cup Coffee Maker
OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee MakerWe tested 16 models to find the best automatic drip coffee maker—and this brewer from OXO was one of our favorites. In our taste tests, it came out on top and it's incredibly easy to use and fairly well-priced (under $200).
Price at time of publish: $200
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Acaia Pearl
Acaia PearlIf you're into pourover coffee and looking for a scale that'll really allow you tinker and even help you with flow rate, we recommend the Acaia Pearl. You can read more about it and check out our budget-friendly recommendation here.
Price at time of publish: $150