Best buys · 4 picks

The coffee

Good coffee at home is mostly the grinder and fresh beans; the rest is taste. These are the ones people do not replace with something fancier a year later.

The espresso machine

Breville Bambino Plus

Heats up in seconds rather than a quarter of an hour, steams milk by itself to the temperature you set, and fits a small counter. The easiest way into real espresso.

Buy it for
Latte and flat white drinkers who are tired of the coffee shop bill.
Skip it if
You will not also buy a proper grinder. Espresso needs one.
What to look for, the cheaper option and the step up →
The grinder

Baratza Encore

A burr grinder that grinds evenly for drip, pour-over and French press, and Baratza sells the parts to repair it rather than replace it.

Buy it for
Anyone still using pre-ground coffee or a blade grinder.
Skip it if
You only make espresso. The standard Encore does not grind fine enough; the Encore ESP does.
What to look for, the cheaper option and the step up →
The travel brewer

AeroPress

Makes one strong, clean cup in about two minutes, survives being thrown in a bag, and costs little. The camping, office and hotel-room coffee maker.

Buy it for
Travel, camping, one cup at a time.
Skip it if
You make coffee for the whole house. Get a drip machine.
What to look for, the cheaper option and the step up →
The kettle

Fellow Stagg EKG

Holds water at the temperature you set and pours in a thin, steady stream, which is what pour-over needs. It also looks good enough to leave on the counter.

Buy it for
Pour-over, tea at the right temperature.
Skip it if
You only need boiling water. Any electric kettle does that.
What to look for, the cheaper option and the step up →