10 of Our Favorite Pieces of Coffee Gear We’ve Ever Tested

Chemex Classic Series Coffeemaker

$49 at Amazon $42 at Williams Sonoma $49 at Walmart

Chemex isn’t just a sciencey-sounding name — the brand was developed by an actual chemist in 1941. The Classic Series is something of a cult favorite in the pour-over community thanks to its generous capacity and slick good looks. The heat-resistant glass is durable and the wooden handle adds both a pleasing aesthetic and functional heat protection when handling the Chemex. 

Mary Lagroue, an Associate Commerce Editor here at Food & Wine, has used a Chemex at home for years and loves how the unique glass design results in a smooth, pure-tasting brew. It’s a testament to the quality and thoughtful engineering behind Chemex products.

Frieling Double Wall French Press

$160 $140 at Amazon $160 $100 at Target $140 at Williams Sonoma

We’ve tested quite a few French presses, and if we’re going to splurge on one, it’s this double-walled model from Frieling. Inside that sleek, shiny exterior is heavy-duty insulation that keeps coffee hotter for longer and doesn’t impart any unwanted flavors. We also appreciate how the handle stays comfortably cool to the touch, and the plunger depresses with a satisfying medium-level resistance. We can overlook the ever-so-slightly wobbly lid for the otherwise outstanding French press experience.

Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select Coffee Maker

$354 at Amazon $360 at Williams Sonoma $359 at Nordstrom

Independent coffee roaster Heather Calatrello of ShedLight Coffee loves a Moccamaster for everyday drip coffee making, thanks to the machine’s quiet, quick performance. Many of us at Food & Wine feel the same way — we also love the more than 20 available colors — so it’s no surprise that our Senior Commerce Editor, Dana Fouchia, has a Moccamaster in her kitchen, too. 

The KBGV Select carries the Specialty Coffee Association seal of approval, which is awarded only to machines that produce a consistently high-quality brew. You can’t program this Moaccamaster, but honestly? You won’t need to. The no-frills design makes it easy to operate and have fresh coffee in just a few minutes.

Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine

$750 $550 at Amazon $700 $550 at Target $550 at Williams Sonoma

We’ve tested many espresso machines, and while the Barista Express doesn’t come cheap, this is one machine that is genuinely worth the splurge if you’re serious about coffee. It has a built-in conical burr grinder, as well as a built-in frother and tamper. It's a true barista experience right at home, including everything you need to create custom coffee beverages on your own.

Because the Barista Express is so capable, there may be a learning curve as you figure out its nuances, but we think it’s more than worth the effort. The Breville produces smooth, balanced espresso every time — and it stores a half-pound of espresso beans, so you’ll always be ready to brew.

Fellow Ode Brew Grinder

$199 at Amazon $355 at Fellowproducts.com

This is one good-looking coffee grinder. The Fellow Ode was among our favorites during our recent coffee grinder tests, no doubt in part due to its pleasing aesthetics; but mostly because it does a fine job of creating a fine grind. In fact, it defaulted to a finer ground coffee than we necessarily preferred, but this electric grinder has 11 settings (and even more micro-settings in between), so once you get the hang of it it’s easy to dial in exactly the grind you’re looking for.

Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother

$120 at Williams Sonoma $120 at Sur La Table View on Crate & Barrel

Milk frothers aren’t just for lattes. You can use them to foam milk for indulgent hot chocolate or any other milky beverage — and when we need one, our favorite is the Nespresso Aeroccino. It’s a joy to use, reliably producing tight, structure-holding foam in a container that is easy to pour from. It’s also dishwasher safe, and the whisk is thoughtfully designed with a magnetic seat to keep it right where it belongs.

Acaia Pearl

$295 at Amazon View on Acaia.co View on Bluebottlecoffee.com

Sure, you could use a regular digital kitchen scale instead of a dedicated coffee scale to weigh your beans, but if you’re passionate about coffee, why not treat yourself to the best of the best? The Acaia Pearl scale impressed us with its ability to monitor both time and weight, recharge via USB cable, and even sync with Bluetooth connectivity.  

There’s no better way to consistently brew a great cup of coffee than to weigh your ingredients and pay attention to timing, and there’s no better coffee scale to dutifully — and beautifully — serve than the Acaia Pearl.

De'Longhi 3-in-1 Specialty Coffee Maker

$208 $160 at Amazon $170 at Wayfair View on Delonghi.com

Summer is rapidly approaching, and with it, our desire for cold-brew coffee is increasing. And yes, you can brew a regular pot of coffee, let it cool, and then stick it in the fridge, but it won’t have the same silkiness as a properly cold-brewed pot. This little De’Longhi packs a versatile punch with its ability to perform as a pour-over, drip, or cold brewer all in one. It’s an especially great choice if you like to change up your beans and brewing styles without having multiple pieces of brewing equipment.

East Fork The Mug

$44 at Food52 View on Eastfork.com

Coffee mugs are a deeply personal choice. Maybe your favorite is that quirky corporate promo mug you picked up at a conference ten years ago, or maybe, like us, it’s The Mug by East Fork. What should be a simple stoneware mug is a special treat to use — it’s hard to describe, but those who know, know. The Mug is regularly sold out and because each is handmade, they’re all a little bit different. But don’t worry — despite the handcrafted care with which it’s made, The Mug is still both dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

$165 at Amazon $166 at Target View on Target

There’s no denying that this is one sexy kettle. The matte finish, the elegant neck, and the precision with which it reaches temperature are welcome design shifts from the bulbous models we frequently see in our electric kettle tests. That gooseneck isn’t just for looks, though. It yields a level of control that makes the Fellow Stagg kettle perfect for pour-over brewing, and you can dictate water temperature between 135° and 212°F to accommodate your preferred beans or tea leaves.