The full index

Every buying guide, ranked

Everything we've ranked, grouped by category, each with a live top-pick price. If you know what you're shopping for, start here.

HUB 01

Espresso Machines

Roundup
The Best Home Espresso Machines
Seven machines ranked, from the do-it-all Barista Express to a $150 way to test the waters — with live prices and a plain 'skip this' on every one.
Top pick: Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
$547.45View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Espresso Machines for Beginners
Five beginner-friendly machines ranked by how quickly they get you to a good shot — and how little they punish a mistake.
Top pick: Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)
$499.95View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Budget Espresso Machines
Five ways to pull a shot on a budget — from a $150 electric machine to a manual lever press — with the honest trade-off on each.
Top pick: De'Longhi Stilosa (EC260)
$147.99View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Manual & Portable Espresso Makers
Lever and hand-pumped espresso makers that need no electricity — great for travel and the ritual, ranked with live prices.
Top pick: Flair 2GO Portable Lever Espresso Maker
$169.00View on Amazon
Review
Breville Barista Express Review (BES870XL)
Why the Barista Express earns its 'first machine' reputation — the built-in grinder — and the honest case for the Pro or the grinder-less Bambino instead.
Top pick: Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
$547.45View on Amazon
Review
De'Longhi La Specialista Review (EC9335M)
How the La Specialista's sensor grinder and smart tamping help a beginner — and why an enthusiast may prefer the more open Breville.
Top pick: De'Longhi La Specialista (EC9335M)
$727.71View on Amazon

HUB 02

Coffee Makers

Roundup
The Best Coffee Makers & Brewers
Six drip machines ranked on the one spec that matters — brew temperature — from the buy-it-for-life Moccamaster to a 14-cup workhorse on a timer.
Top pick: Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
$363.69View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best French Presses
Four French presses ranked, from the iconic Bodum Chambord to a double-filtered Espro that fixes the gritty last sip — with the honest trade-off on each.
Top pick: Bodum Chambord French Press (34oz)
$39.69View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers
Three pour-over brewers ranked — the classic Hario V60, the museum-piece Chemex, and a valve-equipped Switch that also steeps like a press.
Top pick: Hario V60 Dripper (02)
$29.00View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Moka Pots
Four moka pots ranked, from the 1933 Bialetti icon to a crema-making Brikka and a stainless pick for induction hobs — strong stovetop coffee, not true espresso.
Top pick: Bialetti Moka Express (6-Cup)
$52.99View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Single-Serve & Pod Coffee Makers
Four pod machines ranked — the well-equipped Keurig K-Elite, two Nespresso options, and a mini Keurig — with a straight answer on what pods cost you per cup.
Top pick: Keurig K-Elite
$149.99View on Amazon

HUB 03

Grinders

HUB 04

Accessories

Roundup
Espresso Accessories Worth Buying (and the Ones to Skip)
Six espresso accessories ranked by how much they improve the shot per dollar — with an honest note on which ones you can skip.
Top pick: Normcore WDT Distribution Tool (V3)
$32.99View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Espresso Tampers & Distribution Tools
Three tampers and levelers, with the size-matching rule that stops most wrong-fit returns before you buy.
Top pick: Normcore 58.5mm Spring-Loaded Tamper (V4)
$43.99View on Amazon
Roundup
The Best Coffee Scales for Espresso & Brewing
Three coffee scales with timers, from a café-style espresso scale to a cheap do-the-job option and a roomy pour-over scale.
Top pick: TIMEMORE Coffee Scale Basic 2.0
$47.20View on Amazon
Guide
Espresso Accessories for Beginners: The Starter Checklist
The six accessories a new espresso drinker should buy first — cheapest useful version of each, in priority order.
Top pick: Weightman Espresso Scale with Timer
$13.99View on Amazon

HUB 05

Coffee Beans