11 Easy Home Coffee Gear Upgrades, All Under $100

For those of us who go to bed each night already excited about our first sip of coffee the next morning, keeping coffee-making essentials on hand at all times is a no-brainer. From great coffee beans to basic filters, preparation is the key to a perfect cup.

But if you’d like to take your coffee game to the next level, we’ve got you covered with some advice from a coffee roasting expert. We’re highlighting some of our favorite pieces of coffee station equipment — including an espresso machine and a set of mugs — all of which will upgrade your coffee setup for under $100.

11 Easy Coffee Setup Upgrades Under $100

• De’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine, $87 (originally $100)
• Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker, $24 (originally $28)
• Chemex Classic Series Coffeemaker, $49
• Bodum Bistro Premium Burr Grinder, $80
• Planetary Design Store Stainless Steel Coffee Canister, $31
• Timemore Coffee Scale, $59
• JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated Glasses, $16 (originally $25)
• Sweese Stackable Espresso Cups, $20 (originally $27)
• Nespresso Ispirazione Ristretto Italiano, $36 with coupon (originally $40)
• Luxhaus Espresso Tamper, $37
• AeroPress Original Coffee & Espresso Maker, $38

De’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

One of the first things you’ll need to upgrade your coffee setup is an espresso maker. If you’re looking for a sleek and easy-to-use machine, look no further than this pick from De’Longhi. It comes with a built-in manual frother, filters for single and double shots, and a tamper, so you’ll be ready to brew espresso, cappuccino, and latte in no time. This compact machine also comes at a budget-friendly price, so it’s an easy entry into espresso making.

Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker

A French press is a classic accompaniment of the coffee station. Just add coarse coffee grounds, pour in some hot water, let the magic happen for a few minutes, then press the plunger and pour — it’s nice and easy. We’ve found that less is more when it comes to a good French press, which is why we like the timeless Bodum Chambord. The elegant glass and stainless steel design delivers a consistently superior cup of coffee, and it reigned supreme in our testing.

Chemex Classic Series Coffeemaker

Do you really need a pour-over vessel if you already have a drip coffee maker, a French press, and possibly an espresso machine? We’ll say yes because variety is the spice of life. While the pour-over method of brewing coffee takes a bit of skill to perfect, our tests found the Chemex Classic to be the best overall pour-over coffee maker. It’s a straightforward setup that will yield a great cup of coffee and look great sitting on your coffee station.

Bodum Bistro Premium Burr Grinder

“No matter what type of coffee you’re making, you always want to grind your beans right before brewing,” says Heather Calatrello, owner and head roaster at ShedLight Coffee. “A burr grinder will ensure consistency, and there are several affordable models on the market.” 

If you’re looking for a coffee grinder that will handle all the work for you, we recommend the Bodum Bistro Premium. It produces quick, consistent grinds and is a modern addition to any coffee station. If a manual grinder is more your style, Calatrello suggests the 1Zpresso Q2 grinder, which she says she’s “really fond of” and reaches for daily.

Planetary Design Store Stainless Steel Coffee Canister

Grinding your beans just before brewing is one way to ensure your coffee is as fresh as can be; another is to make sure you’re storing those beans properly until you’re ready for them. Calatrello prefers the Airscape canisters by Planetary Design, citing product quality and how “pushing the air out of the canister provides a satisfying morning experience.” Second only to the first sip of coffee, we’re sure.

Timemore Coffee Scale

While you can use any old scoop to portion out your coffee, the pros prefer a higher level of precision. Calatrello says that coffee densities can vary greatly and that measuring both coffee grounds and water is the best way to nail your coffee-water ratio and ensure consistency with every brew. “We absolutely love the Timemore Black Mirror Plus because it’s accurate to 0.1 grams, has a timer, and is USB-rechargeable,” she says, adding that this scale “looks sleek on your counter.”

JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated Glasses

A nice-looking set of espresso mugs belongs at every coffee station. These double-walled glass mugs are great not only for their insulative properties but also because the glass allows you to fully take in the depth of color and admire the rich crema on top. 

Sweese Stackable Espresso Cups

For espresso mugs with a bit more aesthetic flair, we like this stackable porcelain mug and saucer set that comes in a set of six. It also saves space with its vertical design. Choose between white or an assorted color set.

Nespresso Ispirazione Ristretto Italiano

If you have a Nespresso machine, you’ll want to keep your coffee station equipped with a nice variety of capsules or pods — depending on which one your machine takes. The Nespresso Ristretto Intenso capsule is a favorite dark roast coffee that stands up nicely to milk but is smooth enough to sip on its own. Or, if you have a pod-based machine, go for the Nespresso Vertuo sampler, which will give you a variety of different coffees across 30 pods.

Luxhaus Espresso Tamper

If you have a conventional espresso machine, it may have come up with a tamper, but if you need one (or if you’re just ready for an upgrade), this Luxhaus espresso tamper is an elegant option. It’s a pressure-sensitive tamper that evenly presses grounds to ensure the best-tasting espresso shot, and it looks great while it’s on display. If you’re after a more budget-friendly tamper, the RSVP International dual-sided coffee tamper will get the job done, too.  

AeroPress Original Coffee & Espresso Maker

The most well-equipped coffee station will also have equipment available for you to take on the road, and for making coffee on the go, nothing beats the Aeropress. This useful kit includes everything you need (except coffee grounds) to brew a cup of coffee right from your campsite, trailhead, or even your hotel room. When you’re at home, it stashes away nicely in a drawer or cabinet until it’s time for the next adventure.