The Brew Better blog
Brewing guides, gear reviews, and recipes — written by home baristas, for home baristas.
Best Burr Grinders Under $100 (Tested)
We ground 12 pounds of coffee through six budget grinders. These three are worth your money.
Best Gooseneck Kettles Reviewed
Four kettles that pour like a dream — plus one bargain pick that punches above its price.
Baratza Encore Review: Still the Best First Grinder
The Encore has been the recommended entry-level burr grinder for over a decade. Here's why it still deserves the crown.
Fellow Ode Gen 2 Review: The Best-Looking Grinder You Can Buy
The Ode Gen 2 fixed everything wrong with the original and became the best filter-only grinder under $400.
Hario V60 Ceramic Review: The $30 Icon
The V60 has been the world's most popular pour over dripper for 20 years. Here's why the ceramic version is still the one to buy.
Chemex Classic Review: An 80-Year-Old Design That Still Delivers
The Chemex has been on display at MoMA. It also brews some of the cleanest coffee you'll ever drink.
AeroPress Original Review: The Best $40 in Coffee
The AeroPress does more with less than any brewer ever made. Here's why it belongs in every kitchen.
Bodum Chambord Review: The Classic French Press for a Reason
The Chambord has been unchanged since 1974 because it doesn't need to change. Here's the honest review.
Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle Review: Worth $195?
The Stagg EKG is the most Instagrammed kettle in coffee. It's also genuinely great. Here's the honest breakdown.
Brewista Artisan Kettle Review: The EKG Alternative
The Brewista Artisan has variable temp, a fantastic pour, and costs less than the Stagg. Here's why it's a great alternative.
Acaia Pearl Scale Review: The Coffee Scale That Started It All
The Pearl is what serious home baristas use. Here's whether the price is justified.
Timemore C2 Hand Grinder Review: The Best Budget Grinder
The C2 makes $250 grinders nervous. Here's why it's the smartest budget purchase in specialty coffee.
Wilfa Svart Review: The Overlooked Filter Grinder
Designed by the Norwegian Coffee Association, the Wilfa Svart is quietly one of the best filter grinders under $250.
Commandante C40 Hand Grinder Review: Is It Worth $300?
The C40 is the most-recommended hand grinder in specialty coffee. Here's whether the hype matches reality.
1Zpresso JX-Pro Review: The Hand Grinder for Espresso
The JX-Pro is the rare hand grinder that grinds espresso fine enough for serious shots. Here's the review.
Breville Barista Express Review: The Best Entry-Level Espresso Machine
The Barista Express bundles a machine, grinder, and steaming wand for the price of a mid-range machine alone. Here's the honest take.
Gaggia Classic Pro Review: The Machine You Buy and Keep Forever
The Gaggia Classic Pro has been made for 30 years with minor changes. It's still one of the best sub-$500 espresso machines.
Rancilio Silvia Review: Old-School Espresso That Still Delivers
The Silvia has been the classic prosumer espresso machine since 1997. Here's why it endures.
Fellow Carter Mug Review: The Insulated Cup That Actually Keeps Coffee Hot
Insulated mugs mostly lie about their heat retention. The Carter is the exception. Here's why.
Ember Mug Review: A $130 Mug That Actually Justifies Itself
The Ember is a heated ceramic mug controlled by an app. Here's who it's for and why it's not silly.
Pact Coffee Subscription Review: Freshness by Mail
Pact is the UK's biggest specialty coffee subscription. Here's what six months of bags taught me.
Trade Coffee Review: The Best US Coffee Subscription
Trade curates from 55+ US roasters and matches beans to your palate. Here's what makes it worth the price.
Counter Culture Coffee Review: The Roaster Every Barista Trusts
Counter Culture has been the barista's roaster for two decades. Here's why the beans keep earning it.
Blue Bottle Beans Review: Are They Still Worth It?
Blue Bottle went from Bay Area icon to Nestle-owned mainstream. Here's whether the beans still deliver.
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