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Nervous about getting the right gifts for coffee lovers in your life? We don’t blame you. Unsurprisingly, many coffee connoisseurs are very particular about every detail of their morning (or all hours of the day) beverage. So as theseason of giving draws nearer, here are the best gifts for coffee lovers, the ones that’ll earn you maximum points, whether you’re shopping for an espresso lover, a person who mixes Goop-y powders into their coffee (no shame), or that friend who wants an iced coffee even on a 20° day in January.
For the espresso enthusiast…
These little gray cups are handmade in Israel and stand out thanks to their black clay rim and delicate sides. We’ve also got some options for the coffee aficionado who loves pops of color or soothing neutral ceramics.
Our reviews editor Noahrecently testedthis mini espresso gadget and found that though it’s mostly marketed as a camping tool, it makes such a quality cup of espresso, he thinks you could justify using it at home, daily. In terms of quality espresso below $100, this is probably the best you can do, and it’s small enough to be a stocking stuffer.
This classic Italian device from Bialetti requires some technique perfecting, but once you get it down it is the key to a creamy, rich espresso-like drinkwithout an espresso machine. It’s also tiny enough to fit in the cupboard when not in use and still has its original chic octagonal shape from the 1950s.
Our favorite espresso machines
When it comes to at-home espresso makers under $1,000, the Breville Barista is our favorite inour product testfour years running, thanks to its quality construction, easy operation, and, of course, the full-flavored shots of espresso it produces. It also froths milk into velvety foam for lattes and cappuccinos. If you’re shopping for a true espresso nerd, and your budget allows it, the Rancilio Silvia Pro is our overall favorite espresso machine thanks to superior temperature control and regulated pressure that allow you to pull a coffee-shop-level shot. It’s an investment, sure, but if you’re looking for a group gift or a very bigI love you as much as you love coffeestatement, this is the gift for you. For the highest style option, you can’t beat the Rocket Apartemento espresso machine.
For the coffee lover who’s in a bean rut…
Maybe the person you’re shopping for really loves coffee, but they don’t know any better than to buy generic beans at the grocery store. A Trade Coffee subscription lets you personalize the beans to their taste—you fill out a quiz before ordering, including your level of coffee knowledge, preferred brewing method, and taste preferences. All coffee comes from small roasters and all beans are fair-trade. It’s the perfect way to introduce your loved one to a local roaster they may not have tried before and broaden their coffee knowledge. Or compile your own gift set comprised of some of our favorite coffee beans.
For the caffeinated commuter…
In ourtravel coffee mug test,这杯Kinto由于其排名好comfortable handle, leakproof design, and narrow mouth. But if we’re being honest, we also just love that it’s so adorable: In a sea of utilitarian-looking to-go containers, this smooth-edge bottle in cheery shades of mustard and rose really stands out.
So many travel mugs are just too big—we don’t need a Big Gulp–size coffee in the morning. The Yeti Rambler is the perfect size with a 10-ounce capacity. Insulated stainless-steel sides keep drinks warm or cool, while an easily removable top means you can easily sip with or without the lid.
Even if your coffee pro is brewing the best beans at home, chances are they haven’t founda solution to sad airport, airplane, or gas station coffeeyet. Enter Waka Coffee: finely chopped granules of Colombian Arabica beans are freeze-dried as opposed to spray-dried, the cheaper technique employed by most instant coffee makers. The result is a robust, layered flavor that you can brew on the go, anywhere you have access to hot water. We also love Verve’s take on instant coffee for a coffee gift that’ll go in a stocking or be great as part of a gift set.
For the slow sipper…
This Faro mug coffee service set from Japanese brand Kinto is beautifully understated. The porcelain and stainless-steel collection comes with a stackable pot, a mug, a brewer, and a strainer. Every piece has a double-wall construction and is dishwasher-safe. Plus, everything but the strainer can be used in the microwave.
This smart ceramic mug keeps your coffee the exact temperature you set it to—a blessing for anyone who sits down to work with a cup then looks up to find that it has gone cold 20 minutes later. The mug is controlled via an app, which also has setting for timing a tea brew.
Earlier this year we wrote aboutwhy smaller coffee mugs are better. If you have trouble getting through a whole big mug before your coffee gets cold, the solution is simple—get a smaller mug! Here are a few we love.
Decanting your brewed coffee into a fancy coffee pot is stylish and practical. Your coffee will stay warm and look good doing it.
For the drinker who likes to sweeten and add flavor…
Know someone who loves a little hint of sweetness in their morning cup? Using this handmade ceramic honey pot, complete with a wooden wand for swirling a spoonful of the golden stuff, is the most elegant way we know to get a sugar hit. Give a fancy honey alongside it.
Or for the person into adding powders to their morning brew, try a turmeric and cacao latte blend from Golde.
For the person looking forward to hosting brunch again…
If you take great pride in your selection of coffee beans, you should really feel similarly proud about the way you store them. This minimalist design looks beautiful and keeps whole beans safe from air and light, meaning they’ll stay fresh longer. A beautiful canister will definitely say “I care about my coffee. A lot.” Or to really take things to the next level in terms of preserving freshness, opt for these Fellow containers, which vacuum-seal your beans—meaning more robust flavor for your morning cup of coffee.
A mug for everyone!
Nothing says superb brunch host like the ability to make a latte, cappuccino, or café au lait. this Smeg milk frother is big enough to make steamed milk for a crowd—and, as is characteristic of the Italian brand, look absolutely fabulous doing it. If you want a stocking stuffer milk frother, this smaller model is a favorite of ours and will let yo make steamed milk for your morning brew any day of the week.
For the person who wants to upgrade their brewing method…
If your coffee lover swears by the ease of a drip machine but deserves an upgrade in taste, look no further than the winner of our test of the best drip coffee makers. The Technivorm Moccamaster produces a flavorful, nuanced brew thanks to a pre-soak function and an even shower distribution that covers all of the grounds. This machine also allows for greater customization in your brew than other models do, making it a favorite among coffee experts. It’s the ideal gift for anyone who wants to upgrade their coffee maker to something high-style.
Thisis the method of choicefor the particularly caffeine-addicted aesthete: This all-glass pour-over method is easy to use and produces a light, gorgeous cup. It’s also good for sustainability minded folks since our favorite reusableCoffeeSock filterfits the vessel perfectly. And if they’re into this brewing method, they’ll appreciate a sleek gooseneck kettle, which will let them disperse the hot water perfectly over the ground beans and make the coffee “bloom.”
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No list of the best gifts for coffee lovers can be complete without a French press. Aside from having a strong, clean look, this sturdy option has a two-screen system to keep the brew grit-free—a common complaint of coffee made in a French press. The double-wall construction is also good for keeping the contents hot for a long time. Plus, it’s a nice product for doingall sorts of tasksbeyond making coffee.
Let’s assume the coffee enthusiast you’re shopping for owns more thanone type of coffee makerand grinds their beans on a daily basis so they don’t get stale. Did you know that coffee tastes better when it takes a bit of manual labor to prepare? Even if that logic doesn’t quite hold up, a hand grinder is incredibly handy to have if you live in a place where the power regularly goes out or you like to have great coffee with you wherever you travel. The exceptional grounds, the arm workout, and the compact size that come with this coffee grinder make it an excellent gift.
Technically, this Breville grinder came in second place in our test of the best coffee grinders. But that was because it had more bells and whistles than the winning Oxo model—features that might not be necessary to the everyday coffee drinker. You’re here for a gift for the true coffeelover,though, which makes this the ideal selection. Some of those extra features? There’s a slot for you to attach an espresso portafilter cradle, making it possible to grind yourespressodirectly into your portafilter. The Breville offers absolute precision, down to the dosing, which is controlled by a timer you set to the tenth of a second, and the dial has 60 different settings. If you’re looking for something that will give you a fantastic grind for your drip or pour-over—and you think the space-age look gives major countertop appeal, go for a new winner in our product test, the Fellow grinder.
For the person who drinks iced coffee year-round…
Did you catch our digital director Maggie Hoffman’s passionate plea against cold brew as the iced-coffee brewing method of choice? If not,check it out. Maggie’s favorite way to make iced coffee is by shaking espresso with ice in acocktail shaker. She recommends using the Breville or stovetop Mokapot above, but if you don’t want to spring for those, an Aeropress is, she says, “maybe the best bang-for-your-buck piece of coffee equipment around.” And when you outfit it with ametal filter, you get closer to espresso-style coffee. (And you don’t have to worry about running out of paper filters.)
For those of you who are holding fast to iced coffee even in subzero temperatures, our tested-favorite cold brew makers, the Hario and the Takeya, also make a great gift. The Hario is our favorite overall for smooth, great-tasting iced coffee drinks. But the Takeya takes the cake if you prefer a strong brew or want to make cold brew concentrate.
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out more of our gift guides below:
