Stop Making Bad Coffee

If you want to make great coffee at home, the right gear makes a difference. In this episode, Wirecutter editorial director Marguerite Preston shares how to choose the right setup based on your space, budget, and desired level of effort.  We discuss why you may want to rethink how you’re grinding your coffee, the reasons that good drip coffee makers tend to be expensive, and when you may want to go for a pour-over setup or French Press.  Marguerite also shares why she’s not above drinking instant coffee—if it’s the right kind. This episode covers:Why a good coffee grinder matters: If you’ve only ever used a cheap blade grinder, you may want to consider a burr grinder as your first upgrade. This style of grinder crushes the beans into a more uniform grind that helps you make a tastier brew.Why weighing grounds is worth the effort: Weighing your coffee might seem fussy to the uninitiated, but it’s the best way to ensure a consistent flavor profile. A simple kitchen scale that measures to the gram is all you need.How to choose between a thermal and glass carafe: Most of Wirecutter’s recommended drip coffee makers come with a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours. But these are harder to clean. Glass carafes, on the other hand, are easier to clean, but if they sit on a hot plate for hours can result in scorched coffee.Why you’d want a gooseneck kettle: The long, skinny neck of a gooseneck kettle allows you more precision for pour-over coffee. The kettles Wirecutter recommends heat to specific temperatures for optimal brewing.Better pour-over drippers and French presses: These are not all created equal. We walk through the various types and why you might want one over the other. Products we recommend:The best coffee maker: OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee MakerGreat coffee, no programming: Technivorm Moccamaster KBTThe best burr grinder: Baratza EncoreThe best kitchen scale: Escali Primo Digital ScaleThe best pour-over dripper: Kalita Wave 185 DripperPour-over dripper for those with advanced technique: Hario V-60 Coffee Dripper (Size 02)A basic pour-over dripper for beginners: Kalita 102 Ceramic DripperBig-batch pour-over: Chemex Six Cup Classic SeriesThe best gooseneck kettle: Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck KettleThe best French press: Espro P3 French PressAnother solid French press: Bodum ChambordA classic moka pot: Bialetti Moka ExpressAn instant coffee we love: Swift Coffee Mainstay Additional reading:The 4 Best Coffee Grinders of 2026The 9 Best Coffee Makers of 2026The 4 Best Kitchen Scales of 2026The 4 Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers of 2026 The 4 Best Electric Kettles of 2026 The 4 Best French Presses of 2026 Why We Love the Bialetti Moka Pot for 2026The 3 Best Cold-Brew Coffee Makers of 2026The Best Instant Coffee, RankedHow Often Do I Really Need to Clean My Coffee Maker?How to Clean a Coffee Grinder  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.