Gifts for coffee lovers quick picks
For real coffee nerds: Hario Kasuya Cupping Spoon
For home baristas: Dreamfarm Espresso Knock Box
For simple, mess-free cold brew: Hario Cold Brew Bottle
For their coffee bar: Indranila Coffee Essentials Print
For French press lovers: Espro P3
The nice thing about finding gifts for coffee lovers is that there are tons of accessories and coffee makers to choose from. What’s more, shiny espresso machines, portable pour-over devices and other meaningful accessories can be real game changers.
“For coffee enthusiasts who deeply appreciate coffee, selecting the perfect gift can significantly enhance their brewing and tasting experience,” says Simone Celli, a barista and trainer at Espresso Academy, which holds coffee-making courses in Italy.
However, one size does not fit all, and the cold brew lover and French press aficionado will have different needs. “The type of purchase does depend on the level the person is at — if the person is new to the coffee scene or [if] they are seasoned,” adds Christopher Hendon, co-author of “Water for Coffee,” a book that explores how water affects the chemistry of coffee.
Luckily, our guide covers it all: coffee makers, accessories and java-themed decor at multiple price points. And if our roundup leaves you wanting more, check out our other gift ideas, including gifts for wine lovers, whiskey enthusiasts and cooks.
Best gifts for coffee lovers under $25
These stylish coffee mugs are made from heat-resistant glass and are safe for the dishwasher and microwave. We love how these cups will look on a wooden tray or saucer.
Celli loves this minimalistic device for cold brew. “It’s ideal for making cold brew at home or in small cafés," he says. "It can brew up to 700 milliliters of concentrated cold brew per extraction, extracting coffee without bitterness or acidity. It's simple to use: Just add coffee, water and let it steep.” We also recommend Hario's Mizudashi, our favorite cold brew maker.
This graphic poster defines the differences between a macchiato, cortado or latte with an image of each one. You can print it yourself at home, use a local shop or upload it to an online printing service for home delivery. It's the perfect addition to their at-home coffee bar.
Ask any coffee enthusiast and they'll say that Mark Pendergrast's "Uncommon Grounds" is the definitive book on the history of coffee. In nearly 500 compelling pages, he tracks the history of the caffeine-packed bean from its discovery to its status as a luxury good.
When we tested the best coffee subscriptions, Blue Bottle won us over for its wide variety of full-bodied, robust flavors. We also love the simple packaging of this ethically sourced coffee, which is made in small batches.
This is a smart solution for a quick, mess-free single-serve coffee. Just add a coffee filter and the evenly distributed holes will allow water to flood through the grinds and make a strong cup of joe in seconds. For more advanced coffee enthusiasts, we recommend the Kalita Wave, our favorite pour-over device.
This beautifully illustrated A to Z of everything coffee related will be a delight for connoisseurs. It’s authored by UK barista champion Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, who’s also published "The Business of Specialty Coffee" for those interested in the commercial aspects of coffee.
For people who already own an espresso machine, this useful accessory will enhance their coffee-making experience. Just bang the portafilter (the part of the machine that holds the coffee grounds) on the edge and the compressed coffee pops out smoothly. Plus, the rubber sleeve means you can knock out your coffee without waking the whole neighborhood.
Acme has a gorgeous range of simple porcelain cups made in its 100-year-old ceramics factory in Tajimi, Japan. We particularly love these 10-ounce handleless cups that come in two subtle colors.
This female-owned company places an emphasis on buying coffee from women-operated farms. The coffee subscription comes recommended by Hendon, who says, “They are really excellent roasters and nice people.”
Never mismeasure your coffee again with this durable walnut wood-handled measuring spoon. Each scoop delivers 10 grams of ground coffee or 30 milliliters of water.
The outdoorsy person in your life should enjoy this camp cup with a grippy handle that will keep their coffee hot for hours. It’s got a slider lid for sipping on the go and comes in plenty of fun colors and four different sizes.
For coffee lovers who already have all the gadgets, the gift of learning could be a good option. “We're kinda like the 'Netflix of Coffee,'" says Jem Challender, dean of studies at Barista Hustle. At the time of publishing, Barista Hustle offers 20 courses, including latte art, quality control and roasting science classes.
Best gifts for coffee lovers under $50
If you're shopping for someone who's nerdy enough to know what "cupping" is — essentially a standardized coffee tasting — they'll appreciate this spoon. Designed in cooperation with 2016 World Brewers Cup Champion Tetsu Kasuya, it blends elegance and functionality and comes from one of the most respected brands in coffee.
Does the coffee lover you're shopping for need a wave of coffee to wake up? Inspired by the Japanese woodblock print "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," this cotton tee was designed by gloopz at Design by Humans and comes in seven colors.
This nifty little milk frother is USB-rechargeable, has two speeds and can fit into a drawer or bag for travel purposes. It even has a cap that prevents it from getting damaged in transit. It's an editor favorite and our testing team's pick for the best wand-style milk frother.
Associate updates writer Maxwell Shukuya used a Moka pot for years. "Even though it technically doesn't make espresso, it's one of the cheapest, low-effort ways to make a latte at home," he says. Since it's made almost entirely of metal, it'll also last for decades. However, keep in mind that the "6-cup" designation is a bit misleading, given it only produces around 9 ounces of (strong) coffee.
For the coffee lover who is also a pet parent, acclaimed barista and latte artist Michael Breach creates custom latte art portraits. “People send me a reference photo of a person or pet and I basically create it by hand and send them stills and a time-lapse video of the creation coming together,” he says.
Having used Kruve products before — including the sifter and EQ coffee glasses — we can confidently say the company produces high-quality goods. Just check out the detail on these espresso glasses, which are made from handblown glass. And thanks to their double-walled construction, your espresso will stay warmer for longer.
In our testing, Espro's P3 made the brightest, most flavorful coffee out of all the models we tested. That's likely because of its unique double-filter design, which any coffee lover would appreciate.
“Achieving a uniform density of coffee in the filter before tamping is crucial for a great espresso,” says Celli, who recommends this ingenious, Italian-made tool designed to distribute the ground coffee evenly in the filter. “It's compatible with any portafilter and significantly improves the consistency and quality of coffee extraction.”
We love this compact, lightweight appliance for making the perfect espresso shot without the high cost of a bulky commercial machine. It’s ideal for people living alone or with limited kitchen counter space. It’s also a great travel companion for coffee enthusiasts. Adam Edmonsond, a coffee specialist at Masters of Coffee, calls it a "compact solution for making excellent coffee in hotel rooms or just about anywhere hot water can be found.”
Fresh beans are essential for tasty coffee, so a vacuum-sealed storage container is a must-have. The airtight seals on these containers extend the life of your beans so they last longer than if they were stored in the paper bags they come in from the store.
When we tested the best travel coffee mugs, this one came out on top for its durability and ability to retain heat for long periods (up to 10 hours!). It's wonderfully leakproof with a lockable lid.
Written by world-famous coffee expert James Hoffmann, this global compendium covers the countries where coffee is grown, the farmers who grow it and the cultures surrounding its consumption. It’s illustrated with color photographs of places that’ll inspire wanderlust in coffee lovers, like Uganda, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Haiti and Puerto Rico.
This is an excellent subscription for people who like variety and surprise. Black & White’s roasting team chooses the coffees for this subscription at the beginning of each month for your home delivery. “They buy exotic naturals and really do a good job sourcing the coffee," Hendon says.
This portable, insulated mug is recommended by Edmonsond. “For a coffee lover on the go, a ceramic-lined, BPA-free travel mug such as those made by Fellow will keep coffee hot, is easy to clean and doesn’t absorb odors," he says. Its gorgeous, sleek design is just a bonus.
Best gifts for coffee lovers under $100
One of our editors raves about these mugs, writing that they hold an impressive amount of liquid, keep her drinks hot and feature a comfy, extra-large handle. Plus, you can pick from nine designs.
This attractive pour-over gift set comes from the Chicago-based coffee makers at Intelligentsia. It comes with the company’s Frequency Blend beans, which promise “hints of golden raisin, raw sugar and molasses.”
For a cup of coffee that takes nearly zero effort, Cometeer's flash-frozen capsules are lightyears ahead of instant coffee. In our testing, the flavor rivaled brews from artisanal coffee shops.
You won't find another grinder that matches the Chestnut C3's consistency or durability for under $100. In our testing, it blew away models that were more than double the price, making it an obvious pick for anyone who's serious about grinding their own beans.
This elegant stovetop kettle ensures smooth and even water distribution with classic style. The wide-bottom design helps with heat efficiency, meaning the water boils quickly to make those rushed mornings a little bit easier.
Best gifts for coffee lovers under $200
While some coffee snobs might look down on Nespresso fans, you can't beat the convenience and consistency of this single-serve coffee maker. We loved it because it was easy to operate and cheaper than other models.
This is an excellent gift for that ultra-busy friend who will forget about their coffee until it goes cold. The Ember Mug 2 has adjustable temperature controls and can last all day with its charging coaster. It comes in 10- and 14-ounce sizes.
Shopping for someone who wants to take their love of coffee to the next level? The experts at Espresso Academy in Italy also have myriad online courses, from mastering espresso machine setup to honing professional tasting skills.
Create the ultimate foam for cappuccinos and lattes with this easy-to-clean milk frother. It has a dial that allows you to set your desired temperature and foam consistency. When you’re done, just pop the attachments into the dishwasher or rinse them in the sink.
According to our testing team, there isn't a better specialty kettle than the Stagg EKG. It features a slow-pour spout, precise temperature controls and a convenient keep-warm setting — all of which make it ideal for anyone who calls pour-over their preferred brewing method.
Best gifts for coffee lovers over $200
Shukuya says the best thing about the Gaggia Classic is its simple construction. "Since parts are widely available and the guts of the machine aren't complicated, anyone can mod, repair or refurbish these machines with a little bit of research," he says.
Pro barista, coffee roaster and latte artist Cortney Kern recommends two grinders by Baratza for coffee aficionados on different budgets. “When you spend a little more, you’ll get less fines in your brew basket. Fines are an enemy because they clog the channel of hot water at the bottom of the brew basket in the filter, which causes overextraction and more bitter cup results," Kern says. "I recommend the Baratza Encore as a starter grinder. But I own a Baratza Forte BG on my counter at home, which uses flat burrs and produces the least amount of fines."
For hardcore coffee lovers, Hendon recommends this professional-quality coffee scale, which he describes as “top of the line.” For a cheaper alternative, he says that he enjoys using the DiFluid Microbalance.
If you’re on the hunt for an espresso machine with a built-in grinder, then this highly rated option from Breville could be a good choice. The grinder has 25 settings and sits on top of the machine to save counter space.
Meet our experts
We spoke to the following six experts to find the best coffee gifts on the market.
- Michael Breach, acclaimed barista and latte artist
- Simone Celli, barista and trainer at Espresso Academy
- Jem Challender, UK brewers cup champion and dean of studies at Barista Hustle
- Adam Edmonsond, a coffee specialist at Masters of Coffee
- Christopher Hendon, co-author of “Water for Coffee” and associate professor of chemistry at the University of Oregon
- Cortney Kern, pro barista, coffee roaster and latte artist
Why trust CNN Underscored
We spoke to half a dozen coffee experts across the globe, from baristas and latte artists to roasters and coffee educators. On top of tapping experts for recommendations, we consulted our in-house testing team, which has hands-on experience with some of the best coffee gear on the market. Plus, one of this article’s authors, associate writer Maxwell Shukuya, is a huge coffee geek. In his decade-long obsession, he’s attended a coffee tasting with one of Mexico’s esteemed coffee judges, refurbished an espresso machine and purchased way too many accessories.