As specialty coffee has grown from obscure niche to mainstream staple, the art and artistry of brewing a cup of coffee is now a daily ritual. (Not that there’s anything wrong with a cheap cup of coffee.) The allure and refined precision of pour-over is no longer reserved for the caffeinated intelligentsia. Just about everyone you know has a chemex on their counter!
Part of what makes the routine of making coffee so special is the aesthetic beauty of the process. Coffee offers a wide spectrum of choices from colorful and retro to rigid and industrial – there’s equal beauty in the iconic shape of a Bialetti moka pot, practical and uniform, to the expressive and cutesy Smeg Coffee Maker with its on-the-nose vintage design.
But while we can find words of praise for most coffee equipment, there are some that simply stand above the rest. Below we’ve rounded up the best looking coffee brewers, espresso machines, and coffee equipment for your home. We’ve chosen display-worthy gear that deserves a spot of honor on your counter – coffee equipment that will make your guests pause and comment on your exquisite sense of taste. We’ve also chosen less expensive alternatives that are still expertly designed so you can shop for beautiful coffee makers on a budget.
These aesthetically pleasing coffee makers not only brew a delicious cup of coffee, they look great doing it.
And now that you’ve got your eye-catching coffee setup on the counter, here are the essential coffee drinks everyone should know how to make.
The Best Looking Coffee Gear
The Best Coffee Maker: Technivorm Moccamaster
The Moccamaster is perhaps the best automatic coffee maker you can buy right now. Industry pros swear by the precise, consistent filter coffee that the Technivorm Moccamaster offers every time. Plus, with over a dozen color options to choose from, you can opt for whatever palette suits your kitchen. Our editors swear by the Moccamaster and we love how good it looks on the counter.
Buy: $359
The Best Budget Coffee Maker: Bodum 12-Cup Coffee Maker
For a less expensive, but still beautifully designed coffee brewer, turn to Bodum. The heritage coffee company has crafted Scandinavian-designed coffee equipment for years. And their retro aesthetic has earned the nod from MoMA who have an exclusive retro-inspired colorway available in their shop. The Bodum 12-Cup Coffee Maker might not be as exacting as the Moccamaster, but it looks fantastic and still brews great coffee.
Buy: $89
The Best Espresso Machine: Rocket Espresso Appartamento Espresso
Rocket is often looked to as one of the premier high-end espresso machine crafters in the world. The brand is trusted by home enthusiasts and industry pros alike and Rocket’s signature Italian design sets the standard for both visual appeal and efficient performance. The Appartamento, Rocket’s signature espresso machine, is pricey but excellent catering toward espresso enthusiasts. The sleek stainless steel paired with the colorful interior panel make this an eye-catching coffee machine worthy of a place on your counter.
Buy: $1750
The Best Budget Espresso Machine: Swan Nordic Pump Espresso Coffe
The budget-friendly Swan Nordic espresso machine takes up much less space than the Rocket Appartamento and doesn’t boast the same bells and whistles, but it’ll still get the job done. Plus, the minimalist vintage aesthetic is a classic for a reason.
Buy: $230
The Best Pour Over Brewer: Origami Dripper Set
Chemex introduced many coffee novices to the world of pour over coffee, but we’ve since seen an explosion in pour-over coffee drippers. Our pick for the most beautiful is the Origami Dripper. The Japanese-designed coffee brewer is available in a wide range of color and showcases a unique, “folded” construction that not only results in a delicious cup of coffee, it makes for a great statement piece.
Buy: $55
The Best Budget Pour Over Brewer: The Cafec Flower Dripper
A slightly less expensive alternative is The Cafec Flower Dripper. The porcelain pour-over coffee maker is also available in a variety of color options and boasts a similar design to the classic Hario V60.
Buy: $33
The Best French Press: Fazeek Two Tone Coffee Plunger
The iconic French Press is stylish enough on its own but the chic Two Tone edition from Fazeek elevates the classic coffee maker design. Crafted from borosilicate glass, the Two Tone Coffee Plunger is sure to turn heads while still delivering a fantastic cup of coffee.
Buy: $165
The Best Budget French Press: Bodum Caffettiera French Press
Bodum once again makes the list for its affordable and retro Caffettiera French Press. With a vintage color palette and sturdy construction, this French Press was initially designed in the ‘50s and maintains a cult following. Once again, MoMA has selected this coffee maker to sell in its store so if you can’t trust us, trust MoMA.
Buy: $25
The Best Coffee Grinder: Fellow Gen 2 Ode Brew Grinder
Fellow is a newer coffee equipment company that combines modern, sleek design with exceptional performance. The Ode Brew Grinder is a great example of a pricey yet precise and beloved piece of coffee gear. The minimalist design of this coffee grinder makes it a perfect addition to your coffee setup.
Buy: $345
The Best Budget Coffee Grinder: Fellow Opus
No less stylish is the slightly cheaper Fellow Opus grinder. It’s not as dialed-in as the Ode and doesn’t come with the same features but it maintains the same minimalism and is a great option for newer specialty coffee enthusiasts.
Buy: $195
The Best Kettle: Fellow Stagg EKG Pour-Over Kettle
The Stagg electric kettle from Fellow is an essential piece of coffee equipment. The goose neck design is perfectly suited for pour over coffee and the programmable temperature offers precision every time. The Fellow Stagg is available in a range of colors and showcases a beautiful minimalism that isn’t showy but looks excellent alongside your collection of coffee gear.
Buy: $165
The Best Budget Kettle: Hario Enamel Pour Over Kettle
If you’re opting for a budget option, snag the aesthetically pleasing stovetop enamel kettle from Hario. The Danish farmhouse design is charming with teak accents and a sleek white enamel exterior. Plus, it’s perfectly designed for your morning pour over.
Buy: $66
The Best Coffee Scale: Acaia Pearl Coffee Scale
Every good coffee setup needs a quality scale and the Acaia Pearl is trusted by professionals the world over. While some of our recommendations have opted for showy designs, the understated minimalism of this coffee scale is still beautiful. Clean lines and peak performance is exactly what you’ll get from the Acaia Pearl Coffee Scale.
Buy: $150
The Best Budget Coffee Scale: Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale
For a less expensive but still well-regarded coffee scale, turn to the pros at Hario with the colorful scale and timer combo. It offers a smaller footprint than the Acaia but sacrifices a bit of the precise tech. Still, it’s an excellent choice that looks great and will only set you back about $40.
Buy: $40
The Best Looking Coffee Mug: East Fork Pottery Mug
Finally, you need a stylish mug to complement your beautifully designed coffee gear. Ultimately, coffee mugs are a personal choice. I’ve always preferred vintage diner mugs or mugs from some of my favorite coffee shops. But, if you want a clean, aesthetically pleasing coffee mug then go for the Pottery Mug from East Fork. The Asheville-based ceramicist is beloved by restaurants, coffee shops, and fans alike for their clean, beautiful style and ease of use. No oversized handles or awkward lips here.
Buy: $44
