Machines
Best Espresso Machines for Beginners (2026)
Our top picks for a first espresso machine, from the easy Breville Bambino Plus to budget and all-in-one options, and how to choose.
Home espresso, made simple
Café-quality espresso in your own kitchen
Honest buying guides, step-by-step technique and simple recipes for home baristas, from your first shot to latte art.
Start here Latest guidesChoose
Buy the right gear once
Plain-English buying guides for machines, grinders and milk tools at every budget.
Brew
Pull a better shot
Dial-in, ratios, grind size and fixes for sour, bitter or watery espresso.
Enjoy
Make café drinks at home
Lattes, cortados, seasonal recipes and ideas for your home coffee corner.
Latest guides
Gifts
Espresso Gifts Under $50
Great coffee gifts under $50 include a WDT tool, a spring-loaded tamper, a milk pitcher, espresso cups, a coffee book or a bag of specialty beans. Here are practical picks that espresso fans will use every day.
Gifts
Best Gifts for Espresso Lovers (Holiday 2026)
The best gifts for espresso lovers are tools that improve their daily shot: a good scale, a precision tamper, a WDT tool, fresh specialty beans or a grinder upgrade. Here are our holiday 2026 picks by budget.
Maintenance
How to Descale an Espresso Machine
To descale an espresso machine, run a descaling solution through the boiler, group head and steam wand, let it sit, then flush with fresh water at least twice. Here is how to do it, how often, and what to use.
Lifestyle
How to Set Up a Home Coffee Bar on Any Budget
A home coffee bar needs four things: a brewer, a grinder, a spot with power and water nearby, and storage for beans and cups. Here are home coffee bar ideas for every budget, from about $100 to a full espresso setup.
Drinks
What Is an Americano? How It Compares to Drip Coffee
An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water. It has a similar strength to drip coffee but a different flavor and body. Here is what it is, how it compares to regular coffee and how to make one.
Drinks
What Is Breve Coffee? The Half-and-Half Latte Explained
Breve coffee is a latte made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk. It is richer, creamier and sweeter-tasting than a latte, with more fat and calories. Here is what it is and how to make one.
Brewing
How Much Coffee Per Cup? Scoops, Tablespoons and Grams
Use about 10 g of ground coffee (2 level tablespoons, or 1 standard scoop) per 6 oz cup of water. Here is how much coffee to use per cup, per pot and per brewing method, in scoops, tablespoons and grams.
Coffee gear
Best Coffee Mugs That Keep Coffee Hot
The best coffee mug for keeping coffee hot is a vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug with a lid, or a heated smart mug if you sip slowly at a desk. Here are our picks and how to choose.
Drinks
Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Recipe
A brown sugar shaken espresso is espresso shaken hard with brown sugar syrup, cinnamon and ice, then topped with oat milk. Here is an easy home recipe, with or without an espresso machine.
Coffee gear
Best Pour Over Coffee Makers for Home
The best pour over coffee maker for most people is the Hario V60, with the Kalita Wave for easier consistency and the Chemex for brewing for a crowd. Here are our picks by need, plus how to choose.