We Asked 5 Coffee Pros What They Use to Make Barista-Level Drinks at Home — Here’s What They Had to Say

I’ve since lost my barista skills, but when I worked at a fancy local coffee shop post-college, my friends constantly tapped me for insights about everything coffee (and, of course, bribed me to make them Americanos with my at-home espresso machine).

Now, all these years later, I’m in need of a new way to brew my coffee at home. Ideally, a good, barista-level way! If you’re also on the hunt for top-notch coffee gear, look no further. I spoke with five coffee experts about their favorite ways to make coffee at home. Here’s what they had to recommend.

Patrick Main, beverage innovator and senior R&D manager at Peet’s Coffee, believes craftsmanship is key for a solid cup of coffee. That’s why he uses Bodum’s French Press to brew his. With its glass carafe, he can see what’s happening during the brewing process, and the whole thing is durable enough to withstand daily use.

Buy: Bodum Chambord 3-Cup French Press, $29.99

Whether you’re new to coffee-making or you have an expansive taste, you can’t go wrong with the Varia Brewer’s versatility. “I love to switch up my coffee routine with different brew methods, from French press to moka pot, and the Varia Brewer is designed with six brew methods in one sleek package,” says Amber Jacobsen, co-founder and director of Partners Coffee in Brooklyn. “You can use it to brew cold brew, for multiple hot coffee methods, and even make tea!”

Buy: Varia Brewer, $149

Jonathan Withers, the green coffee buyer at Brooklyn-based Partners Coffee, likes this sleek KitchenAid cold brew maker. It’s compact, so you can keep it in the fridge for an ice-cold brew. Plus, he says it’s solidly built and has a nice heft that keeps it from capsizing in the fridge or on your counter (unlike plastic alternatives). As for cleanup, the maker features a removable basket for tossing your grounds, and Withers says the basket is very easy to wash, without any pesky, unreachable corners.

Buy: KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $100

On weekdays, illy’s master barista George Milos prefers this espresso machine for its speed and consistency. “I’m not a morning person, so when I get out of bed, I walk to my kitchen and push the on-off button,” he says. “After about one minute, I toss my illy Classico iperespresso capsule, and in about 25 seconds I can enjoy my espresso.”

Buy: illy X7.1 iperEspresso Machine, $213.73

Most weekdays, Jackson O’Brien, head barista and coffee educator at Minneapolis-based Peace Coffee, brews drip coffee with this affordable Bonavita machine. “It extracts well and produces a quality cup, and it’s not too fiddly, so I can do other important things like eat cereal and read Twitter before work,” he says. 

Buy: Bonavita Coffee Maker, $153

What do you currently use at home? Tell us in the comments below!