Coffee Tech: 22 Cutting-Edge Gadgets for The Coffee Obsessed
Coffee enthusiasts love coffee gadgets.
Whether it’s a fully automatic espresso machine or a humble hand grinder.
These gadgets come in all shapes and sizes. But they all have one thing in common — they make brewing and drinking coffee easier/more fun.
So that’s the definition we’ll stick with for this list of 22 coffee gadgets. You’ll find brewers, grinders, and accessories that we think will make a fantastic addition to any coffee lover’s repertoire.
Some of these we’ve reviewed, but some are just cool coffee gadgets that we found by chance. Let’s dive into it:
Flair Signature Pro 2
This manual espresso maker features a bottomless portafilter for better flow dynamics, an integrated pressure gauge for enhanced pressure profiling, and an expanded capacity for experimenting with brew ratios.
And it’s portable enough to be packed into a compact carrying case — all of this for nearly half the price of an entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine.
Best Manual Coffee Makers For Gadget Lovers
From the classic espresso to third-wave pour-overs, there are several ways of brewing coffee. And even within each method, the brewing style and taste vary from one coffee maker to another. So getting a new coffee brewer is never a bad idea.
1. Wacaco Nanopresso
PERFECT FOR: Espresso lovers who want to brew their favourite coffee drink no matter where they are
Keeping with the theme of portable espresso, we can’t recommend the Wacaco Nanopresso enough. Its patented pumping system is capable of generating 18 bars of pressure, which ensures consistent extraction.
We loved Wacaco’s Minipresso when we reviewed it. Nanopresso takes it up a notch by offering a larger brewing chamber, cutting down required pumping pressure by 15%, and a slightly smaller form factor.
If you love the idea of a portable coffee maker but prefer pour-overs to espresso, we recommend Wacaco’s Cuppamoka. This portable brewer’s fantastic design translates into fantastic pour-over coffees, no matter where you are.
2. Aeropress Go
PERFECT FOR: Those who want an easy, affordable way to brew café-quality coffee
This list would be incomplete without this modern coffee-making icon. The classic Aeropress was such a global phenomenon that it kick-started its own World Championship.
The Aeropress Go is a more compact, travel-friendly avatar of the classic variant. The brewer and all its accessories fit into a neat little case that doubles as a coffee mug. Yet it carries the trademark features that made the original a success — fast, efficient brewing process and extremely easy to clean. You can read our review of this brewer for more details.
Considering that it’s essentially a large syringe, it feels like a stretch to call it a gadget. But the Aeropress Go makes the process of brewing a breeze and produces delicious coffee. By that definition, as we mentioned earlier, this is a bonafide coffee gadget.
3. Grosche Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker
PERFECT FOR: Fans of bold flavours of the classic, Italian stovetop espresso brews
Despite the advances in coffee technology, nothing has come close to replacing Moka Pots. The ease of brewing, the flexibility of making more than one cup, and the strong taste contribute to the popularity of stovetop espresso.
This beautiful Moka Pot from Grosche is made from the finest, food-grade Aluminium, making it suitable for gas, electric, and camping stoves. But if the white colour doesn’t appeal to your aesthetic sense, you can choose the black, red, or silver model.
The high-quality silicone seals, heat-resistant handle, and knob make using this brewer a joy to use and clean. Speaking of using, read our stovetop espresso guide to get the best out of your Moka Pot.
4. Stanley Adventure All-in-One, Boil + Brewer French Press Coffee Maker
PERFECT FOR: Campers and travellers who love a good cuppa joe first thing in the morning
French Presses have been around forever, and they remain one of the go-to ways to brew coffee at home. Their appeal lies in their simplicity.
This Stanley French Press, though, is a little bit more complex. And wonderfully so. All you have to do is boil water in this mug and add coffee grounds to it. After your desired brewing time, just press down the French Press insert.
It also comes with a drinking lid, fold-flat handles, and all its components are dishwasher-safe. And the legendary Stanley durability (and warranty) goes without saying.
5. Cafelat Robot Manual Lever Espresso Maker
PERFECT FOR: Coffee enthusiasts looking to take up manual espresso as their next hobby
For a coffee-making ‘Robot,’ this machine is surprisingly low-tech. I believe the name comes from its looks — a robot that could’ve come straight out of the animated show, The Jetsons.
Divisive looks aside, this espresso maker is made from high-quality stainless parts and zero plastic. If you’re used to the workflow of a semi-automatic espresso machine, it’ll take some time to get used to pulling shots with the Robot. But your efforts will be rewarded with espresso that can rival the quality of machines 3-4 times its price.
6. Chemex Ottomatic 2.0
PERFECT FOR: People who love pour-over coffee but would like a brewer that does it automatically
We are all familiar with the iconic Chemex brewer. But, as we mentioned in our review, it has a bit of a learning curve.
The Ottomatic 2.0 transforms the elaborate pour-over technique into the press of a button. It works like any other automatic coffee machine but uses the Chemex brewer. It also comes with features like SCA-standard water heating, pre-infusion, and staged brewing cycle. The final result is a delicious cup of coffee with the clarity of flavours that makes the Chemex truly remarkable.
7. De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Touch Latte & Cappuccino Machine
PERFECT FOR: Those who can’t live without their cappuccinos and lattes
With this De’Longhi machine, you won’t have to steam the milk for a cappuccino or a latte manually. It will make your chosen coffee drink automatically.
The machine heats up and is ready to brew in just 25 seconds. Then all you have to do is pop in a Nespresso capsule and choose from five different styles of coffee. You can expect the quality of your coffee to be the same as other Nespresso machines.
If you drink cappuccinos and lattes regularly, it doesn’t get easier than this.
8. Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker
PERFECT FOR: Coffee lovers who want to use voice commands to control their coffee maker
If you have Amazon Alexa at home, you know how convenient it is to control the lights and other devices. You can tell it to turn stuff on or off and even set routines like turning on all lights at sunset.
This Hamilton Beach device brings the convenience of Alexa’s home automation to your coffee maker. You can use the app on your phone or a smart speaker to start brewing, change brew strength or turn it off. The clock automatically syncs with the app, so you can set it to brew when you wake up.
You can expect the same quality and features on the brewing front as with other Hamilton Beach brewers. We’re glad that coffee technology is evolving to the point where even pressing a button is moot.
9. Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker
PERFECT FOR: Cold brew fans who want to have their coffee on the go
We’ve talked about the benefits of cold brew before, but you need to brew it before you can enjoy it.
The Asobu cold brew coffee maker is well-designed and easy to use. You can make nearly 1 litre of cold brew in this coffee maker. And once the brewing is complete, just push the button to drain the coffee into the carafe.
The double-walled vacuum-insulated carafe comes with a screw-on lid. So you can add ice cubes directly to the carafe and take the coffee with you wherever you go.
Coffee Grinders For The Perfect Grind
A good grinder is critical to making flavourful cups of coffee at home, irrespective of the brewing method you choose. That’s why we’ve comprehensively reviewed electric burr grinders as well as hand grinders. But below are a few products that we believe are worthy of your attention.
10. Timemore Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder
PERFECT FOR: People shopping for their first burr coffee grinder, but on a budget
Just a couple of years ago, your only options would have been a Hario Skerton or Porlex Mini. And while they are still decent grinders, the Timemore Chestnut C2 trumps them in all things that matter.
Its sleek body is made of aluminium, while the hand crank is made of stainless steel. Inside, it’s got a set of 38mm conical steel burrs. It grinds fast, the hand crank rotation is smooth, and it produces grinds consistent enough for everything from Moka Pots to French Presses.
And if you’re unable to find the Chestnut C2 in stock (sad, but it happens), check out the 1Zpresso JX-PRO manual coffee grinder. It’s a little bit more expensive but is capable of grinding for espresso too.
11. Weber HG-2 Manual Coffee Grinder
PERFECT FOR: Coffee lovers looking for unparalleled grind quality and willing to pay top-dollar for it
This coffee mill exudes quality and durability no matter how you look at it. And there are dedicated espresso grinders out there that don’t grind half as well as the Weber HG-2. All thanks to its massive 83mm titanium-nitride-coated conical burrs and a patent-pending transmission gearbox.
Yes, we’re still talking about a manual coffee grinder! And if you want to bring one of these beauties home, be prepared to part with some serious cash. But then again, there’s nothing else like it, so you’ll be paying for bragging rights too.
Cool Coffee Gadgets And Accessories
Anything that makes your coffee brewing and drinking easier, more efficient, or organised is a good accessory in our books. Whether it’s a high-precision digital scale or a simple coffee mug. What matters is that it fits your routine and lifestyle. And we hope some of these gadgets will be right up your alley.
12. Diguo Gooseneck Electric Kettle
PERFECT FOR: Those who have just started brewing pour-over coffee at home
Ask any barista, and they’ll tell you that a gooseneck kettle and a digital scale are almost as important as your choice of a brewer. We have reviewed a few of the best pour over kettles and believe that electric kettles are a better bet as they are faster than stovetop models.
This Diguo kettle is the happy medium between a simple electric kettle with auto-off and a top-of-the-line variable temperature kettle. And the price reflects that. It comes with 6 temperature presets and a hold temp function. The counterbalanced handle and the spout design give you total control over the pour.
13. Spillnot Drink Carrier
PERFECT FOR: People who want to carry their cups and mugs around without spilling
Despite being a drink caddy (kind of), this is one of the most unique gadgets on our list because it uses physics to create magic.
You might have seen those mugs that you can’t seem to knock over. Even a good travel mug won’t spill if the lid is on tight. But the Spillnot Drink Carrier can make even a regular mug unspillable.
It might seem like a gimmick, but check out this video to see how it performs in real life:
14. Zoku Instant Iced Coffee Maker
PERFECT FOR: Iced coffee lovers who hate adding ice to their drinks because it dilutes the brew
We’re big fans of Japanese-style iced coffee. It’s a perfect drink for the summer season. But it requires you to be precise with your coffee and water quantities and do some math to get the correct ratio of ice to hot brew.
Imagine, after all this trouble, you start sipping on your iced coffee, and the taste starts getting worse as the ice cubes melt. The Zoku iced coffee maker promises to solve that problem.
Just brew your favourite hot beverage the way you want. Then pour it into the pre-chilled stainless steel mug and place it in the insulating sleeve. It will cool down in a few minutes, so you can enjoy a refreshing iced coffee.
15. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
PERFECT FOR: People who can’t stand to drink lukewarm coffee
Vacuum-insulated mugs can keep your coffee hot for quite some time. But if you’re constantly opening the lid to drink, it’s going to cool down quickly. But the Ember Mug 2 offers a drinking experience identical to a regular mug while keeping your coffee hot.
You can set your preferred drinking temperature using the app, and the mug will keep your coffee at that temperature for up to 1.5 hrs. And it can go even longer if you place it on the charging base.
The Ember Smart Coffee Mug is excellent at what it does but is kind of expensive. If you’re looking for similar functionality at a more affordable price, check out the Cosori coffee mug and warmer set. You’ll need to keep the mug on the base for your coffee to stay warm, but you’ll also be paying much less.
16. Universal Cup Holders
PERFECT FOR: Frequent travellers who don’t want to carry their coffee cups in their hands all the time
Whether you’re out biking or pushing along a pram, you don’t want to be balancing a cup of hot coffee in your hands. That’s where this universal cup holder comes in handy. It’s compatible with most strollers, wheelchairs, trolleys, bikes, and walkers. It also has a 360-degree adjustment, so you can attach it at any angle.
17. Timemore Digital Coffee Scale
PERFECT FOR: Frequent travellers who don’t want to carry their coffee cups in their hands all the time
Whether you’re brewing a pour-over or pulling an espresso shot, a digital coffee scale is an indispensable part of your kit.
You can get a scale from popular brands like Hario or Brewista, but we recommend this Timemore scale for a few good reasons. We love the compact, minimalistic design. It’s suitable for both filter brews and espresso, and the auto timer is handy for both. It comes with a built-in rechargeable (via USB) battery. And it’s competitively priced. What’s not to like?
18. Lavazza Automatic Milk Frother
PERFECT FOR: Those who like to drink cappuccinos and lattes but don’t want to get an espresso machine
There are many ways to make espresso-like coffee, the most common being Aeropress espresso and stovetop espresso. But just adding milk to these brews doesn’t turn them into a luxurious cappuccino (or latte).
For that, you need milk froth made with an espresso machine’s steam wand. Or you could get the Lavazza O Modo Mio automatic milk frother. It produces perfectly frothed milk, whether it’s for a hot beverage or a cold one. This coffee gadget grants you the ability to make café-quality milk coffee drinks at home.
19. Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister
PERFECT FOR: Coffee enthusiasts who are guilty of buying way more coffee than they can drink in a week or two
Storing your specialty coffee beans in an airtight canister is the best way to make it last for longer. And if the canister can press out excess air or create a vacuum within, even better. We have reviewed such coffee storage containers but didn’t have the Fellow Atmos with us at that time.
The lid of the Atmos canister contains an integrated vacuum pump, plus a powerful airtight seal. All you gotta do is twist the lid back and forth to create a vacuum inside. And when you need to take out your beans, just press the button on the top to release the pressure. They claim that it extends the shelf life of coffee by up to 50%.
20. Fellow Stagg Pour Over Set
PERFECT FOR: Gifting
If you’d like to introduce someone to specialty coffee, there’s nothing better than a coffee kit. And even if they’re already into coffee, they’ll appreciate a new brewing kit.
We recommend this Fellow pour-over set because the vacuum insulated body, steep slope, and unique hole pattern ensure consistent extraction each time. And the double-walled glass carafe will keep your brew hot for quite a while, so you can enjoy your coffee slowly.
Gadgets For Roasting Your Own Green Coffee Beans
If you own multiple brewers and can make every coffee drink you desire at home, it’s time to take the next step. By which, we mean roasting coffee at home. Sure, it’s a hobby, and probably an expensive one. But the joy of brewing coffee that you’ve roasted at home is surely incomparable.
21. GeneCafe Coffee Roaster
PERFECT FOR: Those who’ve tried roasting coffee at home and want to level up their game
Roasting coffee at home is a great hobby. But if you want to do it regularly and with results to rival the best roasters you know, you need a dedicated coffee roaster.
The GeneCafe home coffee roaster’s off-axis rotation chamber can produce about 250 grams of uniformly roasted coffee. And its simple time and temperature knob controls make it suitable for use by beginners as well as experienced roasters.
This model also comes with an extended chaff collector and 1 kg of green beans to get you started.
22. Ikawa Home Roaster Starter Kit
PERFECT FOR: Beginners who’ve decided to upgrade from a popcorn popper to roast coffee at home
We’ll be honest. The Ikawa home roaster is maddeningly expensive for a device targeted at the home user. But for the price, you get top-notch quality, i.e., the exact same roast profile over and over again.
However, its maximum capacity is limited to 60 grams only. The only way to roast more coffee is to do multiple batches, which it can manage within a few minutes. And you can get repeatable roast profiles or tweak them by using the Ikawa Home App on your phone.
The starter kit also includes 2 double-walled collection jars, 1 Tightvac storage jar, a coffee tray, and 6 half-kilo bags of green coffee.
Wrapping It Up
Coffee technology is constantly evolving, and that’s a good thing. Coffee lovers can now choose from several gadget options to level up their home brewing game.
It’s always fun to check out the sheer variety of coffee gadgets available, even if you have no intention of buying one. But we hope that some of the gadgets in this article will find their way into your collection.
