Why grinding matters first

If you want to make great coffee at home, the right gear makes a difference. In this episode, Wirecutter editorial director Marguerite Preston shares how to choose the right setup based on your space, budget, and desired level of effort. 

We discuss why you may want to rethink how you’re grinding your coffee, the reasons that good drip coffee makers tend to be expensive, and when you may want to go for a pour-over setup or French Press. 

Marguerite also shares why she’s not above drinking instant coffee—if it’s the right kind.

This episode covers:

• Why a good coffee grinder matters: If you’ve only ever used a cheap blade grinder, you may want to consider a burr grinder as your first upgrade. This style of grinder crushes the beans into a more uniform grind that helps you make a tastier brew.
• Why weighing grounds is worth the effort: Weighing your coffee might seem fussy to the uninitiated, but it’s the best way to ensure a consistent flavor profile. A simple kitchen scale that measures to the gram is all you need.
• How to choose between a thermal and glass carafe: Most of Wirecutter’s recommended drip coffee makers come with a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours. But these are harder to clean. Glass carafes, on the other hand, are easier to clean, but if they sit on a hot plate for hours can result in scorched coffee.
• Why you’d want a gooseneck kettle: The long, skinny neck of a gooseneck kettle allows you more precision for pour-over coffee. The kettles Wirecutter recommends heat to specific temperatures for optimal brewing.
• Better pour-over drippers and French presses: These are not all created equal. We walk through the various types and why you might want one over the other.

Products we recommend:

• The best coffee maker: OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker
• Great coffee, no programming: Technivorm Moccamaster KBT
• The best burr grinder: Baratza Encore
• The best kitchen scale: Escali Primo Digital Scale
• The best pour-over dripper: Kalita Wave 185 Dripper
• Pour-over dripper for those with advanced technique: Hario V-60 Coffee Dripper (Size 02)
• A basic pour-over dripper for beginners: Kalita 102 Ceramic Dripper
• Big-batch pour-over: Chemex Six Cup Classic Series
• The best gooseneck kettle: Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle
• The best French press: Espro P3 French Press
• Another solid French press: Bodum Chambord
• A classic moka pot: Bialetti Moka Express
• An instant coffee we love: Swift Coffee Mainstay

Additional reading:

• The 4 Best Coffee Grinders of 2026
• The 9 Best Coffee Makers of 2026
• The 4 Best Kitchen Scales of 2026
• The 4 Best Pour-Over Coffee Makers of 2026 
• The 4 Best Electric Kettles of 2026 
• The 4 Best French Presses of 2026 
• Why We Love the Bialetti Moka Pot for 2026
• The 3 Best Cold-Brew Coffee Makers of 2026
• The Best Instant Coffee, Ranked
• How Often Do I Really Need to Clean My Coffee Maker?
• How to Clean a Coffee Grinder

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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