So, give the coffee lover in your life a gift that curates community in their very kitchen – don’t just settle for a basic gift card or another mug. Top-of-the-line coffee machines, temperature-controlled to-go cups, and even handheld espresso makers are the perfect way to add a personal touch to your gift and someone’s beverage. Since gift shopping can be overwhelming, I rounded up the best smart coffee gifts that you can browse as you sip your morning brew. As a coffee fanatic myself, I’ve tested several of the following products and added some that made my personal wishlist to help you find something your coffee connoisseur is guaranteed to love.
The best coffee tech deals right now
Below are the three coffee lover accessory deals I found happening right now. While some advanced, non-pod-based espresso machines can be complicated, the Gaggia comes with simple controls that makes it navigable and easy to brew. Focusing on flavor over a complex design, the Gaggia Pro’s stainless steel finish and side-facing steam wand allow for the machine to look like a modern addition to your kitchen appliances instead of an out-of-place gadget. Speaking of the steam wand, you can even release your inner barista by creating microfoam art on top of your lattes, cappuccinos, and more. As with any advanced espresso machine, don’t be discouraged if there’s a learning curve (even though the machine is an entry-level piece). The portafilter may require a series of adjustments before you can finally get that perfect pour. Aside from looking like a professional, sleek addition to your kitchen counter, the Bambino not only saves you from a Starbucks run, but saves coffee pod waste, too. Using only 19 grams of ground coffee, there’s no need to worry about wasting multiple pods a day to fuel your coffee fix. The fast start up time also means it’s wasting less of your day and electricity as you don’t have to leave the Bambino plugged in overnight to power up. I will say, however, that there can be a bit of a learning curve if this is your first non-capsule coffee maker. Sealing the portafilter can be tricky at first, but be sure to take advantage of the leveling tool that comes with the machine, so that no coffee spills out. The automatic frothing settings, however, are fairly easy and don’t require as much guesswork. If you’re like me, I can’t recommend the Nespresso VertuoPlus enough. Coming with a complementary assortment of Vertuo capsules, it’s easy to start experimenting with which single-serving best fills your cup (in more ways than one) right away. In just 15 seconds, you get a fresh, hot cup of coffee, and given the 40-ounce water tank, there’s a good five-coffee mug refill lead on the tank itself. The Nespresso VertuoPlus is what the name suggests and a bit bigger in size compared to some of the others that made this list, but with a modern finish, I promise the machine adds a refined rather than cluttered finish to your space – no matter how limited. The Wacaco Portable Nanopresso gives you that one perfect shot of espresso wherever you go using only ground coffee, hot water, and the machine itself – no miscellaneous chargers necessary. As it comes, the maker works best with ground coffee, but you can also buy a Nespresso-pod adapter so you can travel even lighter if you already have the original Nespresso pods. The Nanopresso also comes with a case that protects your maker during travel, but is soft enough to easily stow away. When it comes to cleaning, that’s simple as well. The portafilter easily separates to make for a swift and seamless cleanup after enjoying your morning brew. I got one for my espresso-loving grandmother for Christmas and she’s obsessed. The Kaffe grinder has a transparent lid, allowing you to control the grounds’ coarseness and additive spice distribution with the press of a button instead of manually turning a handle. Along with simplicity, the grinder also promises efficiency and power with a 3.5-ounce capacity and a 150-watt motor. Cleanup is also made simple as the machine comes with a cleaning brush and is dishwasher safe. The Toddy cold brew system promises fresh cold brew in three easy steps: Filling, steeping, and filtering. Here’s how it works: By filling the brewing container with your ground coffee of choice, steeping for 12-24 hours, and filtering into the glass container, you’ll have 1.1 liters of cold brew that’ll stay fresh for 2 weeks. Customers who have already purchased the Toddy are pleased with the machine’s efficiency and rich flavor, cutting the acidity many cold brew coffees can carry. So, whether you’re new to cold brew or looking to customize your own, the Toddy offers a solid service. Breville’s frother makes mundane milk silky, smooth, and thick for every latte, cappuccino, or even hot chocolate. Coming with one latte dic and another dic for cappuccinos, you can quickly replace the discs inside the frothing jug to customize your foam level. And to adjust the temperature, simply turn the dial on the jug’s face. The machine will even turn itself off when it’s reached the desired temperature. Perfect for hot cocoa season, you can even pour your hot chocolate powder in with some milk, turn the dial, and let the Breville create the creamiest homemade cocoa. Owning this product myself, I can say with confidence that the Breville frother is one of my favorite kitchen investments that lets me harness my inner Barista. Weighing only three ounces and measuring eight inches long, the Aerolatte is easy to transport on the go. You can pack it away and bring it pretty much anywhere you think your latte needs a little help. The Aerolatte frother can also serve as an overall whisking tool. I know people who use this handheld device as a blender for their hot chocolate, powdered greens, pre-workout mix, and even homemade salad dressings. Just be sure that whenever you’re using a deep enough mug so the liquids don’t splash in your face or all over the counter as you froth. The Ember Mug2 and coaster charger look like any other ceramic set you have stashed away in your kitchen cabinet, except its temperature controlled. By downloading the app, you can keep your coffee warm for up to 90 minutes without placing it on the charging coaster, and up to all day if you sip and charge. While the mug has a 145°F limit, I find it the perfect temperature for casual sipping as it doesn’t burn your tongue or have an acidic lukewarm linger. The app makes the temperature easy to control and customize. Overall, if you know a slow sipper who enjoys caffeinating all day long, this is the gift for them. The Ember Travel Mug 2 keeps your drink hot for up to three hours, so even if you have a long commute, at least you have some liquid comfort to keep you sane. And if you’re driving, there’s no need to whip out your phone to control the temperature. With Ember’s second edition travel mug, you can control the temperature through the mug’s touch display by tapping a + or - symbol. Like the original ceramic mug, the travel edition also ranges from 120°F to 145°F. With three temperature settings, you can adjust your coffee to be anywhere from 105°F to 176°F. If you have to step away, as you most likely will, you can leave worry-free as the warmer automatically shuts off after four hours. Stainless steel, ceramic, and glassware cups are all compatible with the hot-plate coaster, so marry your mug with a heated coaster to keep your beverage warm throughout the day. For beginners who want to experiment with a Barista-like machine and the portafilter, I’d recommend the Gaggia Classic Pro. If you’re more of a coffee pod person, though, the Nespresso Essenza Mini won’t disappoint. if you’re looking to upgrade your current espresso routine, the Breville Bambino Plus is a solid advanced espresso machine. But gifts can come in all shapes and sizes, so we also rounded up the best gifts by category, price, and retailer – plus, the hottest tech toys for kids in 2023. Gifts by category
Delight DIYers with these interesting gifts that make and fix thingsWhat do you get for the gamer who has everything?Tech-themed gift cards for gadget loversOdd and interesting gift ideas for the hobbyist hacker in your lifeThe best laptops to giftThe best phones to gift (even on a budget)Cooking gift guide: These smart kitchen tools went TikTok viralTablet gift guide: iPads aren’t the only optionUseful smart home gifts, from plugs to thermostatsTravel gift guide: Luggage, Liquid IV, and moreTV gift guide: Gorgeous TVs for the binge-watcher in your lifeThe best fitness gifts: Workout mirror, Whoop, and moreCreative gifts for live streamersGift ideas for coffee lovers (besides a Starbucks gift card)
Gifts by price
The best cheap tech gifts under $100The best cheap tech gifts under $75The best cheap tech gifts under $50The best cheap tech gifts under $25
Gifts by retailer Gifts for kids
