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Skip The Novelty Mugs — A Trained Barista’s Guide To The Best Coffee Gifts Under $50

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Coffee fans can be a picky bunch, and understandably so. When you're brewing with expensive beans, you want to control as many variables as possible to make sure you get consistent results, and that requires precision-made equipment. I've got good news, though — premium gear doesn't have to be expensive, and there are heaps of coffee-brewing accessories that any home barista would be delighted to unwrap during the holidays.

You just need to know where to start, which is where I come in. I'm TechRadar's resident coffee expert, and I've put together a list of 18 items that would be perfect for the caffeine-fiend in your life, and are all under $50.

Some of these are best suited to particular brewing styles (espresso or pour-over), but if you're not sure which one your home barista favors, there are some style-agnostic gifts here too — including two books widely regarded as some of the best tomes on brewing, an air-tight bean canister, and a scale for perfect dosing that will delight any coffee-lover.

Gifts for home baristas

Breville
Knock Box in Stainless Steel

A clean and easy way to dispose of used espresso grounds after brewing.

The World Atlas of Coffee book, by James Hoffman

Mitchell Beazley
The World Atlas of Coffee 3rd Edition

Learn how the terroir of your coffee, how it's harvested, the roasting method, and the brewing technique all affect flavor.

Cream and sugar set

Chemex
Cream and Sugar Set

Fun sugar and cream vessel designed to match your Chemex brewer, made from wood and glass.

Insulated coffee carafe

Crate & Barrel
2-Liter Thermal Coffee Carafe

Keeps coffee fresh and hot, and pours easily thanks to arched handle and spout.

Digital kitchen scale

Salter
Precision Digital Kitchen Scales

Perfect for dosing coffee for any brew style, and accurate to within 0.5g.

White stoneware creamer

Marin
White Stoneware Creamer

Artisanal ceramic jug with soft glazed finish and subtle antiquing around the rim.

AeroPress coffee brewer

AeroPress
Original Coffee Press

One of the easiest ways to make coffee at home or on the move, with a huge variety of possible brewing styles.

Chemex coffee brewer

Chemex
Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker

The classic three-cup glass brewer made from non-toxic and odor-resistant borosilicate glass.

Circular coffee distribution tool

Revolution
True Tamp Distribution Tool

Place on the ground coffee in your portafilter and spin for even distribution before tamping.

Two-ended coffee measuring scoop

Crate & Barrel
Double Coffee Measuring Spoon

One and two tablespoon measures for dosing espresso, drip, and pour-over coffee.

Electric milk frother

Keurig
Standalone Milk Frother

Foams dairy and plant milk at the touch of a button — hot or cold.

Insulated coffee flask

Fellow
Carter Move Ceramic Lined Travel Coffee Mug

A 12oz travel mug with leak-proof lid and tapered lip for comfortable drinking.

Four espresso spoons

Crate & Barrel
Fusion Satin Espresso Spoons, Set of 4

A set of smart spoons to elevate your morning routine, or use when guests visit.

Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast

Mark Pendergrast
Uncommon Grounds

A top-recommended book for coffee-lovers, detailing the history and geography of the drink you love.

Set of two glass coffee cups

De'Longhi
3oz Espresso Double Wall Thermal Glasses

A set of two insulated espresso glasses — ideal for showing how much crema you've managed to create.

WDT coffee distribution tool

Fellow
Espresso WDT Distribution Tool

Evenly distribute the coffee grounds in your portafilter before tamping for a more precise result.

Black cappuccino cup

Fellow
Monty Cappuccino Cup

White single-serve coffee maker

OXO
Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker