Do you ever want to enjoy your first cup of coffee at home in your pyjamas? What about beating that afternoon slump without racing to get to a café before they close shop? Brewing your own cup of coffee at home can save you time and money. With plenty of brew methods to choose from, which one is best for you?
We’re going to help you explore some of the most popular ways to brew coffee at home. We’ll list their pros and cons so that you can find the best brew method to suit your taste and lifestyle.
Electric Coffee Brewer
The electric coffee brewer is an automated machine that can batch brew coffee. It uses a paper filter and a water reservoir to brew coffee by dripping hot water over ground coffee in batches of up to 1.25 litres, allowing you to brew coffee for the entire household. Moccamaster offers an easy-to-use electric brewer in a range of colours to suit any kitchen aesthetic.
If you decide on this method for home, be sure to check out our post on finding the best recipe for your Moccamaster.
Pros
Electric coffee brewers have simple functionality perfect for busy mornings. It’s as easy as adding water, coffee grounds and pressing a button to brew. These brewers produce consistent results with their automation and the right coffee-to-water ratio. Compared to espresso machines, electric coffee brewers are more affordable and easier to maintain.
Cons
The automated nature of these brewers makes it hard to experiment with recipes. Seasoned baristas enjoy functionality to adjust hot water temperature and water flow rate. Electric brewers are also difficult to travel with.
French Press
The French Press is a manual coffee brewing method that involves steeping coarse coffee grounds in hot water for several minutes before using a mesh filter to serve the brewed coffee. These brewers are simple to use and come in various sizes while being easy to store away or travel with.
Find your ideal sized French Press brewer on the White Horse Coffee shop.
Pros
Since this brewer doesn’t use a paper filter, a lot of the oils from the coffee remain in the brew, resulting in a fuller, more robust flavour. You also have more space to experiment with hot water temperature, grind sizes, and steeping times to find the perfect recipe. It doesn’t require electricity or complex setup—just the brewer, hot water and coffee grounds, and can be easily travelled with.
We think the French Press is the most affordable way to brew specialty coffee at home, since the method doesn’t require a gooseneck kettle and you can get away with using a measuring spoon to dose your coffee.
Cons
Serving coffee from a French Press can result in sediment in your cup, and larger presses may take up to ten minutes to brew.
Pour Over Coffee
You’ve likely seen a Hario V60 Brewer sold or used by specialty cafés to serve pour-over filter coffee. This method involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a cone-shaped filter, resulting in a cup of coffee that expresses the clean and delicate flavours of the coffee.
Pros
Pour-over brewing offers flexibility, allowing more control over the variables that affect the brew. The ability to brew with different grind sizes, water temperature and pouring technique allows a home barista to experiment with recipes. Coffee lovers looking for a cleaner cup of coffee with less acidity than espresso, and a smoother flavour than a batch brew, will find pour-over coffee a delightful beverage.
Cons
This method requires specific equipment to properly execute. A gooseneck kettle and a good set of scales are a must-have if you’re brewing with pour-over coffee. It also requires a touch of practice to grasp the basic technique of pouring, as well as understanding coffee ratios to achieve the right balance in flavour.
Espresso Machine
An espresso machine forces hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure to produce a concentrated shot of coffee. Models vary in styles from manual levers to fully automatic functionality.
Pros
Espresso machines produce a beverage that’s known globally for its intense and full-bodied flavour. You can get machines with steam wands allowing you to enjoy milk-based beverages without waiting in line at a café. They also brew coffee quicker than any other methods on this list.
Cons
There is a steep learning curve to brewing good espresso. Though it can seem as easy as pressing a button, knowing the basics to a balanced extraction and how to steam milk is essential to bringing the commercial café experience to the comfort of your own home.
Espresso machines must also take up a large chunk of bench space. Might not be the best choice if your kitchen bench already features an air fryer, a microwave, and a blender.
Aeropress
The Aeropress is a compact brewer made up of two cylinders designed to contain coffee grounds and allow lightly applied pressure to push hot water through a small filter paper.
Pros
The brewer is one of the most compact brewers around. It’s easy to store away at home or travel with, fitting easily in your bag. It’s perfect for busy mornings with a typical brew time of only a few minutes. It has different brewing techniques so you can experiment to suit your taste preference.
Cons
Due to its compact size, you’re restricted to brewing a single cup at a time, making it tedious if you’re brewing for a household. There is also a slight learning curve to avoid unbalanced extraction.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the best way to make coffee at home—it all depends on your preferences, budget, and how much time you're willing to invest. Whether you opt for the quick convenience of a drip coffee maker or the dedicated ritual of pour-over, there’s a brewing method out there that will suit your taste.
If you're just starting your coffee journey, experimenting with different methods can be a fun and rewarding experience. Ultimately, the best coffee is the one you enjoy the most.
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