Baristas told us the top 3 coffee-brewing mistakes they want you to stop making immediately

It starts with your gear.

Key Points

Experts recommend these coffee grinders and coffee canisters to make better-tasting coffee at home.
After reading about the effects of microplastics on our bodies, we also found coffee makers that use little to no plastic, including a Chemex pour-over glass coffee maker and a Yeti French press.
Prices start at $17 at Amazon.

Making coffee at home is an easy way to save money, especially if you prefer plant-based milks and extra pumps of vanilla syrup. But if you’re thinking to yourself that no matter what you do, your lattes and Americanos don’t taste as good as those $8 barista brews, think again. With the right tools — and helpful advice from experts — your home can quickly become the hottest coffee shop in town. Read on to learn which three coffee habits you should leave in 2025, plus the 17 products, including a devastatingly beautiful Grosche stovetop espresso maker, you can grab to change them.

Mistake: Using Pre-Ground Beans

Solution: Using a Coffee Grinder

Maciej Kasperowicz, director of coffee at Trade Coffee, noted that “grinding coffee fresh tastes livelier, less stale, and more aromatic.” He prefers burr grinders to blade grinders for their ability to break down coffee beans evenly. “That more even grind size will help you get a cup that’s much smoother, no matter what kind of coffee you enjoy,” he said. His favorite model is also our first choice — the Baratza Encore — but if you’re looking for a more affordably priced grinder, we found those, too.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro Coffee Grinder, $300
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder, $150
Cuisinart Coffee Grinder, $54, originally $75
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, $110
Fellow Opus Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, $200
JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder, $25, originally $40

Mistake: Storing Your Beans Wrong

Solution: Preserving Freshness With an Airtight Coffee Canister

Keeping your coffee beans fresh is all about the right storage. “The key is to store your beans in a dry, dark place in a vacuum-sealed container to reduce the risk and speed of oxidation,” said Steven Sutton, founder of Devoción Coffee. “The biggest mistake is putting beans in the freezer or fridge. That can actually hurt the coffee.” Given this, it’s a great idea to invest in an airtight container to preserve the flavor of your coffee beans for as long as possible. It’s also worth noting that Sutton added that roasted beans will deteriorate more quickly, so buy small batches instead of bulk bags.

Fellow Atmos Vacuum Coffee Canister, $40
Veken Coffee Canister, $25, originally $38
Planetary Design Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister, $44
Oggi Stainless Steel Coffee Canister, $17
Simple Modern Delta Coffee Canister, $48, originally $60
OXO Steel Pop Coffee Container, $23

Mistake: Relying on Plastic-Heavy Coffee Makers

Solution: Using Coffee Makers Made With Little-to-No Plastic

While the effects of microplastics are still being studied, experts widely agree that we should limit our exposure as much as possible. After a University of Birmingham study found that hot drinks contain more microplastics than their cold counterparts because heat accelerates the release of plastic particles, it’s only logical to reduce our reliance on plastic coffee makers. Fortunately, there are plenty of options that use little to no plastic, including a Chemex pour-over glass coffee maker, a Yeti French press, and a popular Grosche Milano stovetop espresso maker.