Independent gear rankings — no sponsorships, no paid placements. How we research
Cafe & Crema.

Best Cold Brew Gear of 2026

Cafe & Crema's assessment is based on manufacturer documentation, independent testing, long-term owner reporting, serviceability information, and current market positioning. How we research.

The deep dive · Grinders

Best Coffee Grinders for Home Brewing (2026)

For home filter brewing, the Baratza Encore is Cafe & Crema's current top pick because its 40-setting M3 burr platform is simple to use and backed by an unusually deep replacement-parts and…

Roundup

5 compared · updated October 2026

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5 guides
Grinders

Best Budget Coffee Grinders Under $150

For a current budget grinder under $150, the Baratza Encore is Cafe & Crema's top pick because it combines a 4… Updated September 2026 · 4 compared
Scales & Timers

Best Coffee Scales for Pour-Over & Espresso (2026)

For a coffee-specific scale that works across pour-over and espresso, Cafe & Crema's current top pick is the T… Updated September 2026 · 4 compared
Brewers & Filters

Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers (2026)

For a current cold brew maker that separates brewing from serving cleanly, Cafe & Crema's top pick is the OXO… Updated September 2026 · 4 compared
Grinders

Best Manual Hand Grinders

Manual grinders trade motorized convenience for a simpler grinding system, which can make them attractive when… Updated September 2026 · 5 compared

Brewing guides & how-tos

What Is a Burr Coffee Grinder? Conical vs Flat & Stepped vs Stepless

A burr coffee grinder controls grind size by passing beans through an adjustable gap between two burr surfaces. Learn co…

Coffee Water Hardness vs Alkalinity: Brew Water & Espresso Machine Safety (2026)

Coffee-water hardness, alkalinity and TDS are different measurements. Compare the World Brewers Cup brew-water reference…

How Long Does Coffee Stay Fresh? Roast Dates, Storage & Freezing (2026)

Coffee freshness is not one fixed window. Learn what roast dates tell you, how degassing differs from staling, why oxyge…

Cold Brew Coffee Ratio & Concentrate Dilution Guide (2026)

Cold brew ratios make more sense when you separate the brew ratio from the serving dilution. Compare current OXO and Tod…

Baratza Sette 270 vs Baratza Encore ESP: Micro-Adjust Timed Espresso or Simpler Dual-Range?

Compare the Baratza Sette 270 ZCG1270 with the Baratza Encore ESP ZCG495 on S1 vs M2 burrs, macro plus stepless micro vs…

DF64V Gen 3 vs DF64 II Gen 2: Variable RPM or Simpler 64mm?

Compare the current MiiCoffee DF64V V3.0 with the MiiCoffee DF64 II V2.6 on 64mm flat burrs, 400W variable-speed vs 250W…

DF64V Gen 3 vs Fellow Opus 2: Variable-RPM 64mm Platform or Simpler All-Rounder?

Compare MiiCoffee DF64V Gen 3 with Fellow Opus 2 on 64mm variable-RPM vs 48mm all-purpose single dosing, stepless contro…

Eureka Mignon Specialità vs Fellow Opus 2: Quiet Timed Hopper or All-Purpose Single Dose?

Compare the standard Eureka Mignon Specialità with Fellow Opus 2 on 55mm flat vs 48mm conical burrs, stepless adjustment…

MiiCoffee DF64V Gen 3 Review: Is Variable RPM Worth the Extra Control?

A decision-first MiiCoffee DF64V Gen 3 review covering the current V3.0 64mm flat-burr platform, 400W brushless variable…