Skip the novelty mugs — a trained barista’s guide to the best coffee gifts under $50

Coffee fans can be a picky bunch, and understandably so.

<![CDATA[ <article> <p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-gifts-for-home-baristas"><span>Gifts for home baristas</span></h2> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cabf4-df4c-11f1-9fc4-7b9bc8c73f39"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/breville-knock-box-10-in-stainless-steel/s239200" data-model-name="Knock Box in Stainless Steel" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vYJoe6dTUyKvCRzJ8hb54W.jpg" alt="Stainless steel knock box" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Breville</div> <div class="featured__title">Knock Box in Stainless Steel</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>A clean and easy way to dispose of used espresso grounds after brewing.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cac6c-df4c-11f1-9906-a3a705b13dfe"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/World-Atlas-Coffee-3rd-explained/dp/1784729868/ref=sr_1_6" data-model-name="The World Atlas of Coffee 3rd Edition" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.93%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s4NKybdvj9x66jBiXJsa7W.jpg" alt="The World Atlas of Coffee book, by James Hoffman" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Mitchell Beazley</div> <div class="featured__title">The World Atlas of Coffee 3rd Edition</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Learn how the terroir of your coffee, how it's harvested, the roasting method, and the brewing technique all affect flavor.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cacee-df4c-11f1-8537-9925534831df"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/chemex-cream-and-sugar-set/s558404" data-model-name="Cream and Sugar Set" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3hWUUSrRRsJhZjKB7rJ6zV.jpg" alt="Cream and sugar set" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Chemex</div> <div class="featured__title">Cream and Sugar Set</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Fun sugar and cream vessel designed to match your Chemex brewer, made from wood and glass.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cad66-df4c-11f1-8d39-a937d136e156"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/2-liter-thermal-coffee-carafe/s682275" data-model-name="2-Liter Thermal Coffee Carafe" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4N9hJRao25arKHRjrEKc3W.jpg" alt="Insulated coffee carafe" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Crate &amp; Barrel</div> <div class="featured__title">2-Liter Thermal Coffee Carafe</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Keeps coffee fresh and hot, and pours easily thanks to arched handle and spout.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cadd4-df4c-11f1-bafb-dd23e9a78b1e"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blumenthal-Precision-Accessory-Aquatronic-Guarantee/dp/B00Q505YQO/ref=sr_1_1" data-model-name="Precision Digital Kitchen Scales" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jYXcRYdem5wxTPmpXmev6W.jpg" alt="Digital kitchen scale" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Salter</div> <div class="featured__title">Precision Digital Kitchen Scales</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Perfect for dosing coffee for any brew style, and accurate to within 0.5g.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cae56-df4c-11f1-aad4-3f98a2a4893a"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/marin-white-stoneware-creamer/s308595" data-model-name="White Stoneware Creamer" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/msht9fba5ABNwKCprvFpuV.jpg" alt="White stoneware creamer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Marin</div> <div class="featured__title">White Stoneware Creamer</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Artisanal ceramic jug with soft glazed finish and subtle antiquing around the rim.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61caec4-df4c-11f1-8512-51f85b531306"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Original-Coffee-Press-Bitterness/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa" data-model-name="Original Coffee Press" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z2nJTgsBoMmqdCVLVYTVxV.jpg" alt="AeroPress coffee brewer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>AeroPress</div> <div class="featured__title">Original Coffee Press</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>One of the easiest ways to make coffee at home or on the move, with a huge variety of possible brewing styles.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61caf3c-df4c-11f1-a3a6-c301249aa4f0"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chemex-Classic-Pour-over-Glass-Coffeemaker/dp/B004BEQFVY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa" data-model-name="Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WX95bFndT46ksCV5wEBqqV.jpg" alt="Chemex coffee brewer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Chemex</div> <div class="featured__title">Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>The classic three-cup glass brewer made from non-toxic and odor-resistant borosilicate glass.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cafaa-df4c-11f1-b8b0-cb1d42d4eeb1"> <a href="https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/products/revolutions-true-tamp-distribution-tool-ridged" data-model-name="True Tamp Distribution Tool" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bedoQFXrXxPvKPC85c66tV.jpg" alt="Circular coffee distribution tool" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Revolution</div> <div class="featured__title">True Tamp Distribution Tool</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Place on the ground coffee in your portafilter and spin for even distribution before tamping.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb022-df4c-11f1-be28-b5ab996981d9"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/double-coffee-measuring-spoon/s373535" data-model-name="Double Coffee Measuring Spoon" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FGvHc5PgWqChmy4fCLRfsV.jpg" alt="Two-ended coffee measuring scoop" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Crate &amp; Barrel</div> <div class="featured__title">Double Coffee Measuring Spoon</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>One and two tablespoon measures for dosing espresso, drip, and pour-over coffee.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb090-df4c-11f1-97ff-39c4adf393d6"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Keurig-Frother-Cappuccinos-Features-Function/dp/B07CZ36WY5/ref=sr_1_6_mod_primary_new" data-model-name="Standalone Milk Frother" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EK32y3nUoA2tb8koi38HwV.jpg" alt="Electric milk frother" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Keurig</div> <div class="featured__title">Standalone Milk Frother</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Foams dairy and plant milk at the touch of a button — hot or cold.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb108-df4c-11f1-a195-51eb1b5e7996"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fellow-Stainless-Metallic-Leak-Proof-Dishwasher/dp/B09W41WN7B/ref=sr_1_13" data-model-name="Carter Move Ceramic Lined Travel Coffee Mug" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RhskFhUqCFzPcLmQ8NALnV.jpg" alt="Insulated coffee flask" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Fellow</div> <div class="featured__title">Carter Move Ceramic Lined Travel Coffee Mug</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>A 12oz travel mug with leak-proof lid and tapered lip for comfortable drinking.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb176-df4c-11f1-8d82-873085901fd6"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/fusion-satin-espresso-spoons-set-of-4/s190261" data-model-name="Fusion Satin Espresso Spoons, Set of 4" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.93%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/od266vXoVvSZwL58KcjmpV.jpg" alt="Four espresso spoons" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Crate &amp; Barrel</div> <div class="featured__title">Fusion Satin Espresso Spoons, Set of 4</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>A set of smart spoons to elevate your morning routine, or use when guests visit.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb1e4-df4c-11f1-b326-59d185c6f00c"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Grounds-History-Coffee-Transformed/dp/1541699386/ref=sr_1_1" data-model-name="Uncommon Grounds" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.33%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bpG4yH4Wp38wp44ZfzykrV.jpg" alt="Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Mark Pendergrast</div> <div class="featured__title">Uncommon Grounds</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>A top-recommended book for coffee-lovers, detailing the history and geography of the drink you love.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb25c-df4c-11f1-98dc-e3059f2c8bae"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-Double-Walled-Espresso-Glasses/dp/B004MALMT2/ref=sr_1_3_mod_primary_new" data-model-name="3oz Espresso Double Wall Thermal Glasses" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ep2VLxTPgfzFm2gPqcMLmV.jpg" alt="Set of two glass coffee cups" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>De'Longhi</div> <div class="featured__title">3oz Espresso Double Wall Thermal Glasses</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>A set of two insulated espresso glasses — ideal for showing how much crema you've managed to create.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb2ca-df4c-11f1-b73a-f9e4cd7bfd3a"> <a href="https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/products/fellow-espresso-wdt-distribution-tool" data-model-name="Espresso WDT Distribution Tool" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gfmy8EwKnHcxjVfqKyVNkV.jpg" alt="WDT coffee distribution tool" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Fellow</div> <div class="featured__title">Espresso WDT Distribution Tool</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p><p>Evenly distribute the coffee grounds in your portafilter before tamping for a more precise result.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb39c-df4c-11f1-be6d-9f3e5d26dda8"> <a href="https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/products/fellow-monty-cappuccino-cup" data-model-name="Monty Cappuccino Cup" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BXWsuPuhPe2K7nJdNrjQjV.jpg" alt="Black cappuccino cup" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Fellow</div> <div class="featured__title">Monty Cappuccino Cup</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="f61cb4aa-df4c-11f1-bd34-310953c2837f"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Pour-Over-Rainmaker-Distributes-Dishwasher/dp/B01ENK41Q6/ref=sr_1_65_sspa" data-model-name="Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XXVCKJaVY2QP6CPTBA5knV.jpg" alt="White single-serve coffee maker" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>OXO</div> <div class="featured__title">Single Serve Pour-Over Coffee Maker</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> ]]>