Rechargeable frother with stand
Under $25Circle Joy
Same job as the Zulay, no batteries, comes with its own little stand.
★ 4.7 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
The upgrade
Grind & froth
The two tools that change the cup more than any machine: a burr grinder and something that steams milk.
How to arrange it
A grinder earns its counter space; a frother does not need any. Keep the grinder beside the machine at the same height and store the wand in a mug on the organiser. A scale lives in the drawer below and only comes out for pour-over.
11 picks, cheapest first.
Handheld milk frother wand
Under $25Zulay
The ten-second latte. Keep it standing in a mug on the organiser so it is always within reach.
★ 4.4 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Espresso scale with timer, 0.1 g
Under $25Nkove
Sixteen dollars and it fits on a drip tray. The entry scale.
★ 4.3 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Manual coffee grinder, 60 g
$25 – $60Ceving
Hand grinder for the slow-morning corner. No cord, no noise, and it looks good left out.
★ 4.5 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
S3 pour-over scale with timer
$25 – $60Maestri House
Mid-price scale with a flow-rate display. Nice if you like the numbers.
★ 4.5 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
4-in-1 electric frother and steamer
$25 – $60Hot foam, cold foam, hot milk. The step up when you want a flat white without a steam wand.
★ 4.3 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Mini espresso scale, rechargeable
$25 – $60MHW-3Bomber
Small enough to live on the drip tray of the Barista Express. The scale for dialling in shots.
★ 4.3 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Basic 2.0 coffee scale
$25 – $60Timemore
The scale with the cult following. Auto-timer, slim, and worth it the first time your pour-over tastes the same twice.
★ 4.5 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Brew compact burr grinder, 50 g
$60 – $150OXO
The small-space version. Grinds one or two doses at a time and takes up a mug's worth of counter.
★ 4.3 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Conical burr espresso grinder
$60 – $150Shardor
Fine enough for espresso, cheap enough to try. Pair with the XIXUBX or CHULUX machines.
★ 4.4 on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Brew conical burr grinder, silver
$60 – $150OXO
The grinder that turns a $100 machine into a better cup than most cafés. Fifteen settings, quiet enough for 6 a.m.
★ 4.3 on AmazonSee it on Amazon