People often ask me how they can make better coffee without spending loads of money. It's a fair question. If you're buying high-quality, freshly roasted coffee and subjecting it to a Mr. Coffee machine, you may as well be drinking Folgers (not quite, but close). Most people think it costs hundreds of dollars to usurp Mr. Coffee. Maybe a friend was recently bragging about their new $1,400 Breville Espresso Machine, or even the more modest $350 Moccamaster. Those options have a time and place, but what if your budget is only a tenth of that? What if you're just getting into coffee and don't want to sink a whole paycheck into your newfound hobby?
Don't fret, there are options ranging all the way from $1 to $400 that can take your coffee brewing from novice to barista in no time. So whether you're looking for a major upgrade or your first coffee brewer, it's time you get the most out of your beans. In this blog post, we'll explore brewing methods I've personally used ranging from $1 - $400. I'll explain the pros and cons of each, and help guide you toward a more satisfying cup whatever your budget. One small caveat; I will assume you already have a decent quality grinder and source of hot water when calculating the costs. With that, let’s get into it!
The Cowboy Pourover - Cost: $1
You get what you pay for. I assume that most people interested in brewing better coffee have a larger budget than $1, but this option has a fun backstory and is a great option while camping. During my first year of college, I was just starting to drink coffee but was too cheap to buy a traditional coffee maker for my dorm room. Thankfully, my roommate already had an electric kettle so all I needed was a free, or nearly free brewing device. I searched my 8 x 6 room and found my stainless steel camping mug and… a red bandana. Loosely following the Costa Rican Chorreador model, I placed the bandana over my mug, filled it with coffee grounds, and voila! If you haven’t caught on, this is how I came up with the name Bandana Coffee and for the first few years of operations we delivered coffee beans in a tied up bandana! Does this process yield the best cup of coffee? Certainly not. But it beats instant coffee!
Pros: Cheap and easy to use. Also, reusable.
Cons: Possible concerns with leaching color dye in the bandana…
Hario V60 - Cost: $8 - $30
You may be surprised to learn that one of our best options is only 2nd cheapest, but the Hario V60 has been a staple of the 3rd wave coffee movement for decades. This vessel is widely considered one of the best for pourovers and there seem to be an infinite number of YouTube videos claiming their specific procedure yields the best cup. But all around, this is a fantastic value for the incredibly high quality coffee it produces. My only personal recommendation would be to spend a little extra for a glass or porcelain model rather than the cheaper plastic ones. Many may disagree, saying glass and porcelain take longer to heat up and therefore destabilize your brewing temperature, but I prefer to drink plastic free coffee.
Pros: High value for low cost. Easy to learn repeatable process for quality brew.
Cons: Single cup brew. Quite breakable.
Aeropress - Cost: $30 - $40
If you want “fancy” cowboy coffee, perfect for camping, travelling, or just low maintenance daily brewing, Aeropress is the way to go. This is my preferred method for immersion brewing, but can also be used for pressure brewing (in fact, the Aeropress was designed to make 4 servings of americano-style coffee). For the cost, Aeropress is a great brewer to have in your collection even if you don’t use it at home every day. Paired with a nice, compact hand grinder, you can take high quality coffee on the road, in the woods, or wherever you have access to hot water! And if you’re concerned about plastic leaching, there are glass options on the higher end.
Pros: High value for cost. Highly portable and versatile.
Cons: Base model is plastic. Immersion/”pressure” brewing could be perceived as lower quality.
Chemex - Cost: $40 - $70
If you’re chasing clarity, elegance, and ritual in your daily brew, the Chemex delivers. This hourglass-shaped icon is a pour-over brewer that doubles as countertop art. It uses thick paper filters to produce a clean, nuanced cup—ideal for highlighting single-origin beans with delicate flavor notes. Unlike immersion methods, Chemex rewards patience and precision: grind size, water temperature, and pour technique all matter. It’s not the fastest or most forgiving brewer, but for those who enjoy the procedural side of coffee, it’s a standout. Bonus: the larger sizes make it perfect for sharing a slow morning pot with friends or family.
Pros: Clean, bright flavor profile. Elegant design. Great for showcasing high-quality beans.
Cons: Less portable. Requires careful technique. Fragile (glass).
Moccamaster - $300 - $400
If you want café-quality drip coffee with zero fuss and maximum consistency, the Moccamaster is the gold standard. Handmade in the Netherlands, this brewer combines precision engineering with retro charm. It heats water to the optimal extraction temperature (195–205°F), maintains it throughout the brew cycle, and completes a full pot in about 4–6 minutes. Unlike cheaper drip machines, the Moccamaster uses a copper heating element and a showerhead-style dispersion arm to evenly saturate your grounds. It’s ideal for busy mornings or office setups where quality matters but time is tight. While it’s not portable or and is the most expensive on our list, it’s a workhorse that delivers exceptional flavor with minimal effort.
Pros: Consistent, high-quality brew. Fast and easy. Built to last.
Cons: Expensive. Not portable. Requires counter space.
Conclusion
As you can see, brewing great coffee doesn’t require a second mortgage or a barista certification. Whether you’re brewing with a bandana in the woods or dialing in your pour-over technique with a Chemex, the key is matching your method to your lifestyle, taste preferences, and budget. Each brewer on this list has its own charm—from the rugged portability of the AeroPress to the countertop elegance of the Moccamaster. But if we’re talking pure value—quality of brew per dollar spent—one method stands out.
Best Value: Hario V60
At just $8–$30, the Hario V60 punches far above its weight. It’s the gateway to third-wave coffee, offering clarity, control, and repeatability that rivals brewers five times its price. With a little practice, you can produce café-level pour-overs at home, and the minimal investment makes it perfect for beginners and seasoned coffee lovers alike. It’s not the most durable or travel-friendly option, but for everyday brewing at home, it’s hard to beat.
So before you splurge on a high-end machine, consider starting with a V60. Your beans—and your wallet—will thank you.