Don't Buy That Coffee Maker: See This Unexpected $50 Alternative First

Most people jump straight into buying a drip coffee machine or a single-serve pod brewer. It’s convenient, yes, but often bland and hard to upgrade. Before spending $200 or more on an electric setup, consider a better-performing manual method that costs less and delivers more flavor: the AeroPress.

Why The Aeropress Is The Best $50 Coffee Upgrade?

The AeroPress is a compact, pressure-based coffee brewer that punches far above its weight. For around $40 to $50, you get a brewing system that outperforms most entry-level machines in taste, versatility, and cleanup.

It uses air pressure to push hot water through coffee grounds, extracting rich, smooth flavor in under two minutes. You can brew espresso-style shots, Americanos, cold brew, and even lattes. There’s virtually no bitterness if you get the grind and temperature right.

It’s ideal for anyone wanting better-tasting coffee without spending hundreds on an espresso machine or grinder. Cleanup takes less than 30 seconds. There are no fragile parts, and it travels well.

Popular upgrades include the Prismo attachment from Fellow ($30), which adds pressure to mimic crema, and the Able Brewing metal filter ($15) for fuller body and reusable simplicity.

What You'll Need To Brew With Aeropress?

AeroPress Original or AeroPress Clear: Around $40–$50

Gooseneck kettle: The Hario V60 Buono or Fellow Stagg EKG are top choices

Burr grinder: The Timemore Chestnut C2 ($60–$90) or Baratza Encore ($150) works well

Fresh beans: Look for medium roast single origins for best clarity

Digital scale and thermometer (optional but helpful)

Once you have the basics, you can experiment with time, ratio, and grind to fine-tune your ideal cup.

Smooth Aeropress Coffee (Classic Method)

This is a fast, reliable method for bright, clean coffee.

What Do You Need?

15g medium-fine ground coffee

200g water at 175–185°F

AeroPress with paper filter

Steps

1. Insert a paper filter and rinse it with hot water.
2. Add 15g of coffee to the AeroPress.
3. Pour 200g of water over the grounds.
4. Stir for 10 seconds.
5. Insert the plunger and gently press for over 30 seconds.
6. Add a splash of hot water if needed to adjust strength.

The result is bright and slightly fruity, depending on the bean. Works best with light or medium roasts.

Aeropress Espresso-Style Shot (With Prismo)

This gets you closer to espresso flavor without a machine.

What Do You Need?

18g fine-ground coffee

50g water at 200°F

AeroPress with Prismo attachment

Steps

1. Add coffee to the AeroPress chamber.
2. Pour 50g of water.
3. Stir rapidly for 10 seconds.
4. Lock in Prismo and wait 30 seconds.
5. Press slowly and firmly.

You’ll get a concentrated shot with strong body, ideal for iced drinks or faux lattes.

Instant Aeropress Cold Brew

This gives you chilled coffee without the 12-hour wait.

What Do You Need?

20g medium ground coffee

100g room-temperature water

AeroPress + paper or metal filter

Ice cubes

Steps

1. Add coffee and water to the AeroPress.
2. Stir for 1 minute.
3. Let's sit for another 1–2 minutes.
4. Press slowly over a cup filled with ice.
5. Add cold water to adjust the strength.

Flavor is smoother than hot brew over ice. Works well with chocolatey or nutty beans.

How Does It Compare to Other Popular Methods?

Drip Coffee Makers ($100–$300)

Most automatic brewers under $150 struggle with water temperature and saturation. The AeroPress lets you control both. For half the price, you get better extraction and a more vibrant cup.

Single-Serve Pod Machines (Keurig, Nespresso)

Pods are fast but limited. Coffee often tastes stale or flat. With AeroPress, you get fresh-ground flavor and no plastic waste. You also save long-term since you aren’t locked into proprietary pods.

French Press ($30–$70)

French press offers bold flavor but can be muddy and oily. AeroPress produces cleaner cups with less sediment. It’s also easier to clean and more flexible with recipes.

Espresso Machines ($200–$2000)

Entry-level espresso machines often lack pressure consistency. You won’t get true crema or café-quality flavor until the $600+ range. AeroPress with a Prismo gets close for a fraction of the price, with less mess and no learning curve.

Best Beans For Aeropress Brewing

Onyx Coffee Lab’s Ethiopia Chelbesa: Bright, floral, great for the classic method

Counter Culture’s Big Trouble: Nutty, balanced, works well for cold brew

Verve Streetlevel: Rich and syrupy, great for espresso-style press

Intelligentsia House Blend: Versatile and easy to find

Look for roast dates within 10–21 days. Avoid pre-ground if possible; flavor drops fast after grinding.

Smart Accessory Upgrades Under $100

Timemore Chestnut C2: Compact hand grinder with consistent burrs

Fellow Prismo: Adds espresso-like pressure to the AeroPress

Able Disk Fine: Reusable filter for more oils and body

Hario V60 Scale: Measures to 0.1g for precise control

Fellow Stagg Mini Kettle: Ideal pour control, especially for the inverted method

These tools let you dial in your coffee more accurately and repeat good brews every time.

Inverted Method: Worth Trying?

Some prefer flipping the AeroPress upside-down to extend brew time and reduce leakage. It works well for richer cups, especially darker roasts or cold brew.

Use caution when flipping to avoid spills. Some users find the traditional method simpler and safer, especially for quick weekday brews.

When To Choose Aeropress Over A Coffee Machine

If you make one or two cups at a time and want control over taste, the AeroPress is hard to beat. It’s compact, quiet, and travels well. Machines offer convenience, but they’re bulky, harder to clean, and often underperform unless you spend more.

If you want café-level results without a $600+ investment, start here. It’s the easiest way to taste how good coffee can be when brewed with care and fresh beans.

Final Word: Start With Flavor, Not Hardware

Before dropping money on a mid-tier drip machine or low-end espresso setup, try the AeroPress. For around $50, it opens up better coffee, faster cleanup, and more flexibility.

Experiment with the three recipes above. See how much better your beans can taste. If you love it, add a burr grinder and a gooseneck kettle. You’ll spend less, enjoy more, and never look at pod coffee the same way again.