From house espresso machines to spectacular grinders, the previous yr was a time of thrilling espresso gear releases. Immediately, we share the merchandise our readers cherished most in 2025.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Featured picture courtesy of Meraki

On New 12 months’s Eve, we shared a roundup of our most-read on-line tales of 2025. When going by way of our hottest articles, one factor shortly stood out: Our Check Drive sequence—the place we put espresso gear, from grinders to espresso machines, to the take a look at—was a transparent reader favourite.

So, we determined to present these critiques their very own highlight. Listed here are the Check Drives our readers cherished most in 2025.

#4: TIMEMORE Sculptor 078S Grinder

Over time, TIMEMORE has carved out a notable area within the specialty-coffee world by way of thoughtfully designed gear—most famously, with their hand grinders.

This previous summer season, Barista Journal Senior On-line Correspondent Vasileia Fanarioti gave their Sculptor 078S Grinder a go, placing it by way of a wide range of brew eventualities, from filter espresso to espresso.

#3: Making Espresso by Hand with the Aptitude 58 Plus 2 Espresso Maker

Again in October, Josh Taves, long-time espresso nerd and proprietor of Dialed Espresso Providers in Michigan, put the Aptitude 58 Plus 2 to the take a look at, finally altering his thoughts in regards to the “house espresso scene.”

“The shot was shockingly pleasant. No scale on the drip tray, primary stress profile, no extremely fancy espresso,” he wrote. “When was the final time you pulled a shot with out pondering of all of the parameters and simply loved it? I do know it’s been some time for me. And herein lies the great thing about the Aptitude 58 Plus 2.”

#2: Varia VS6 Grinder

In one other grinder evaluation, Vasileia Fanarioti examined out the award-winning Varia VS6 Grinder, evaluating every little thing from design and value, to retention and taste readability.

“The Varia VS6 is a grinder designed for individuals who search precision, flexibility, and full management over their grind settings,” Vasileia says. “With interchangeable burrs and adjustable RPM, it stands out as a extremely adaptable instrument for each house baristas and small espresso retailers.”

#1: Meraki Tech x TIMEMORE Residence Espresso Machine

Coming in at #1 is our evaluation of a highly-awaited product launch: the Meraki Tech house espresso machine, created in collaboration with TIMEMORE. Barista Journal On-line Editor Emily Pleasure Meneses gave the Hong Kong-made machine a go and interviewed Meraki CEO Dennis Chen, who recounts his time at Dyson as a most important supply of design inspiration.

“My journey to create this espresso machine started with over a decade as an engineer within the high-end house equipment trade, together with a big interval at Dyson,“ Dennis instructed Barista Journal. “Dyson’s philosophy—that innovation and engineering can clear up issues others ignore—deeply formed my method.“

Subscribe and Extra!

As all the time, you may learn Barista Journal in paper by subscribing or ordering a difficulty.

Assist Barista Journal with a Membership.

Signup for our weekly publication.

Learn the December 2025 + January 2026 Challenge free of charge with our digital version. 

Without spending a dime entry to greater than 5 years’ price of points, go to our digital version archives right here.