A world of change

Product: AeroPress

Manufacturer: Aerobie

Wired Rating: 8

Any muscle-head can make decent espresso with this simple device. Just add grounds and hot water to the chamber and wait 10 seconds. Then insert the plunger and push down for delightfully strong go-juice in a little more than half a minute. While the result isn’t on a par with Café Snootycups, it beats the sludge served by many chains, with no bitterness or grounds in the mix. Among the products we tested, the AeroPress is also the easiest to clean: Spent bean-matter ejects smoothly from the end; give it a single wipe and you’re done.

WIRED Lightweight, durable, and compact; best unit for camping. Costs less than two weeks of store-bought lattes. Filters are a penny apiece. Makes up to four shots at once.

TIRED Maintaining even pressure is impossible unless you’re a robot (in which case, why drink espresso?). Single shots come out a little watery. No pods.