Should I make coffee at home?

Coffee Cost Breakdown by Brewing Method

Not all home coffee is created equal. Here’s what each method really costs:

Keurig K-Cup Costs

• Machine: $80-180
• Cost per cup: $0.40-0.80 (brand K-Cups) or $0.25-0.40 (store brand)
• Annual cost (2/day): $290-580
• Pros: Fast, no cleanup, huge variety
• Cons: More expensive than drip, environmental concerns, weaker coffee

Nespresso Pod Costs

• Machine: $150-300 (Original) or $180-400 (Vertuo)
• Cost per pod: $0.70-0.80 (Original) or $0.90-1.10 (Vertuo)
• Annual cost (2/day): $510-800
• Pros: Consistent quality, nice crema, compact machines
• Cons: Proprietary pods, higher cost than other home methods

Drip Coffee Maker Costs

• Machine: $30-150
• Cost per cup: $0.10-0.25 (pre-ground) or $0.15-0.35 (whole bean)
• Annual cost (2/day): $70-180
• Pros: Cheapest per cup, makes multiple cups, simple
• Cons: Coffee can taste stale, cleaning required

Pour-Over Coffee Costs (V60, Chemex)

• Equipment: $25-80 (dripper + kettle)
• Cost per cup: $0.20-0.50 (quality beans)
• Annual cost (2/day): $150-365
• Pros: Best flavor clarity, impressive to guests, portable
• Cons: Requires technique, one cup at a time, needs attention

French Press Costs

• Equipment: $20-50
• Cost per cup: $0.15-0.40
• Annual cost (2/day): $110-290
• Pros: Simple, no filters needed, makes multiple cups, full-bodied
• Cons: Sediment in cup, cleanup takes longer

Home Espresso Costs

• Equipment: $300-800 (machine) + $100-300 (grinder)
• Cost per shot: $0.25-0.50
• Annual cost (2 drinks/day): $180-365
• Pros: Cafe-quality drinks at home, best for lattes/cappuccinos
• Cons: High upfront cost, learning curve, maintenance

The Math: Home Coffee vs Starbucks

Starbucks baseline: 2 drinks/day × $5 × 365 = $3,650/year

Nespresso vs Keurig: Which Pod System Wins?

Choose Nespresso if you:

• Prefer espresso-style drinks
• Want consistent, quality coffee
• Like the ritual and aesthetic
• Drink 1-2 cups per day

Choose Keurig if you:

• Want maximum variety (coffee, tea, cocoa)
• Serve multiple people with different tastes
• Prioritize speed over quality
• Like trying different brands

Cost comparison:

• Keurig machine: $80-180 vs Nespresso: $150-400
• Keurig pods: $0.40-0.80 vs Nespresso: $0.70-1.10
• 3-year total (2/day): Keurig ~$1,000-1,800 vs Nespresso ~$1,700-2,600

Whole Bean Coffee: The Best Long-Term Value

If you’re serious about both savings and quality:

1. Buy a burr grinder ($100-150) - Baratza Encore is the gold standard
2. Buy whole beans in bulk - $12-18/lb for quality beans
3. Grind fresh each morning - Takes 30 seconds

Why whole beans win:

• Freshness = better flavor (pre-ground goes stale in days)
• Bulk beans cost less per cup than pods
• Grinder pays for itself in 6-12 months
• Works with any brewing method

Best Coffee Setup by Budget

Under $50: French Press + Pre-Ground

• Bodum French Press: $25
• Monthly beans: $15-20
• Per cup: $0.20-0.30

$100-200: Drip Maker + Grinder

• Cuisinart drip maker: $80
• JavaPresse hand grinder: $40
• Per cup: $0.15-0.25

$200-400: Nespresso or Quality Pour-Over

• Nespresso Original: $200
• OR Hario V60 + Kettle + Scale + Burr Grinder: $300
• Per cup: $0.35-0.75

$500-1000: Home Espresso

• Breville Barista Express: $700 (includes grinder)
• Quality beans: $15-20/month
• Per cup: $0.30-0.50

Tips for Saving on Coffee Pods

1. Subscribe and save - Amazon, Nespresso, and Keurig offer 5-15% off subscriptions
2. Buy third-party pods - Compatible pods are 30-50% cheaper
3. Use reusable pods - $10-20 upfront, then use any ground coffee
4. Watch for sales - Stock up during Prime Day, Black Friday
5. Try store brands - Target, Costco K-Cups are half the price of name brands