The $35 AeroPress Original Is a Valentine’s Day Gift Coffee Lovers Will Actually Use – Brew Rich, Smooth Coffee Anywhere
Skip cliché gifts and get them something they will use
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Valentine's Day gifts can get pretty stale quickly. The standard rotation of stuffed toys, chocolate, and flowers doesn't exactly scream 'personal'. Luckily, if you have a coffee-lover in your life, we have the perfect alternative that they will actually use.
The AeroPress Original, available at Amazon, is a unique melting pot that takes all the best features of French press, single-serve, drip, and moka pot and combines them into one portable, easy to use devie that delivers an espresso-style shot that rivals some of the best espresso machines.
The AeroPress Is the Valentine’s Gift Coffee Fans Want
The AeroPress might be just one tool, but it promises plenty of brewing options, with the included instructions offering you four different brewing options: American, espresso-style, latte, and cold brew. Our reviewer, former barista Laura Honey, said in her review, 'If you need tasty coffee on the go, you won’t do better than this. Once you've learned how AeroPresses work, you won't want to go back.'
Because the AeroPress Original can do so much with only one tool, it really is the gift that keeps on giving. Better still, the multi-functional design means it can, theoretically, take the place of an espresso machine, best drip coffee maker, and your best moka pot, freeing up valuable space in small kitchen storage and decluttering your kitchen countertops.
As Laura wrote in her AeroPress review, the 1.87"D x 1.87"W x 4.63"H size makes it small enough to fit in a mid-sized handbag, meaning kitchen cabinets should fair just fine.
On the multifunctionality, Laura added, 'The AeroPress has established itself as the coffee maker of professional, working coffee geeks. I don’t know how they feel about this reputation, but I think this is well-founded. Whether you'll be brewing from the hotel, office, Airbnb, ski lodge, or tent, you'll want the AeroPress with you.'
It really is the ideal gift for coffee lovers.
During our tests, the AeroPress made a surprisingly good cold brew without the hours usually required.
If that wasn't enough, the AeroPress is also one of the best non-toxic coffee makers, made with BPA-free Tritan (a curable copolyester material), meaning it is also perfect for those health-conscious brew aficionados looking to create a non-toxic home in 2026.
The one-of-a-kind brewing method can take a little getting used to, but there is a full manual included, and some great online tutorials, such as this video from coffee expert James Hoffman, that can help you on your way to acing the relatively uncomplicated process. It's well-suited to beginners, Laura notes, especially with the printed measurements making for an accessible tool.
Don't just take our word for it, either. One verified shopper, Juls, who picked up the AeroPress original at Walmart, commented in their review that, 'It's the best coffee I've ever made. I am so picky about my coffee. I don't like coffee from restaurants or the coffee shops (that I've tried). I just like straight, black coffee. I've been using a nice French Press over the last few years, and I have a good grinder. But it was losing flavor, or maybe my taste buds were petering out.
'Then I decided to give AeroPress a try. Oh my. It's the most delicious coffee I've ever made! There's a small learning curve, and my only complaint is that you really only get half a cup of coffee at a time, maybe a little more. It would likely be a fullish cup if you use something dainty. I still use my French press in the morning so I can have two to three cups. But I sure look forward to my afternoon treat, where I make a cup, then another. It's more work, but worth it.'
What to Shop
The Aeropress is made from BPA-free plastic, which is hardy and lightweight. It only makes a single serving, but you can take it anywhere – from the office to the airport.
My personal favorite. The Aeropress Premium is made of high-quality borosilicate glass, with a stainless steel filter. It is easy to use and even simpler to clean, but it only makes enough coffee for one person.
The clear AreoPress offers all the features of the AeroPress original but with a whole new aesthetic. It's made from crystal clear Tritan for a durable, shatterproof, travel-ready brewer that lets you see your brew for complete control.
While the AeroPress original is perfectly portable, this set comes with a stainless steel tumbler with leak-proof lid to help you make hot or cold coffee on the go, or even out in the wilderness.
If you're new to the coffee grinding game and you don't want to splurge on a high-spec model, you'll love this frugal option. It's a great all-rounder, but it is not a fine grind specialist.
If you have a petite kitchen and want to focus specifically on leveling up your espresso game, the KitchenAid is a nice choice. It's slim, stylish, and super simple, but it makes coffee. It's also great for beginners.
Want to try your hand at making the best treat for yourself or your loved one? Check out our guide to brewing the best coffee at home next, or really hone your skills with your new investment with our ultimate AeroPress recipe.
