There’s nothing like indulging in your favorite cappuccino, pour-over, or matcha latte from your local coffee shop. (Half of the reason I became a barista during my college years was to keep those drinks flowing at a discount.) But as we all try to save money as coffee prices continue to surge, we have to be honest with ourselves: Those coffee shop drinks aren’t getting any cheaper. 

Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice your daily brew, you just need the right setup at home. The first step is to invest in the right tools to recreate those drinks yourself, and as someone who used to work behind the coffee bar, I know what you need to make the perfect beverage — without spending a fortune on a fancy espresso machine. Here are some of the best coffee gadgets to shop for if you’re looking to recreate a café-level drink at home, and they start at just $8.

Shop Barista-Recommended Coffee Gear Under $30

• Primula Classic Stovetop Moka Pot, $20
• Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Canister, $24, originally $29
• Bonsenkitchen Handheld Milk Frother, $8
• Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper, $27, originally $30
• Mueller Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $20
• Krups Electric Coffee Grinder, $19, originally $24
• Adorever Milk Frothing Pitcher, $10, originally $13
• Escali Milk Thermometer, $14, originally $15
• Monin Gourmet Flavorings Premium Coffee Collection, $15

Primula Classic Stovetop Moka Pot

Coming from an Italian immigrant household meant being introduced to the classic Moka pot (in many sizes and variations) at a young age. This stovetop coffee maker is the most cost-efficient and beginner-friendly way to brew espresso at home. Though a Moka pot won’t brew with the same pressure levels as a traditional espresso machine (don’t expect thick, crema-topped shots here), it’ll still bring you one step closer to your at-home latte or Americano. 

Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Canister

Another way to ensure your coffee beans stay fresh for as long as possible? Store them in an airtight canister. Our coffee shop relied on sealed, stainless steel canisters like this one to store everything from extra beans to matcha powder because it protected them from light and oxygen exposure. This barista-loved canister has a useful built-in freshness date tracker to maintain best-by dates even after you’ve tossed the original packaging. 

Bonsenkitchen Handheld Milk Frother

You don’t need a fancy machine to enjoy frothy lattes or cold foam at home. This handheld milk frother has received over 34,000 five-star ratings from shoppers, who praise its fast, easy results and ability to froth everything from hot lattes and cold foam to protein powders and matcha. (Just keep in mind that this gadget won’t heat your milk; you’ll have to do that ahead of time.)

Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper

For all you pour-over coffee loyalists: It doesn’t get any better — or simpler — than the Hario V60. Although pour-over coffee can seem like a fancy, high-maintenance beverage, it’s actually one of the most cost-effective methods. All you need is a coffee dripper like this one and a stovetop or electric kettle. (Gooseneck kettles are preferred for controlling the flow, but regular kettles also work in a pinch.) This one is made of durable Japanese ceramic and can fit right over your mug, so you don’t even have to splurge for an accompanying glass carafe — unless you want to.

Mueller Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Whether you’re a summertime cold brew lover or a year-round loyalist, investing in a cold brew maker is the definition of low effort, high reward. This Mueller model, which we ranked as the best cold brew maker overall, is fuss-free and affordable. Simply add coffee grounds and water, then let the mixture sit overnight in the fridge. It delivers such great results with such minimal effort that you’ll never want to spend $6 on a single serving of cold brew again.

Krups Electric Coffee Grinder

Freshly grinding your beans instead of opting for pre-ground coffee makes a major difference when it comes to at-home brews. Since coffee is heavily influenced by oxidation, it loses its inherent flavor after sitting in a bag for long periods of time. But you don’t necessarily have to splurge on something fancy; even affordable coffee grinders like this Krups one can make a huge difference. And this model couldn’t be easier to use: Just add your beans and push down on the cover until they’ve reached your preferred coarseness. 

Adorever Milk Frothing Pitcher

Ready to try your hand at at-home latte art? You’ll need a solid milk frothing pitcher. This one is highly rated for its pointed, defined spout and accompanying latte art pen, both of which can be used to help you design anything from a classic leaf design to something more intricate. (Use it in tandem with the handheld milk frother!)

Escali Milk Thermometer

The average temperature to serve a latte or cappuccino is around 140°F, but customers who order something “extra hot” might receive a drink that’s around 160°F. However, you don’t want your milk to get too much hotter, as it can burn or separate at higher temperatures. Enter: a milk thermometer, another tool that will take you from amateur to expert. It’s difficult to tell when your heated milk has reached the perfect temperature just by looking at it, so baristas typically rely on milk thermometers to achieve the best results.

Monin Gourmet Flavorings Premium Coffee Collection

If your at-home coffee is missing a certain je ne sais quoi, it might be in need of some flavoring. (A caramel latte won’t taste the same without the caramel, after all!) Monin, a leading brand in flavor syrups, is what my store kept in stock during my barista days. This coffee collection set is perfect for barista beginners and includes five mini bottles of the most popular flavors: vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, amaretto, and Irish creme. This way, you can switch it up and keep things interesting without feeling the need to make a coffee shop run.