Here at the Beanery, we almost always brew using a
Chemex, as it does a fantastic job of bringing out all of the flavors of both the bean and the roast. It's also fun to brew with such an iconic piece of equipment, one that was invented and patented in New York City in 1941, has been called "one of the best-designed products of modern times", and is on display in the Museum of Modern Art.
At home, brewing with a Chemex can seem daunting, as it requires heating the water separately, and there's no warming plate to keep the brew warm for sleepy partners, wives, or roommates. One way to solve this issue is the
Ottomatic, also made by Chemex, but it's pricey.
Another great recommendation is the
Bonavita 1900TS, a fully automatic brewer that's recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). For those brewing only a cup at a time, the
Hario V60 Dripper a great way to go.
I always like to say that anyone can brew great coffee using a standard Mr. Coffee brewer from brands like Mr Coffee, Breville, and others. But no matter what gear you use to brew, the keys to a great cup are filtered water (coffee is 99%+ water) and freshly roasted beans.