A longtime pro barista’s favorite tools for dialing in the perfect shot at home.

Pulling the perfect shot of espresso is equal parts art and science. It’s expressive, yet exacting. There’s an endless list of variables you must manage and account for as you grind your beans, tamp your puck, and force hot water through your portafilter, so it’s no surprise that a vast and overwhelming cottage industry has sprung up to help aspiring baristas make the process more calculated and efficient.

Technique and know-how are still number one when it comes to dialing in a machine and brewing rich, nuanced shots.…