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Beer · Guide
Best Homebrewing Equipment for Beginners Complete Guide
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Starter Set | Best overall starter kit | $155.99 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Northern Brewer Essential Starter Set | Best budget starter kit | $109.99 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| FerMonster 6 Gallon Carboy | Best first fermenter | $49.95 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Brewers Elite Hydrometer and Test Jar | Do not skip this one | $21.99 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| WENNING Manual Beer Bottle Capper Tool with 150 count Beer Bottle Caps,26mm Beer Corking Machine for Home Brewing（Crown Cap WN005） | Makes bottling day survivable | $21.58 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
| Fermtech Mini Auto-Siphon, 15 inch | Sanitary transfers | $8.99 ↗ as of 17 Sep 2026, 2:18am GMT+0000 Details (paid link) |
Prices come from Amazon and refresh nightly. A pick shows “Check price” when we do not have a current figure for it.
Starting your homebrewing journey can feel overwhelming with all the equipment options available. Below is the equipment a first batch actually requires, separated from the equipment that only makes the job easier. The split comes from what the process needs at each stage, not from a lab.
Complete Starter Kits (Best Value)
1. Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Starter Kit – Best Overall
Batch Size: 5 gallons
Best overall starter kit
Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Starter Set
Fermenter, airlock, thermometer, sanitiser and a full ingredient kit in one box, so nothing is missing on brew day except a pot. Northern Brewer is a US homebrew retailer that stocks its own replacement parts, which matters the first time you split a gasket.
The Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy kit is our top recommendation for beginners. It includes everything you need for your first batch: fermenters, airlock, thermometer, sanitizer, and a complete recipe kit.
What’s Included:
- 6.5 gallon fermenting bucket with lid
- Siphonless fermenter (makes bottling easier)
- Airlock and stopper
- Thermometer
- Sanitizer
- Complete ingredient kit with instructions
Pros: Foolproof instructions, quality components, great value
Cons: Doesn’t include brew kettle (you’ll need an 8+ quart pot)
2. Northern Brewer Essential Starter Kit – Best Budget Option
Batch Size: 5 gallons
Best budget starter kit
Northern Brewer Essential Starter Set
The same siphonless fermenter design in a leaner package. If you already own a large pot and a thermometer, this is the cheaper honest route to a first batch.
A more affordable option that still includes all the essentials. The siphonless fermenter design makes this kit particularly beginner-friendly – no need to deal with complicated siphon tubes.
3. Northern Brewer Deluxe Kit – Best for Serious Beginners
Batch Size: 5 gallons
Includes glass carboys for two-stage fermentation, resulting in clearer beer. Worth the upgrade if you’re committed to the hobby. It is frequently out of stock, so check availability.
Individual Equipment (Build Your Own Setup)
Brew Kettles
Why we recommend it: Heats evenly, durable, fits on standard stovetops, leaves room for vigorous boils.
Fermenters
FerMonster 6 Gallon Carboy
Best first fermenter
FerMonster 6 Gallon Carboy
A wide-mouth plastic carboy you can get your arm and a brush into, which is the single biggest difference between cleaning a fermenter in two minutes and dreading it. Six gallons gives a five-gallon batch real krausen headroom, and it will not shatter on a concrete floor the way glass does.
Plastic carboy that’s lighter and safer than glass, with a wide mouth for easy cleaning. Perfect for both primary and secondary fermentation.
Measuring Tools
Brewing Hydrometer with Test Jar
Do not skip this one
Brewers Elite Hydrometer and Test Jar
Without a hydrometer you cannot tell fermentation has finished, and bottling early is how bottles turn into grenades. Buying it with the plastic test jar rather than glass means the one piece of gear you will inevitably knock off the bench does not become a broken hydrometer.
Essential for measuring original and final gravity to calculate ABV. Comes with a test jar.
Bottling Equipment
Red Baron Bench Capper
Makes bottling day survivable
WENNING Manual Beer Bottle Capper Tool with 150 count Beer Bottle Caps,26mm Beer Corking Machine for Home Brewing（Crown Cap WN005）
The previous pick here was discontinued, and this is the closest current listing in the same class at a comparable price. It fills the same slot: Makes bottling day survivable. We have not tested it, and the specifics below come from the listing rather than from us.
Solid bench-style capper that makes bottling day much easier. Works with standard bottle caps.
Fermtech Auto-Siphon
Sanitary transfers
Fermtech Mini Auto-Siphon, 15 inch
One pump of the inner tube starts the siphon, so nothing goes near your mouth and nothing gets splashed into the beer. The 15-inch mini version is the right length for carboys and small-batch vessels rather than tall buckets.
Self-priming siphon eliminates the need to suck on tubes. Sanitary and reliable for transferring beer.
Cooling Equipment
What You DON’T Need as a Beginner
- Conical Fermenter: Wait until you’ve brewed 10+ batches
- Kegging System: Bottling works fine initially, and kegging adds a substantial chunk to startup costs
- pH Meter: Not necessary for extract brewing
- Refractometer: Hydrometer is sufficient for beginners
Recommended Starter Setup, Piece by Piece
If you’re buying individual pieces instead of a kit:
- Brew Kettle: 8+ quart stainless pot, or the Bayou Classic if you want to buy once
- Fermenter: 6-gallon bucket or carboy
- Airlock & Stopper
- Hydrometer
- Auto-Siphon
- Bottle Capper
- Sanitizer: Star San
- Thermometer
Buying piecemeal almost always costs more than a kit unless you already own the pot.
Recommended Starter Setup, The Cheap Way
Best Value: the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Kit plus an 8-quart pot you already own
This gives you everything except the brew kettle, which you can borrow from your kitchen temporarily. Once you’re hooked, upgrade to a dedicated 10-gallon kettle.
Tips for Buying Used Equipment
- Safe to buy used: Kettles, carboys (inspect for cracks), cappers
- Always buy new: Plastic tubing, airlocks, sanitizer, ingredient kits
- Check Facebook Marketplace: Brewers often sell complete setups for a fraction of new
Next Steps After Your First Batch
Once you’ve brewed 2-3 batches successfully, consider upgrading:
- Wort Chiller: Saves 30+ minutes per brew day
- Better Thermometer: Digital instant-read for accuracy
- Second Fermenter: Brew more frequently
- Grain Mill: If moving to all-grain brewing
FAQs
How much does it cost to start homebrewing?
Less than most people expect, and a complete kit like the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy set is the cheapest honest route in. The live price is on the product links above.
Is plastic or glass better for fermenters?
For beginners, plastic is safer (won’t shatter), lighter, and easier to clean. Glass looks nicer and doesn’t scratch, but breakage risk isn’t worth it for most homebrewers.
Do I need a wort chiller for my first batch?
No – you can cool your wort in an ice bath for your first few batches. A chiller is a nice upgrade once you’re committed to the hobby.
Can I brew beer without buying any equipment?
Not really. At minimum you need: a large pot, fermenter, airlock, and bottles. A starter kit is worth it for convenience and reliability.
Final Recommendation
For most beginners, we recommend the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Starter Kit. It includes quality equipment, foolproof instructions, and everything except a brew kettle (which you can use from your kitchen initially).
It’s the best value in the category and will serve you well for your first 20+ batches. Once you’re hooked on the hobby, you can always upgrade individual pieces.
Ready to start brewing? Check out our beginner beer recipes to pair with your new equipment!
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