What should I buy for better coffee if I hate complicated machines?

Buy a burr grinder first. If you hate complicated machines, the biggest low-effort upgrade is usually grinding whole beans right before brewing, then using a simple brewer you already like.

Best simple setup:

1. Burr grinder — best first buy for better flavor with minimal fuss.
2. French press — easiest “better coffee” brewer if you want rich coffee and no filters.
3. AeroPress-style manual brewer — good if you want one cup, fast cleanup, and less bitterness.
4. Gooseneck kettle — useful if you do pour-over, but not the first thing I’d buy unless you already brew manually.