I have a buddy that puts hundreds of dollars into the fanciest coffee machines he can buy. He buys bags of beans from all over the world.
I have a $20 grinder, a $11 coffee pot from Kroger purchased in 2013, and while I do buy nice bags of coffee several times a a year, my typical bag is store brand who bean for $7 and I’ll splurge on a nice $15 bag from time to time.
I can’t tell the difference in taste when I am at his place. However, instant coffee is disgusting and I cannot sip it without a shit load of creamer to dilute the awfulness.