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Best coffee burr grinder 2023


Best coffee grinder 2023 for the freshest-tasting coffee

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

Determining the best coffee grinder was no easy task. We spent days comparing the results from top burr grinders from Smeg, Fellow, Breville, IZpresso, and other top brands to bring you our ultimate ranking. 

While it is possible to pick up pre-ground coffee, true coffee lovers will instantly notice the difference when grinding their beans at home. Coffee starts to degrade 15 minutes after you put it through the grinder, so if you want to enjoy specialist coffee at its very best, this is the one investment that will bring out all the delicious flavors of every bean you try.

We tested these coffee makers alongside some of the best coffee makers on the market, including drip coffee makers and espresso machines. 

Best coffee grinder: the top 8, ranked 

Why you can trust Homes & Gardens Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

1. Fellow Ode Coffee Grinder

The best coffee grinder, overall

Specifications

Size: 4.57 x 14.61 x 8.78 inches

Capacity: 80 grams

Settings: 31

Warranty: 1 year

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Chic and sturdy build 

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Flat burrs create flavorful coffee

+

Works wonders on pour-over coffee

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Very quiet and user-friendly

Reasons to avoid

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Won't do espresso

The Fellow Ode is the most expensive option in this guide, but in our taste-testing, it came out on top in a big way. As the only grinder in this lineup with flat burrs, it’s designed to give a brighter flavor, but won’t always deliver a rich, full-bodied brew.  

This weighty coffee grinder is impressively compact. It’s designed to grind single servings at a time, so the hopper is on the small side. Grinding was whisper-quiet and pretty speedy, and with only half-gram retention we experienced minimal loss of our specialist beans. There is also a clearance trigger that will shift any excess grounds stuck inside the unit of the grinder, which is a really nice touch. 

Since our initial testing, Fellow has released its Gen 2 , with increased grind capacity (100 grams) making it more useful for those of us who brew several cups at once, a new bin-loading design, new anti-static technology for less grind mess, and of course, upgrade burr grinders. 

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

2. 1Zpresso JX-PRO Manual Coffee Grinder

The best manual grinder

Specifications

Size: 8.54 x 6.57 x 2.95 inches

Settings: over 200

Capacity: 35g

Warranty: 1 year

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Compact and cordless

+

No heat produced in grinding

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Very consistent results

Reasons to avoid

-

Takes a bit of muscle

As the only non-electric grinder in our panel testing, the 1Zpresso JX-PRO Manual Coffee Grinder does have the disadvantage of requiring a little arm strength to get it going, especially if you’re making espresso-ready grounds. Because it grinds a lot slower than electrical alternatives, there is very little heat created in this grinding process, which means your coffee won’t be degraded as it’s processed. 

It’s a compact option, so if you lack counter space this hand-burr grinder will work well in your home. When we sifted our ground coffee we were struck by the consistency of this grind, with no major boulders and few fine pieces. You can also use it anywhere, whether that’s in the office or on vacation. Our coffee had excellent long-lasting complexity and worked particularly well for drip coffee. 

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

3. KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder

Best for fuss-free grinding

Specifications

Size: 5 x 8.25 x 15 inches

Settings: 70

Warranty: 1 year

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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User-friendly design

+

Excellent repeatability

+

Anti-static materials

+

Spring-loaded base

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Can grind directly into a portofilter

Reasons to avoid

-

Takes up a lot of space

Not well-known among coffee enthusiasts, this KitchenAid Coffee Grinder was a really big surprise. It comes out on top for user experience, with micro-steps that are numbered for easy repeatability, and a user-friendly dial that will guide you when choosing the right setting depending on what coffee you’re making. 

We enjoyed the spring-loaded base which held the receptacle flat against the dispenser, resulting in absolutely no spillage. Static was also low, meaning we had no trouble working with our finished grounds. We found that this coffee echoed the notes we would expect from a flat burr grinder, and had an impressive grind consistency when we sifted it. 

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

4. Breville Dose Control Pro Coffee Grinder

Best for espresso

Specifications

Size: 8 x 6 x 13.5 inches

Settings: 60

Capacity: 12 oz.

Warranty: 2 years

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Works well with fine grinds

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Includes a holder for portafilters

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Pre-set doses

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Not too noisy

Reasons to avoid

-

No grounds container makes it messy

Breville is known for making brilliant espresso, but the Dose Control Pro also gave us distinct flavor in our pour-over testing. It comes with a portafilter holder, but no receptacle for other ground types which is a big shame as it resulted in quite a messy process. 

The dial on the front has a timer for pre-set doses, and it had just over a half of a gram’s retention which was impressive. In testing we defaulted for the middle setting and adjusted depending on how fine our grind was. This one was a lot finer than the other grinders we tested, suggesting it’s set up to make espresso. If you want to make homemade espresso this one is speedy, quiet, and not too static.

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

5. Smeg Coffee Grinder

Best for style

Specifications

Size: 8 x 11 x 18 inches

Settings: 30

Capacity: 12 oz.

Warranty: n/a

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Stylish design

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Decent consistency

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Good noise level

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Low retention

Reasons to avoid

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Only 30 steps

With the lovable retro design we expect from Smeg, we did wonder if this model puts style before substance. A few of the features have a distinctly plastic finish, and the grounds container does wobble slightly when in the base of the grinder. 

When it came to our testing though, there is no denying that this grinder was a delight to use. We experienced no popcorning, no mess, and very little static. We had a couple of boulders, but overall the grind consistency was good. The taste? A well-rounded coffee that really brought out the fruity flavors of our bean. 

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

6. Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder

Best for precise settings

Specifications

Size: 6.3 x 4.7 x 13.8 inches

Settings: 40

Capacity: 5 oz.

Warranty: 1 year

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

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Very low grind retention

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Settings from 0 to 40

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Low static levels

Reasons to avoid

-

Some popcorning

-

Lack of clarity about settings

We expected to be more impressed with the Baratza Encore, a grinder that’s a well-known option for entry-level coffee enthusiasts. The settings go from 0 to 40, so there is no lack of precise options, but we did wish that there was more guidance on which way increased and decreased the grind size. However, once you get past that hurdle, we were able to get the settings we wanted. 

This grinder had a very low grind retention, only 0.3 grams, and very little static. It wasn’t the quietest of the day though, and we had some popcorning which meant it took longer to grind single doses. The flavor was a little flat, but we got some brighter middle notes. Our sample was supplied by Coffee Friend , in the UK, and it is widely available in the US.

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

7. BODUM Bistro Premium Electric Grinder

Best coffee grinder under $100

Specifications

Size: 7.6 x 7.1 x 12.5 inches

Settings: 12

Capacity: 7.75oz.

Warranty: 2 years

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Good size

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Glass grounds container

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Budget-friendly

Reasons to avoid

-

Over a gram retention

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Quite noisy

The BODUM was quite noisy in our testing, but this neat little grinder performed very well for the price point. We found it best to err on the larger side of medium to get a good pour-over grind, because we had a lot of very fine grounds when we went for the true medium setting. This muddied the overall flavor profile, but the coffee was still very drinkable with a fresh taste and light consistency. 

We enjoyed the neat dimensions in this grinder, which still came with a generous hopper for batch grinding. The grinder also included a glass receptacle which kept the process quite mess-free. When we weighed our grounds after grinding though, we had over a gram of retention. 

(Image credit: Future / Philip Sowels)

8. Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

Best budget coffee grinder

Specifications

Size: 10.75 x 7.13 x 6 inches

Settings: 18

Capacity: 8 oz.

Warranty: 5 years

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Hopper can hold enough beans for 32 cups

+

Mess-free container

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Good guarantee

Reasons to avoid

-

High static levels

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Inconsistent grind results 

The Cuisinart is the least expensive of the grinders in our testing, so it did come in with a disadvantage. In the case of this burr mill though, we found that you do get what you pay for. The finish was not sturdy to the touch, with a plastic feel that we didn’t enjoy using. It’s also a noisy grinder, with quite a lot of static. 

We experienced some popcorning in this grinder, which is because we single-dosed our testing. It would be best suited to batch grinding. The container slips neatly into the unit which means you’ll not experience much mess with this grinder. It does lack a lid though, so if you do the batch grind, have an airtight container handy. 

How we review coffee grinders

We take coffee very, very seriously, so when deciding on the best coffee grinder we decided to compare all of the models we tested in a side-by-side test. There are so many factors that can go into making an amazing cup of joe, so we tried to control as many of these as possible in order to make sure that all of the grinders we tested were on a level footing. You can find out more about how we tested the best coffee grinders, and about how Homes & Gardens reviews.  

In our guide, we were keen to feature a wide variety of grinders, but we did stick to burr grinders. This is because burr grinders will always be the best bet when it comes to grinding quality coffee, and some of the models in this guide will cost the same as a high-level blade grinder. 

The price of the grinders in this guide ranges from around $60 to over $300, but we were sure to test them fairly and without bias. We carried out a blind taste test for each of the coffees we made in these grinders and found that a few of the grinders we expected to come out on top actually fell below some less-expected options. We considered the quality of the coffee, the user experience including noise levels and the feel of the product, and the mess and retention that came with each model. 

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Head of Reviews

Millie Fender is Head of Reviews for Future Homes. Formerly our head of everything cooking-related, she feels happiest when she is in the kitchen and has had the opportunity to refine her palate by reviewing dozens of coffee makers.  

Millie tested these coffee grinders side-by-side in our test kitchen, but she also used them for a period of time before our official testing day to familiarize herself with each machine and its setup, and consider ease of use. She loves a good cup of coffee but thinks that even the best brew is not worth a counter covered in coffee grounds. 

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Photographer & Coffee Expert

A self-confessed coffee obsessive, when not behind a camera Philip can be found in his garage roasting on a 1.5kg Turkish Drum roaster, which was used to roast a Colombian Pink Bourbon for this grinder test. Sourced from Osito Coffee importers - this coffee was roasted as an “omni” roast suitable for both filter and espresso brewing. 

Philip mostly drinks black coffee which he prepares with an aero press and a hand grinder from 1Zpresso - the JX pro. He also enjoys Mokka pot and Clever dripper. For weekends flat whites are on the menu courtesy of a Sage Dual Boiler and a Niche grinder. Philip also owns grinders from MaCap and Santos and previously Eureka, Mazzer and Anfim.

How to choose a coffee grinder

A range of the equipment and coffee beans we used for our review process were provided by Coffee Friend and Barista & Co. We spoke to Aurimas Vainauskas, the CEO of Coffee Friend, and James Gray, Founder and Coffee Expert at Barista & Co, about how to choose the best coffee grinder for you. 

What are the different types of coffee grinders?

Coffee Friend CEO Aurimas Vainauskas told us about the different types of coffee grinders on the market. 'Coffee grinders can be put into several different categories based on a few different features. These are the categories you’re likely to encounter:

Manual coffee grinders vs electric coffee grinders.
Manual coffee grinders are particularly compact, lightweight and mobile. They’re as convenient to use at home as they are to take with you on a trip. Manual tools are perfect for producing small amounts of ground coffee for various coffee makers or ceramic filters. Not to mention that grinding your beans manually can turn into a beloved daily ritual—and that manual grinders are much cheaper than electric ones! Still, if you’re a sworn fan of espresso, an electric coffee grinder is definitely your best bet. Manual grinders aren’t really suited for grinding beans that finely. Using a manual grinding tool, you won’t be able to grind beans straight into a portafilter either, so your coffee won’t be as fresh as it could be. An electric grinder is a much better solution for those who tend to brew larger amounts of coffee too. It’s suited perfectly for espresso makers and coffee machines, as well as various other brewing tools.

Blade grinders vs burr grinders.
Even though blade grinders are still popular nowadays due to their compactness and price, they aren’t really capable of grinding coffee properly. To obtain a consistent grind (and a consistent grind is crucial for a truly delicious, well-balanced brew), you’ll need a burr grinder. There’s no need to throw your old blade grinder out though: use it to grind spices instead! 

Grinders with flat burrs vs grinders with conical burrs. 
When it comes to burr grinders, they’re divided into two further categories: there are those with flat burrs and those with conical burrs. We can’t really say that one of them is better than the other though. What they do is they unveil different flavors: conical burrs are suited better for traditional espresso (strong and full-bodied), while flat burrs are ideal for the modern take on the classic drink, which is focused on ensuring purity of flavor.

Grinders with ceramic burrs vs grinders with steel burrs. 

There’s lots of discussion as to which material is better when it comes to burrs, but, again, there’s no right answer. Just like in the case of conical and flat burrs, what this comes down to is subtle differences in flavor. It’s thought that ceramic burrs produce more coffee dust, which endows the brew with a fuller body and ends up “masking” separate flavors. Steel burrs, on the other hand, result in a more consistent grind and a “cleaner” taste. This is why some people believe that ceramic burrs are suited better for traditional espresso and coffee blends, while steel burrs are perfect for modern espresso, filter coffee and specialty coffee varieties.'

How do burr coffee grinders work?

Barista & Co told us 'a burr coffee grinder is used to achieve a consistent fresh grind and heighten the quality of the brewing experience. 

There are two types of burr grinders: flat burr and conical. 

Flat burr grinders operate by grinding coffee beans between two serrated flat rings. The serrated edges of the rings face each other and rotate in different directions to generate the motion necessary to grind.  

Conical burr grinders work in a similar way but with cone-shaped burrs. Once the coffee bean is inserted into the top of the grinder, it falls into the downward position of the cone whilst ground against a stationary and moving burr. '

Is it better to buy a separate coffee grinder or a machine with a grinder included?

'In terms of ease, convenience, and cost, buying a machine with a grinder included is often the preferred option' said James Gray from Barista & Co. 

'However, to maximize the quality and consistency of the grind, we do recommend buying a separate, standalone coffee grinder when possible. This will provide you with complete control over your coffee, enabling the grinder to fully compliment your style of brewing. It is important to do your research surrounding the types of grinders available. 

A standalone grinder will keep the beans cool during grinding. If coffee beans get hot, they begin to lose flavor; this is common with built-in grinders located too close to the boiler.'

Aurimas Vainauskas from Coffee Friend had the same to say. 'Thermal stability is key to a delicious cup of coffee, and a grinder located next to the brew group is bound to disrupt it. There’s a third argument here as well: if your in-built grinder breaks down, you’ll probably need to get a new espresso machine, but if this happens to a grinder you’ve bought separately, replacing the grinder will be enough. '

How much should I spend on a coffee grinder?

'Coffee experts are right to call the purchase of a coffee grinder an important investment,' Coffee Friend told us. 'Some of them even say that having a high-quality grinder at home is just as important as finding the right brewing tool for you—if not more so! That’s particularly true of espresso machines: lots of coffee lovers are more than ready to invest in an excellent espresso maker, but they forget to set some time aside for choosing a decent grinder. Grinders absolutely deserve the attention connoisseurs pay them. After all, if your coffee beans haven’t been ground properly, even the finest brewing equipment won’t turn them into a delicious brew!'

Why is grind size important

Grind size can influence the quality of your entire brew. In short, the size of the grind affects brewing speed, which influences flavor extraction. Finer grounds extract flavor fast in contact with water for a shorter time, while coarser grounds extract flavors slower and need to be in contact with water for longer. If the grounds are too coarse, but you're brewing with drip, or super-fast espresso methods, you'll be left with a weak, flavorless coffee. 

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Preparation StyleGrind Size
Espresso/Turkish CoffeeExtra Fine
Moka PotFine to Extra Fine
Drip Coffee MakerFine
Pour OverCoarse to Medium-Fine
French PressCoarse
Cold BrewCoarse

Which coffee grinder is best for espresso?

Based on our tests, the Breville Dose Control Pro Coffee Grinder is best suited for making espresso, as we found it works speedily, and quietly, and doesn't create too much static. It also includes a holder for portafilters. 

We also got on with the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder, appreciating its user-friendly design, digital display, and overall great grind consistency. 

What coffee grinder is best for French Press?

For complementing the best French press, the magic is found in a consistent and coarser grind. We thought the Fellow Ode Brew Grinder created perfect results for craft coffee methods such as French Press, cold brew, or pour-over. Meanwhile, at half the price, the Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder is a great entry-level design with precise settings and minimal static as well, but we had some popcorning which meant it took longer to grind single doses. 

Can a coffee grinder grind spices and nuts?

Yes, a coffee grinder can grind spices and nuts, quickly and fine. In any case, you will want to make sure to thoroughly clean before and after to prevent coffee from mixing with spices or nuts and vice versa. We'd typically choose a blade grinder to grind nuts and spices, as opposed to a pricey burr grinder, which is harder and more time-consuming to clean.

Round up of today's best deals

Fellow Ode Brew Grinder

£300

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KitchenAid Burr Grinder

£199

£119.50

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Smeg CGF01 Coffee Grinder

£219.95

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Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee

£169

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Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder

£147. 16

£134.72

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Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic

£129.99

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Millie Fender is Head of Reviews on the Homes and Gardens Ecommerce team. She specializes in cooking appliances, such as the best kettles, and also reviews outdoor grills and pizza ovens. Millie loves to bake, so she will take any excuse to review stand mixers and other baking essentials. When she's not putting products through their paces in our dedicated testing kitchen, Millie's reviews are conducted at home, meaning she uses these products in her own day-to-day life. 

The 9 Best Burr Coffee Grinders of 2023

You must have a proper burr grinder, capable of producing somewhat uniform particles if you want to brew truly delicious coffee at home.

It doesn’t have to be the most expensive grinder out there (as some snobs will claim) but there are a few minimum requirements.

Today there are so many different types of grinders on the market, so it’s important to get the right one for your particular needs.

If you want to see my recommendations, then read on.

⚠️
Why should you listen to me?

In my time as a professional coffee taster (Q Grader) I have tested a bunch of burr grinders. Currently, I have 14 grinders at home, but I have tried many more models in my time as a coffee geek.

I believe a grinder is an extremely important tool, so pay close attention here, so you can find the right one for your needs!

A little selection of grinders I’m currently testing.

How to choose the best home coffee grinder

Grinders come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose one that fits your brewing style. 

Broadly speaking, grinders can be broken down into 4 main categories – however, there are exceptions to these rules:

13,262 Reviews

Best for beginners

From my experience, the Baratza Encore is at the sweet spot when it comes to quality, value and convenience.

It's a workhorse that has proven itself over time. Another benefit is that Baratza probably has the best customer service in the coffee industry.

In reality, most people reading this are primarily looking for a grinder they can use at home to brew stuff like drip coffee or French press.

Consider a manual burr grinder

Alternatively, if you don’t mind the work, you’ll also get excellent results with a manual burr grinder. If you’re serious about coffee and want the best bang-for-the-buck solution then get the 1Zpresso Jx.

(Yes, flavor-wise, it’s a big step up compared to the Baratza Encore.)

If you have more complicated coffee needs than typical home brewing, you might have to consider an espresso grinder. If you have an espresso machine – or you’re thinking about getting one – you should plan ahead and get a device meant for this kind of brewing style since normal burr grinders typically can’t grind fine enough for espresso.

1,012 Reviews

Great Value for the Money

The Jx-model from Taiwanese 1Zpresso has disrupted the manual grinder market. It's an all-round model that performs well both when it comes to pour over and espresso. Extremely fast and reliable.

Definitely one of my favorites!

🤔 Grinding for both drip & espresso?

One of the most common questions I get asked by prospective coffee snobs is this:

I want a grinder that can grind for both espresso as well as pour over. Which one should I get?

Most entry-level grinders are designed with French press and drip coffee in mind. They usually don’t go fine enough to grind for espresso, or maybe they lack adjustability in the finer range (which is really important).

If you want to do espresso well, you’ll need a dedicated espresso grinder. It’s pretty hard work to dial in a grinder, and find the perfect setting for espresso. Once you find that sweet spot, you don’t want to mess with it and start brewing French press or pour over. For that reason, most espresso snobs tend to have a dedicated espresso grinder.

There are only a few grinders that can do both drip and espresso well. Modern single-dose grinders such as the DF64 (mentioned below) are designed to have minimal retention and large adjustment dials that are easy to move back and forth. For that reason, they function well as multipurpose grinders. Keep in mind, that this type of grinder doesn’t have a hopper, so you’ll have to refill beans every time you brew coffee.

The best burr coffee grinders of 2022

Below you will find my recommendations in a wide range of categories. These grinders shouldn’t be compared side by side. Instead, they should be seen as models that cater to specific segments of the market. 

I’m sure one of them will fit your particular needs – good luck. 

Preview Product Rating
Baratza Encore Conical Burr... 13,262 Reviews
1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee. .. 1,012 Reviews
1Zpresso K-Max Manual Coffee... No ratings yet

1: Baratza Encore (filter coffee)

The Encore is a modern classic for a good reason: It’s just a solid grinder.

Sure, you can find a lot of models that seem to be packed with more cutting edge technology and more fancy descriptions, but at the end of the day a grinder should just do one or two things really well. That’s what this one does.

If you mostly make black coffee – stuff like French press, pour over and Aeropress, then this one will serve you well.

It’s not an espresso grinder per se, but it’s capable of grinding fine enough with a little bit of tweaking. That’s a nice enough option to have in case you want to experiment a little bit with that kind of coffee.

For most of the coffee folks out there, this is a good entry-level grinder. A sentiment which was echoed by The Wirecutter in their extensive grinder test recently (source). 

The downside is that the Encore can feel a bit too inconsistent if you really get into specialty coffee and lighter roasts. If you want fruity and floral notes, rather than body and strength, then it’s not the ideal grinder.

Personally, I’d choose a hand grinder in the same price range for that use case.

It’s worth mentioning that Baratza is renowned for its great customer service; especially if you live in the US.

Pros

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chris’ coffee


→ See my Baratza Encore Review

→ The Best Grinders for the Aeropress

2: 1zpresso jx (filter/Espresso)

The 1Zpresso Jx has been one of my personal favorites since it was released in 2019. 

For a hand grinder, it’s incredibly fast and consistent. The grind quality easily beats electric grinders that are 3-4 times more expensive. 

The grinder is portable, quiet, and sturdy. 

This model is one of the fastest manual grinders on the market. With its smooth bearings and big, sharp burrs, it almost goes through a gram per second, which is outstanding. 

If you want to get the most consistent grind for the money, I recommend this guy. However, if you’re a person who likes convenience, maybe you should consider one of the electrical options first. 

Read my full review of the Jx here. 

Pros

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official store

3: 1zpresso K-Max (Filter/Espresso)

The 1Zpresso K-Max is the newest flagship model from the Taiwanese brand.

Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than my other favorite, the Jx, but you do get some very convenient upgrades for the money.

First and foremost, you get a very convenient external adjustment of the grind size. This makes it very easy to switch between drip coffee, espresso & French press.

The second obvious advantage is that it has a magnetic catch cup. It seems like a small thing, but again, it makes the whole user experience a bit more frictionless every time you use the grinder.

What about the flavor? Is it also better than the Jx?

Yes, I believe it is.

You might not be able to detect it unless you’re a skilled coffee taster, but I think that it’s especially noticeable at high extractions or when brewing espresso.

The K-Max is almost identical to the K Plus, which I have previously reviewed. However, it has a few small tweaks that makes it more attractive overall.

Read the full explanation here. 

Pros

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official store

4: Timemore Chestnut c2 (filter coffee)

The Timemore C2 is another great hand grinder.

I consider this device to be the cheapest acceptable coffee grinder if you really want to appreciate specialty coffee.

The Timemore C2 has many of the same benefits as the 1Zpresso Jx. However, it’s actually a bit lighter and easier to hold if you have small hands.

The downside with the C2 is that the capacity is slightly limited at around 25 grams of coffee and that it’s not capable of grinding for espresso.

However, if you’re just looking for a fast, efficient and capable hand grinder to get you started with proper coffee, then go for this model. It’s miles ahead of the traditional hand grinders from Hario, Porlex or JavaPresse.

Read my full review of the C2 here. 

(Sidenote: Recently the C3 model was released, but I still think the C2 makes more sense for most people)

Pros

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→ Check out More Cheap Coffee Grinders

5: Eureka Filtro (filter coffee)

The Eureka Filtro is the logical next step up from the Baratza Encore.
It’s a flat burr grinder produced in Italy by the grinder legends from Eureka.

There are both some good and bad things to say about the Filtro. It offers an absolutely insane grind consistency. In fact, it’s the most consistent grinder I have ever tested. You can check out my big test of mid-range grinders on YouTube to see a more in-depth explanation.

However, I also think that some of the design decisions are rather unfortunate. For instance, you have to hold in the pulse button for the grinder to run, instead of just having a convenient on/off button.

The retention is also a bit too high for my liking. You’ll get an exchange of around 1.5 grams per dose, which is a bit too much if you’re serious about your single dosing.

However, it’s relatively simple to install bellows and remove the declumper. This will get you down to a lower level of retention.

That being said, the Eureka Filtro is simply in another class compared to the Baratza Encore, when it comes to materials, construction, and grind consistency.

It’s only a bit more expensive than the Encore, but you get a lot extra in terms of value and grind consistency.

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Fellow

→ Read my Eureka Filtro Review

6: Fellow Ode (Filter Coffee)

The Fellow Ode grinder had a few beginner problems during its first year or two on the market.

However, Fellow has managed to fix most (if not all) of the points of criticism, and the Gen 2 version of the grinder appears to be the new king of brew grinders.

If you’re looking for an electric grinder that can do everything except espresso and Turkish really well, then this one should be at the top of your list.

The design is eye-catching and unique and the user experience is top-notch.

It’s also possible to switch the burrs to other types, for instance, the models from SSP, which will enable the grinder to go down to the espresso range.

I should mention that this grinder is designed for single-dosing. So this is not the grinder where you just fill the hopper with a whole bag of beans. No, instead, you have to measure out your dose every time. However, this is what all real coffee geeks do anyway, so it shouldn’t be seen as a downside. Just something to keep in mind.

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→ Check out my Fellow Ode review

7: Eureka Mignon Specialita (espresso)

Eureka is an Italian grinder brand that goes all the way back to 1920. Today the company is still handmaking all their grinders in Florence, Italy.  

With that kind of history, it’s no surprise that Eureka makes some of the best grinders on the market today; especially when it comes to serious espresso grinders. 

The Eureka Mignon Specialita is the bee’s knee when it comes to espresso grinders. I have had mine for a few years now, and I absolutely adore it. 

It’s extremely well constructed, yet still small enough that you can have it on your kitchen counter. 

It’s also one of the quietest grinders out there. You can brew a shot without waking up the whole house. 

The Specialita also has a timing mechanism that is precise to 1/10th of a second. This means that you can get an ultra-precise dose each time. 

Oh, and then it doesn’t hurt that it looks damn cool. 

chris’ coffee

1st in coffee


→ See my Eureka Mignon Specialita Review

8: Df64 / G-iota (espresso/filter)

The DF64 grinder is probably the most hyped grinder of 2021 and 2022.

It’s released by a pretty unknown Chinese company called FL Coffee, but it manages to squeeze in a lot of the things that coffee geeks care about into an affordable package.

It’s a multi-purpose grinder designed for single-dosing. This means that it has a very low amount of ground coffee retained inside the burr chamber. There’s also a set of bellows on the grinder, so you can blow out the remaining grinds. This enables you to switch between beans or brewing styles without worries.

The DF64 has 64 mm flat burrs (hence the name). For that reason, it’s also very easy to install burrs from other manufacturers, if you want to try a new flavor profile. Many users upgrade to SSP burrs right away to achieve that super clean flavor you can only get from a certain kind of professional burr sets.

However, the grinder also tastes quite good with the stock burrs from Italmill. The flavor profile is especially good for espresso, but it will also do a decent pour over – especially if you’re not afraid of modding it a bit.

The downside to the DF64 is that it needs some small moderations/improvements to really live up to its potential. Especially, the declumper has had some issues in the past.

There’s a lot to be said about this device, so check out my review if you want to know more.

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9: Baratza sette 30 (espresso)

When the Baratza Sette was released a few years back, it was met with extremely high expectations due to its unique and completely revolutionary design.

Suddenly, there was a grinder with almost zero retention, extreme speed, and excellent consistency at a price level suitable for home baristas. 

Unfortunately, the grinder turned out to have a lot of bugs and issues – especially the version with the built-in scale was prone to problems. 

Now, Baratza has finally managed to get most of these issues under control. Combined with the company’s excellent track record for customer service when something happens, I would no longer be worried about investing in this grinder (this is written with the US market in mind – in countries where there is no Baratza customer support, you should probably consider it twice). 

If you want to make great espresso at home without breaking the bank, this is your best bet. It only has 30 grind settings, which means that it can be a bit more difficult to dial in compared to the more expensive 270 version. However, the grind size is focused towards espresso and Aeropress, so you have a very fine range.

Pros

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→ In-depth look at the Baratza Sette

Grinders that didn’t make the list 😔

The world of grinders is super competitive. Especially, in recent years there has been a lot of development in this space.

For that reason some grinders that were considered awesome in 2020 could already be dated less than a year later.

For full transparency, I’m including the list of grinders that were considered for this article, but in the end didn’t make the cut.

If you have some questions about some of these burr grinders then make sure to take a look below.

I have listed the models from cheaper to more expensive:

Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind

This was one of my first grinders, when I got into coffee. It’s often recommended for beginners. Considering its budget-friendly price the Cuisinart DBM-8 is not horrible, and it looks cute. But it’s very inconsistent, and you will not be able to extract intense flavors with this model. Spend a bit more, and get something way better.

Bodum Bistro

I have recently tested the Bodum Bistro, but I wasn’t very impressed. The particle distribution is below mediocre; especially when it comes to coarse grinds. The Bodum burr grinder looks unique and has a nice glass catch cup, but besides that doesn’t really stand out.

1Zpresso Q2

1Zpresso Q2 is an attractive and compact burr grinder. Excellent as a travel grinder and for people with small hands, who are looking for a manual model. The main reason that it didn’t make the list of the best conical burr grinders of 2021, is that the Timemore C2 has the same burrs and performs at a comparable level, while being more affordable and nicer looking.

Xeoleo Ghost Burr Grinder

It can’t grind fine due to its unique ghost teeth burrs. Also, for some reason, the pour over coffee just doesn’t taste as great as one would expect (the particles do look very uniform).

I think it’s an interesting grinder with some potential, but I quickly gave up on it. Most likely you’ll have to buy it on a Chinese marketplace, which also means that you run some risks when it comes to warranty and import fees.

Breville Smart Grinder Pro

Breville’s top model is actually quite cool in some ways, but it has an unforgiveable flaw: the impeller tends to wear out after one or two years. This causes the grind chamber to get clogged. Breville doesn’t sell a replacement, so frustrated consumers have had to create their own with a crowdsourced design. Also, for the price, it’s only mediocre when it comes to both pour over and espresso

Baratza Virtuoso Plus

It’s an excellent grinder (also among the best grinders according to the Wirecutter), but you pay a lot of extra money for the timer-feature, which I doubt many people really appreciate. You can buy the M2 burr separately and install it in the Baratza Encore for similar results at a cheaper price point.

Wilfa Uniform

The Wilfa Uniform is a cool grinder in many ways. I have made many nice cups of coffee with mine. The main issue is that it’s only sold in Europe and not available in 110V, making it useless in large parts of the world. Is it worth taking the risk and using it outside its warranty-covered geographical zone? No, I don’t think so.

But if you’re in Europe, this grinder should be on your radar. Some people, myself included, have also upgraded it with SSP burrs, but I think the DF64 is a better grinder for modding, since it has way more powerful motor.

Comandante C40

Excellent grind consistency and nice design, but a little bit too expensive to be included among my top picks. You can achieve similar results with cheaper models. Check out my Comandante review for all the details.

Why Should you get a serious coffee grinder?

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions when it comes to the burrs themselves. 

However, they are simple and straightforward tools that should be understood in relation to their job: Grinding stuff to a rather uniform size (be it coffee beans, grains, nuts or other food items. )

When it comes to coffee it’s extremely important that the particle size distribution is rather narrow. This helps to get an even extraction of the beans. 

Typically, the grind size distribution will be anwhere from 0.1 to 1600 μm (particle diameter) — the trick is to have the majority of the particulates at a range fitting your chosen brew method. 

⚠️ beware of BLADE GRINDERS

If you have found this page, you probably already know that a burr grinder is the thing to look for. But let me reiterate for everybody’s sake:

Blade coffee grinders should only be used for chopping nuts – never coffee beans!

With a blade grinder it will be impossible to achieve a consistent grind. The diameter of the particles will range from dust to chunky boulders. 

Particles at the two oppisite extremes of the spectrum are typically called ‘fines‘ and ‘boulders’.  To a true coffee geek these are like geen kryptonite — you want to avoid them at all cost!

Fines contribute with bitterness, and boulders bring sourness to the final cup. 

Conical burrs vs flat burrs

Flat burrs and conical side by side. The names makes a lot more sense when you see them next to each other.

As other tools, burrs can have different shapes and be made from different materials. However, it’s hard to generalize and say that one size, shape or material is superior to the other. It all depends on the use case and the individual manufacturer. 

As a general rule of thumb we do see more flat burrs in professional equipment but that doesn’t mean that they are more desirable tastewise. 

They are just better suited for high volume. Also, they typically produce fewer boulders (big chunks) compared to the conical ones. But both types of burrs have their own pros & cons:

Read more about flat and conical burrs here.

Ceramic vs steel burrs

Ceramic burrs are usually cheaper than steel. They are often utilized in manual grinders in the sub $100 category.

The ceramic conical burr from the Hario Skerton Pro (R) vs a typical, conical steel burr (L). Which one do you think is sharper?

In general they tend to be more dull than their steel counterparts. When used in manual grinders, it means that you have to do a lot of extra work using your biceps.

Ceramic burrs are rarely used in electric grinders; the main reason is probably that they are more fragile than steel and could shatter when getting in contact with a small stone that had gotten mixed up with the beans. 

That being said, some manufacturers do use ceramic in their espresso grinders – most famous is probably the Baratza Vario.

One good things about ceramic, however, is that the material is rust resistant and stainless, unlike most steel used in budget grinders.

But overall, I think it’s fair to say that in 2021 the time for cheap ceramic burrs is over. Go for steel instead, and your life will be lot easier.

How to Clean a Burr Grinder?

I’m glad you asked about that question. I have an article here where I talk about how often you should clean a grinder and what you should be aware of.

FAQ

What is the Best Coffee Grinder to Buy?

The best coffee grinder to buy is the one that fits YOUR needs. If you want to brew a shot of espresso, you should go for one that is capable of grinding very fine – almost to a powder. I know that’s a boring answer, but grinders are complicated. Check out my post here for some more guidance.

Are Burr Grinders Really Better?

The short answer is YES. They are way more consistent than blade grinders. This is important when it comes to coffee extraction.

Are Manual Coffee Grinders Better than Electric?

No, often manual grinders aren’t better than the electric ones. However, you tend to get more value for your money with manual grinders, as they are less expensive, while still providing decent capabilities. Check out my post for an in-depth exploration of this topic.

Is a Coffee Grinder Worth It?

Yes, a coffee grinders is totally worth it. It’s essential if you want to brew top-notch coffee at home. To find out why, check out this post.

Top Featured Image: N. Lundgaard | Source

References:

  1. James Freeman et al, Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee – 2012 Oct 
  2. Colin Harmon: What I Know About Running Coffee Shops (2017)
  3. Erol Uman et al: The effect of bean origin and temperature on grinding roasted coffee (2016)

The best coffee grinders for home in 2023: top rating There is nothing surprising in the fact that coffee grinders are so popular. In addition, they can be used for other products, such as nuts. What is the best electric coffee grinder to buy? We have collected the most interesting options.

De’Longhi KG 210

Stylish black coffee grinder. It has a fairly compact size. nine0003

Holds 90 g of coffee, which is enough for about 12 cups of espresso. There is an adjustment of the volume of ground coffee and three degrees of grinding at once - it is regulated using a convenient switch on the case.

Blades made of stainless steel. However, it is not recommended to allow them to come into contact with water.

Bosch MKM 6000/6003

Classic design coffee grinder from the renowned Bosch company. Available in two colors: white or black.

Holds up to 75 g of coffee, enough for about 10 cups of espresso. Only one button is used for control: press and hold. The longer you hold, the finer the grind. Sharp knives and high power handle grains easily and quickly. nine0003

If the lid is removed or not tightly closed, the Bosch MKM 6000/6003 coffee grinder will not turn on - this is the protection system.

Kitfort KT-1329

The Kitfort KT-1329 coffee grinder looks unusual. Let's say more - this is not quite a coffee grinder, or rather, not only it. nine0003

The fact is that the device is equipped with two removable bowls. In the first bowl you will find a double-sided knife for crushing coffee beans, and the second bowl is for grinding them: it received a four-sided knife. In addition to coffee beans, you can grind nuts or even spices in the Kitfort KT-1329 coffee grinder.

Stainless steel body, power 200W.

Kitfort KT-1315

Pyramid-shaped coffee grinder. The transparent lid is removed, and under it is a full-fledged metal bowl, designed for 60 g of coffee beans. nine0003

Interestingly, the bowl is also removable, making it easy to pour the ground coffee into the storage container. The "Start" button is located on the top transparent cover.

Knife made of high quality steel. Power reaches 180 watts.

Melitta Molino

Melitta burr grinder. Compact, beautiful and comfortable.

She received as many as 17 degrees of grinding, which are adjusted using the side switch. There is a dosing of coffee - up to 14 cups, regulated by a rotator, which is located on the front of the panel. Capacity - as much as 200 g of coffee beans.

The pre-ground coffee container is very easy to reach.