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Burr espresso grinder


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.

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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 7 Best Cheap Coffee Grinders of 2023

The difference between buying pre-ground coffee and grinding your own beans can’t be exaggerated.

It’s a little bit like cooking; think of the difference between fresh, delicate herbs on one hand and then the dried, stale ones you find on the shelves in supermarkets.

In cooking freshness is essential, and the same goes for coffee.

Grinders can be overwhelmingly expensive, but there are actually a few cheap coffee grinders out there that are capable of producing a consistent grind.

Here are some of the best options for the budget conscious home-barista.

Top pick: Best value

The 1zpresso Jx is my personal favorite grinder. It completely DESTROYS all other grinders in this price range.

The consistency of this model is good enough for professionals.

Even though it's a manual grinder, it's very fast and efficient. You should be able to grind enough for your morning coffee in less than 35 seconds.

If you get this one, you won't have to worry about upgrading in the future.

LEARN MORE

The 7 Best Budget Coffee Grinders of 2020 - Reviews & Guide

1: 1Zpresso Jx 48 mm burr grinder

This grinder from the Taiwanese brand 1Zpresso has been my favorite since it was released in mid 2019.

The grounds are extremely consistent with almost no fines. This mean that your coffee just tastes a lot more smooth and less bitter.

If you buy beans from artisan roasters having flavor notes such as ‘chocolate‘ and ‘peach‘, then you need a grinder like this bring out these flavors clearly. Most budget grinders just won’t make the cut.

Since this is a manual grinder you will have to some work yourself. However, due to the smooth bearings and sharp steel burrs, it actually grinds very fast. I usually grind 2 big handfuls of beans for my morning coffee, which takes less than 45 seconds.

Many readers of the site, have sent emails to me, saying thanks for recommending this grinder. You can see my full review here.

The only people who I wouldn’t recommend this grinder to are people who care more about convenience than coffee flavor, and people who tend to brew big batches every day. Those are probably better served with an electric grinder instead.

Conclusion:

This is an end-game grinder that is built to last for years. If you can stretch your budget just a little bit, I’d recommend this one to most people.

See more reviews

2: Timemore C2

Timemore C2 has become extremely popular within the last year or so. It’s easy to see why: This is a grinder that’s close to many of the famous manual grinders in terms of performance, but the price is still on the budget-friendly side.

The Timemore C2 offers a consistent grind and can be used for all brewing methods except espresso and Turkish.

The most remarkable thing about the C2 is that it’s very speedy for a manual grinder. It can almost grind a gram per second, which is quite amazing.

It’s also quite compact, while still having a solid enough capacity, which means that it can work well both as your daily workhorse or as a travel companion, if you’re going camping.

Conclusion:

There’s a lot of good stuff to be said about Timemore’s budget model. I see it as being significantly better than the Hario Skerton, but not quite as good as the abovementioned, Jx. Check out, the full review here.

See more reviews

3: Hario Skerton Pro Manual Burr Grinder

The Hario Skerton Pro is the upgraded version of Hario’s classic hand grinder. It’s better than the original, however, that’s not really saying much.

It has an attractive price and cute design.

Since it’s a manual grinder you can bring it everywhere — there’s no need for electricity.

If you have the patience, it can even grind for espresso. But it does take quite some time grind that fine with a manual grinder.

The downside with an old school manual grinder like the Hario Skerton Pro is that it’s a little bit of work every time you want coffee.

Newer hand grinders such as the Jx and C2 with steel burrs and bearings are way smoother to operate.

I must admit that I have had a soft spot for the Skerton Pro in the past, but today there are just so many options out there that are more attractive, while only being a tiny bit more expensive.

Make sure to check out my review of the Hario Skerton Pro.

See more reviews

4: Heihox – Super Cheap Manual Grinder

The Heihox grinder is one of those cheap Chinese products that is hard to describe.

While the brand has clearly made a couple of unique decisions regarding the aesthetics of the grinder, it also appears to be borrowed in large parts from the Timemore C2, Helor 101 and 1Zpresso Q2. It’s not a clone of any of them; you could probably call it a mutation.

While it’s usually frowned upon to steal ideas from your competitors, Heihox somehow manages to get away with it without raising too many eyebrows.

The grinder uses the same burrs as the Timemore C2, so that means that it grinds extremely fast and relatively consistent.

It will definitely be miles ahead of the similarly priced Hario Skerton Pro, when it comes to those things. So logically speaking, it must also be included on a list of the best cheap grinders even though it’s not a brand I’m really excited about.

The more recent reviews on Amazon are good. It appears that a few issues, such as an annoying grounds bin, have been fixed.

If you want to save some bucks, while getting good coffee, this makes sense logically (but my heart is not really into it).

See more reviews

5: Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind

This electric grinder features a disc burr grinder. It is fairly lightweight at 4.5 pounds. Its dimensions are 7.13” x 10.75” x 6”. It features a 140-watt motor and is BPA free.

While the grind chamber is removable and holds up to 32 cups worth of ground coffee, you can only ground between four and eighteen cups at a time.

If you want to grind less than four cups worth of grounds, you can add fewer beans and the automatic shut off will turn off the machine once it is out of beans.

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind features a grind selector with 18 positions, allowing you to choose anywhere from a fine grind for an espresso machine to a coarser grind for a French Press.

The removable bean hopper holds 8oz of coffee beans and comes with a scoop and cleaning brush. The stainless steel Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind comes with an eighteen-month limited manufacturer’s warranty.

Conclusion:

This grinder has a better build quality than most of the other budget grinders, but unfortunately, the burrs are not the best. That means that the grinder is quite noisy and also produces a lot of dust, also known as fines.

Still, it should be a good grinder for most people just getting into coffee. Read our full review here.

See more reviews

6: Capresso Infinity

This electric burr grinder features legit conical burrs – not the fake kind. It weighs in at 3 pounds and has dimensions of 7. 75” x 5” x 10.5”. The motor is 100 watts and the grinder is made of ABS and stainless steel. The grinder has a one-year limited warranty

The bean hopper holds up to 8.5 ounces of whole coffee beans and the removable coffee ground container holds up to 4 ounces of coffee grounds. The Capresso 560.04 Infinity features 16 grind settings from extra-fine to coarse, with four settings for each: extra-fine, fine, regular, and coarse. The grinding timer can be set for anywhere from five to 60 seconds.

The Capresso 560 Infinity has a slower grinding speed to reduce friction and heat. It also features a safety lock system. For easy cleaning, the bean hopper, upper conical burr, and coffee ground container are all removable. The grinder also comes with a scoop and cleaning brush.

Conclusion:

This grinder is more expensive than the other ones we have been looking at in this roundup review. So it should come as no surprise that it also offers a more consistent grind than the other models we have been looking at.

If you can afford the Capresso Infinity it’s a very solid option that should be able to serve you for years.

See more reviews

7: Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder Review

This grinder from Danish company Bodum just has a striking look. It looks more like a high-end product compared to most of the other cheap grinders. It still lands firmly in the budget range though, which means that it’s probably on your radar.

The Bodum Bistro has a clever design. The ground jar is what stands out on this grinder. It’s made out of borosilicate glass, which means less static and fewer fines and chaff clinging to the container.

This grinder is for people who hate having a messy kitchen counter. I haven’t tried other grinders that reduces static and stray grounds as effectively as this device!

There’s a set of true steel conical burrs inside the device. However, they aren’t capable of producing truly outstanding grind quality like my top choice, the 1Zpresso Jx. It’s sort of okay-ish for pour over and decent enough for immersion brewing.

Regular people who add milk and sugar to the coffee will probably be satisfied with the consistency. However, specialty coffee geeks need better flavor separation to enjoy single origin beans.

The Bistro has a built-in timer, which can both be a blessing and a curse. Some users complain that a maximum setting of 20 seconds isn’t enough time to grind larger quantities. So keep that in mind if you’re often brewing big batches.

The Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder is a decent choice if you can get a good deal on it, but overall I’d prefer better grind distribution — even if it means sacrificing the spectacular design.

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1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee. .. 1,012 Reviews
TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual... 1,166 Reviews
Hario "Skerton Pro" Ceramic. .. 1,809 Reviews
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind... 37,407 Reviews
Manual Coffee Grinder - HEIHOX. .. No ratings yet

How to choose the right coffee mill

There are many factors to consider when choosing a coffee grinder.

Some models are merely glorified salt and pepper mills, while others have advanced functions like timers and built-in scales.

However, if you’re reading this you probably want a basic model that can be used for stuff like French press, drip and pour over.

Pro tip: I would definitely recommend that you skip any coffee grinders that use blades and only focus on burr grinders. Burr grinders have the ability to grind at different settings and are just way, way better. Trust me on this one!

Why should I grind my coffee at home?

You may be wondering why you should have the added expense of whole beans and a coffee grinder. The answer is quite simple and scientific: oxidation.

As oxygen meets your ground coffee, it starts to break down the oils and aroma compounds.

This causes your ground coffee to go stale, giving your coffee a more boring flavor. Simply put, the fresher your ground coffee is, the more flavorful it is.

Blade vs. Burr Coffee Grinders

When it comes to the inner workings of coffee grinders, there are two main choices: blades or burrs. They both grind your coffee, so how do you know how to choose?

  1. Blade grinders work like a blender or a food processor with blades set to chop up the coffee beans. The problem with a blade grinder? Consistency. The blades chop the coffee beans, rather than consistently grinding them, making some pieces smaller than others. Since different sizes extract the coffee flavor at different rates, you may over extract the ground coffee. This over-extraction is what can cause a bitter flavor to your coffee.
  2. The burr grinder is superior. These coffee grinders feature two pieces of either metal or ceramic with sharp surfaces. This allows the coffee bean to fall between the burrs and be cut from both sides, usually resulting in a more consistent grind.

The shape of the burrs can be either conical or flat.

Both are good in their own way, but usually, the entry-level models will feature conical burrs and more expensive espresso-oriented grinders that are used in coffee shops will have flat steel burrs.

Can’t choose between an electric or manual grinder?

Comparing a manual grinder to an electric one is a bit like comparing apples to oranges; they are quite different and there are use cases to both. There are a variety of choices to choose from either way you go.

With a manual grinder, you basically put the beans in, turn the crank, and out comes your freshly ground coffee. Sizes can vary from incredibly small grinders suitable for travel, and go up to larger models meant for daily use at home.

Manual grinders tend to grind more uniform for the money, and they also last longer since only few parts can break.

The caveat is that they do require a fair amount of biceps exercise for every cuppa joe you want.

An electric grinder is way more convenient for most people. Especially, if you’re  often brewing bigger batches of coffee. Realistically, manual grinding becomes cumbersome if you have to grind for more than two people (around 30 grams).

There are three main benefits to choosing an electric grinder over a manual one.

Top Featured Image: David Joyce | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Source

Best Espresso Grinder Reviewed 2023

Baratza Sette 270 Cone Burr Grinder

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How to choose an espresso grinder for espresso

Some brands on the market for the most perfect cold brew size would like to claim that their coffee grinder can make everything to the perfect size fine Turkish grind. This is not what you want from an espresso grinder. The best espresso grinder has more customization options when creating fine grinds, even if that means missing out on a good range of coarse grind settings. nine0003

Why grind size is so important in espresso

Think espresso and you almost certainly imagine rich aroma and concentrated flavor, but statistics often determine the perfect shot. The SCA defines espresso as 25-35 ml made from 7-9 grams of coffee at 195-205 F using 9-10 bar pressure and a brew time of 20-30 seconds (1).

The grind size affects the brewing time.

The ideal grind for espresso is fine. Coarse grinds let water through much faster, while superior powder slows down the extraction rate and even reduces shot volume. You may not be concerned about your position in the SCA when you take a sip of espresso, but changing the brew time has consequences for the taste. Too short and you end up with underextracted, sour coffee. Too long and your shot will be bitter and lacking in complexity. nine0003

You might be wondering why you need so many grind settings when making espresso is so specific. The fact is that there are a number of other variables that help determine the grind size you need. For starters, all espresso machines will vary slightly in how they work, and you'll find that what works for one machine will be a completely wrong grind for another.

Day after day, you will find that different coffee beans require different grind sizes to achieve the same level of extraction. For example, light roasts extract more slowly, so you can grind lightly to extend the extraction time (2). nine0003

The required precision and consistency is why we do not recommend knife grinders. Blade grinders grind the coffee beans instead of grinding, resulting in uneven coffee grinding.

Grind settings

If we wanted to make it short, we could tell you that the grind settings are better, but unfortunately it's not that easy.

There is no correlation between the settings of different grinders - the coarsest setting on one will not match the setting of the other, and increments between grind settings will not adjust the size by the same amount. Even stepless coffee grinders, which theoretically allow you to infinitely adjust the grind size, have a minimum and maximum grind size. nine0003

Having said that, there is no real benefit in a coffee grinder with fewer settings. There is a minimum range of grind sizes that are suitable for espresso, but it is better to be able to adjust than not. You don't have to aim for the most grind settings as a hard and fast rule, but if you're on the fence, choose the one with the most settings.

Burr size and shape

The two forms of burrs you will encounter are conical burrs and flat burrs. Serious coffee connoisseurs will probably appreciate their preference, but we can assure you that a flat and cone burr grinder will provide an even grind if you buy quality coffee. nine0003

Conical burrs are the most common. The shape makes them very efficient, which makes them suitable for manual coffee grinders, but it also means they often run quieter in an electric coffee grinder.

Flat burrs require more force to grind coffee beans, which is why they are most commonly seen in automatic coffee grinders. Due to the horizontal arrangement, the flat burr mill is more stable and produces fewer fine particles. However, this arrangement also results in more ground coffee remaining in the grinder. nine0003

The burr size refers to the diameter, the larger the better. Larger burrs have a larger surface area, resulting in more coffee beans being ground at the same time. The less time it takes to grind, the less heat it will generate, which will prevent flavor changes. If you are using a manual grinder, a faster grinder means less effort to get freshly ground coffee.

Ceramic and steel burrs

Ceramic and steel burrs are taken very seriously by professionals, but not so important for those who buy a coffee grinder for the home. nine0003

Ceramic burrs are the choice for commercial operations because they generate little or no heat during the grinding process. Ceramic burrs can be prone to chipping, but they are also much more durable than steel burrs and stay sharp much longer before they need to be replaced.

On the other hand, steel burrs don't crack and are much sharper when new. They wear out over time, but for a home grinder, you won't notice a difference for years. The heat generated by the steel millstones should be considered, but should not be the deciding factor. The average coffee drinker will take 1-2 sips at a time, so there is little chance that the heat from the grinders will affect the coffee. nine0003

Doser vs. Doserless Grinder

This sounds a lot more complicated than it really is - you basically decide if you want a grinder with a coffee grounds container (dispenser) or a grinder that grinds coffee straight into a portafilter (without a dispenser) ).

Dispenser fans love that it's a cleaner process, less coffee grounds end up on the counter. You can also be less precise about how much coffee you grind initially and then take what you need for coffee. On the other hand, there may be some coffee grounds left in the dispenser from previous use. This is a particular problem if you want to switch between coffee brewing methods with very different grind sizes. nine0003

The dispenserless espresso grinder grinds the coffee directly into the portafilter and this often means that a few stray coffee beans can leak out, but the grind sizes never mix. Dosless grinders are suitable for advanced users who know exactly how much freshly ground coffee they need.

Manual vs. Automatic

The choice between manual and automatic coffee grinders most likely depends on how you intend to use it. A hand grinder is the only option if you want to travel with your grinder or use it in a place where you won't have access to electricity. In theory, a manual coffee grinder has an accurate grinding mechanism, but this will be limited by the power you can develop with the handle. nine0003

Be sure to check the capacity of your travel grinders, as some of the smallest models don't have enough room to make a double espresso.

Electric burr grinders are much more efficient and powerful and are the only choice for grinding large volumes, but they do have some disadvantages. They take up more space in the kitchen, create a lot more noise and are often much more expensive. With a manual coffee grinder, all you need to worry about is the mechanism itself, but with an electric grinder, there are many more parts that are prone to failure. nine0003

Best Espresso Grinders for 2022

Many grinders claim to be fine enough for espresso, but in the end, they lack the range to allow you to tailor the grind for different coffee beans and your particular coffee maker. We've listened to the needs of espresso lovers and found the best espresso grinders you can buy right now.

Below you will find the best espresso grinders. For a wider list of coffee grinders, see our page: Best burr grinders. nine0003

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Best Overall Baratza Sette 270 Cone grinder
  • Automatic
  • 5.1 x 9.5 x 15 inches
  • 275g
    • nine0013
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Budget selection Ariete electric coffee grinder with conical burrs
  • Automatic
  • 14" x 5" x 9"
  • 378g
The best ratio of price and quality Breville Pro Smart Sander
  • Automatic
  • 12. 5 x 8.5 x 16.3 inches
  • 510g
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best coffee grinder with flat burrs Rancilio Rocky
  • Automatic
  • 9.8 x 4.7 x 13.8 inches
  • 295g
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Best for travel Knock Feldgrind
  • Manual
  • 2.0 x 2.0 x 7.9 inches
  • 35-40g
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The quietest shredder nine0095 Eureka Mignon Silencio
  • Automatic
  • 15. 7 x 11.8 x 8.6 inches
  • 300g
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The best hand grinder 1Zpresso J-Max manual coffee grinder nine0095
  • Manual
  • 8.9 x 4.4 x 4.2 inches
  • 35-40g
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Fine grinding setting Manual coffee grinder Zassenhaus Santiago nine0004
  • Manual
  • 8.3 x 3.5 x 8 inches
  • 30g
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    Baratza Sette 270 Cone grinder

    Best Overall

    WATCH ON AMAZON

    Ariete electric coffee grinder with conical burrs

    Budget selection

    WATCH ON AMAZON

    Breville Pro Smart Sander

    The best ratio of price and quality

    WATCH ON AMAZON

    Rancilio Rocky

    best coffee grinder with flat burrs

    WATCH ON AMAZON

    Knock Feldgrind

    Best for travel nine0003

    click to check price

    Eureka Mignon Silencio

    The quietest shredder

    View on Amazon

    1Zpresso J-Max manual coffee grinder

    The best hand grinder