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Best Coffee Grinders

Best Overall
OXO Brew Conical Burr
4.5/5
Best Tech
Baratza Virtuoso + Conical Burr
4.5/5
Best Budget
KRUPS Precision
4/5

best grinders for coffee

The best coffee grinders are distinguished by performance characteristics such as the style of blade, grind size, and noise level. A coffee grinder’s core function is to grind coffee beans for brewing. The best coffee grinder is one that grinds coffee beans finely and evenly. Some of the most common usage cases of coffee grinders include grinding beans for regular black coffee or espresso in your home.

One way to choose is by going with the best-rated coffee grinder. Coffee Grinder reviews and ratings are a good indicator of what you can expect when you buy it. The best coffee grinder brand names include OXO, Breville, Krups, Baratza, Cuisinart, and Hamilton Beach.

Our Top Coffee Grinder Picks

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1. OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Features

People using this grinder benefit from the timer feature, which allows users to consistently grind a precise quantity of coffee. The grinder saves the timing setting of the most recent grind, so users who brew the same amount of coffee at every use will be able to grind their beans with ease.

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder has stainless steel conical burrs that help achieve maximum flavor extraction when grinding the beans. It is a versatile grinder, with 15 settings each allowing for a different level of fineness for the coffee grounds. This allows users to have perfectly textured beans for different types of coffee including espresso and French press coffee.

The container is quite large, and users can grind up to 110 grams or 12 cups worth of coffee at any given time. This large container capacity is helpful when making coffee for groups of people.  

 

Pros
Cons

2. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

Features

The 18 dial positions on this grinder allow for a large range of grind sizes, so users can obtain coarse beans or ultra-fine beans.

The grind chamber capacity on the Cuisinart DBM-8 holds enough ground coffee for 32 cups. The body of the unit is finished with stainless steel making the grinder both durable and sleek.

It is very easy to use this grinder, as it will fully perform the grinding function with just one-touch. Users just have to fill the hopper with beans, set the dial to their preferred texture setting, and then touch the start button once and the machine will automatically shut off once the grind cycle is complete.

Pros
Cons

3. Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder

Features

The Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro is a technologically advanced grinder with numerous customizable settings that allow its users to maximally control the coffee grinding process

The Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro is a technologically advanced grinder with numerous customizable settings that allow its users to maximally control the coffee grinding process. There are 60 grind settings in total which means that users can grind many precise consistencies.

The timer in this coffee grinder is also a standout feature since grind time can be adjusted in .2 second increments. Ideal time settings can be saved by the grinder leading to exact and consistent quantities of ground coffee. Time and consistency settings appear on the LCD display, allowing the user to track the grinding process.

Pros
Cons

4. KRUPS Precision Grinder

Features

The KRUPS Precision Grinder boasts a high grind quality and low price of only $45. The grinder has flat metal burrs which allows for a more uniform grind than conical burrs.

The KRUPS Precision Grinder boasts a high grind quality and low price of only $45. The grinder has flat metal burrs which allows for a more uniform grind than conical burrs. There are 12 grind settings on the dial with intermediate settings between each level, so users have options to control the consistency of their ground coffee. The grind chamber capacity is large, holding ground coffee usable for up to 32 cups of coffee.

Cleaning your coffee grinder is critical for obtaining a tasty and aromatic final product. The KRUPS Precision Grinder is well suited for consistent and easy cleaning with its embedded cleaning brush in the removable top burr.

Pros
Cons

5. Baratza Virtuoso + Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Digital Timer Display

Features

This grinder has enhanced commercial-grade conical burrs creating even grind consistencies. It also has 40 grind settings, so users can practice many types of coffee brew methods like espresso, AeroPress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brew.  

This grinder has enhanced commercial-grade conical burrs creating even grind consistencies. It also has 40 grind settings, so users can practice many types of coffee brew methods like espresso, AeroPress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brew.  

The digital timer display allows users to clearly track the grinding process and the timer is adjustable to .1 second increments. The grind chamber is backlit with an LED light, which allows users to both accurately assess the performance of the chosen grind level and gives the grinder a special aesthetic quality.

Pros
Cons

6. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Features

Baratza is the preferred brand of grinder for coffee professionals and baristas globally. The Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder has the same Baratza features that make their grinders best-in-class.

Baratza is the preferred brand of grinder for coffee professionals and baristas globally. The Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder has the same Baratza features that make their grinders best-in-class. There are 40 grind settings allowing for precise grind consistencies and the unit is powered by a user friendly on/off dial.

The grinder is durable, with 40 mm hardened alloy steel burrs. The DC motor the grinder uses is powerful and efficient. Users have optimal protection against damage as the Encore is supported by Baratza’s 1-year warranty.

Pros
Cons

7. Hario “Skerton Pro” Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder

Features

The Skerton Pro is a hand grinder, so it is more compact than the electrical grinders available on the market. Its small size makes it perfect for travel. The hand crank is also removable, adding to its portability.

The Skerton Pro is a hand grinder, so it is more compact than the electrical grinders available on the market. Its small size makes it perfect for travel. The hand crank is also removable, adding to its portability. The grinder does not have the same level of power as an electric grinder, but the ceramic conical burrs allow for a precise and uniform grind. Since the burrs are ceramic and the grinder is hand-powered, less heat is generated when grinding beans, which is helpful since too much heat can destroy aromas in the final brewed coffee product.

The grinder has a 100-gram capacity for ground coffee, so there is not a significant tradeoff between portability and carrying capacity. The grinder is also sleek, made of stainless steel with a ridged-glass grind chamber.

Pros
Cons

8. Fellow Ode Brew Grinder

Features

The grinder’s 64 mm flat burrs and 31 overall grind size settings allow for consistent particle size. Its body is constructed of sleek matte black aluminum that makes the grinders very durable.

The Fellow Ode Brew Grinder is one of the quietest coffee grinders available. The noisy gearbox that is found in other coffee grinders is not present in this grinder, making it designed for minimal sound. It has an auto stop feature that also helps reduce sound by turning the grinder off once the last bean has been ground.

The grinder’s 64 mm flat burrs and 31 overall grind size settings allow for consistent particle size. Its body is constructed of sleek matte black aluminum that makes the grinders very durable. Ode offers a 1-year warranty, so users do not have to worry about manufacturer defects should they arise.

Pros
Cons

9. Bodum Bistro Coffee Grinder

Features

At only 4 pounds, the Bodum Bistro Coffee Grinder is a capable and portable coffee grinder.

At only 4 pounds, the Bodum Bistro Coffee Grinder is a capable and portable coffee grinder. It is also durable, as it is equipped with a friction clutch that protects the grinding gear. Furthermore, it has a borosilicate glass catcher, which helps to prevent coffee grounds from sticking to the sides of the grind chamber container. The burrs are conical and made from high-quality stainless steel.

Pros
Cons

Best coffee grinder

What are the best types of coffee grinders?

There are at least 6 types of coffee grinders on the market. Their features characterize these. 

  1. Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: This machine is designed with a conical burr in the center encircled by a serrated burr to help grind coffee in an energy efficient manner.
  2.   Flat Burr Coffee Grinder: This type of grinder has two circle-shaped burrs on top of each other. The symmetry of this design allows the beans to be ground up at an even consistency. This type of grinder, because it doesn’t rely on gravity as much as conical grinders, is louder and uses more energy.
  3.   Blade Coffee Grinder: Blade grinders are more affordable than burr grinders, but this affordability comes at the cost of an even grind size. In blade grinders a blade rotates and chops coffee beans like a blender.
  4.   Hand Coffee Grinder: This type of grinder is not electric, so it does not generate as much heat as other grinders, leading to slightly better tasting coffee. Grinding takes longer with hand grinders as the process is done by hand.
  5.   Auto Shut-off Coffee Grinder: A coffee grinder that automatically switches off after the beans have been fully ground.
  6.   Programmable Coffee Grinder: A programmable coffee grinder has features and functions that can be adjusted to the user’s preferences, such as grind size and/or grinding time

It is worth noting that coffee grinders are not confined to one type. They can have a number of these features.

What are the best conical burr coffee grinders?

The best conical coffee grinders include the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder and the Baratza Virtuoso + Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Digital Timer Display. They have stainless steel burrs that are durable and allow for even grind consistency and thus flavorful coffee.

What are the best flat burr coffee grinders?

The KRUPS Precision grinder is one of the best flat burr coffee grinders on the market. It boasts a grind chamber with the capacity to hold 32 cups worth of coffee grounds, which is

larger than many of its rivals. The flat burrs allow for very even grind size.

What are the best hand coffee grinders?

The Hario “Skerton Pro” Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder is the best hand coffee grinder on the market. It is light, ultra-portable, and has a removable hand crank. Its ceramic burrs mean that minimal heat is generated in the grinding process which leads to a flavorful brew.

What are the auto shut-off coffee grinders?

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill and the Fellow Ode Brew Grinder are the best auto shut-off coffee grinders. The DBM-8 has a one-touch start system that saves the user’s preferred grind time and shuts off once the beans have been fully ground. The Fellow Ode Brew Grinder is designed to minimize noise while grinding coffee beans, and the auto shut-off feature makes this possible.

What are the best programmable coffee grinders?

The Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder is one of the best programmable coffee grinders on the market. Users can program the machine to run for their preferred grind time to within .2 seconds, helping users achieve maximum precision in grind consistency.

What functionality should you expect from a coffee grinder?

The functionality that you should expect from a coffee grinder includes consistent grind sizes, over 10 grind size options, and programmable timers or integrated scales. Good grinding will increase the likelihood of a good cup of coffee. The grind size settings allow you to customize what type of coffee you are looking to brew. Some sizes will be better than others for espresso, French press coffee, pour over, etc. The grind size dial allows the user to choose how coarse or fine their ground coffee should be.

What should you know before buying a coffee grinder?

There are several things to consider when buying a coffee grinder. The most important thing to look at is the blade type of the coffee grinder. This is a good indicator of grind consistency. A burr grinder will produce a more even grind consistency than a blade grinder. A flat burr grinder will result in an even more even grind than a conical burr grinder but will generate more heat and require more power.

The overall price is another factor to consider. No matter the price point, finding a good balance between cost and features assures you value for money. This does not necessarily mean going for the priciest or cheapest option available. 

Time is a major factor when making coffee. Most people wish to make coffee quickly as they are leaving home in the morning. As such, it is an important consideration when choosing a coffee grinder. A hand grinder will be slower than an electric grinder, so it may not be the best option for those who usually make coffee in a hurry.

It is also important to select a coffee grinder that is adequate for your use cases. Some usage and style cases to be mindful of are portability and whether one only seeks to grind coffee for espresso. Do you need all of the different uses of a coffee maker?

Convenience features such as an automated shut-off also come in handy. The possibility of the gears grinding and continuing to make noise even once the beans are fully ground is undesirable. Programmable grinding times are also helpful, as it can be tedious to try and calibrate the time exactly desired for grinding coffee every time one uses their coffee grinder.

What is the average price range for the best coffee grinders?

The best coffee grinders come at a price range of $45-$300. Digital display and programmable grinders tend to be more expensive than grinders with manual dials for adjusting grind size. Electric grinders are also considerably more expensive than hand grinders. The material of the coffee grinder is also factored in the price. Coffee grinders with stainless steel or aluminum finishes are more expensive than those with plastic finishes.  

What is the main difference between a coffee grinder and a spice grinder?

The main difference between a coffee grinder and a spice grinder is the blade type. Most quality coffee grinders are burr grinders, but spice grinders are typically blade grinders. Spice grinders can be used to grind coffee, but it is not the optimal use case for spice grinders. There are, however, spice grinders that are multi-purpose and can be used to grind coffee. Coffee grinders likewise should typically not be used for grinding spices.

What coffee grinder is considered superior?

Flat burr grinders are considered to be superior due to their symmetry and power. Their design allows for very evenly sized coffee grounds. However, they are expensive compared to conical burr grinders and use more power. They also generate more heat in the grinding process, which can be problematic for some people as heat changes the flavors and aromas in the final coffee product.

What are the common mistakes of using a coffee grinder?

The common mistakes you can make when using a coffee grinder include failing to pulse blade grinders when grinding beans. When using blade grinders, it is better to pulse rather than continuously grind coffee beans as this will allow for a more consistent grind size. It is also important not to over-fill the bean hopper of any coffee grinder, as that can negatively impact the grinding process. That rule applies for all types of coffee grinders, whether it be a hand grinder or electric blade/burr grinder.

Other common mistakes include not familiarizing yourself with the controls before you use the coffee grinder. Some grinders have a higher learning curve than others. Not knowing how to work it will often result in irregular results. It gets easier as you learn how to use coffee grinders.  

What criteria define the best coffee grinder?

The criteria for the best coffee grinder are based on grind evenness, portability, price and ease of use. There are several things to consider when selecting the coffee grinder. The most important question to answer is, “How consistent of a grind size can the grinder produce?” This may be difficult to determine without trying the range of devices available. Functionality and reliability can be established by leaning on the experiences of other users.

You can do this by reading customer reviews. This will also help you gauge the lifespan of a coffee grinder. These are some of the things we considered when choosing coffee

grinders.

What type of reviews do the best coffee grinders have?

Coffee grinders will have a varied range of reviews from excited and disgruntled customers alike. Complaints and praise are often tied to the core features of each type of coffee grinder.

The most common praise that conical burr grinders will receive is how heat resistant they are. One of the most common complaints comes from baristas, as they are more cognizant of the disparities in grind size that come with conical grinders as opposed to flat burr grinders.

The most common praise that flat burr grinders receive is how good they are at producing evenly ground coffee. The most common complaints include how hot the machines can get and how loud they are compared to other types of grinders. They are also harder to clean due to their design, as there is little space between the burrs.

The most common praise for hand grinders is how flavorful the coffee brew can become. These types of grinders do not generate as much heat as electric grinders, and therefore the taste and aroma of the end product is impacted less than it would be if the beans were ground in an electric grinder. The most common criticism comes from users who do not like all the manual work involved with a hand grinder.

The most common praise for auto shut-off coffee grinders is that they do a better job at being energy efficient compared to their electric counterparts that lack the auto shut-off capability. There aren’t usually complaints about the feature itself but users may complain if the auto shut-off feature on their coffee grinder doesn’t work properly.  

Programmable coffee grinders are usually praised for giving the user the option to take more control over the grinding process. Other users complain about how challenging it is to program the coffee grinder. 

What are the best kitchen tool brands?

Below are some of the best kitchen tool brands that also make coffee grinders. 

  1. OXO: OXO is a major kitchen appliance and tool manufacturer, and one of the most trusted American brands in that space. This reputation means that consumers trust their products including their coffee grinders. Other kitchen tools that they produce include cocktail shakers, pastry scrapers, and electric kettles.
  2. Cuisinart: They are known for their range of affordable coffee grinders. Other kitchen tools that they produce include soup makers, ice cream makers, and coffee makers.
  3. Baratza: They have an excellent range of versatile coffee grinders. Many baristas and industry professionals endorse and utilize Baratza’s coffee grinders. They mainly make coffee grinders but also produce accessories such as specialized hoppers and accent kits to complement their grinders.
  4. Krups: They have a wide variety of coffee grinders. Their brand is well known in the coffee space for coffee makers and grinders and they also sell kitchen appliances like kettles, toasters, fryers, waffle makers, and indoor grills.

How long do the top coffee grinders last?

The lifespan of the top coffee grinders will vary depending on what they are made of and how they are used. A moderately used coffee grinder made of a sturdy material such as stainless steel or aluminum will have a lifespan of at least five years. This can be stretched to a decade or longer with some care.

Coffee grinders that are heavily reliant on plastic or other less robust materials have an average lifespan of up to 3 years. They tend to suffer from general wear and tear. This period can be lengthened or significantly reduced depending on use and maintenance. 

Where to buy a coffee grinder?

Nowadays, coffee grinders are widely available both online and in stores. These are some of the best places to buy them:

Walmart: Average Prices range between $19.99 and $149.00. Delivers in 1-3

days.

Amazon: Average Prices range between $15.99 and $199.99. Delivers in 1-2 days.

Bed Bath & Beyond: Average Price ranges around $49.99 and $230.99. Delivers in 2-5 days.

Target: Average Price ranges between $17.99 to $104.99. Delivers in 3-7 days. You can also buy them directly from most manufacturers.

What are the other best kitchen tools?

We have covered plenty of coffee grinders in this post. There are other kitchen tools that you can use together with your coffee grinder. These include:

  • Coffee makers
  • Spice grinders

Coffee makers can also be purchased to brew hot coffee automatically. Brands such as Cuisinart and Krups sell both coffee makers and coffee grinders. 

Best coffee grinders

Why Trust Kitchen Infinity?

Our writers and reviewers thoroughly research every aspect of kitchen appliances or home improvement products so you can make a well-informed decision when investing in these products. We evaluate top quality products from several brands within budget friendly price ranges and contrast consumer reviews, surveys, satisfaction forms, brand performance, and annual appliance rankings. We go to great lengths to ensure that your next buy is worth every penny!

Dino Paccino

Dino Paccino

Dino is a lifelong writer and home improvement specialist. He enjoys bringing cutting-edge information on home renovation and remodeling to Kitchen Infinity.

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