A great cup of coffee starts from selecting the right beans, storing them in correct conditions and above all grinding them to perfection.
Coffee is hygroscopic by nature, as a result you need to keep it in a sealed container keeping the moisture out.
For the best flavor result we’ve found that coffee grounds that are ground just before brewing produce the best results. In addition to being fresh, using a quality grinder will ensure you have a consistent grind which will allow the grounds to impart all of the flavor without bitterness or a watered down flavor.
There are several types of grinders with the two most popular being blade grinders and burr grinders.
- Burr Coffee Grinder – Quick Links
- – Best Burr Coffee Grinder
- – Manual Coffee Grinder
- Summary
- – Grinder Buying Guide
- – FAQ to Grinding Coffee
While there may be times you would want a blade grinder, this article is focused on burr coffee grinders. The following list highlights some of our favorites that we have tested. Lets get started in reviewing an electric coffee grinder that will work for your specific situation.
Best Electric Coffee Bean Burr Grinders – Summary Review
There is a large variety of burr grinders out there for home use. We tried to keep the list short but still ended up with 9 grinders to choose from. 5 of the grinders were hopper based and best suited for pour over and drip. But they can be used for espresso as will. Take time to look at the size and features of the grinder to determine if it is going to meet your requirements.
Electric Burr Coffee Grinder Reviews
1. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS - Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and...
- GO-TO ENTRY LEVEL GRINDER - Baratza’s best-selling grinder, with its small footprint, is THE choice for brewing...
- USER FRIENDLY - A convenient, front-mounted pulse button, plus a simple ON/OFF switch make it easy to grind fresh...
- 40 GRIND SETTINGS - Engineered with 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs that help you explore the extensive range...
Baratza Encore makes most peoples list as the best all round choice for the a coffee grinder. It is a particularly true for those new to grinding coffee.
It grinds fine enough for espresso lovers and gives a course grind for manual/drip brew. It features an impressive range of 40 individual grind settings, spanning from coarse to fine you can tune your grind to your specific coffee beans. This flexibility allows for most manual brewing methods such as Chemex, pour-over, Siphon and Aeropress in addition to Drip Brewers and Pressurized Espresso brewing.
Key Features:
- 40 grind setting
- Easy to clean
- Steel Alloy Burrs
- Small foot print (4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 in.)
- Comes in Black or White
- Pulse Button
- Minimal Static
A cool feature of this grinder is the 450 RPM DC motor that monitors temperature slows the burr down to temperature at an acceptable level for extended grind times. It ensures a smooth grind with minimum noise, heat or static buildup.
Operation of the Baratza Encore is simple…
- On/Off switch on the side
- Pulse button on the front
Many entry level grinders are difficult to get parts for and repair.
The Barazta grinder is different, parts are readily available and easily replaceable making this a grinder that will last a long time.
2. Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
- ENJOY OPTIMUM FLAVOR: Burr grinding provides a uniform grind to your fresh coffee beans with its 18-position grind...
- REMOVABLE FEATURES: Our 8 oz. bean hopper is fully removable as well as our built-in grind chamber for ease-of-use...
- GRIND CHAMBER: Our removable grind chamber holds enough ground coffee for 32-cups, you won’t have to worry about...
- ONE-TOUCH GRIND: The one-touch power bar is separate from the unit and complemented by an electric timer that...
Cuisinart’s supreme grind is probably the most popular grinder out there. While it is a nice grinder, its price point also contributes to its popularity.
The number of grind settings is lower than many grinders out there but the 18 settings is enough for most people. Only those who are really specific in the size of grind they want may have issues with this.
Key Features:
- 18 grind settings
- Easy to clean
- Steel Alloy Burrs
- Small foot print (10.75 x 7.13 x 6 in.)
- 1/2 pound bean capacity
Ease of use, an even grind and reasonable price are the best qualities of this coffee grinder. The design is simple and operation is a snap.
There is a slider that allows you to set the dose for the number of cups you plan on brewing. You may need to give it a couple trys to get the exact quantity you like, but we found this more intuitive to use than the timer that many have.
As for the grind chamber, we did see some static but it was manageable. We also liked that you can just throw it in the top rack of your dishwasher for cleaning. Another nice feature is that the grinder won’t operate unless the grind chamber is properly in place.
3. Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder
- Stainless steel conical burrs create uniform grounds for optimal flavor
- 15 grind size settings (plus additional microsettings) from fine for espresso to coarse for French press and cold...
- One-touch start remembers your last setting, just push to grind
- Large-capacity hopper holds up to 3/4 lb/12 oz of coffee beans
Saying this model has only 15 settings doesn’t tell the whole story there are 2 clicks in between each setting which really gives you 45 settings.
The thin design of this grinder allows it to fit in tight spaces. The small handle to remove the burr for cleaning is also a nice touch.
Key Features:
- 15 grind settings Plus additional micro settings
- Burrs are Easy to clean
- Steel Alloy Burrs
- Small foot print (5.3w x 7.75d x 12.8h )
- on touch timer setting for grinds
What we really liked about his machine is how simple it was to use. You simply fill the hopper, set your grind and then turn the knob to the number of seconds you want to run the grinder, then push the button. If you want the grind to stop simply push the button again and the grinder will stop.
We also liked how easy the burr’s were to access for cleaning. You don’t need any special tools. Simply turn the lock key, remove the hopper and there is a handle to lift out the burr ring.
As with most burr grinders you want to try and avoid oily beans with this grinder as things will tend to jam up as you use it. Its easily cleaned out but you can reduce the number of times you have to clear the burrs if you use less oily beans.
4. Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
- PRECISION GRINDING: Commercial-grade, solid steel conical burrs with advanced cutting design
- WIDE GRINDING RANGE: From ultrafine Turkish to French Press coarse and everything in between
- PRESERVES AROMA: Gear reduction motor grinds slow with reduced noise and little static build-up
- LARGE CAPACITY: 8.8 ounce bean container and 4 ounce ground coffee container.Watts/Volts/Hertz: 100W/120V/60Hz
Capresso is a quality Brand of Switzerland whos manufacturing process uses the latest manufacturing techniques. One of the innovative features of the Capresso Infinity is it’s use of gear reduction motor grinds that reduce noise and minimize static build-up.
Keeping the Burr Grinders clean is quite simple on this machine. It has a removable hopper that reveals the burr chamber for easy access to the grinders for cleaning.
Key Features:
- 16 grind settings
- Burrs are Easy to clean
- Commercial Grade Steel Burrs
- Gear reduction motor for quiet operation
- Small foot print (14.6 x 9.6 x 7.8 in.)
- turn knob timer setting for grinds
As with most of these basic grinders the easy of use is one of the primary reasons it made our list. No won’t wants to be trying to figure out a complicated system when they just woke up.
This model comes in two colors making it a piece that will blend it with most decore. You have a choice of black or stainless steel.
The commercial grade burr’s are hand matched and assembled. This coupled with the gear reduction motor creates less heat and friction ensuring you always get the most flavor from your beans.
5. Baratza Sette 270 Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS - Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and...
- DOSING - 3 programmable dosing buttons for accurate, consistent dosing to within a 10th of a second. This allows...
- EXCEPTIONAL ESPRESSO GRINDER - The Sette delivers beautiful espresso and is also capable of grinding for manual...
- 270 GRIND SETTINGS - Macro/Micro adjustment for the most precise dial-in capabilities. A built-in convertible...
The Baratza Sette 270 is a step up from the Encore model on our list.
If your looking for a grinder that is more suited for espresso but also works well with the other grind settings, this may be just the grinder for you.
Key Features:
- 1-31 macro grind settings
- 9 micro grind settings
- 3 programable time grind settings
- Adjustable arms for different grind collection
- Small foot print (5.12 x 9.45 x 14.96 in.)
- Easy to Clean
- Fluffy grind
- pause, continue button
This grinder is a nice step up from the grinders geared toward drip brew and pour overs. The adjustable arms allow you to configure for an espresso portafilter, a pour over filter, or a canister to collect the grind. This can easily be accomplished without removing the arms.
The three programmable buttons allow you to save 3 custom grinds for your coffee. When your filling your portafilter you can even pause the grind, make sure your coffee is distributed in the basket, then resume the grind. I keeps track of where it was at in the grind cycle.
The burrs can be easily accessed for cleaning by removing the hopper, then unscrewing the housing that has the micro adjustment. The center burr will then slide out. The motor is horizontally mounted in the unit and turns the outside burrs around the conical center which is the opposite of many conical grinder. The method is more efficient and makes for a fast grind.
6. Breville BCG820BKSXL Smart Coffee Grinder
- Stainless Steel conical burrs designed to minimize grinding heat and protect the essential oils in the coffee bean
- 60 precise grind settings from the finest Espresso to the coarsest French Press Grind. Voltage: 110 - 120 Volts
- Precision Electronic Timer allows users to adjust grind time in 0.2 second increments and consistent dose every...
- 16oz coffee bean capacity with locking system for easy removal, storage, and transfer of the bean hopper
The Breville smart coffee grinder is an excellent choice if your looking for a grinder that has some intelligence built into it.
If your looking for a grinder that is more suited for espresso but also works well with the other grind settings, this may be just the grinder for you.
Key Features:
- 60 grind settings
- Additional grind settings available by lifting upper burr and setting
- includes a 54 and 58 inch portafilter cradle
- Allows you to grind directly into portafilter and other containers
- Dosing iQ allows you to program grind in .2 second intervals
- Small foot print (8.5 x 6.25 x 15.25 in.)
- Easy to read LCD display
- Removable bottom tray held in place with magnet
You can easily set the grind size with the twist of a knob and you can visually see the setting on the LCD screen as you change it. You don’t have to twist the bean hopper or any other manual operations simply turn the dial just like you would a radio dial.
You can adjust the grind time in .2 second intervals. This is a nice feature in itself, however you can have it adjust the grind based on the number of cups you want to make and it will automatically calculate the grind time based on your initial setting.
There are several choices for collecting the grinds. You can use a portafilter (comes with a craddle for both smaller and larger portafilters), a canister with an airtight lid (comes with the grinder), or you can grind into a drip filter directly.
7. Breville Dose Control Burr Coffee Grinder
- Free your grind - The Dose Control lets you grind directly into the portafilter, coffee container or paper filter....
- 60 grind settings - This wide range allows you to grind fine enough for Espresso or coarse enough for French Press.
- Grinding mechanism - Stainless Steel conical burr grinder efficiently designed to minimise grinding heat and...
- Grind tray - Catches grind overflow. Removable for easy cleaning and accessing the Razor Dose Trimming Tool.
The Breville dose control grinder is an excellent choice in grinders for grinding doses out for espresso.
The dose control grinder is similar to the Breville Smart Grinder, but does not have the LED for easy to read settings.
Key Features:
- 60 grind settings
- Additional grind settings available by lifting upper burr and setting
- includes a 54 and 58 inch portafilter cradle
- Adjustable razor dose trimming tool
- Timer dial for adjusting the dose for your grind
- Small foot print (10.2 x 8.1 x 15.8 in.)
- One button stop and start control
- Removable bottom tray holds the razor dose trimming tool
The razor trimmer(s) can be found in the bottom tray and support 3 sizes 51mm, 54mm, and 58mm. Using the razor trimmer you can consistently level the grind in your portafilter directly giving you the perfect dose every time.
The adjustable dial provides a method for controlling the amount of coffee by time. Once you have found the correct time setting you can get the same amount a beans grind after grind. In addition to setting the time you can stop the grind at anytime by pressing the button. When you press it to start again, the grinder remembers where it left off.
There are several cradles that come with the Breville grinder to support most standard size portafilters.
8. KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder
- Our grinder automatically produces the ideal amount and consistency of grounds for every drink selection with Smart...
- Getting consistent grind size means delicious brewing every time. Achieve consistent grind sizes for all brew...
- Discover your perfect grind, for every kind of brew. With 70 precise settings for a wide variety of grind sizes -...
- Commercial-grade, stainless steel conical burrs provide superior grinding precision, producing uniformly-sized...
The KitchenAid conical burr Coffee Grinder is also on top of our list for best coffee grinders. It is a quick and simple machine to grind beans up to a capacity of 12 cups. Inside markings on the bean holding cup indicate bean levels for 12, 10, 8 and 4 cups measurements. Top cover slides on with an easy one touch operation.
Key Features:
- 70 Precise Settings to dial in your perfect grind
- Automatic Smart Dosing Technology, one touch dosing
- Grind directly into 54-mm or 58-mm portafilters, perfect for espresso making
- Removable bean hopper
- Anti-Static Technology helps reduce static charge
- Compact Design (15.3 x 14.2 x 7.3 in.)
- Multiple color options (Red, Grey, Flat Black, Gloss Black)
- Easy to read display with easy reference brew method icons
The smart icons on the display make for easy setup when choosing your dose. It accommodates both shots and cups, just set the dose for one then pick your quantity and it caculates it for you.
The removable bean hopper is perfect for putting unused beans back in to an air tight container. This is a great feature for eliminating waste if your making multiple drinks with different beans.
The adjustable cradle allows you to change the cradle size with out having to change out parts. This is also useful because you don’t have to keep track of yet another component that isn’t used often.
9. Eureka Mignon Crono Coffee Grinder
- Stepless Adjust - Precise micro-adjustments make it easy to adjust for just-right drip coffee.
- 50mm Flat Burrs - Hardened steel burrs make quick work of pour over grounds.
- Bottom Burr Adjust - Adjusted from below the motor, the burr assembly can be disassembled for maintenance without...
- Grind Timer - A side-mounted potentiometer lets you set and save your ideal grind time.
This is a step of from Eureka’s entry level grinder in that it allows you to adjust to discrete grind times that match the dose you are looking for. This gives you consistent doses that produce consistent coffee drinks.
The crono grinder comes in two colors white smoke and black smoke so that you can match it with your kitchens decor.
Key Features:
- Step-less grind settings for infinite micro grinds
- 50 mm Flat burrs
- Burr assembly can be disassembled without affecting grind setting
- Small foot print (15.51 x 11.57 x 7.95 in.)
- Comes in Black or White
- Side Mounted timer settings (5-60 seconds)
- Build by hand in Milan Italy
This is a really sturdy machine and is all manual except for the timer which you have to set manually. This is ideal for those who like everything simple and effective in design, without a lot of frivolous options.
The burr size on the Eureka Mignon are 50mm flat filtro burrs made of hardened steel to grind through coffee beans. We’ve found that flat burrs are a little more forgiving with oily beans.
The grind size is set by turning a knob at the top of the machine. The advantage of this design is you virtually have unlimited grind setting that you can dial into.
The Best Manual Conical Burr Coffee Grinder – Summary Review
Why should I get an all manual grinder?
There are many reasons one might what a manual grinder. But our top reasons range from 1) You’ll be camping and need to grind beans with out electricity 2) You prefer the control of grinding it yourself 3) You think its cool to grind your beans old school. 4) You find grinding your coffee beans by hand you don’t get as much heat.
Hand Operated Manual Burr Coffee Grinders
1. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder with Adjustable Settings
- ENJOY THE PERFECT CUP OF FRESH COFFEE ― The Manual Coffee Grinder by JavaPresse Coffee Company has a built-in...
- CONVENIENT, PORTABLE, AND EASY-TO-USE ESPRESSO GRINDER ― The hand crank grinder eliminates 90% of electric...
- THE BEST WAY TO START YOUR DAY ― This manual coffee bean grinder is equipped with a professional grade ceramic...
- TREAT YOURSELF TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER THAT IS BUILT TO LAST ― Crafted with the same essence...
This small grinder is perfect for backpacking, camping, areas where you don’t have electricity or just don’t want to hear the hum of an electric motor first thing in the morning.
Key Features:
- 18 manual grind settings
- Eliminates > 90% of the noise that an electric coffee grinder would produce
- Works on espresso machine, Aeropress, French Press or Pour Over Coffee Makers
- Small foot print (1.8 x 7.5 x 1.8 in.)
- patented Ceramic Burrs last up to 5x longer than steel burrs
- Extremely portable
The patented ceramic conical burr’s will last longer than steel burrs and give a very even grind that produce excellent tasting coffee.
The 18 built-in grind settings allow you to experiment and dial in the best grind for each coffee bean that you try. Different roasts will require different grind sizes to get the most out of them.
Using the JavaPress grinder is simple 1) Remove bottom and adjust the grind size to your favorite setting 2) Put the bottom section back in place 3) Pour your beans in the top (can hold up to 25 grams) 4) Attach the cap and handle 5) Grind the breans.
The bottom section comes with viewing windows on each side so you can see how much coffee has been ground.
2. Hario Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder – Skerton Plus
- Skerton Plus: A favorite amongst coffee newcomers and professionals alike. Its compact size makes it the perfect...
- New and Improved: An update to the original Skerton-- The Skerton Plus features a stronger grind shaft and burr...
- Perfect Grind: Ceramic conical burrs ensure a precise, uniform grind-- Our burrs transfer less heat and shave...
- Japanese Design: Designed by Hario in Japan to provide coffee lovers with easy access to freshly ground coffee. The...
This stylish grinder made by Hario from Japan is perfect for making small quantities of coffee. The glass jar allows you to easily see what has been ground.
Key Features:
- manual stepped grind settings
- Ceramic Burr’s
- Non-slip Rubber Base
- Small foot print (8 x 4 x 5 in.)
- can be used with a mason jar
- Extremely portable
This model also comes ceramic conical burr’s will last longer than steel burrs and give a very even grind for all types of coffee. It should be noted for the coarser grinder we needed to tighten the reinforcement to keep the burr’s from moving.
The step grind settings allow virtually unlimited settings. While you can adjust to just about any setting we found our selves wishing there were some markings as reference points instead of blindly adjusting the setting.
The hand is simple to setup and having the rubber around the base of the jar help keep the jar from sliding on the counter while cranking.
The Hario Skerton plus is small enough to take camping but because of the glass container I personally wouldn’t want to use it camping. However is small enough to pack in a suitcase and use in a hotel or when visiting someone’s home.
3. Manual Coffee Grinder Spoon Brush Flannel Coffee Residue Filter
- ✿Material: Pure logs, safer and safer.
- ✿Design: Classic retro design, using cast iron technology, ceramic grinding core, exquisite pure wood, very...
- ✿Operation: Simply pour the coffee beans into the container, close the lid, and turn the coffee powder manually...
- ✿Composition: Pure wooden base with drawer, super convenient, easy to operate; manual grinding machine uses...
This is a really cool throw-back styled coffee grinder. If you’re a person that appreciates and collects appliances that look like something from the farm or an older time period, no need to look further!.
Key Features:
- 18 manual grind settings
- Classic retro design, using cast iron technology, ceramic grinding core
- Equipped with a brush, spoon, flannel coffee ground filter
- Small foot print (5 x 5 x 10 in.)
- Ceramic Burrs
- Suitable for espresso, spices, herbs, nuts and other grains
It should be noted that this grinder is small, if your looking for a grinder that will produce a large volume of ground coffee this may not be the right grinder for you.
Operation is simple, you just add the beans, grind, then remove the ground coffee from the drawer.
The manufacturer recommends cleaning the ceramic burr’s once a week to keep things operating smoothly.
After using this grinder we feel it does work, but this is more of an items to have for the look rather than heavy use.
Keys to Selecting the Best Coffee Grinder for You
Before you go coffee grinder shopping, consider the following points:
- How much you intend spending on the product? The more expensive models come with auto dosing and extra features to make grinding your coffee hassle free. For a a fraction of the cost you can get a hand crank model but you have to do everything yourself.
- Your preferences in terms of functionality and appearance. If you prefer products matching color of your kitchen décor then many units come in a range of colors to choose from.
- Ease in operation and maintenance.
- After sales service.
- Ease in cleaning and upkeep.
- Which product gives you best value for your money in feature options.
- Is it suitable for the type of coffee you prefer?
Coffee Grinding FAQ’s
Which is better a Conical Burr Grinder or a Flat Burr Grinder?
As with most all questions like this it depends. Conical Burr’s work vertically and don’t get has hot as flat burr’s. While Flat burr’s work horizontally and have been known to have issues heating up under heavy use.
In general the flat burr’s will produce a more consistent grind and if you’re only grinding in small quantities the heat shouldn’t be an issue either.
Does a finer grind make a stronger coffee?
Not exactly, it will increase the extraction rate so if your coffee is to fine you could over extract your coffee. But this doesn’t make the coffee stronger.
Is buying a coffee grinder worth it?
If you are always looking for the perfect cup of coffee, having a coffee grinder is almost a must for experimenting and testing while always ensuring an even grind. If you have a coffee or espresso machine with a built in grinder and you’re happy with what it produces you shouldn’t need another grinder.
Should you refrigerate whole beans?
No, you should store your beans in an airtight container and avoid excessive heat.
What is the best coffee grinder for beginners?
For a beginner, you should look for a grinder that is easy to use while still giving you the flexibility to get the grind size you need for your purposes. As a beginner is its best to keep things simple so that you can enjoy the benefits of fresh ground coffee with out a lot of effort.
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