Best Coffee Grinders – Burr and Blade Grinders For Tasty Flavors

Your coffee is only as good as your grinder. Yes, you read that right. The key to delicious coffee is the coffee grinder you use. If you want to be able to extract all the delicious flavors from your favorite coffee beans, then you’ll want to make sure to only use freshly ground coffee. To do that, you’ll need a coffee grinder. And not just any model that you can get in your local department store. To get the right grind, you’ll only want the best.

How do you know that? Well, research and testing. But if you’d rather drink coffee instead of reading about it, we’ve got you covered. Below are the best coffee grinders recommended by the experts.

Top 10 Coffee Grinders Of 2019 Reviewed

1. KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For Bialetti

The KRUPS F2034251 Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder is a bestseller in the coffee grinder market for good reason. It is budget-friendly (less than $20) and features stainless steel blades that can grind up not just coffee beans but nuts, grains, and spices as well. Its 200-watt motor can grind up to 3 ounces of coffee beans in a matter of seconds which is roughly about 12 cups of coffee. And it comes with a lid-activated safety switch which means that the grinder won’t start spinning its blades if the lid is not securely in place. However, the cord is pretty short. The unit is not easy to clean. And it is quite noisy.

2. Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For Espresso

The Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder is, quite frankly, a much better option than the Krups model. It features commercial-grade solid conical steel burrs that have four main grind settings, each set has 4 levels giving it a total of 16 grind settings. That should be enough to fit the needs of most coffee drinkers. The machine grinds coffee much more quietly than the Krups so you don’t have to deal with much noise so early in the morning. In addition, the unit features a 60-second timer, enabling you to set “dosages” based on how long the machine will keep grinding beans. Aside from the grinder, you also get a cleaning brush and a measuring scoop.

However, it is quite expensive compared to the Krups unit. Leftover grounds can stay inside the main chamber which means you may have to tap or shake the unit to get everything out. It also makes cleaning the unit a bit difficult. In addition, the markings for the grind settings easily wear off.

3. Proctor Silex E167CYR Coffee Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For Oily Beans

This blade grinder from Proctor Silex is quite possibly the most affordable model we’ve come across. For less than $15, you get a coffee grinder that has a retractable cord, stainless steel blades, and an on/off button. The unit itself is very compact, about the size of a big glass. It is very easy to use, just press the button and viola!

The blades are effective in grinding coffee but there’s no way to precisely control the type of grind it will produce. You just have to do a bit of trial and error to see how long it needs to run before it produces the grind you prefer. Also, the grind is not always consistent compared to burr grinders. In addition, the lid is a bit flimsy though you really can’t expect top quality at this price.

4. Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill

Best Coffee Grinder For Cold Brew

If you like the ritual of grinding our own beans, then the Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill is definitely right up your alley. This manual grinder features ceramic conical burrs to you always get a uniform grind. Plus, the burrs are adjustable so you can easily choose the type of grind you want. The base is made of non-slip rubber which keeps the unit in place while you’re cranking it. And the handle detaches for easy and compact storage, making it an ideal option if you want to take your grinder on the road with you. As for cleanup, have we mentioned that the unit is dishwasher-safe?

However, there are no clear markings to let you know which grind setting it is currently on so you need to do your own marking once you find your sweet spot. And it does take a long time to grind coffee beans. Also, the handle sometimes gets loose which means you have to make sure to tighten it a couple of times during a grind.

5. KitchenAid BCG111OB Blade Coffee Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For Spices

This blade coffee grinder from Kitchenaid is on our list because it’s an affordable grinder that lets you choose the “dosage” of coffee you want ground on each use. The unit features a stainless steel bowl where the coffee beans go and that bowl has several indicators that lets you know how much you need to produce 4, 8, 10, and 12 cups of brewed coffee. The unit features one-touch control; you only need to push down on the cover to start grinding and then release it when you have enough beans ground.

The cover is transparent, enabling you to see the consistency of the grinds. And the bowl is removable which makes it easier to transfer the ground coffee to your coffee maker. However, this doesn’t have any grind settings for you to choose from. It doesn’t do coarse grinds so well. And it is significantly noisy.

6. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For French Press

The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a favorite among baristas and coffee aficionados for their home use. Unlike all our other picks, this baby comes with 40 (yes, that many) grind settings which lets you brew coffee any way you want, any time you want. The unit is easy to use; it features an on/off toggle switch for continuous grind and a pulse button at the front for quick grinds.

However, it doesn’t allow you to set it to only grind a certain amount of coffee like other models. Something we expected at this price point. You’ll need to make a guesstimate if you’ve already ground enough to satisfy your caffeine needs. It’s also quite noisy, enough to possibly wake your neighbors if you live in an apartment. And it can get a bit messy, causing some grinds to get all over your counter as well. Not really a flaw but still an inconvenience.

7. Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For Moka Pot

Yes, this is another Baratza coffee grinder. And it does look quite similar to the Encore model. So, why would we include this one on the list? Well, there are some differences aside from the price. The Virtuoso is an upgrade to the Encore with slightly higher quality steel materials for improved durability and increased lifespan. While both models have the same 40 grind settings, you’ll find that the Virtuoso grinds beans much faster, allowing you to get more coffee in less time – something you’ll be thankful to have if you aren’t the only coffee drinker in the house.

Plus, the Virtuoso comes with a 60-second timer. Combined with the pulse button, you can achieve a more precise grind as well as the same quantity of ground coffee every time. If you’re willing to part with a few more dollars, then the Virtuoso should be your choice of coffee grinder as it provides you with more stability and control. However, take note that it takes some assembly and the instructions are poorly written. Transferring the ground coffee without making a mess isn’t easy. And some users still feel that the unit is not quiet.

8. Breville Smart Grinder Pro

Best Coffee Grinder For Pour Over

The Smart Grinder Pro from Breville is a high-end piece of machinery.  It features stainless steel conical burrs and 60 grind settings for uniform and precise grinds. It has a Precision Electronic Timer that allows you to adjust the grind time in 0.2 second increments so you can customize your dose during every use. With this machine, you can grind your coffee directly into the portafilter, a gold-tone filter basket, a paper filter, or even an airtight container.

And there’s an LCD display so you can easily track the settings such as grind setting, grind time, and a number of shots or cups. However, this unit is very expensive and quite noisy. Also, the grinds seem to go everywhere making cleanup not so fun. But at least you’ll have had some coffee by then.

9. OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For Turkish Coffee

This conical burr grinder from OXO features 15 clearly marked grind settings, a one-touch start timer, and a hopper with a 0.75lb capacity. Aside from the large capacity, the hopper features UV-blocking tint. And the timer has a one-touch start AND remembers the last setting you chose which makes getting your caffeine fix first thing in the morning even easier. No thinking required! Also, compared to a lot of other models, this unit is very quiet. However, it does get clogged pretty easily. The timer knob feels flimsy. And it can get messy.

10. Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

Best Coffee Grinder For Aeropress

For those who want to be able to grind coffee anywhere, anytime, the Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder is your best bet. This incredibly compact manual grinder is only 130mm tall with a 47mm diameter. The body is made of stainless steel while the conical burrs are made of ceramic. The unit has a 20-gram capacity which is not bad for something so small. Aside from the quality construction, this grinder is also pretty consistent with its grinds.

However, it does take time to grind, about 100 cranks to fill an Aeropress cup. The unit is quite expensive for a small grinder. And there are no clear markings to let you know which grind setting you’re using.

Choosing the Best Coffee Grinders Buying Guide

There are only two ingredients necessary for making delicious coffee – clean water and freshly ground beans. Whether you’re using a French press, an espresso maker, or even cold brew, the result will always be great if you make sure to use these two ingredients. Now, clean water is easy enough to get. Freshly ground coffee? Not so much.

Now, before you say that pre-ground coffee is good enough, here’s a little fact you should know – ground coffee loses its flavor when exposed to air through a process called oxidation. It’s actually why you can sometimes get a bitter taste in your coffee.

Freshly ground coffee, on the other hand, is able to bring out all the notes and flavors of the bean.  Which means the key to excellent coffee is going to be your grinder.

Of course, not just any coffee grinder will do. Like all things in life, some coffee grinders are better than others. So, how do you find out which one will work perfectly for your favorite beans? Our buying guide should help you out.

Types of Coffee Grinders

The two main types of coffee grinders are manual and electric. In most cases, we’d recommend going with an electric grinder for several reasons. Electric grinders are faster while a manual one will take around several minutes of cranking before you can even start brewing. Some people simply can’t wait that long for their first hit in the morning. In addition, automatic grinders produce more consistent results. In addition, manual coffee grinders have a hard time achieving fine grinds. Moreover, the really good ones are quite expensive. That being said, some manual grinders like the Porlex Mini Stainless Steel  Grinder are perfect for travel. You’re able to have coffee just the way you like it wherever you go.

Coffee grinders can be classified into two categories – blade grinders and burr grinders.  

Blade Coffee Grinders

All coffee grinders that fall into this category have one design – a double-pronged stainless steel blade which looks similar to what you’ll see in your blender. Some call it a propeller blade because it looks much like one. This blade spins very fast, grinding the beans into smaller pieces. The longer you grind, the smaller the pieces become.

The main advantage of bladegrinders like the KitchenAid BCG111OB Blade Coffee Grinder is that they’re simple and very easy to use. In addition, these grinders can be used for more than just coffee beans; you can use them to grind spices and seeds. Plus, these babies tend to be budget-friendly.

However, these grinders can be noisy and are less likely to provide consistent results. The blade is located at the bottom of the chamber which keeps grinding the smaller pieces finely while the bigger pieces remain on top. Also, the blade’s speed can overheat the beans or ground coffee which spoils the flavor.

Burr Coffee Grinders

Burr coffee grinders like the Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill features two revolving, serrated plates which are called burrs. These plates are typically made of ceramic or stainless steel. There is a gap between the burrs where the beans are moved along and ground. With this kind of coffee grinder, you can adjust the gap between the burrs to control the type of grind produced.

Burr grinders are a better option for several reasons. They perform a more uniform grind and are adjustable so you can make coffee any way you want. Plus, burrs grind slower than blades which prevents overheating and flavor loss. More importantly, these machines are much quieter. However, burr coffee grinders are more expensive and tend to take up more space o your counter.

What about Different Burr Types?

If you choose to go with a burr coffee grinder, you should know that not all burrs are created equal. As we’ve already mentioned, burrs can be made of steel or ceramic. They can also be made of plastic but you should stay away from those. Now, steel burrs like what is used in the Breville Smart Grinder Pro are easy to maintain and clean. They’re also very durable and less expensive. Ceramic burrs, on the other hand, cost more. However, they are much harder and stays sharp far longer.

You can also find that burrs can be flat or conical in shape. Conical burrs like the Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder are a better option because they allow you to make adjustments by degrees for more precise grinding and they last longer.

What Other Factors Should You Consider?

Clear grind settings

Grinding coffee beans is made easier if your coffee grinder has clearly marked settings. You definitely don’t want to make the wrong grind so early in the morning. The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, for example, comes with 40 clearly marked grind settings for you to choose from.

Dosage measurements

You only want to grind enough beans to make enough coffee to suit your needs, whether it’s just you or a group of caffeine addicts. When choosing a grinder, you’ll want to find one that enables you to grind the same amount of coffee every morning. Some models like the Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Grinder will have a timer, enabling you to set the machine to grind for a certain amount of time such as 30 seconds. This gives you the same amount of ground coffee every time. Others will have an integrated scale which allows you to measure how much coffee to grind. And then there are other models that have preset dosage amounts which are based on an approximation of how many cups of coffee can be made from the yield.

Maintenance

To keep your grinder in good working order, you’ll need to be able to clean it, particularly the chamber where the burrs or blades are located. A lot of models feature removable burr sets so you can easily clean them. This makes replacing the burr sets easier as well.

That’s it! As you choose the best coffee maker out there, don’t forget about your coffee grinder as well. A good model will allow you to grind your coffee to the finest state as you wish.