Having a coffee maker alone does not ensure you can brew the perfect cup. A grinder is an essential part of the process. While some coffee makers today come with a built-in coffee grinder, some only brew ground coffee. And any coffee snob will tell you about the horror of using instant coffee powder, or stale ground coffee. Pre-ground coffee never tastes as good as freshly ground coffee does.
For the fresh-tasting coffee of your dreams, you have to grind the beans just before the brewing process. Coffee beans stay potent in an air-tight container for some time, but ground coffee (yes, even high-quality ones) will quickly lose its flavor when stored for long. So, if you want to wake up and brew a delicious cup of joe, you will need a grinder to go with the coffee maker!
After considering many grinders from various brands and going through endless reviews on Amazon, we have compiled our top picks of the best coffee grinders below.
8 Best Coffee Grinders of 2021
- Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
- Cuisinart DBM 8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
- Bodum Bistro Coffee Grill
- Breville Smart Grinder
- KPUPS Flat Precision
- OXO Conical Brew
- Barataza Virtuso
- Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Grinder
1. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
A favorite among many coffee connoisseurs, the Barazta Encore comes in a simple and user-friendly design. With one switch to turn the grinder on/off and 40 different grind settings from fine to coarse, this machine totally justifies the slightly higher price tag.
The commercial-grade conical burr grinder offers a uniform grind for you to explore all brewing methods from espresso to French Press. Plus, the grind is consistent each time thanks to the hardened alloy steel burr and powerful DC motor combination. Some baristas swear by this grinder to brew perfect cups of coffee in their coffee shops even though it’s an entry-level machine!
Since the Baratza Encore is small in size, it fits well even in small kitchens and crowded countertops. The hopper can hold 8 ounces of whole beans and has a fill line to indicate the amount of coffee to grind. Reviewers on Amazon love Baratza’s outstanding customer service, and this grinder comes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- 40 grind settings from fine to coarse
- Provides a consistent grind
- Commercial-grade conical burr grinder
- Easy to use with simple buttons
- Small and compact design
- Removable top burr for easy cleaning
- Thermal overheating cutout for safety
- High-torque DC motor that runs at low RPMs
- The clear hopper can hold 8 ounces of whole beans
Cons
- Only manual settings (not programmable)
2. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
If your bank account doesn’t like the idea of you splurging at the moment, the Cuisinart Supreme Grind is one of the best coffee grinders for coffee lovers on a budget. From ultra-fine grind to extra-coarse grind, it offers 18 different settings to brew all different types of coffee.
It features a sufficiently large bean hopper that can hold enough beans for 32 cups. And for people who lack some valuable counter space, this grinder has a compact design to fit in small spaces. Plus, the cord has a convenient storage system so no more tangled wires before you get your first cup of coffee in the morning.
Also, the Cuisinart Supreme Grind has an automatic shut-off feature after the grind cycle is complete, ensuring uniform grinds. Apart from the powerful grinding process, the elegant stainless steel design is a win among most users. The hopper can be detached easily to clean, although the grinds can sometimes get stuck to the sides due to static electricity and things can get quite messy quite fast.
Pros
- Scoop/ cleaning brush included
- Removable grind chamber for easy cleaning
- 18-position grind selector
- 4 to 18-cup slide dial
- Bean hopper capacity: 8 ounces
- Elegant stainless steel design
- Automatic burr grinder for uniform grind consistency
- Can grind beans enough for 32 cups
- Electric timer automatically shuts off the grinder
Cons
- Coffee grind sticks to the sides due to static electricity produced during the process
3. Bodum BISTRO Burr Coffee Grinder
The Bodum Bistro electric burr grinder is a safe option for people who do not want to compromise quality but don’t want to break the bank either. The stainless steel conical burrs preserve the bean’s rich flavor and aroma better than a standard blade grinder.
With 12 adjustable grind settings, it is perfect for people who go from French Press coffee in the morning to latte at noon and espresso by the evening. A feature that this grinder is lauded for is the automatic pre-set timer. It allows you to grind just enough whole beans as needed so the beans can stay fresh for a longer time.
However, this coffee grinder fails to work flawlessly for coarse grinds. Many reviewers on Amazon complained that the coarse grinds are often chunky and inconsistent. Plus, the cleaning process can be quite a hassle. Nevertheless, the Bodum Bistro is one of the best burr coffee grinders.
Pros
- Dishwasher-Safe Borosilicate glass catcher
- Stainless steel conical burr grinder
- A pre-set timer to grind enough beans as needed
- Holds up to 7.75 ounces of coffee beans
- 12 adjustable grind settings for different brewing methods
- Lid for bean hopper comes with measurement guides
Cons
- The cleaning process can be a hassle
4. Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder BCG820BSS
From finer grinds for espresso to coarser grind for French Press and everything in between, this coffee bean grinder has 60 settings to suit all brew methods. Plus, you can grind directly into the portafilter to use on your coffee machine, or an air-tight container to store for later.
On top of that, this electric coffee grinder features Dosing IQ technology and a precision digital timer to ‘grind intelligently.’ Not only does this preserve the essential oils in the beans and maximizes flavor, but you can also adjust the grind time for consistency. Plus, it has an LCD panel that shows grind size and different brew methods for ease of use.
The bean hopper can hold 18 ounces of coffee beans and can be secured easily with the locking system — which, in turn also makes it easy to remove and clean. Further, this grinder comes with two portafilter cradles and an airtight container to store excess ground coffee.
Pros
- Stainless steel conical burrs
- LCD panel to show grind size and brew methods for ease of use
- Dosing IQ technology to grind the right amount of coffee beans
- Comes with two portafilter cradles, and an air-tight container
- Minimizes grinding heat and preserves essential oils
- Precision Electronic Timer allows users to adjust grind time
- 60 different settings for different versatile grind size
Cons
- The power cord is short
- Quite expensive
5. KRUPS Precision Flat Burr Coffee Bean Grinder
If you cannot burn a $100 sized hole in your pocket, this grinder comes at a fraction of the cost! Cold brew coffee or pour-over espresso, the KRUPS coffee grinder offers precision grinding with 12 settings for different brew methods.
With a simple on/off button and customizable quantity, you can grind 2-12 cups at a time. Plus, it has an automatic timer that allows you to set the right amount of coffee so you can keep the excess whole beans fresher for longer. For the price range, this grinder is a steal.
The removable bean hopper can hold 8 ounces of coffee beans at a time, and the container can produce 30-32 cups of coffee. And when it comes to the style, this grinder was deemed as ‘stylish’ and ‘chic.’ Plus, it comes in a small and compact design so even if you have a bulky coffee machine, this grinder will only need a small footprint to fit.
Pros
- Low noise
- Metallic Flat Burr
- Affordable price tag
- Built-in grinding brush
- Stylish and chic look
- Can grind coffee beans for up to 12 cups
- Bean hopper capacity is 8 ounces
- Removable top burr for easy cleaning
- Comes with an embedded cleaning brush
- Small and compact design, suitable for small countertops
- Easy to use dials for grind size and amount selection
- Suitable for drip, espresso, pour-over, cold brew, etc
Cons
- Prone to static cling
6. OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 8717000
Who does not like consistently delicious cups of coffee? If you do, then the OXO Brew conical burr coffee grinder is a great choice. It comes with an easy one-touch start along with a timer that saves your last settings so you can just wake up and grind without adjusting them manually each time.
The OXO Brew has 40-millimeter stainless steel conical burrs that offer consistent coffee grinding and promise durability. It boasts of 15 grind settings (and extra micro settings) that lets you choose the grinding process according to the type of coffee you want to brew next.
However, some buyers on Amazon have shared that the bottom burr can’t be removed for cleaning, which if present would have been a cherry on top. But the top burr can be removed easily by a ‘cute little handle’ so it’s not really a deal-breaker.
Pros
- Coarsest grind is chunky
- Bean hopper locks in securely
- Holds up to 0.75 pounds of coffee beans
- Durable 40-millimeter stainless steel conical burrs
- 15 settings (plus Micro settings) to adjust the grind size
- ‘Remembers’ last setting for quick coffee grinding
- Adjustable fineness of coarseness for different brew methods
- Grounds container accommodates up to 110 grams (enough for 12 cups)
Cons
- Gets loud while grinding
7. Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Bean Grinder
We just had to include another grinder from Barazta because they really are one of the best coffee grinder brands. The Virtuoso has been loved by coffee geeks for years, and this model comes with upgrades like a digital timer and enhanced burr set.
Don’t go for the looks with this one, because even in a small size, the Baratza Virtuoso+ packs a punch in terms of performance. Armed with 40 grind settings, it can grind beans for all brew methods like espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers — you name it.
Another feature that sets it apart and *justifies* the price tag is the LED-backlit grounds bin. Also, we love how every product from this brand is designed to fix, rather than throw out. This not only increases durability but also saves the planet while you can indulge in good coffee. Sign me up already!
Pros
- Produces consistent grind
- LED-backlit grounds bin
- Design to fix, rather than throw out
- Conical burr grinder
- Digital timer for easy and repeatable dosing
- Small, compact, and attractive design
- Comes with 40 grind settings from fine to coarse
- Convenient front-mounted dial to adjust grind settings
Cons
- Quite expensive
8. Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
If you love savoring the craftsmanship of brewing good coffee manually, then this is the grinder for you. With a smaller profile, this grinder is perfect for travel or if you want a nice forearm workout while you grind the beans.
A hand grinder may not be an ideal choice if you have to brew multiple cups a day (imagine the sore muscles you might get), but it’s okay for people who love the idea of crafting coffee all by themselves. The ceramic burrs can be adjusted to grind coffee beans into fine powder for espresso, medium grind for pour-over, or coarse grind for French Press.
The Porlex is not an affordable alternative to an electric grinder by any means, and don’t expect it to be one. For the same price range, you can get other electric coffee grinders if a manual grinder does not fit your consumption pattern. Nonetheless, the Porlex is one of the best manual coffee grinders you can get on Amazon.
Pros
- Ceramic burrs
- Capacity: 20 grams
- Portable and consistent
- Stainless steel body
- Not prone to static cling
- Small and compact design
Cons
- Labor-intensive, not suitable for multiple cups of coffee
Things To Consider Before Buying Coffee Grinders
Blade Vs Burr Grinders
Coffee experts favor burr grinders over blade coffee grinders for one simple reason: the consistency. When it comes to brewing coffee, having a consistent particle size is very important to get good tasting coffee. While burrs give a consistent grind for flavorful extraction, blade grinders simply chop the whole beans inconsistently. This results in under-extracted or over-extracted coffee, which tastes as unpleasant as it sounds. On the other hand, burr grinders give you more control over the extraction process.
Grind settings
Another factor to consider the number of grind settings it offers. If you are loyal to just one type of coffee, you don’t need to worry about having 15 or 40 different settings. But if you like espresso on day 1 and like whipping up cold brew the next, you might want to get a grinder that gives you lots of settings for the optimal grind size.
Bean hopper size
A large bean hopper is ideal if you don’t like the hassle of refilling the beans frequently. Or you if you need to grind a large amount of coffee every day. But a small hopper reduces the overall size and weight of the grinder if you are looking to save space on your countertop.
Easy cleaning
Most grinders do not need frequent cleaning and if you go from light roast to dark often, it still shouldn’t be much of a problem. But if you like flavored coffee drinks, it’s probably smarter to get a grinder that can be cleaned easily. Some models even come with brushes and removable top burrs for an easy cleaning process. You don’t want hints of cinnamon from yesterday in your morning americano now, do you?
Conclusion
So whether you own an espresso machine or a drip coffee maker, having a coffee bean grinder is a must, built-in or otherwise. If you can’t afford to get a grinder (well, because they are expensive), you can buy pre-ground coffee from local shops but they will not taste as good as freshly ground coffee does.
