The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Coffee Grinder for Your Brewing Needs

Looking to perfect your morning ritual? Look no further because we've sourced and tested the best coffee grinders on the market for you! Whether you're an espresso lover, a budget-conscious brewer, or a tech-savvy enthusiast, we've got the perfect grinder to elevate your coffee game. From sleek and stylish options to those that prioritize functionality, we've compiled a list that leaves no bean unturned. So, prepare to awaken your senses as we dive into the world of the best coffee grinders out there.

Criteria for Evaluation

We assessed several factors when reviewing coffee grinders. These factors include the overall feel of the grinder and its ease of setup. While more expensive grinders tend to be sturdier, it's important to find a budget-friendly option that can withstand daily use. We also considered the range of grinding options offered by each machine, from superfine to coarse. Additionally, we looked for any notable additional features, such as a large and easy-to-pour bean hopper, a container for collecting grinds, or attachments for grinding directly into a portafilter or cone filter. We paid attention to the noise level of the grinder and its messiness, as both of these factors can significantly impact the user experience. Another crucial aspect we considered was the grind consistency. Regardless of whether a fine or coarse grind was desired, having a grinder that delivers consistent results is essential for achieving a well-balanced cup of coffee. We also evaluated the ease of cleaning and maintenance, including how neatly the grinds can be transferred and how accessible the burrs are for cleaning. Finally, we tested the coffee taste produced by each model to determine if it met our expectations.

Other Tested Grinders

Baratza Virtuoso

Baratza is known for its high-quality burr grinders, and the Virtuoso lives up to this reputation. It is a step up from the entry-level Encore, and the difference in performance is noticeable. The Virtuoso offers precise time dosing down to the tenth of a second, allowing users to fine-tune their settings. In our testing, we found that a middle-of-the-road grind setting (18) produced consistent results. While the Virtuoso is not specifically designed for espresso, we discovered that it is versatile enough to be used with an espresso machine. The grounds container has sharp edges, making it easy to transfer coffee into a portafilter.

Zwilling Enfinigy Grinder

The Zwilling Enfinigy Grinder may look heavy-duty, but it is reasonably priced and meets expectations. It offers versatility and consistently produces quality cups of coffee with various brewing methods. Surprisingly, it also grinds beans effectively for an espresso shot. The grinder features a manual dial for timed dosing, which performs on par with other grinders for different brewing techniques, though it is slightly more expensive. The aesthetic design of the grinder is reminiscent of Art Deco. For a cohesive look, users can pair the Zwilling Enfinigy Grinder with the Enfigy drip coffee maker, which adheres to the Specialty Coffee Association Gold Cup Standard.

The Best Hand Grinder for Espresso: Flair Manual Espresso Grinder

For those who enjoy a little morning arm workout, the Flair Manual Espresso Grinder is an excellent choice. It is specifically designed for espresso but can also be used for other brewing techniques that require a finer grind, such as the Aeropress, Turkish coffee, or the moka pot. The grinder comes with conical steel burrs and offers 72 fine-grind settings, allowing for customization. Its silicone body is easy to grip, and it has a convenient thumb rest for seamless grinding. Furthermore, it is compact and does not take up much counter space.

The Budget Choice That Still Gets the Job Done: Oxo Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

For those starting their coffee journey without wanting to invest in a high-priced grinder, the Oxo Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a suitable option. It provides a simple, intuitive design and offers excellent consistency. Despite being the least expensive option on the market, it still delivers a quality grind for home use. The Oxo bean grinder operates using a numbered dial, which allows for adjustment between ultrafine and coarse grinds. However, the range of settings is limited to 15. The grind time can be adjusted using a separate wind-up timer, but it maxes out at 30 seconds. While the grinder can achieve a fine grind for espresso, it does not grind directly into a portafilter, which can result in a slightly messy transfer process. Overall, it is an ideal choice for unfussy yet dedicated coffee drinkers.

The Smart Upgrade: The Baratza Virtuoso

For users willing to make a greater investment in their grinder, the Baratza Virtuoso is an excellent choice. Priced at $250, it is a step up from the entry-level Encore. The Virtuoso offers additional features such as a digital timer adjustable to a tenth of a second and the ability to grind directly into an espresso filter basket. With sharper and sleeker burrs than the Encore, it grinds coffee faster and with greater precision. While the Encore works well with standard drip machines, the Virtuoso is designed to enhance espresso and pour-over brewing methods.

Eureka Mignon Notte Espresso Grinder

The Eureka Mignon Notte Espresso Grinder, priced at $329, falls short of our expectations. While it is made with quality materials and has the capability to grind directly into a portafilter, it struggles to achieve satisfactory results. It is particularly difficult to dial in for espresso, and the grind seems inconsistent even at the coarsest setting. The grinder also tends to be messy when grinding into a portafilter, especially when using a 54-mm portafilter. It is not compatible with a large dosing funnel, exacerbating the messiness. While a 58-mm portafilter is somewhat less messy, the grinder has several small issues that prevent us from recommending it.

Capresso Infinity Plus Black Conical Burr Grinder

Bodum Bistro

The Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder and the Bodum Bistro both have appealing attributes. The Bodum Bistro is compact and easy to use, but it falls short when it comes to consistency in grinding and blind-tasting results. The Krups GVX2, while compact, inexpensive, and pleasant to use, scored the lowest in our blind taste test and produced a darker and more bitter brew than its competitors. The Mueller manual grinder felt flimsier than the Kona and was more cumbersome to fill, adjust, and operate.

Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

The Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder proved to be messy, with inconsistent coarser grinds and overly fine medium/fine grinds. Additionally, there was no accurate way to measure the amount of coffee being ground.

Delonghi Dedica Coffee Grinder

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder is highly acclaimed, receiving top ratings from The Wirecutter and CNET, so we had high expectations going into testing. This grinder has a manual on-off switch, which means you have to keep an eye on it throughout the grinding process. It was slower compared to other machines, and the coarser French Press grind showed visible inconsistency with too many fine particles.

Breville Smart Grinder Pro

DeLonghi Dedica Coffee Grinder

The DeLonghi Dedica Coffee Grinder performed well, delivering consistent grind across all brewing methods. It has a digital interface for adjusting the number of cups, and we found that it consistently ground 6.0-6.5 grams for each cup. The only issue we encountered was with the espresso setting. The grinder's attachment for grinding into a portafilter is specifically designed for DeLonghi espresso machines, as DeLonghi's portafilter is slightly smaller than those of other machines like Breville's. Additionally, you can only grind one shot at a time, without the ability to change the number of shots.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Breville Smart Grinder Pro

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder stands out with its sturdy stainless-steel housing and user-friendly features. It has easy-to-use dial-in controls and a clear digital interface. With a wide range of grind options and additional features, it offers great value. However, it falls slightly short compared to the winning Baratza and KitchenAid grinders in terms of the number of grind settings. While the setup is straightforward and the instructional manual is easy to follow, becoming familiar with this grinder may require a bit more attention.

Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder

Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder

The budget version of the Oxo Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is an excellent choice for its value. It offers the same quality and consistency in grind as the pricier Oxo model that comes with an integrated scale. The only difference is that the budget version has a manual dial for adjusting settings instead of a digital timer. This minor compromise makes it a suitable option for those looking to save money. We provided a baseline for dialing in your grind: on the "medium" setting, we obtained nine grams of coffee with a five-second grind time. While the Solis Scala is our preferred choice, the Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder is a good option for those with a budget of $100 or less.

Zwilling Enfinigy Burr Coffee Grinder

Wilfa Uniform Coffee Grinder

The Norwegian Wilfa Uniform is a high-quality coffee grinder that offers consistent grind and a well-built design. It performs well for all brewing methods and can even grind finely enough for Turkish coffee. However, there are two minor drawbacks. Firstly, the adjustment knob is quite large, making it slightly cumbersome to use. Secondly, there were some issues with grind splatter when removing the catch cup. Despite these minor inconveniences, this grinder is versatile and offers great quality.

Wilfa Uniform Grinder

Eureka Mignon Notte

The Eureka Mignon Notte is primarily an espresso grinder, making it ideal for those focused on espresso preparation. It is a hefty piece of equipment, weighing 25 pounds, and offers stepless adjustment of its steel burrs, which is a unique feature in its price range. However, the dosing on this grinder is entirely manual, requiring you to hold a button down to operate it. This means you also need to use a scale for precise brewing. While this extra effort prevents it from being our top pick for practicality, it is still one of the best espresso grinders available.

The Fashionable Yet Functional Picks: Fellow Ode and Opus Conical Burr Grinders

If you're looking for a high-quality burr grinder that also adds style to your countertop, consider Fellow's modern burr grinders: the Ode or the Opus. The Ode Gen 2 ($345), which received a Best New Product award from the Specialty Coffee Association in 2021, is compact, easy to use, and relatively quiet. It contains any mess and flyaway chaff better than most grinders, making it a favorite among light roast coffee enthusiasts. Its stainless-steel flat burrs ensure a top-notch brew at home. The only downside is that it does not grind finely enough for espresso, limiting its use to pour-over, drip, and French press coffee.

Complete the setup:

Enhance your coffee setup with a new espresso machine, drip coffee maker, or any of our favorite coffee machines.

Zoe Denenberg contributed additional reporting to this piece.

The takeaway

For the best coffee grinder for both coffee enthusiasts and regular coffee drinkers, the Fellow Opus is the top choice. It offers excellent performance and stylish design. If you don't plan on making espresso shots, the Fellow Ode grinder is a reliable option. For those on a tighter budget, the Solis Scala is an entry-level burr grinder that provides dependable performance.

In conclusion, finding the best coffee grinder to suit your needs is essential for achieving that perfect cup of joe. Whether you prefer manual or automatic, budget-friendly or top-of-the-line, there is a grinder out there that will give you the results you desire. From the impressive precision of the Flair Manual Espresso Grinder to the sleek and stylish Fellow Ode and Opus Conical Burr Grinders, there are options for every taste and preference. So why settle for mediocre when you can complete your coffee setup with one of these fantastic choices? Say goodbye to subpar grinding and hello to a whole new level of coffee enjoyment. Your taste buds will thank you.