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After trying out over 20 different options, these are the six best burr coffee grinders that we love a latte (get it?)
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The 6 Best Burr Coffee Grinders for Every Brew Style, Budget and Bean
Published on Sep. 30, 2024
Unless you’re making a batch of mushroom coffee, the first step in creating a cafe-style cup of coffee is grinding the coffee beans. While many folks purchase their beans pre-ground, there’s a certain charm to cranking freshly roasted beans into aromatic grounds. Additionally, using fresh grounds offers a more robust sipping experience. The best burr coffee grinder gives a luxe feel to any cup, even those brewed right at home.
The best coffee grinders all offer unparalleled precision and performance. But burr grinders are oftentimes what the pros use, and for good reason. According to coffee expert and Founder of Uncharted Coffee, Jasmine Neveles, using a burr mill to grind your own beans elevates the coffee experience by ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
“Freshly ground beans preserve essential oils and compounds that give coffee its rich taste and vibrant aroma, which are often lost in pre-ground coffee,” she says. “This process not only allows for customizable brew strength but also ensures longer shelf life for the beans and better consistency in each cup, resulting in a superior coffee experience.”
Investing in one of the best burr grinders is an easy way to upgrade your morning cup. If you’re splurging on high-end beans like those from a coffee subscription, it’s also the best way to pick up on all the flavor nuances. Our expert Product Testing Team tried 21 different coffee grinders. After brewing over 20 cups of coffee, these are our six picks for the best burr coffee grinder for any java sipper.
Best Overall
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
Pros:
- 60 different grind settings
- Automatic options for grind sizes
- User-friendly interface
- Consistent grinds
- Abundance of replacement parts
- Portafilter holder for espresso
- Good value
Cons:
- Requires ample counter space
- Short cord
- Pricey
Equipped with 60 different grind settings, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is the best burr coffee grinder for almost everyone, no matter what kind of coffee maker you use. There’s no need to be intimidated, though! An attractive LCD screen shows grind times, cups, shots and grind size at a glance, so it’s the perfect option for both beginners and baristas alike. Additionally, it comes with both automatic presets and manual settings if you want to level up your lattes later.
Conical burrs crush the beans for ultra-consistent results. We also love that the pull-out container has measurement lines indicating quantities for espresso, French press and percolator. At only 90 decibels at its peak, it won’t wake the whole house when you’re crafting your morning cup.
A small and large portafilter holder cradles the handle, so grinding beans for espresso is mess-free. In conjunction with the grippy feet on the bottom, there’s no need to worry about accidental tips or spills. Overall, while a bit pricey, this grinder offers excellent value for both beginners and pros.
Best Budget
Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Pros:
- Affordable
- Well-made
- Sizable hopper
- Cord management
Cons:
- Loud
- Instructions lacking
- Not suitable for extra-fine grinds
The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is truly affordable at under $60, leaving lots of room in the budget for fancy organic coffee. Don’t let the low listing price fool you, though. Its features are that of a much pricier machine, putting this at the top of our list in terms of value. A catalog of 18 different grind settings covers most brew types, giving this option an edge over its manual grinder counterparts.
While it won’t win any awards for fine grinds (we found even the finest setting too coarse), its medium and coarse settings are remarkably consistent. The entire top hopper rotates to determine the coarseness setting. Below that, there’s a slider that adjusts the number of cups. The manual is a bit lacking in its explanation of these sliders and settings, but the machine is intuitive enough that even beginners will likely learn quickly.
A sizable hopper and cord management are just a few small but mighty details that impressed the testing team. While it looks a little boxy on the counter and gets a little loud at its peak, this well-made machine is so inexpensive that we’re willing to overlook some of the small annoyances.
Best for Espresso
Baratza Encore ESP
Pros:
- Espresso grind is the best of all the machines
- Not as messy as the other Encore
- Many replaceable parts available
- Dosing cup included
- Consistent grounds
Cons:
- Wobbly hopper
If you’re hunting down the best coffee grinders for espresso, your search has ended. The Baratza Encore impressed our testers (including former barista Sydney) with its impressive assortment of 40 grind settings and amazing consistency. Built especially for espresso lovers, this model differs ever so slightly from the original Encore to be more efficient at fine grinds.
Sydney tested the Encore ESP on her Breville Bambino and dialed it in three times before perfecting her cup. The first time, she did a fine grind. It pulled too long and was very bitter. The second time, she ground the beans coarser, and the shot pulled in around 25 seconds—much more manageable. Still, it didn’t consistently pull from that second spout. Her third try was successful, yielding a beautiful, syrupy espresso just like the pros.
It’s hard not to love the sleek, space-saving exterior of this grinder. It’s also meant to last throughout the years, with most of its components available for repurchase on the website. That’s a nice touch if your unit breaks down after the one-year warranty ends. It even includes a dosing cup for portioning out espresso bean grounds.
Best Space-Saving
OXO Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Pros:
- 15 settings
- Ultraviolet (UV) tint keeps beans fresher for longer
- Affordable price
- Good-size hopper
- Modern look
Cons:
- Doesn't grind very finely
- Not many replacement parts available
Want the coffee shop taste but don’t have the coffee shop counter space? The OXO Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is our pick for the best burr coffee grinder for small kitchens. At only 13 inches high with a rather small footprint, it leaves plenty of room on the counter for your coffee tumbler collection. The modern stainless look and affordable price are just a bonus!
Boasting 15 different settings and a good-size hopper, this coffee companion cranks out consistent grounds on its medium and coarse settings. While it doesn’t grind as finely as some of the other units we tested, it’s still a good option for folks who prefer drip or pour-over rather than espresso.
One feature we love is the UV tint on the see-through components. This ensures that beans stay fresh for longer. Additionally, a second knob acts as a 30-second timer. Leaving it at zero is a manual mode that allows you to choose when the machine stops grinding. While made of sturdy stainless steel, it has a rather lightweight build, so it’s easy to tuck into a cabinet.
Best for Pros
Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder
Pros:
- Intuitive operation
- 41+ grind settings
- Consistent grind
- Dosing cup included
- Sleek design
Cons:
- Lots of retention (grounds get stuck in chamber)
Whether you brew with a pour-over coffee maker or a traditional drip machine, the Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder doesn’t disappoint. This pro-level grinder offers all the bells and whistles of a barista-style machine but without the high price point. But it’s not just great for experienced brewers—intuitive controls are ideal for the home coffee station, too.
Our biggest gripe while using the Fellow is that it retains quite a few grounds. However, given that it’s capable of over 41 grind settings, it makes sense that the finer grounds would fall at a higher frequency than other machines. Only one knob sits on the front for grind adjustment size. The underside of the hopper lid also has instructions for which settings work best for each coffee brewing method.
While the sleek exterior leaves much to the imagination, the interior is complex and well designed. A high-torque motor assists with keeping the grounds nice and consistent. Thanks to its heft, this one works best as a permanent counter fixture—perfect for an aesthetic coffee bar!
Best User-Friendly
Bodum Bistro Electric Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Pros:
- Nice tips on the hopper cover
- Easy to use
- Not super messy
- Lightweight and small
Cons:
- No cord management
- Feels inexpensive
I’m personally partial to Bodum, and so is the Product Testing Team after trying the Bodum Bistro burr coffee grinder. While it isn’t as heavy-duty or feature-rich as some options on this list, the user-friendly controls make it a shoo-in for brew newbies. It’s also easy to clean, which is great for those who love using flavored coffee beans.
An assortment of 12 settings covers the basics, from a fine grind for espresso to coarser grounds for cowboy coffee. The testers note that this one is a little bit “cutesier” than the others, with the raised bumps, bubbly Bodum logo and colors. However, if that’s your jam, we’re not judging—and it doesn’t mean it’s devoid of useful features. A diagram on top shows how long to set the timer, depending on how many cups you’re making or how many ounces you’re grinding.
Cleaning the unit is as simple as wiping it with a damp cloth. The coffee ground container and its lid can be put in the dishwasher for faster cleanup, too. Overall, the lower price point and easy-to-use settings make it a great pick for those just learning the different brew methods. It won’t particularly impress hobbyists, but it’s an ideal choice for the average coffee drinker.
What To Look for When Buying a Coffee Grinder
The tricky thing about brewing coffee is that almost every aspect—from the coffee bean brand to the brew temperature—affects the final product. That’s why it’s important to invest in high-quality coffee prep for a cafe-quality cup. This goes for everything from cold brew and iced coffee to espressos and Americanos.
Besides cost and performance, grinder type is the biggest factor to consider when choosing a coffee grinder. The best burr coffee grinder can crank out grounds faster and with a more uniform consistency than something like a manual grinder. However, manual grinders like hand grinders give a bit more control and are usually more portable than their electric counterparts.
“When choosing a burr coffee grinder, there are key features that set the best apart. First, consider the burr type: Conical burrs are quieter and generate less heat, while flat burrs offer exceptional grind uniformity,” says Founder of Uncharted Coffee, Jasmine Neveles. “A grinder with a wide range of adjustable grind settings is essential, especially if you brew with various methods, from espresso to French press. Focus on grind consistency, as this ensures even extraction and balanced flavors.”
Jasmine also notes that material matters, too. “Ceramic burrs tend to stay sharper longer, while stainless steel is durable and sharper initially,” she says. “For optimal flavor, look for grinders with low-speed settings to minimize heat. Additionally, some grinders offer micro-adjustments for precise control, perfect for espresso enthusiasts or a novice coffee drinker who is just starting out.”
How We Found the Best Coffee Grinders
For this piece, our expert Product Testing Team spent over 120 hours collecting roughly 600 data points on 21 coffee grinders to find the best fit for every java junkie’s coffee cup. We began by researching the most well-reviewed and popular models, sourcing as many as possible. Then, the team eliminated any non-burr coffee grinders. From there, our testing team ground beans on three different settings to truly give each a good shot.
To brew each cup of coffee, we used the Hario V60, Melitta filters, a gooseneck kettle and roughly 12 grams of coffee grounds. Former barista and product tester Sydney Manning conducted the espresso tests on her personal Breville Bambino. She dialed in three to four times and pulled the same number of shots until she yielded an espresso she was satisfied with. She performed this test on the top three most technical burr grinders: Fellow, Breville and Baratza ESP.
To separate the different sizes of the grounds, we used the Kruve Sifter. We inserted the 500- and 800-micron mesh. Grounds larger than 800 microns were considered coarse, grounds between 500 and 800 microns were considered medium and grounds smaller than 500 microns were considered fine.
Tests
We conducted approximately 11 tests on each coffee grinder, including:
- Specs: Testers measured the length of the cord and size of the machine and noted any special settings.
- Noise: Testers measured the coffee grinder’s noise level during the three grinding sessions, noting how many decibels it produced at its loudest.
- Height: Testers measured the machine’s height and noted whether they thought its footprint would be an issue in a standard-size kitchen.
- Grind: Testers ground beans on the finest, coarsest and medium settings. They then evaluated uniformity with the assistance of a Kruve sifter, which separated out boulders and fines from the desired size. For each grind session (fine, medium and coarse), we ground 30 grams in the blades, 20 grams in the manuals and varied amounts in the burrs, depending on the unit. We tried to note as thoroughly as possible how many beans were being ground during each session.
- Time: During grinding sessions, testers measured how long it took each machine to grind the beans on each setting (fine, coarse and medium). The timing test varied from unit to unit. Some allowed us to determine grind time (i.e., blade models, manual models and some burr models), whereas others had timed presets based on the weight of the beans, the desired number of coffee cups, etc.
- Taste: Testers brewed a cup of coffee with the grounds produced and a Hario pour-over coffee maker, then tasted it to evaluate bitterness and strength and to compare it against the others.
- Espresso: Testers pulled espresso shots with the top three burr performers.
- Cleaning:Â Testers cleaned the coffee grinders, noting how easy it was to disassemble and wash.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve tested dozens of foods and drinks for Taste of Home, informing pieces like the best coffee concentrates and the best gift of the month clubs. Not only am I Taste of Home’s resident food and drinks expert, I’m also a total java junkie. Sure, I like looking at roasts, regional sources and aromas. But at the heart of things, I just really love a good cup of coffee. Our Product Testing Team also has over a decade of combined experience testing and evaluating kitchen products, consumables, and more.
To inform this piece, I spoke to coffee expert and Founder of Uncharted Coffee, Jasmine Neveles.
FAQ
What is a burr coffee grinder?
Rather than chopping through beans like blade coffee grinders do, a burr coffee grinder crushes beans between two plates, called “burrs.” The burrs inside vary in size and shape depending on the grinder. However, they’re typically conical in shape and measure around 40 millimeters in size.
What are the benefits of using a burr coffee grinder?
If you’re hunting down the best coffee grinder for your friend’s coffee gift basket, we recommend opting for a burr grinder. Using a burr grinder that crushes beans rather than a grinder that chops them ensures better consistency in grind size. It’s also much quicker!
