The 5 Best Burr Coffee Grinders for Flavorful Brews
The secret to exceptional coffee starts with freshly ground coffee beans. When you grind coffee at home, you unlock the full potential of its flavors and aromas—something that pre-ground coffee simply can’t match.
Coffee grinders come in a few different forms. But burr grinders are often considered superior because they produce a more consistent grind. Burr grinders are like mills. They crush the beans instead of chopping them.
Based on performance, durability, and grind consistency, here are five of the best burr coffee grinders you can use to grind coffee at home:
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder is an excellent pick for those looking to fine-tune their grinds. It has only two buttons: an on and off switch and a dial to choose from 41 settings (0 to 40). That range can make you just about any coffee under the sun.
- Specialty Coffee Association Award Winning Grinders – Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- Go-To Entry Level Grinder – Baratza’s best-selling grinder, with its small footprint, is THE choice for brewing coffee at home. Available in White or Black.
With a compact 5-inch width, this machine fits even the tightest spaces. It features gear-reduction system overheating and excessive noise, along with hardened alloy steel burrs and a powerful DC motor for consistent grinding performance.
OXO Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Featuring stainless steel conical burrs and 15 grind size settings, the OXO Burr Coffee Grinder is an excellent entry-level machine that works like a charm.
- 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 brew
- 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
- UV-blocking tint shields coffee beans from UV rays
The hopper holds up to ¾ pound (about 12 ounces) of coffee beans, and its enclosure features UV-blocking tinted shields to protect the beans from harmful light exposure. This allows you to store the beans in the hopper without compromising their freshness.
The machine doesn’t take much effort to operate; add your beans to the hopper and select from 15 grind sizes. Then, set the machine to weigh the ground coffee manually, by grams, or by the amount of water you want to brew.
Krups Precision Coffee Grinder
Available in 12 and 18 grind sizes, the Krups Precision Coffee Grinder proves that you don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a solid coffee grinder.
It doesn’t produce the same consistent grind as higher models, but it’s pretty great for the price. It’s solid, high quality, and has a large bean hopper that holds up to 8 ounces of beans.
The machine has an auto-stop function, too, so you can leave your beans to grind while you prepare your espresso machine for brewing.
JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
If you’re looking for a manual grinder, look no further than the JavaPresse. It’s equipped with a ceramic conical burr, which produces a consistent coffee grind. It takes a full one to two minutes to grind a scoopful of beans, but it doesn’t take much strength to grind manually.
- ENJOY THE PERFECT CUP OF FRESH COFFEE ― The Manual Coffee Grinder by JavaPresse Coffee Company has a built-in adjustable ceramic burr with over 18 manual grind settings to ensure you have 100% precision & control over the coarseness of your grind. This hand coffee grinder is great for all brewing methods to enjoy the perfect cup of fresh coffee and espresso in the morning, and it’s designed for use with single-serve or drip coffee makers.
The JavaPresse is great machine to use on road trips or when camping, and it doesn’t wake up the whole family in the morning like automatic coffee grinders. Just be careful with any stray rocks or hard debris, as ceramic burrs can chip or break.
Cuisinart Coffee Grinder
The Cuisinart Coffee Grinder is a no-frills, one-touch automatic grinder with 18 grind sizes, ranging from ultra-fine to extra-coarse. The bean hopper holds up to half a pound of whole beans, and the grind chamber holds enough to brew up to 32 cups of coffee.
- ENJOY OPTIMUM FLAVOR: Burr grinding provides a uniform grind to your fresh coffee beans with its 18-position grind selector – move the slide-dial from ultra-fine to extra-coarse to ensure your coffee grounds are exactly the way you prefer.BPA Free..UC Cubic Feet: 0.465, MC Cubic Feet: 0.558
The Cuisinart Coffee Grinder is available in five different colors, including stainless steel, white, black, cream, and gray, all of which are equipped with heavy-duty motors and durable burr plates. The machine is a bit loud, but it does produce a consistent grind.
What to Consider When Buying a Burr Coffee Grinder
Choosing the right burr coffee grinder can be tricky if you have thousands of options right at your fingertips. Here are some factors to consider during your search:
Flat vs. Conical
Burr grinders come in two types: flat and conical.
Flat coffee grinders produce the most consistent results but they tend to be noisier and generate more heat, which can alter the flavor of the beans.
Meanwhile, conical burr grinders are quieter, produce less heat, and retain more natural coffee flavors. They’re also easier to clean and maintain.
If given a choice, always opt for conical grinders.
Grind Size Settings
A good burr grinder should offer multiple grind size options, from fine (espresso) to coarse (French Press). You’ll want to look for a grinder with at least 10 size options so you can grind your beans as fine or as coarse as you want. The more the grind option, the more precise the grind.
Blade Material
The blades of a burr coffee grinder come in two materials: steel and ceramic.
Steel burrs are durable, resistant to chipping, and distribute particles evenly.
Ceramic burrs meanwhile retain their sharpness indefinitely and don’t retain heat like steel grinders. However, they break easily if a hard object (like a stone) is in the beans.
Ultimately, the decision is yours—both are good picks, with a few caveats.
Capacity
A burr grinder’s capacity is measured through the size of the hopper and the grind container.
Some grinders allow you to make only three cups of coffee at a time, while others can grind a batch large enough to make 12 cups of coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do coffee grinder burrs last?
A coffee grinder’s lifespan directly correlates to the number of times it’s used.
Stainless steel coffee grinders typically need to be replaced after grinding about 500 to 600 pounds of coffee. Ceramic burrs last longer at around 750 to 800 pounds of coffee.
So if you grind about one pound of coffee per week, a stainless steel burr grinder will last approximately 9 to 11 years, while a ceramic burr grinder could last 14 to 15 years before needing replacement.
Can I grind spices with my burr grinder?
You can, but you shouldn’t. Spices can leave oils and residue that can affect the taste of your coffee, and some spices may damage the burrs over time. Coffee grinders should only be used for coffee beans, period!
How often should I clean my burr grinder?
You should clean your grinder at least once a month—more, if you use the grinder more than three times a day.
Remove the inner burr (you may need a screwdriver), wipe the inside clean with a paper towel or toothbrush, and clean the chute where the coffee beans are fed with a cotton swab. Let the machine dry completely before using it again.
The Final Scoop
Burr coffee grinders create the freshest, most potent cup of coffee right at the comfort of your home. The grinders reviewed on this list are some of the best on the market, but the Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder ultimately takes the cake.
With over 41 grind sizes, it’s equipped to grind for different brewing methods. It’s also equipped with a gear-reduction motor to minimize heat and static, resulting in authentic-tasting coffee.
