Dalton Boettcher

Grinders

Coffee Grinders

Your coffee grinder is arguably the most important part of your home brewing arsenal. Better quality grinders produce a more consistent particle size (fewer “boulders” and “fines”) which makes it easier to achieve an even extraction and taste all the unique notes of specialty coffee. Blade grinders won’t cut it (err…they will, just without much precision). You’ll only find burr grinders on the list below, which is sorted by overall grind quality (worst to best) and includes a few pros and cons of each device. Generally speaking, you can get a better quality grind for less money with a hand grinder. They are also portable and quieter (i.e. they won’t wake the whole house when you start grinding). Electric grinders, of course, require less effort.

ACCEPTABLE GRIND QUALITY

Pros

  • Affordable (< $50)

  • Easy to grind (electric model)

Cons

  • Grind quality is worse than other options (including cheaper hand grinders)

  • Lower build quality

Pros

  • Affordable (around $20)

  • Portable

  • Good support and resources from the manufacturer

Cons

  • Will take a minute or two to grind for a single serving pour over

  • Small capacity (approximately 30-40 grams)

GOOD GRIND QUALITY

Pros

  • Affordable (around $50)

  • Portable

  • Larger capacity and easier grinding than smaller hand models

Cons

  • Will still take a minute or two to grind

Pros

  • Convenient (electric model)

  • Relatively affordable (under $100)

Cons

  • Lower build quality compared to Baratza models (see below)

Pros

  • Popular entry-level electric burr grinder from a quality manufacturer

  • Better grind and build quality than other entry level options

Cons

  • More expensive than other entry-level options (around $140)

BETTER GRIND QUALITY

Pros

  • Good balance of convenience, quality, and price (around $250)

  • Worthy investment if looking for an electric grinder

Cons

  • Pricey for a first grinder (though you get what you pay for)

BEST* GRIND QUALITY

Pros

  • Build quality

  • Portability

  • Quick to grind (much more efficient than cheaper hand grinders)

  • Great support from the manufacturer

Cons

  • More expensive (around $200), but arguably the best bang for your buck at this price point

  • Still requires more effort than an electric grinder

Pros

  • Convenient features (digital display with automatic dosing features)

  • Quality components

  • Excellent adjustability

Cons

  • Expensive (around $500)

* All ratings given in the context of the average consumer looking to brew specialty coffee at home. There are plenty of $$$$ grinder options that extend the bounds of “best”

Note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made using the links above. Prices are the same for you, I just get a commission for helping you find the right piece of gear.