TL;DR: When buying a burr coffee grinder, prioritize what types of features you need: grind consistency, durability, programmability, and quietness. Consider conical or flat burrs, espresso or brewed coffee options, and your budget. Read reviews and check for ease of cleaning, noise levels, and grind size consistency. While you might be looking for the answer to “What is the best coffee grinder out there?” there is no simple answer — you want to find the best coffee grinder for you and your tastes.

I’m a Coffee and Espresso Expert here at Curated. I’ve been in coffee for 9 years now in various roles such as barista, coffee educator, café manager, and café program manager. I love helping people find their next setup and learn how to make great coffee.

What Is a Burr Coffee Grinder?

Let’s start with what a “burr” is when speaking about grinders. Burrs are spinning plates with sharp edges. In a burr coffee grinder, two burrs spin against each other to “cut” or grind coffee down from whole beans into consistent coffee grounds. Burr coffee grinders offer adjustable grind settings, allowing brewers to achieve their desired coffee strength and flavor. They provide a superior and uniform grind compared to inconsistent grinds from blade grinders (like blenders), making flavorful coffee possible! Uniform grinds are crucial — you want each coffee grind to be extracted and brew the same.

What to Consider When Buying a Burr Grinder

1. What Are You Brewing?

Are you brewing espresso, or are you brewing drip coffee, cold brew, or French press? Grinders that are specifically for espresso machines have stronger motors and a different burr set that allow for the coffee to be ground more finely, which is crucial for brewing espresso. Traditional grinders that are designed for regular filter coffee (drip, pour over, cold brew) should not be used for brewing espresso because they don’t grind fine enough, consistently enough, or don’t have a strong enough motor. Brew grinders are designed with a burr set specifically for brewed coffee, so make sure the grinder you buy is designed for the type of coffee you are brewing.

2. How Important Is Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance?

A clean grinder ensures better-tasting coffee — old coffee oils or coffee grounds can sour or taste stale — taking away from the overall flavor of your cup. Grinders should be taken apart and cleaned every six months or so, depending on how often they are used. Look for grinders with easily removable parts and straightforward cleaning processes. Some grinders even have anti-static features to minimize the mess of coffee grounds sticking to the device.

3. Are You Okay With a Noisy Grinder?

Grinders can be noisy! If noise is a concern, consider grinders with insulation that are specifically designed to be more quiet. Conical burr grinders are generally quieter than flat burrs, but your grind will be quicker and more consistent in a flat burr grinder.

4. How Much Room Do You Have for Your Grinder?

Grinders can be different sizes — generally more expensive grinders are larger because they have more metal and larger burrs. Less expensive grinders tend to be smaller, but there are some high-quality grinders that are specifically designed to be more compact.

5. How Much Should a Burr Grinder Cost?

Burr grinders come in a range of price points. For the most part, the price of the grinder relates to durability and grind quality, and better grind quality can lead to a better brew.

• Budget (under $100): At this price range, you will find entry-level or starter grinders. They offer basic functionality and decent grind consistency but may have limited grind settings and durability. You will not find a quality espresso grinder in this price range.
• Mid-range ($100-$399): Grinders in this range have better quality and typically offer more features. These are perfect for home baristas who want a balance between performance and cost. Espresso grinders in this range start at $199.
• High-end ($400+): High-end grinders feature commercial-grade components, excellent grind consistency, and other advanced features like programmability or grind by weight. These models are great for coffee enthusiasts and professionals who are looking for top-notch performance and are willing to invest in their equipment.

What Are the Different Kinds of Burr Coffee Grinders?

1. Conical Burr Grinders

Conical burr grinders use cone-shaped burrs, with one burr sitting inside the other. As coffee is fed into the burrs, it’s ground to a consistent size before passing through to the collection container. Conical burrs are popular among home baristas for their price point and simplicity.

• Benefits
  • Generally more affordable
  • Generally quieter than flat burr grinders
• Keep in Mind
  • Grind consistency can be less uniform compared to flat burrs
  • Can produce more fines (smaller particles), affecting coffee flavor

2. Flat Burr Grinders

Flat burr grinders use two flat, parallel burrs with sharp edges that grind coffee beans into a consistent size as they're pulled between the burrs. These grinders are often found in commercial settings, as they tend to produce more consistent grinds and better control over particle size.

• Benefits
  • Highly consistent grind size
  • More cup clarity because of less fines (tiny pieces) in coffee
  • Typically more durable, with longer-lasting burrs
• Keep in Mind
  • Often louder than conical burr grinders
  • Generally more expensive

Features to Look for in a Burr Coffee Grinder

Buying your first burr coffee grinder is an exciting step toward better coffee. Here are some key features to consider when choosing the right one for you:

1. Burr Size: Grinder burrs range from 30mm up to 75mm for home grinders and larger for commercial grinders. The larger the burr, the faster your coffee will grind. Larger burrs also don’t have to work as hard at grinding the coffee, which means less friction. Less friction means less heat, and heat causes inconsistent grind sizes. The larger the burr, the better the grind, and the better the brew!
2. Grind Consistency: Consistent grinds are very important for the quality of your coffee. Inconsistent grind sizes mean inconsistent extraction of each particle, which can make for an acidic and astringent, bitter cup. Choose a grinder known for having consistent grinds. In other words, don’t use a blade grinder!
3. Build Quality & Materials: A well-built grinder with burrs of sturdy materials like stainless steel or titanium will last longer and provide more consistent results. High-quality materials also help reduce heat buildup during grinding and reduce the amount of inconsistent grinds. Choose a robust grinder for longevity — as long as the grinder is maintained properly, your grinder could last a lifetime!
4. Timer or Doser: Some grinders have built-in timers or dosing systems that allow you to measure out the right amount of coffee, making sure you get the perfect grind every time. This can be particularly useful for espresso enthusiasts. Consider a grind-by-weight feature for the easiest morning workflow.
5. Noise Level: If you're sensitive to noise or will be using your grinder early in the morning, consider models that have insulation for lower noise levels.
6. Ease of Cleaning: Regular cleaning is important for maintaining your grinder's performance and your coffee quality. Look for grinders with removable burrs and other parts, making them easier to clean and maintain.

Features to Avoid in a Burr Coffee Grinder

There are a few features to avoid when choosing a burr coffee grinder:\

1. Plastic Components and Cheap Prices: Cheap grinders tend to have mostly plastic components and will break rather quickly. If you are looking for a burr grinder for drip or filter coffee, grinders under $60 likely won’t last, and they won’t give you good-quality grinds. For espresso, a starter home grinder starts at $199. Commercial grinders start at $999.
2. Few Grind Settings: The more grind settings, the better! More grind settings allow you to finely tune your brew for a tastier cup of coffee. For espresso grinders, look for grinders with stepless adjustments, or infinite grind settings. Even a tiny adjustment makes a difference in the flavor of espresso!

By keeping these points in mind, you'll be better equipped to select a high-quality burr coffee grinder that meets your needs and expectations.

How to Choose the Best Burr Grinder for You

When choosing a burr grinder, keep in mind your budget, the type of coffee you are brewing, and what type of quality you are looking for.

Thomas

Needs: Thomas enjoys making pour overs most mornings but wants to be able to brew larger pots of coffee using a drip brewer for when he has friends over. He likes being able to point out different flavor notes and is looking for a high-quality grinder under $200.

Features to Look for: Flat burrs, electric motor, high-quality build on a budget, for consistent grinds for the pour over

Products to Consider:

• Fellow Ode Grinder — Featuring flat burrs and a strong motor, the Fellow Ode is easily a top choice for a brew grinder under $200. It has the least amount of fines of any grinder sub $200 and offers first-rate grind consistency for even the pickiest home barista.
• Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder — A popular brew grinder among home baristas! The Encore features conical burrs and may not have the cup clarity that Thomas is looking for, but it has anti-static technology and can grind a large amount of coffee at once.

Annie

Needs: Annie is upgrading her espresso setup — she previously had an integrated machine and grinder but is looking for an easy-to-use espresso grinder that gives her consistent quality. She’s looking to keep a simple workflow, and budget is not a concern.

Features to Look for: Flat burrs, large burrs, programmability

Products to Consider:

• Eureka Mignon Libra — Large, flat burrs and grind-by-weight technology. Very consistent, high quality, and an easy workflow!
• Eureka Mignon Atom — Large burrs and programmable timed dosing. Very consistent and is insulated to keep it nice and quiet for home use.

Chris

Needs: Chris is looking for a small, budget-friendly grinder to upgrade from his existing blade grinder. He wants to be able to grind fresh for his morning brew but isn’t concerned with flavor notes and the highest quality. Budget is under $100, but he wants a grinder that won’t break after a few years.

Features to look for: Burr grinder for brewed coffee, electric grinder, budget friendly, good warranty

Products to consider:

• Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill — A budget-friendly burr grinder that has a good grind quality and offers 18 different grind settings. Offers an 18-month manufacturer’s warranty. Can grind for up to 18 cups of coffee at a time thanks to its large bean hopper.
• Espressione Conical Burr Coffee Grinder — A slightly more expensive (but under budget) burr grinder that features 15 grind settings and a built-in timer. It also has an anti-static grounds container and burrs that reduce friction and heat to preserve flavor and aroma.

Find the Best Burr Coffee Grinder for You

There are a wide variety of burr coffee grinders available today, each with various functions, features, and budgets. Use this guide to help narrow down what you’re looking for, but if you’re looking for more advice, reach out to me or one of the Coffee and Espresso Experts here at Curated for personalized, expert recommendations!