We Researched the Best Coffee Grinders—Here Are Our Favorites

How We Tested

In testing, we ground 15 grams of whole coffee beans and sifted them to evaluate grind uniformity and consistency. Grinders with different settings were sent through their paces to create fine, medium, and coarse grinds. Grinders without specific settings were given a certain amount of grinding time to create fine, medium and coarse grinds (and if a proper consistency had not yet been achieved, they continued grinding for 10 second intervals). After grinding was complete, we brewed the coffee, allowed it to cool to a temperature range of 120 to 130 degrees, and performed a blind taste test. Finally, we cleaned the grinders and made an assessment of how easy that was. Each product was rated on a scale from 1 to 5 on its ease of use, design, performance, and value.

We performed a second test for espresso grinders, which included a dial-in test to (see how well each espresso grinder can handle dialing in both a medium to medium-dark roasted blend and a lighter-roasted single origin coffee), a consistency test featuring back-to-back shots, and a usability and cleanup test (to see how easy it was to use and clean each machine).

Other Options We Tested

• Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder: This coffee grinder is still a worthwhile option for many customers, especially those looking for a budget pick-up, but there are a few drawbacks that prevent us from wholeheartedly recommending it. Namely, our product tester found coarse grinds uneven and that an excess of coffee bean chaff stuck to the sides of the hopper when grinding.
• KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder Combo Pack: We found the coffee grounds uneven in every trial run we conducted with the KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder. The item is also surprisingly pricey considering it uses a blade grinder, so it doesn't offer much value for money. There are similarly priced burr grinders available that perform better than this model.
• VSSL Java Coffee Grinder: We gave the VSSL Java Coffee Grinder a reasonable score in our testing trials, but none of its qualities especially stand out. There are several shortcomings that keep us from including it on our list as well. It has a small capacity; the short handle makes grinding rigorous; and it's very expensive for a manual grinder. All of that adds up and leaves us unable to recommend it.
• Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder: This compact grinder has several positives, starting with its reliable ceramic burrs, and can make a suitable grinder for many customers. That said, disassembly and cleaning were more difficult than most grinders we tested. And while the space-saving design is a potential draw, the grinder is hard to hold, especially for people with larger hands.

What to Look for in a Coffee Grinder

Hopper Size

A large hopper is convenient since you don’t need to refill it daily, but if you like to brew different types of coffee on different days, a small bean hopper works just as well—plus, it reduces the overall size of the grinder.

Grind Sizes

How many types of coffee do you drink? If you always make the same variety, you may never need to change the grind size. However, if you make espresso on some days and French press coffee on others, it’s nice to be able to select exactly the right size every time.

Noise Level

Unfortunately, you can't tell the noise level of a coffee grinder without using it or, at least, relying on the advice of people who have used it. Yet, noise level greatly affects how pleasant the grinding experience is. If a grinder is too loud, we might be put off from using it, especially early in the morning. So it's worthwhile to check customer reviews and third-party articles to see how loud a grinder is before purchasing it.

Ease of Cleaning

Most grinders don’t need a lot of cleaning, particularly if you use them daily. Even if you switch between dark and light roasts, a few errant beans won’t ruin the brew. But if you occasionally like flavored coffees, you’ll want a grinder that’s easy to clean, so your morning coffee doesn’t retain a hint of hazelnut for longer than you like.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a blade grinder and a burr grinder? 

Every coffee grinder falls into one of two categories: blade or burr. Blade grinders rely on a spinning metal blade to chop up coffee beans, similar to a blender. They are less consistent than burr grinders and, as a result, are much cheaper. Blades also create a lot of heat when in use, which may alter the flavor of your coffee beans. 

Burr grinders are a higher-quality option. In turn, they are significantly more expensive. There are two kinds of burr grinders—wheel and conical—both of which essentially crush coffee beans to your desired grind size instead of chopping them. Conical burrs are considered superior because they are a little smoother, slower, and quieter than wheel burrs. There are great options out there for both blade and burr grinders, but try going with the latter if your budget permits.

How do I clean a coffee grinder?

Between the leftover oils and chaff from coffee beans, grinders can quickly become messy. It’s important to regularly clean your grinder so it can continue working properly and lead to a delicious cup of joe. We recommend cleaning at least once a week unless manufacturer guidelines say otherwise.

The cleaning process differs for blade grinders and burr grinders. If you own a blade grinder, add one-fourth cup of uncooked rice—yes, rice!—to the hopper, run the grind cycle until the rice becomes a fine powder, empty the contents, and wipe inside and out with a damp microfiber cloth. The reasons for this are that rice soaks up the oils that coffee beans leave behind and that it's gentle on the blades. 

Cleaning a burr grinder is slightly more intensive, but luckily you can go a month or two without performing a full clean. Start by removing and rinsing the hopper. Then disassemble the burrs and scrub them with a toothbrush or bottle brush to remove old coffee grounds. You should scrub inside the machine itself, as stray grounds will likely be there too; a small vacuum or can of compressed air will also suffice. Avoid cleaning the burrs with soap or water unless otherwise specified. If this process seems too rigorous, several brands manufacture cleaning products (like grindable coffee bean-sized pellets) to speed things up.

What grind size should I use?

Grind sizes for coffee beans range from fine (almost a powder) to coarse (chunky like sea salt). The best size to use depends on the type of coffee maker you own. If you plan on making espresso, Turkish coffee, or coffee from a moka pot, fine-ground coffee is recommended. Those making drip coffee or brewing with a pour over or an AeroPress should use a medium grind. Chemex owners will want to lean toward a medium-coarse grind. Finally, French presses, percolators, and cold brew coffee makers work best with coarse-ground beans. Even though these are the recommended grind sizes, it’s worth experimenting on your own to find your perfect cup.

What's the difference between an espresso grind and a regular grind?

The only difference between espresso grinds and grinds for, say, drip coffee is the size of the particles, which is measured in microns. Espresso is typically brewed with ground coffee in the 200 to 400 micron range, while drip coffee requires around 800 microns.

There are a couple key reasons espresso is best when made with finely ground coffee beans. First, the tiny particles let you pack more coffee into a portafilter; think of filling a bucket with sand as opposed to all the empty space there would be if you filled the same bucket with rocks. Second, smaller particles extract faster. Since water passes through the grounds so quickly during the brewing process, a faster extraction time is necessary for stronger flavor.

As a result of these differences, the best type of grinder for making espresso is one that can grind very finely, down in that 200-micron range. It also helps if the grinder is more precise. That could mean it lets users adjust to a specific grind size or that it has low grind retention.

How long does coffee stay fresh?

The first thing to know is that whole bean coffee stays fresh longer than ground coffee. Whole bean coffee retains noticeable flavor for an average of six to nine months if stored properly; ground coffee keeps flavor for three to five months.

It's important to note that coffee slowly begins losing flavor long before this, though. We recommend using whole bean coffee within 14 days of when it's roasted and ground coffee within about 10 days. This window may feel brief, but don't worry: coffee still tastes good even after these respective time periods have passed. Think of them as reference points for when coffee is at peak freshness rather than deadlines you have to use it by.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Erin Meister has spent years both working in and reporting on the coffee industry. Since moving to New York City in 2003, she has worked at Joe Coffee Company and Counter Culture Coffee. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe Serious Eats, Rachael Ray Every Day, and more. Erin is also the author of "New York City Coffee: A Caffeinated History."

This piece was updated by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He has used and recommends two coffee grinders that appear on this list: the Smeg Coffee Grinder and Hario Skerton Plus.

Sources

Allie Caran, the Product Manager at BaristaValet, was interviewed for this piece. She previously worked as the Director of Education at Partners Coffee. Allie has been in the coffee industry for more than 15 years.