The Best Coffee Grinder of 2025

Choosing the Perfect Coffee Grinder: A Buyer's Guide

If you prefer whole bean coffee over pre-ground coffee, you’ll need to have a good coffee grinder on hand,  In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explore the essential attributes to consider when buying this absolute must-have for your coffee bar set up.

Burr Type

The first thing to consider is the burr type. Here we have two types, namely flat burrs and conical burrs. Flat burrs grind coffee into even particles, which aids in extracting the flavor evenly, resulting in a balanced taste. Conical burrs, on the other hand, grind coffee into two particle sizes, adding complexity to the coffee taste. Your choice will depend on your taste preference.

Grind Size Adjustment

If you love different styles of coffee, like espresso or French press, then a grinder with an adjustable grind size is a must. Grind size adjustment allows you to control the coarseness of your coffee grounds. Espresso machines require a finer grind, while French press or cold brew makers require a coarser ground. The best coffee grinder will offer a wide range of grind sizes to cater to your various coffee needs.

Grind Consistency

The consistency of your coffee grounds plays a significant role in the taste of your coffee. Uneven grounds can lead to uneven extraction, resulting in a subpar taste. For a consistent taste every time, you need a grinder that can produce uniform grounds. Usually, higher-end grinders offer better consistency.

Motor Speed

Motor speed might seem insignificant, but it plays a crucial role in the quality of your coffee grounds. High-speed motors can cause the grinders to heat up, resulting in burnt coffee grounds. Conversely, a low-speed motor prevents overheating, ensuring the flavor of your coffee is preserved. It is advisable to opt for a coffee grinder with a low-speed motor.

Material Quality

Your coffee grinder’s lifespan hugely depends on the material used for the burrs. Stainless steel burrs are sharp and durable, but they tend to lose their sharpness over time. Ceramic burrs, on the other hand, stay sharp for a long time, but they can break if a small stone or a similar hard material gets into the grinder. Depending on your usage, you can choose between the two.

Noise Level

Let’s face it; nobody likes to wake up to the noise of a loud coffee grinder in the morning. While all grinders make some noise, the decibel level can vary. Burr grinders tend to be quieter than blade grinders, and manual grinders are the quietest. Decide on your noise tolerance level before buying a coffee grinder.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Last but not least, consider the cleaning and maintenance of the grinder. Coffee oils can build up in the grinder, affecting the taste over time. Some grinders come with cleaning tools and are easy to disassemble for cleaning, while others do not. Choosing a grinder with easy maintenance can save you a lot of time and effort and ensure your coffee always tastes fresh.

How I Grind My Coffee Beans

Figuring out the right grind setting is a bit of a puzzle, and no amount of YouTube tutorials seem to crack it entirely.

Let’s start with a basic truth: the grind setting hinges largely on how you brew your coffee. From the coarsest to the finest, you’ve got cold brew, French press, Chemex, auto drip machines, pour-over, espresso, and Turkish. The good news? Generally, you don’t need to fuss over adjusting the setting on your coffee grinder between batches—except maybe for espresso, but, we’ll get into that later.

Related: Pour Over vs. Drip Coffee: What’s the Difference?

Now, how did I, a once-novice, find my grind-setting groove? I tried two approaches:

1. The Local Coffee Shop Hack

First, I visited a local café, one where I particularly liked their coffee. I asked them to grind a small batch for my brewing method and took it home in a little bag. This hands-on comparison with my coffee grinder was enlightening. It works wonders, especially if the café brews coffee the same way you do.

2. The Timing Technique

Particularly useful for pour-overs. Here’s how it goes: Measure your coffee dose (about 18g for a standard 10 oz mug) and aim for a 2-3 minute pour over time. If your coffee runs through too quickly, your grind is likely too coarse. If it’s a painfully slow drip, it’s too fine. For espresso, you’re aiming for a 30-second brew time. It’s not an exact science, but it’s a great starting point.

When it comes to pour-over, it’s all about timing and adjustment. Begin a timer as you pour water and stop it once you’re done. If the brew time is too short, go for a finer grind; if it’s too long, a coarser one should do the trick. But remember, the freshness of your beans also plays a role. Fresh beans bloom more, affecting the flow rate. And don’t forget the quantity—different amounts of coffee may require adjustments in grind size to maintain the same brew time.

How To Grind Coffee Beans for Espresso

When it comes to preparing espresso, the grind of your coffee beans becomes a critical factor in pulling that perfect shot. Through my own trials and a bit of research, I’ve discovered that the key lies in using a burr grinder and achieving a consistently fine grind.

Why burr grinders reign supreme

The choice of coffee grinder can make or break your espresso. Burr grinders are the champions in this arena, far outperforming blade grinders. The reason? They deliver a much more uniform grind size, which is a non-negotiable for top-notch espresso extraction. With a blade coffee grinder, you’re more likely to end up with uneven grounds, including dreaded coarse bits that can ruin the extraction balance.

Achieving the ideal grind size

The grind size for espresso is finer than what many are used to. Think of the texture of table salt—that’s what you’re aiming for. This fine grind is essential because it creates the right resistance to the water passing through under high pressure, a fundamental aspect of espresso brewing.

Preparation is key

Once your beans are ground to that fine, salt-like consistency, the next step is just as crucial. Distributing the grinds evenly in the portafilter is a step you don’t want to skimp on. An uneven distribution can lead to channeling, where water finds the path of least resistance, resulting in an uneven extraction. To combat this, ensure that the grounds are leveled out in the portafilter before tamping.

The tamping technique

After leveling, apply a firm and even pressure while tamping. This will compact the grounds evenly, preventing water from blitzing through too quickly or too slowly. The goal here is to create a compact bed of coffee through which the water can permeate evenly, extracting all the goodness without over-extracting.