How To Choose The Best Coffee Grinder For Your Needs

There are a wide range of coffee grinders on the market. And if you are looking for a new grinder, you probably want the best option for your budget. Whether you drink drip coffee, make Cuban or Turkish coffee, or brew cappuccinos on your espresso machine, let's look at how to get the best grinder for all your coffee needs. From manual to electric grinders and blade to burr grinders, let's look at the best kind of coffee grinder. Plus, I offer some tips for choosing the right grinder for all your coffee brewing needs.

What Is The Best Coffee Grinder?

Here is the secret that no one really wants to admit: there is no one best coffee grinder. There are lots of great grinder models that offer a wide variety of features. But the best one comes down to your own personal preferences and budget.

Unless you're a fanatical coffee roaster, the best grinder for me is probably different from the best model for you. All because different features are important to us.

Not to mention that I use a different grinder at home than I do in the roastery. Why? Well, at work I'm making coffee to test the flavor and roast profile. And at home, I'm mostly brewing to wake up or to share coffee with friends and family.

In my experience, the best grinder is consistent, easy to use, and affordable. The goal is to find something you enjoy using and that fits the way you prefer to drink coffee.

That said, you can never go wrong with a quality conical burr model. Go with metal burrs if you brew once or twice a day and ceramic ones if you make a lot of coffee. 

In either case, it's a consistent and relatively affordable option for every coffee drinker. Not to mention that it'll last you years if not decades. So it's definitely worth the investment.

How To Choose The Right Coffee Grinder?

When it comes to choosing a grinder for coffee, I want something with a good grind consistency that is relatively easy to use. Other bonuses are an affordable cost for the quality and a relatively small size. 

• Consistency: Look for a model that offers a consistent grind from coarse to fine. This will make brewing great-tasting coffee much easier.
• Ease Of Use: Skip models with too many buttons or features. On, off, and grind settings are all you really need. I really like models that turn off on their own, but it’s not a deal breaker.
• Cost: You should also consider your budget. You don't need to spend hundreds or thousands, but get something that will last.
• Size: Although it’s not always an issue, size can be an issue in small kitchens. Think about where your grinder will live and how much space it takes up.

There are also a few features that I really don't think are worth paying for. At the top of that list is the size of the coffee hopper. 

The hopper is what holds the coffee before grinding, so you probably think bigger is better. But you really should [store coffee in an airtight container](link to how to store coffee article), not on top of your grinder.

I also focus more on the parts inside than how it looks on the outside. High-quality ceramic or stainless steel burrs are much more important to me than a stainless steel finish or a variety of colors.

Also, a lot of coffee grinder guides focus on the noise level. And I suppose this could matter if you have light sleepers or young children at home. But grinding coffee usually takes 30 seconds or less. 

What Are The Types Of Coffee Grinders?

There are two basic styles of grinders: blade and burr.

A blade grinder effectively cuts up the coffee beans, while burr styles crush the coffee like grain. Most blade models are all basically the same, but there several types of burr coffee grinders.

In addition to dedicated grinders, there are also combo units that grind the beans and brew the coffee. 

Here are the basics of each grinder style, the pros and cons, and the general price range you can expect:

Electric Blade Grinders

These grinders use electricity to power a metal blade that cuts the coffee beans into smaller pieces. The biggest problem is that it is very difficult to get good grind consistency with blade-style models. The only way to control the grind size is to pulse the grinder. And that is extremely inefficient.

Not to mention that blades are relatively tiny and only come in contact with some of the beans. So unless you are shaking the grinder while pulsing the blades, it's really hard to get the right grind size.

Most times, you end up with a few hunks of coffee beans in a mound of coffee dust. And it's nearly impossible to get a course grind for french presses and cold brew coffee.

Truthfully, the best advantage of blade models is that they are affordable — which is a fun marketing term for cheap. They are also relatively small, which makes them easy to store on the counter or in a cabinet. 

They usually fall in the $15 to $45 price range. I'm generally not a fan of blade grinders, but I suppose they are a decent option if you rarely make coffee at home.

I still think there are better options, but it's a cheap an affordable alternative to buying pre-ground coffee. And with that in mind, I say go with the least expensive model with decent reviews. No sense in paying more than you need to.

Electric Burr Grinders

These electric grinders spin two burr plates that crush coffee beans into a consistent size. You control the grind size by adjusting the space between the burrs.

The burrs have a texture that helps crush the beans. They also have grooves that pull in whole beans and push out the ground coffee. 

All you need to do is measure out your coffee, set the grind size, pour it in, and then take out the grounds. The burrs do all the work.

There are two styles flat burr and conical burr grinders. Flat burr grinders have two flat discs, while conical styles have two burrs that nest inside of each other in a cone or v-shape.

Conical styles usually produce a slightly more consistent grind and less heat, which means better coffee in the long run. Still, conical models are usually more expensive than flat styles.

The burrs are made from metal, usually stainless steel, or ceramic. Stainless burrs offer a more consistent grind, but they also dull in time.

Ceramic burrs are a little less consistent but usually offer a better overall flavor. This is because the ceramic doesn't heat up as much as the metal. 

If you only make coffee once a day, a grinder with flat, metal burrs is probably fine. But a conical ceramic grinder is probably the better option if you go through a lot of coffee.

Cheap models start between $30 and $50, but I recommend getting something in the $125 to $400 range. Also, I really don't like grinders with huge coffee hoppers. Unless you make a lot of coffee, it's just going to go stale faster in there.

Manual Coffee Grinders

Also called hand grinders or hand crank coffee grinders, you need to grind the coffee manually. They are basically hand-cranked burr grinders. Dial in the size of the grind, then turn the crank to grind the coffee.

Most roasters and coffee aficionados swear by them for their superior flavor and quality. As long as you buy a quality model, they offer you the best control over your grind size.

And since you supply the power, you can work at a steady pace without heating the beans.

Most use conical burrs to grind the coffee. Like the powered version, they come in metal and ceramic models. 

Manual grinders are sometimes marketed for travel or camping since they are relatively small and run on arm strength. They are definitely a great option if you want to make fresh coffee out in the wilderness. 

And you can get a decent model in the $75 to $100 range. But I'm wary of the really inexpensive models. While I'm sure they work, I don't trust them to produce consistent coffee grounds.

If you are looking for a manual coffee grinder to use regularly at home, I wouldn't consider any model that costs less than $100. That’s not to say there aren’t good grinders at that price point. 

But if you are willing to commit to the process, there is no reason to skimp on quality. Ideally, I'd look in the $200 to $600 range.

Coffee Makers With Built In Grinders

A popular but disappointing trend in home coffee equipment is the combination coffee maker and grinder. As much as I hate them, I definitely see the appeal.

You fill the hopper with beans, add water, and you have fresh ground coffee at the push of a button. Some even have timers or are even wifi enabled. Which probably sounds really impressive.

But you are paying for convenience, not quality. Most of these combo units are mediocre at best and rarely make consistent, flavorful coffee.

If something breaks, you might not be able to make coffee. Not to mention, you probably can't get repair parts. So you need to replace the whole thing.

Admittedly, I have no experience with them, but they seem like a risky investment to me. I'll stick with a standalone grinder. 

If convenience is important to you, read the reviews and find the right model for your needs. I like to see consistent reviews for at least a year if not two. Also, maybe check if replacement parts are available too.

We all love that delivery company with the arrow. But look at reviews on other sites too. This will give you the best idea of what you are getting yourself into.

Prices range from under $100 to over $1,000, with an average of between $300 and $400. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Grinders

How Much Does A Quality Coffee Grinder Cost?

On average, you can expect to pay about $150 for a quality grinder for coffee. But the total cost depends on the type and quality of the grinder you choose. You can buy a cheap blade grinder for less than $20 or a professional burr grinder for over $1,000. I recommend spending what you can comfortably afford for your coffee needs. If you are a casual drinker, a quality blade model or an entry-level burr model is probably all you need. If you are buying expensive beans and really focus on flavor, you definitely should go with at least a mid-level burr-style grinder.

How Long Will A Coffee Grinder Last?

Sadly, nothing lasts forever. But most grinders last five to ten years. However, it depends on the quality and how often you use your grinder. Entry-level models might last six to eight if you only use them occasionally. But a top-of-the-line grinder might wear out after two years if you use it several times a day. And I really hope this is common sense, but only use your coffee grinder for dry coffee beans. Do not use it for anything else and especially do not put anything liquid inside. Seriously, it is not a juicer or a meat grinder.

Buy Coffee Beans For Any Grind 

Need coffee beans for your grinder? I’ve got you. I’m constantly sourcing beans from local growers around the world. From extra fine grounds for espresso to a course grind for cold brew or French press, Cupa has a coffee to fit your needs. Choose from a variety of freshly roasted whole coffee beans now. Plus I have bulk coffees and wholesale options available. Follow me on Instagram to find out about my sales and latest releases.