The 4 Best Coffee Grinders, Tested and Reviewed

Feb 20, 2025

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These favorites will make you want to ditch pre-ground beans for good.

Dana is an associate editorial director at Food & Wine, specializing in kitchen product reviews and lists. Dana joined the team in 2022 and has over seven years of experience writing about the world of food. Her work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, LA Times, New York Daily News, RedEye, Feast and Field, Chicago Magazine, Allrecipes, Food & Wine, and more.

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It’s no secret the quality of beans impacts coffee’s taste. But what about the grind? A consistent grind can transform your cup of coffee from good to great — making it more flavorful and delicious. Freshly ground beans preserve the coffee’s natural oils and freshness, and in turn, you get a richer, bolder, more robust taste.But there are options to choose from: burr or blade? Conical or flat? To make purchasing the right coffee grinder simple, we’ve tested coffee grinders through multiple rounds over a few years, taking into account performance, design, value, and consistency. These are the best coffee grinders, according to our testing.

While we were impressed by the performances of several of the grinders we tested, nothing came close to the Breville Smart Grinder Pro.

A good all-around grinder for just about anyone, including dedicated coffee brewers seeking precision.

We really don't have many bad things to say about our best overall pick.

Loaded with helpful features and a countertop-worthy design, we found Breville’s Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder interface extremely intuitive, and the instructions were simple to follow. In our tests, this model’s performance was consistent; it made good coffee and was easy to clean. It scored perfect marks when we tested for performance, ease of use, and ease of cleaning.The Breville Smart Grinder Pro offers remarkable 60 different grind settings, from fine espresso to coarse French press, making it also one of the most versatile grinders we tested. For the best overall pick, we looked for a model that allows users to fine-tune their coffee grind to fit a variety of brewing methods, and we found its grind control superior to the other models. It also includes help with mess management: It has an airtight hopper to keep beans fresh and messes contained, which we found makes a surprisingly big difference in the cleanup process.

We think this is a worthy investment whether you're grinding for one or an entire household. If you want an intuitive, customizable system that looks great, too, this grinder might be perfect for you.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 15.5 inches | Blade type: Conical burr | Coffee Bean Capacity: 18 ounces | Number of grind settings: 60

Its minimal, sleek design produced consistent grind sizes during our tests, and we feel it would look great in anyone’s kitchen.

This grinder is louder than some of the others we tested.

For a value pick, we’ve been pretty thrilled with the Bodum Bistro’s performance during our multiple rounds of testing. It clocks in with a near-perfect score each time. We’re fans of the minimal, contemporary design that’s unique to the Bodum brand, and we like the transparent hopper and glass catcher for grounds.

Its charm won’t wear off anytime soon, as it’s an incredibly capable, straightforward grinder that's easy to operate and clean. We did note that it was certainly one of the louder models we tested, so we wouldn't recommend it if you are the first to rise in a house full of easily awakened sleepers. But if this doesn't bother you, you can’t go wrong with our best value pick, especially since it’s perfect for experienced coffee makers and beginners, and it clocks in under $100.

Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.1 x 12.5 inches | Blade type: Conical burr | Coffee Bean Capacity: 7.75 ounces | Number of grind settings: 12

The Fellow Ode 2 Burr Grinder has a clean, modern design and a wide range of settings.

It tends to grind finer than desired, and the price puts it firmly as a splurge.

Anyone’s first impression of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Grinder would undoubtedly be about its attractive build. Sleek, monochrome, and modern, we’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t want to display this grinder on their countertop. Its modest size also makes this grinder even more countertop-friendly. Built by serious coffee people, Fellow has impressed us with their attractive, intuitive designs time and time again (read: our review of the Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle), and this is no different. A new and improved design from their first iteration of the Ode, its myriad settings make it a worthy gift for your most coffee-serious friend.

Its design does more than look pretty and grind exceptionally well, too, as we found it was easy to clean after use. The Ode 2 has anti-static technology that keeps coffee dust to a minimum, with a magnetic coffee grounds catcher that aligns the container perfectly under the grind chute, which helps catch every particle. For a coffee grinder that costs almost $350, these simple design touches are essential to be worthy of such a splurge. In addition, we found the Ode Gen to be especially quiet compared to most grinders, grinding beans in near silence.Our tests found that this grinder tends to produce slightly finer ground than it was set to, so some time spent tweaking the settings may be necessary. However, it does an excellent job of grinding, with distinct definition between grind settings. It's not only aesthetically pleasing but also quick, efficient, and thorough.

Dimensions: 9.4 x 4.2 x 9.5 inches | Blade type: Flat burr | Coffee Bean Capacity: 2.82 ounces | Number of grind settings: 11, with “31 steps in between”

It has a simple, clean design that grinds every last bean.

There is no coarse grind setting, so this is only for espresso, limiting its versatility.

If you're looking for a grinder that works exceptionally well for espresso (and espresso only), this grinder will fit the bill. It doesn't come stacked with bells and whistles, but it will provide a near-perfect grind for your morning (or afternoon...or after-dinner) espresso. The grinder proved to be easy to operate, and while it doesn't have designated settings like most grinders, it has a free-moving adjustment knob that allows you to set your grind size in very small increments. We didn't find any difficulty cleaning the machine, and the sturdy metal outer case looks smart on display.Dimensions: 5x 13 x 5.5 inches | Blade type: Flat burr | Coffee Bean Capacity: 5.5 ounces | Number of grind settings: Free-moving adjustment knob

Looking for a new coffee grinder can be tricky. When choosing a coffee grinder, you'll need to decide whether you want a blade, burr, or manual model. Blade grinders are a bit like food processors, slicing beans into teeny-tiny bits using a single blade. The longer you keep your grinder running, the finer your grounds. Popular with beginners, blade grinders won't achieve as much of a consistent texture as burr grinders can, but they are smaller, less expensive, and quicker to grind.

Generally, burr grinders are known to perform better than blade grinders when it comes to coffee, so the majority of our “best” picks are burr grinders. Because burr grinders function by using two revolving burrs with textured surfaces, this method is more conducive to dealing with the small, rounded shape of coffee beans.

Manual (or hand) grinders are the smallest option and tend to be much more affordable than their electric counterparts. Users grind beans through two burrs by cranking a handle, which, admittedly, takes time and effort. However, manual grinders produce even grounds and can offer different settings for various sizes. Also, they're much quieter than both blade and burr grinders.

After researching the best coffee grinders available today, speaking with experts, and applying our own experience with coffee grinders, we narrowed down the list to 21 coffee grinders ranging in type, aesthetic, and price point. We ran each model through tests and observed their performances before our “best” of each category was chosen.

Of all the models we tested, 11 were electric, 10 were manual, and a majority featured a burr-style grinder. With the help of coffee expert Nathan Pocus of Domestique Coffee, we evaluated each grinder individually to determine the overall range, uniformity, quality, and taste of the grounds they produced. We wanted to make sure there was a coffee grinder for anyone who wished to purchase a new one for their coffee setup, so our tests considered grinders ranging in features and value, whether you’re looking for a splurgey investment or a basic grinder to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

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Grind Uniformity and Range: The first test was a grind screening to determine grind uniformity and range for grinders with optional settings. Prior to beginning this test, we used a Baratza Virtuoso+ grinder to grind 15 grams of whole coffee beans using settings 14, 20, and 26. These grinds served as our controls for calibrating the other models by sight, especially if they did not include setting descriptions or instructions. We then used each grinder to grind beans into fine, medium, and coarse grounds. We observed and recorded how uniform and consistent the grind was for each model. For blade-style grinders without specific settings, we recorded how long they took to produce each level of grind.

Quality and Taste: The next step was a blind taste test to determine which coffee grinders produced the most full-bodied and flavorful cups of coffee. After grinding the beans and using an OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker to extract our brew, we smelled the coffee and described the aroma. We then proceeded to tasting and asked ourselves the following questions: Does the coffee taste acidic? Does the coffee taste bitter? Does the brew taste slightly sweet or have semi-floral notes? In addition to describing any other flavor profiles brought out by the extraction, we also assessed the intensity of the coffee, noting whether it tasted too strong or too weak, or if the coffee was well-balanced.

Ease of Use, Care, and Cleanup: Lastly, we cleaned each coffee grinder based on the manufacturer’s instructions, observing and recording how easy or difficult it was to clean and disassemble. We also recorded how loud each grinder was while in use; if it included any design features that protect the quality of the coffee beans when in storage (such as a tinted external bean hopper); if the coffee grinder included any anti-static design features that dispel the static charge generated by the grinding process; and how easy it was to adjust the settings/burrs (if applicable) in order to control how coarse or fine the ground coffee was.

The top coffee grinders we tested were easy to use, featured practical and thoughtful designs, and consistently produced a uniform grind, resulting in a flavorful cup of coffee. While somewhat more tedious, we found that the highest-performing manual grinders were on par with some of the highest-performing electric grinders.

In an effort to keep our data as fresh as possible, we recently re-tested six of our winning models and introduced two new grinders that have recently hit the market. Again, we ran each grinder through this series of tests. Once complete and the data analyzed, we readjusted our choices to reflect the current best coffee grinders available today.

As we mentioned before, the type of blade is the most important decision you will make when purchasing a coffee grinder because it affects the quality and consistency of your grind and, subsequently, the overall body and flavor of your cup. With three main kinds to choose from, it can be difficult to know which is best for your lifestyle and preferred brew.

Burr: We are partial to burr grinders because they tend to produce more uniform and precise grind settings and generate less heat in order to preserve the beans’ flavor and aroma. Burr grinders also come in conical or flat shapes.

It's hard to go wrong with a conical burr grinder because they work great for a variety of brew methods. But if you are a big fan of espresso and usually prefer a concentrated shot of coffee in the morning, you might appreciate the more uniform grind of a flat burr grinder, which is great for espresso extraction.

Blade: That said, a blade grinder offers affordability, convenience, and speed. Because blade grinders employ just a single blade, similar to a blender, they are often less effective at breaking coffee beans into pieces small and uniform enough to brew good coffee. If you are not looking for the highest quality brew and would prefer a quick, convenient cup of coffee in the morning, a blade grinder may be the better option.

Manual: Finally, a manual or hand grinder will offer some of the most consistent grinds around, though they are a labor of love. Manual grinders typically employ a small conical burr-type blade to crush the beans, similar to those you'll find in a larger electric model. Due to their compact size, however, manual grinders cannot handle as many beans as the electric ones.

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Once you’ve determined your blade type, you’ll want to make sure your coffee grinder is adjustable to the type of coffee you make. If you’re someone who prefers a range of coffee types, you’ll want one with multiple settings that can accommodate different brewing methods like French press (coarse), pour-over (medium), and espresso (fine). Beyond adjustaiblity, a good grinder should produce consistent, even grind sizes for optimal flavor extraction, regardless if you’re grinding for French press, pour-over, or your drip coffee machine.

How many cups are you looking to make in one setting? If the answer is one or two cups at a time, a smaller hopper is likely just fine for you. If you’re someone who is grinding coffee for a large household or looking to grind in large batches, look for a larger hopper. Whether your kitchen has room for a larger grinder (along with, say, the rest of your coffee station equipment), is something to consider, and a coffee maker with a built-in grinder might even suit your needs best.

Apart from the crucial factors above, consider if features like keeping a clean workspace, ease of cleaning, and ease of use are all important to you. While some grinders don’t have bells and whistles, others have small features like anti-static technology and a grind knocker to mitigate mess.

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Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Coffee Grinder ($340 at Amazon)

This grinder stood out for its solid, heavy-duty construction, weighing significantly more than most grinders of similar size. While this makes it harder to move in and out of cabinets, if you're looking for a companion next to your Technivorm Moccamaster drip coffee maker, we recommend it.

Fellow Opus Coffee Grinder ($195 at Amazon)

While we love the look of this sleek grinder, we found it did just an adequate job grinding beans. We'd recommend the Fellow Ode Gen 2 if you're looking to introduce a grinder from this brand into your home.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder ($98 at Amazon)

We don't have too many bad things to say about the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, which is sleek, ultra-customizable, and, most importantly, affordable. This model produced consistent results in our coffee tests and delivered on all 15 settings it boasts.

Baratza Virtuoso + Conical Burr Coffee Grinder ($250 at Amazon)

This coffee grinder is user-friendly and easily adjustable to the perfect setting. Because of its higher price point, we recommend it for experienced coffee drinkers over beginners.

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder ($150 at Amazon)

This grinder is very easy to clean and maintain, and we also loved the taste of the coffee it produced. We did find the initial setup to be a bit difficult, but we would still recommend this machine to any coffee lover if you're not ready to splurge on the Baratza Virtuoso+.

KRUPS Precision Coffee Grinder ($66 at Amazon)

The performance of this coffee grinder was impeccable, but it’s slightly larger than some other models, which might make it difficult to store.

Timemore C2 Max Manual Grinder ($89 at Amazon)

While the Timemore C2 Max Manual Grinder performed well, some other models did better, and its price tag kept it from being a better deal.

VEVOK CHEF Manual Coffee Grinder ($59 at Amazon)

This grinder felt high-quality and had a wide range of settings. It was simple to clean externally, but internal cleaning required more effort due to its design.

A few other grinders stood out to us but ultimately fell short compared to our outlined favorites. Among them was the KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder Combo Pack. Despite its attractive appearance, its design made this grinder difficult, loud, and somewhat messy to use. The Hamilton Beach Custom Grind Coffee Grinder had all the markings of a good appliance, but the coffee it ground turned out far too watery for our taste. We did love the performance of the Comandante C40 Nitro Blade Grinder but ultimately decided its price point was too high to make it of great value.

“You should clean your burr grinder at least once a month,” says Paul Melotte, owner of Mōzza Coffee Roasters, a wholesale and retail specialty coffee roaster based in Spartanburg, SC.

“Still, if you grind significantly darker, more oily beans daily, every two weeks is ideal for preventing buildup and maintaining consistent performance. For blade grinders, cleaning should be more frequent, probably once a week, as coffee dust and oils can accumulate on the blades and impact the grinder's performance. Regular cleaning results in better-tasting coffee and extends the life of your grinder.”

“There's no way around it; a burr grinder is unquestionably better than a blade grinder if you're serious about coffee quality,” says Melotte. “Burr grinders use two blades (burrs), one rotating and one stationary, to grind beans evenly. Consistent particle size ensures even extraction, resulting in a balanced, flavorful cup without bitterness or sourness. Blade grinders chop and slice beans unevenly, making it impossible to obtain that balanced cup. If you want better-tasting coffee, a burr grinder is the way to go.”

“For drip coffee, a medium to medium-coarse grind is best — about the texture of sea salt,” says Melotte. “This grind size allows the water to flow through the coffee at the correct rate, bringing out balanced flavors. If the grind is too fine (like espresso), water passes through too slowly, leading to over-extraction and bitterness. Water flows too quickly if it's too coarse (like for a French press), causing under-extraction and a weak, sour taste.”

Associate Editorial Director Dana Fouchia wrote this piece using our most recent tested insights. Dana is a kitchenware shopping expert with over ten years of experience writing for publications like the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Allrecipes, and more. For this piece, she spoke with Paul Melotte, owner of Mōzza Coffee Roasters, a wholesale and retail specialty coffee roaster based in Spartanburg, SC.