If you immediately decided to scroll the contents before coming back to read the text (we’ve all done it) you’ll notice that this list is completely devoid of the traditional, entry-level blade grinder that you’re probably using right now to grind your beans at home. That isn’t an accident. Whether you’re grinding for a French Press, an Aeropress, espresso, cold brew or drip, you want a nice, even grind to make sure you’re getting the best morning water possible. It doesn’t matter how much you grind and shake with your blade option, you won’t get the same results as you’d get with a burr grinder and a great bag of coffee.
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
The JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder is a travel-friendly, conical burr coffee grinder that takes a cue from traditional Japanese cookware. It incorporates ceramic combo burrs that last five times longer than traditional stainless blade. The portable grinder requires some elbow grease to turn your favorite coffee from beans to grounds, but with 18 different click settings you’ll have enough control over your grind to make coffee for every possible brewing option. $24
Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder
The Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder comes highly recommended from both friends and family in the category we’ll affectionately refer to as “I want a really good coffee grinder without shelling out more money than three months worth of beans for it.” It has a a 100-watt conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings. It holds 8-1/2 ounces with enough room for 4 ounces of beans. It has a built-in timer and is easy to clean. Most importantly, it won’t take up a huge amount of space on your counter. If you want the best affordable coffee grinder under $100, this is it. $92
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
When you talk about coffee grinders, the Baratza name is bound to get thrown around. They manufacture a fantastic, no-nonsense product and all your hip friends that appreciate a quality grind probably own one of their model. The Baratza Encore Grinder is the most affordable, entry-level option that the brand offers, but it’s still a fantastic machine. With 40 individual grind settings, an efficient, silent motor that runs at only 450 RPM and a front-mounted pulse button, the Baratza Encore can turn eight ounces of beans into eight ounces of grounds in almost no time. $129
Gaggia 8002 MDF Burr Grinder with Doser
The Gaggia MDF Burr Grinder is widely touted as the best beginner espresso grinder on the market because of the 50mm tempered-steel burrs, 34 grinding settings, gear-reduction system and its ability to dispense grounds directly into filters. The quiet grinder has an 8 oz grounds container, 10 oz bean hopper and plenty of power to pulverize even the most resistant beans into dust. This is the exact grinder you’ll probably find at your local, up-and-coming espresso shops that aren’t ready to commit to something more expensive. $175
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
The biggest benefit of the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is the fact that it appeals to the type of person that isn’t quite sure what kind of pour they’re going to want on a regular basis. If you want to be able to seamlessly switch between a coarser grind for press or a razor-fine grind for espresso, this “smart grinder” with its 60 precise settings, electric timer and one pound bean hopper is the best coffee grinder for you. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro gets bonus points in our eyes because it’s also capable of grinding directly into a variety of filter options to simplify your morning ritual. $198
Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Encore’s bigger brother, the Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, incorporates everything that made the original option great and updates a few key features to make it even better. Most importantly, the slightly larger steel conical burrs give you a larger range of grind size to create even finer or coarser options than what’d you expect from the Encore and close to what you’d get from the much higher priced Baratza Preciso. The Baratza Virtuoso is the perfect middle of the road coffee grinder for the guy that owns both an espresso machine and an Aeropress with the desire to use both regularly. $229
Rancilio HSD-ROC-SD Rocky Espresso Coffee Grinder
Depending on your average daily serving size, the Rancilio Rocky Espresso Coffee Grinder is either a terrible idea or one of the best investments you’ll ever make as a coffee connoisseur. 50mm commercial grade grinding burrs. 166-watt direct drive motor that’s quieter than almost everything else on the market. Grinding capacity of up to almost 8lbs per hour with a 1/2lb whole bean hopper. 55 different grind settings. If you want to grind beans that will turn into some of the most delicious coffee you’ve ever tasted—while still having something durable enough to pass your passion onto your grandkids—the Rancilio Rocky is the grinder you want. $355
Anfim Super Caimano SC Espresso Grinder
The Anfim Super Caimano SC Espresso Grinder straight up announces to anyone that enters your kitchen or coffee palace that you’re not f*cking around when it comes to daily rituals. It’s the same grinder you’ll find in plenty of independent coffee shops across the nation. With 75mm hardened steel grinders, an engine with a horsepower rating higher than most blowers or saws and a timer that can can measure your dosage to within a 1/100th of a second, the Anfim Super Caimano is as much a caffeinated piece of art as it is a kitchen appliance designed to display your love of coffee to the world. If you want the best coffee grinder money can buy without having to get a separate vehicle license, this is it. $1,195
