It’s true that your coffee is only as good as your beans, but without a fresh, dialed-in grind, you won’t fully experience the flavorful and amazing qualities of that coffee. The best burr grinders provide a highly-consistent grind that can transform a good cup of coffee into an exceptional experience. Here are our recommendations for burr grinders, along with key qualities and features to look for in your next favorite coffee appliance.
Burr Grinder vs. Blade Grinder: Which Type of Coffee Grinder Is Best?
Before we go any further, let’s first discuss what a burr grinder is and how it compares to a blade grinder. After all, if you’ve already started shopping for a coffee grinder, you’ve probably found that blade grinders are generally less costly than burr grinders. So what’s the difference between the two, and is it really worth it to spend the extra money on a burr grinder?
A blade grinder uses a propeller-like blade, similar to a blender, to grind or chop the coffee beans. A burr grinder uses two revolving abrasive surfaces to grind up the coffee, crushing the beans between a moving grinder wheel and a non-moving surface.
So here’s the ultimate question — does it really make a difference? The answer is yes! As true coffee aficionados will tell you, a burr grinder is superior to a blade grinder, as it provides quality, consistency, and overall uniformity to the grind. These things are required to make an amazing cup of coffee. Where a blade grinder indiscriminately chops coffee into various-sized particles, a burr grinder ensures a consistent grind size which is imperative to dialing in the perfect extraction that will produce a well-balanced and flavorful cup of coffee. And that’s how you elevate great coffee beans to become that amazing coffee-drinking experience.
Learn more: How to Grind Coffee Beans
What to Look for in a Burr Grinder
There are two primary types of burr grinders: flat and conical. Both produce consistent, high-quality coffee, and both have two burrs, one stationary and one moveable. Conical burr grinders and flat burr grinders look a little different and operate in a slightly different way.
Burr grinders also come in manual and electric varieties. Hand burrs are easy to use, and electric burr grinders are really convenient for grinding a larger amount of coffee.
Another thing to notice about burr grinders is the material they’re made from. You’ll typically see metal burr grinders, but sometimes you may see ceramic ones. Steel burrs will eventually wear down with extended use. Ceramic grinders are more durable and are often quieter, but they could chip or break if a foreign object is accidentally placed in the grinder.
When shopping for a burr grinder, here are some of the things to look for:
- Grind consistency
- Price
- Capacity
- User-friendliness
- Speed
- Grind settings
- Durability
- Noise
You’ll generally find these qualities and characteristics in the product description. Be sure to compare several different burr grinders to see what will work best for you.
Our Recommendations for the Best Burr Grinder
Ready to start looking at burr grinders? Here are some of our top choices. While you want to choose a grinder that suits your personal coffee needs and preferences, you really can’t go wrong with any of these.
- Best home grinder — Baratza Encore Grinder
- Best budget grinder — KRUPS Adjustable Burr Grinder
- Best for cold brew and french press coffee — Capresso Infinity Plus Commercial Burr Grinder
- Best quiet grinder — Fellow Ode Brew Grinder
- Best home espresso grinder — Rancilio Rocky Espresso Coffee Grinder
- Best manual burr for a single cup — JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder
- Best burr grinder for beginners — Hario Mini-Slim+ Ceramic Burr Grinder
7 Best Burr Coffee Grinders
The best burr grinder for you depends on your coffee-drinking habits. Do you prefer espresso drinks, french press, or some other kind of coffee? It’s important to grind your coffee according to how you’ll drink it. Also, consider how much space you have in your kitchen and your budget.
Now, let’s take a closer look at our top burr grinder picks.
1. Baratza Encore Grinder ($145)
This Baratza coffee grinder is one of the top choices in any list of the best burr coffee grinders, and for good reason. It’s a solid machine made with conical burrs that offers a wide range of consistent grind sizes. If you want to get serious about home brewing coffee, this is the burr grinder to beat.
2. KRUPS Adjustable Burr Grinder ($49.99)
If the cost of most burr grinders places them out of your reach, this economical metal flat burr grinder is a great choice. Get a high-precision grind every time with this budget burr. It has nine grind settings and even allows you to adjust the cup size between two and nine cups. This burr grinder is a winner at this price!
3. Capresso Infinity Plus Commercial Burr Grinder ($139.99)
Whether you’re grinding coffee for French press or cold brew, the Capresso Infinity is a solid choice. This easy-to-use burr grinder boasts 16 grind levels, and you can simply turn the dial to go from extra fine to coarse grind. Made with commercial-grade conical burrs, this grinder offers precision, and the innovative gear reduction creates less friction and heat, so your coffee maintains its flavor and aroma.
4. Fellow Ode Brew Grinder ($299)
This burr grinder powerhouse is one of the quietest grinders around. It comes in a lovely black matte finish and does a great job with brewed coffee. It has an astounding 31 grind settings and comes in a nice compact size, perfect for smaller kitchens.
5. Rancilio Rocky Espresso Coffee Grinder ($425)
This is the perfect home coffee grinder for serious espresso aficionados. It has stainless steel flat burrs that can grind in 50 different settings with precision. It’s both a durable grinder and a space saver that is guaranteed to take your homebrew to the next level.
6. JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder ($39.99)
If you’re looking for a compact manual burr grinder, this one by JavaPresse is a great option. It has a professional-grade ceramic conical burr and is made with durable stainless steel. It has 15 grind settings and is really easy to use on the road or at home.
7. Hario Mini-Slim+ Ceramic Burr Grinder
We’re huge fans of Hario products, and that holds true for the Hario Mini-Slim+ grinder. This easy-to-use ceramic burr hand grinder is perfect for those just getting into craft coffee. The conical ceramic burrs help to reduce heat transfer and shave the coffee beans rather than crush them, so you have a consistent grind every time.
Get That Grind!
Elevate your coffee with the best, most precise, and most consistent grind using a burr grinder. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed your coffee before!
Try Methodical Coffee for your next coffee brewing experience. Enjoy tasting a variety of different beans with our coffee subscription.
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