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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is an essential tool in the home coffee maker's arsenal. But which one to buy?

Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated surfaces, rather than slicing them with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what features should you look for in a grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill is equipped with an angled set of teeth and the ring of a circular burr that is placed between the other. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, since the burrs turn around a single central point. The angled teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly and produce less heat. This is good because excessive heat can create bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull quickly, leading to unevenly ground espresso. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris can cause damage over time. Additionally flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.





A lot of burr grinders available on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have no burrs at all. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth. They are usually paired with motors that are weak, resulting in inconsistent grounds. They aren't true burr mills and contrary to what many people believe, don't offer the same grind as actual burr mills.

While some experts disagree some believe that the type of burrs in the grinder have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal however they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs soften and enhance darker roasts.

This may or may not be the case, but it is important to consider if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to be sure that for certain is to test a grinder out with the beans you will be using it with. The overall layout of the grinder and its operating features will have more of an influence on the final cup than the design or burrs. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration other factors when evaluating a grinder, such as its reputation and customer reviews.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. Many reviewers have praised it as a "time-tested option" that is a great value for money and is suited for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.

The grinder utilizes burrs that rotate instead of blades to grind beans, which creates more uniformly sized grounds as compared to a blender or burr grinders, according to the company. In addition the burrs create less heat when they grind, which preserves the beans' aroma and flavor.

In contrast, blade grinders can produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can impact the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this could differ by model and brand.

Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges facing each one. We don't recommend them for espresso as they can be difficult to adjust and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders that we tested let you select the amount of time that the machine will grind, which can be useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, like our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's precise to only a fraction of seconds. This feature is not necessary for all brewing techniques and most burr grinders under $200 have a fancy version of the windup clock.

The cheapest models we have in our lineup, such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs, meaning you'll have to crank them yourself by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious but is a great option if you're looking for an easy, compact, and affordable option that doesn't require electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another option for those who want to save money and uses a burr grinder. It's louder than other models that we have tested, but it's still acceptable if you don’t mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder will generally be the more expensive it is. This is due to the upgraded materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.

3. Easy of Use

A burr grinder is a tool that every expert recommends for those who are just getting started with home coffee making. These grinders create more consistent, finer grind than your standard blade grinder, and will help you create brews with better balance in the flavor, body and acidity. They are generally more reliable. As you'd expect, a high-quality burr mill can cost up to $200 and can be difficult to use.

So, we spoke to experts and obtained their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders available on the market. Many people, including those on a tight budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with multiple settings to manage a variety of brewing methods from pour-over, French press, and drip coffee. It was a success during our tests.

It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't generate as much heat. This is important because excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

stainless coffee grinder has one flaw It grinds the best on the coarser side of the spectrum. This can be problematic for espresso. If you brew espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Manual burr grinders, powered by cranking, are easy to use and are perfect for those who only drink just a cup or two of coffee every day. These grinders are perfect for those who travel, or only need to make a single cup of pour-over coffee.

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Test Kitchen's director, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and produces a wonderful beverage using any method - except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind well enough). It's a breeze to operate for those who don't mind a little messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A good burr mill will cost you a few hundred bucks, but is definitely worth it. The grinding mechanism is simple enough that even a beginner can figure out how to get the most out of it, and you'll save money in the long run by ditching the pre-ground coffee and bad-for-the-environment coffee pods.

Conical burr grinders are the standard in electric home units, and they're a great choice for most people just starting out with this whole grinding-your-own-beans-at-home thing. They can produce a bit of fines (the tiny pieces of coffee that are smaller than the officially designated grind size you select), but this won't be noticeable to most average drinkers, and it's a small cost to pay for delicious consistently-sized coffee grounds.

Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that face one another. They are not as common but are preferred by coffee geeks due to their ability to produce a more consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may need to buy new burrs for every different roast level or brew type.

The Baratza ESP has the best mix of cost and capabilities for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's priced at less than $200, which is much less than other models that lack the same capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's ideal for all types of brewing techniques. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, like those from SSP.

The OXO is a different option that is priced reasonably with a proven performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise, as burrs in higher-end models however its user interface and a variety of settings are suitable for French press and drip. While true coffee geeks would prefer a more sophisticated model, the OXO is a great entry point for the majority of people.

For those who prefer to crank their beans manually We also tried a handful of manual burr grinders that are ideal for travel and for people who only need to make one or two cups at each time. These models utilize the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders but operate using a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also typically quieter than electric units.