How To Get More Results Out Of Your Best Burr Grinder How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a vital tool for any home coffee maker's arsenal. What kind of grinder should you get?

Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of slicing with blades. They're considered to be superior to blade grinders. What features should you look out for in a burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical-shaped burr mill has angled teeth and a circular burr ring inserted between the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, as the burrs rotate around a single central point. The inclined teeth are more effective in cutting beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can result in bitter tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs are prone to warping and becoming dull quickly, leading to unevenly ground coffee. They also tend to be more brittle, which means that small stones or debris could cause damage to the burrs over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise and require regular maintenance and cleaning.

Many burr grinders on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have no burrs whatsoever. These "false burr grinders" have large flat teeth, and are often coupled with motors that have weak components that produce irregular grounds. These are not true burr mills and contrary to what some people think, they do not provide the same quality grind as real burr mills.

Although some experts do not agree some believe that the burrs that are used in the grinder can have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly anecdotal but they have a powerful hold on the minds and hearts 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 not be true. However, it's something you should consider in the event that your grinder has significant impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to determine that for certain is to test the grinder using the beans you will be using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its features of operation will have a greater impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. It's important to consider other aspects when evaluating the grinder, including 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 an "time-tested choice" that is a great value for money. It is designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew.

The grinder employs rotating metal burrs instead of blades to grind beans, which creates more uniformly sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinders, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat which preserves the flavor and aroma of the beans.

Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground which can affect the flavor of your final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, but this can vary depending on the model and the brand.

Although the majority of burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, a few make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). These grinders aren't suitable for espresso as they are difficult to calibrate. They're also cheaper and less difficult than high-end flat-burr grinders like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders we've tested allow you to set how long the machine will grind for a certain amount of time, which is helpful when making espresso. Others, including our top pick, the Baratza Sette 270--have an integrated smart timer that delivers precise split-second timing. This feature is not required for the majority of brewing methods, and most burr grinders under $200 have an upgraded 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 have to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option in the event you're seeking a simple small, affordable alternative without electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an alternative that is affordable and features a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've tried, but still tolerable in the event that you're okay with some noise. In general, the pricier grinder is more quiet it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and the latest soundproofing technologies.

3. Easy of Use

A burr grinder is a tool that every expert recommends for those who are just getting started with home coffee brewing. These grinders create a much more consistent, finer grind than the standard blade grinder and allow you to make brews that are better balanced in body, flavor and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. However, as you may expect, top burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and some are complicated to use.

So, we talked to experts and got their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders that are available on the market. Many people, including those with a budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with multiple settings that can handle various methods of brewing, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well during our tests.

It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested and doesn't generate the same amount of heat. This is crucial, since excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder has just one drawback that it is best suited to grinding at the coarser side of the spectrum. This can be a problem for espresso. If you're brewing espresso, a higher-end burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.

Manual burr grinders, which are powered by cranking, are more user-friendly and are perfect for those who consume only just a cup or two of coffee a day. They're a great option for those who travel or need to make just one portion of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 easily-adjustable settings and is capable of making a great drink using any method you want, except espresso (the flat burrs of steel don't grind as finely as they should). It's easy for anyone to use so long as they're not frightened by a few messes or chaff flying away.

4. Cost

A good burr grinder can set you back about a hundred dollars but it's well worth the price. 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. The grinders produce a small amount of fines, which are the little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of the official grind you choose. However it's not noticeable to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs, that are two discs that have cutting teeth facing each other They are not as common in home units, but are preferred by serious coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to provide an even grind size that's perfect for espresso and French press. They can be costly and you may have to purchase new burrs each when you change the type of brew or the level of roast.

According to our experts, the Baratza is the best price and capabilities for burr mills. It's priced at less than $200 and is more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It has a 64-mm flat burr set that's excellent for any brewing method and is easy to upgrade with other sets like those from SSP.


The OXO is a decent, low-cost alternative that has a great performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as ones in more expensive models however its user interface and multiple settings are suitable for French drip and press. The OXO is a great starter model for most people. True coffee enthusiasts might prefer a more advanced model however the OXO is suitable for the majority of people.

We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their beans by hand. They are ideal to take on trips and for those who only need to make two or three cups of coffee at a time. These models, which use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, operate with a crank instead of motors and are typically much quieter than electric units.