When it comes to great-tasting coffee, one of the hallmarks has to be a good quality, burr grinder. Freshly ground coffee makes the world of a difference to the taste of the beverage and if you want to maximize this flavor then you need an even and consistent grind.
Burr grinders ensure this as they use rotating burrs to precisely grind the coffee beans into even particles rather than roughly smashing them up like a blade grinder does.
For the budget-conscious folk out there, you’ll be pleased to discover that burr grinders do not need to break the bank. To prove a testament to this, here are eight really great options that all retail at under $100.
Just so you know we have a grind size chart on our Cheat sheet to get you started with your new grinder which you can download by signing up for Moka Pot Mondays our coffee newsletter below.
Alongside the product reviews, I’ve also included a handy buyers guide and some common F.A.Q.s to help you out. Now let’s jump right in and look to our top choice for reasonably priced burr grinders.
Top 5 Best Burr Grinders Under $100
- Top Choice – Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic
- Runner Up – Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
- Manual Option – JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder with Adjustable Setting
- Best Option For Espresso – SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
- Minimal and Stylish – Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
1. Top Choice – Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic
Brand: Cuisinart
Pros
- 18 Position Grind Selector
- Large capacity
- Removal Grind Chamber
Cons
- Flat Burrs – not conical
For the top choice today it has to be Cuisinart with the Supreme grind automatic. This grinder holds a LOT of beans, enough for 32 cups of coffee! The removable grind chamber makes it really easy to pour the ground coffee into your French press, drip machine, or whichever brew method you prefer.
Eighteen grind settings mean that you’ll end up with the perfect coffee consistency no matter which brew method you prefer. The built-in timer switches the electric grinder off when the grind cycle is complete which is really useful and this grinder comes with a coffee scoop as well as a cleaning brush which is a nice added extra.
This coffee grinder works by utilizing burr plates rather than conical burrs so although they achieve a consistent grind size they are more prone to clogging. Just make sure you keep it clean and free from debris and this grinder will serve you well!
2. Runner Up – Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Brand: Sboly
Pros
- Conical Burrs
- Safety Lock
- Relatively Quiet
Cons
- Not good for coarse grind
If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced conical burr grinder then Sboly has got you covered. This little powerhouse of a grinder has stainless steel burrs and the simple design makes it very user-friendly.
19 grind settings and 12 cup sizes will keep your coffee maker topped up and the safety lock ensures no accidents whilst using this device. It’s relatively quiet for a burr mill and won’t deafen you.
This grinder is perfect for a fine grind to use in an espresso machine or extra fine for Turkish coffee but if you’re looking for anything that requires more coarseness than a pour-over or drip coffee then this grinder isn’t ideal. It can’t seem to get the coffee to the right grind for cold brew or french press coffee even on the coarsest setting.
Whilst this is a little disappointing if you’re looking for a medium to ultra-fine grind then this electric burr grinder is the perfect option.
3. Manual Option – JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder with Adjustable Setting
Brand: JavaPresse
Pros
- Adjustable Grind Selector
- Ceramic Burrs
- No power necessary
Cons
- Takes a while
If you need your coffee beans ground up on the go then a manual grinder is a great option. This JavaPresse grinder is compact, lightweight, and doesn’t require any batteries or power source. Simply turn the handle to grind coffee.
The ceramic burrs are very durable and make grinding coffee a very simple task. You can set the grind size by a simple click mechanism to 19 levels to suit any brewing method.
You can’t fit a huge amount of coffee into the bean hopper as it can cope with the amount to make around 2 cups. It takes a while to grind fresh coffee for espresso as the finer grind setting has more resistance. This isn’t a major issue, it just requires a little patience and elbow grease!
This is the perfect setup for the busy coffee enthusiast to enjoy quality coffee at work, on the road, or even whilst in the great outdoors.
4. Best Option For Espresso – SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
Brand: Shardor
Pros
- Removable Upper Burr
- Detachable Grinding Chamber
- Great for ultra-fine grind
Cons
- Flat Burr
For a really consistent, fine grind you need to put away that blade grinder and consider this burr option by Shardor. The simple to use settings give you a tonne of control over your coffee brewing. The burrs avoid overheating so won’t affect the coffee flavor.
The upper burr is removable which makes it easy to clean and avoid a build-up of coffee which can affect the functionality of grinders. The grind chamber is fully removable which makes it really easy to scoop the grounds into your coffee machine.
This grinder achieves a really high quality, uniform fine grind which makes it ideal for use alongside an espresso machine. It’s also good for a medium-fine grind option like the AeroPress or for pour-over options.
The only issue with this grinder is the flat burrs can require a little more maintenance and cleaning compared to conical ones. This isn’t a major flaw, however, as the removable upper burr makes this process pretty simple. Overall this is a great option for all coffee lovers at a very reasonable price.
5. Minimal and Stylish – Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
Brand: Capresso
Pros
- Conical Burrs
- Steel Burrs
- Heavy-Duty
Cons
- Left-over coffee sticks to burrs
If durability is a top priority for you when choosing a coffee grinder then Capresso has a great option for you. Utilizing Swiss engineering, the steel burrs ensure an even grind for any type of coffee. The heavy-duty die-cast outer housing adds to the durability of this coffee grinder.
It can hold 8.8 ounces of coffee beans and with 16 grind settings, any type of coffee drinker will be satisfied with the results. The safety lock is a nice feature for peace of mind and the grind chamber fits very snugly, avoiding mess.
This grinder is one of the least static options out there which makes for a very pleasant coffee grinding experience.
A minor flaw with this grinder is that due to the shape of the burrs some ground coffee can remain trapped here. This means you do need to clean the burrs out regularly to avoid clogging. Thankfully, the removable upper burrs make this very easy to do.
Coffee Grinder Buying Guide
Flat vs Conical Burrs
The design of the burrs can have an impact on how your coffee grinder works. Conical burrs are generally considered to be superior as they provide a really reliable and uniform grind. Flat burrs, if well made, can also produce a very good grind consistency but tend to slip more easily and can become clogged. It’s important to keep the burrs clean and brush away excess coffee from time to time to ensure they keep on working well.
Burr Material
The material used to construct the burrs also plays a role in how well the grinder works. Steel burrs are extremely durable and long-lasting and are second only to ceramic ones. Plastic burrs can do a good job but will become dull a lot quicker than the tougher options.
Bean Hopper Capacity
The hopper, where you add the coffee beans should be adequately sized for your needs. If it’s a single cup of coffee you require then a smaller option will do just fine. For the baristas among us, it’s important to ensure the hopper can keep up with the demand. Make sure you check the maximum capacity of the coffee grinder to ensure you’re not left disappointed here.
Noise
Coffee grinders are noisy by design but they don’t have to deafen you. If you hate loud noises, consider a manual option. If you prefer electric then choose one that’s designed to be a bit quieter like the Sboly option.
Safety
Safety locks and grinders that won’t work unless the lid is in place are important as this will prevent anything from getting caught in the powerful burrs. This can prevent damage to things and also injury to you and your family. If you have curious young children around make sure you choose a model that has some form of safety feature in place.
Cleaning
No matter which type of coffee grinder you choose, they all need to be cleaned at some point. Some models come with cleaning brushes which can really help out here. Another good feature is removable burrs so you can properly clean them off in between uses.
Warranty
The last thing to check for is a decent warranty when you buy a new coffee grinder. As with all-electric appliances, they can fail for a number of reasons so make sure you have some sort of money-back guarantee for peace of mind.
F.A.Q.s
What grind size should I use to make espresso?
Espresso brewing requires a very fine grind setting. You want to use the options closest to the finest setting to give a powdery coffee. You may need to try a few test runs here to find out which option best suits your coffee type and espresso machine. If you’re using an AeroPress you need a coarser grind.
How much power does a coffee grinder use?
A premium coffee grinder may use around 300 watts of power to get that lovely even ground coffee. Some models may only use 150 watts and a manual coffee grinder doesn’t need any power at all.
What’s the difference between a blade and a burr grinder?
Blade grinders work like a food processor where the fast-spinning blade roughly chops and shatters coffee beans into an inconsistent and uneven grind. They also heat up which can cause the coffee beans to lose some of their delicious flavor.
Burr grinders use rotating cogs with teeth to grind coffee into even particle sizes. They don’t heat up the coffee so it tastes better and brews a very tasty cup every time.
What causes static in my coffee grinder?
Because the coffee grinds are thrown everywhere in the collection chamber this causes an imbalance between the charge of the coffee as well as the container. This causes static to build up and repels the coffee, potentially making a mess.
How often should you clean your burr grinder?
I recommend giving your burr grinder a sweep with the brush once a week to remove excess coffee from the outlet and take the machine apart once a month to properly clean it out. Of course, the frequency of cleaning does depend on how often you use your coffee grinder so if you only use it occasionally then you may not need to clean it so often.
More Burr Grinders Reviewed
KRUPS GVX231 Coffee Grinder
This Krups grinder is a flat burr grinder that effortlessly achieves an even and consistent grind. It occupies a small footprint in your kitchen and is pretty lightweight. The burrs remove easily for cleaning and it comes with a brush to help you keep it free from debris.
The bean hopper is spacious and the lid forms an airtight seal which helps keep beans fresh as well as eliminating mess. The machine won’t function unless all parts are securely in place which is a great safety feature.
It is very loud to operate and does build up a lot of static which can be a bit of a pain. It’s simple enough to overcome as you can touch a metal fork or spoon to it to help reduce this.
Overall, it has very simple controls, it’s easy to use, and a nice design that looks at home in any kitchen.
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Brand: Oxo
Pros
- Micro settings
- Conical Burrs
- Stainless Steel Burrs
Cons
- Prone to clogging
Oxo is known for producing some of the best burr grinders thanks to the stainless steel, conical burr design that evenly grinds coffee beans without heating or crushing it. It can achieve a very precise rind setting and even has micro settings so you can make anything from Turkish coffee to espresso using this.
You can set the timer to your preferred grinding setting so all you need to do is add beans and touch the button, no adjustment necessary. This is a very durable and hard-wearing machine but it does have a couple of small issues.
The coffee chamber can sometimes loosen thanks to the vibrations during the grinding stage which can make a bit of a mess. Also, as with most conical burr grinders, coffee can end up caught between the burrs and leads to clogging. The top burr comes out to allow cleaning so this is a helpful feature.
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill
Brand: Hario
Pros
- Ceramic Conical Burrs
- Manual Grinder
- Non-slip rubber base
Cons
- Small capacity
If an electric coffee grinder isn’t ideal for you, don’t automatically opt for pre-ground. This manual grinder by Hario gives you all the benefits of a burr grinder just without the power requirements.
The extremely durable, ceramic conical burrs grind coffee beans effortlessly. The grind size adjustment is easy to use and the glass bowl hopper keeps your coffee tasting fresh and pure. The handle is re-inforced giving it a smooth motion that’s pleasant to use.
The silicone base keeps the grinder from falling over and overall this is a really sturdy and easy-to-use coffee grinder. The only downside is that it only holds up to 100g of coffee so isn’t the largest capacity option out there. Is a great compact option however and works great for smaller batches of coffee.
Take Home
A burr grinder is the best coffee grinder for every brew method. It ensures a consistent and uniform grind and doesn’t heat up or damage the beans. Good quality coffee grinding doesn’t have the break the bank and I hope this article has helped show you this. I hope you have a better idea now of what to look out for when you set out to buy a new coffee grinder and I wish you the best of luck in your coffee brewing journey.
The 5 Best Burr Grinders Under $50 (Busting Beans On A Budget)
