You can agree with film director David Lynch's proverbial maxim that "even a bad cup of coffee is better than not having coffee." But what if you could make a really great cup of coffee in your own kitchen? Who would say no to that?
Well, the key to making the perfect mug in your home is this: a coffee grinder. Freshly ground coffee tastes better and has more aroma and is the secret of the great lovers of this drink.
Driven by our love of caffeine we have tried 10 different models of coffee grinders. And, after many, many, many cups of coffee (an addiction we are not ashamed to admit), we have selected three winners:
- Best overall coffee grinder: Baratza Virtuoso + Conical Burr Grinder with digital display. Whether you want an espresso, a classic filtered coffee or a French press coffee, this machine creates the most consistent ground coffee of all the grinders we have tried.
- Best value for money: Bodum Bistro Burr Electric Coffee Grinder. If we were to judge by looks alone, this might have been our best option, but it also worked admirably as an entry-level model.
- Best Mini / Portable: Mini Porlex Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder. For coffee drinkers who spend a lot of time on the road, this small hand grinder offers great results, thanks in part to the spring loaded ceramic mechanism.
A quick look at the winners
For each competitor we use whole beans from Coffee Project New York and test multiple grinding configurations focusing on filter coffees, espresso and French press. We also consider functionality, including grinding consistency and ease of use, durability, and aesthetics, when rating each grinder. Finally, while coffee grinders can be very expensive (some with four-figure price tags), to keep our focus on affordable options, we decided to keep the test suite focused on the mid-range, limiting it to $ 250.
Beginning baristas and coffee connoisseurs alike will be delighted with the Baratza Virtuoso +, a conical grinder with 40 settings for grind size, from super fine (espresso) to super thick (for French press). Its elegant appearance and simple and intuitive controls, including a digital timer, allow a constant routine at all times, as well as a lot of comfort.
The Bodum Bistro Grinder is designed with a contemporary look (we especially liked it in poppy red) and includes a dozen adjustable settings, a glass bead collector with no static adhesion and enough features to make it an ideal starter for those who are initiate.
At just 8 ounces weight, the small Porlex Mini hand grinder offers precision grinding, with 18 settings, in an easy-to-travel size. You probably won't want to use it if you need multiple cups to get you up and running in the morning, but for a cup or two, especially when you're outdoors or traveling, it's hard to beat.
In detail
Best Overall Coffee Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso + Conical Grinder with Digital Timer Display ($ 249; amazon.com)
While $ 249 isn't exactly a bargain, in the world of quality coffee grinders the price is considered mid-range. But the performance? First class. Since 1999, this company has accumulated awards for its grinders, and the Virtuoso +, with its elegant and intuitive design, quickly placed itself among the 10 models we tested.
First: the grinding setup. While most mills had less than 20 settings, Virtuoso + offers 40 to choose from. Having more options allows you to customize the grinding size to your liking, so you get the exact flavor you want from the beans. We were amazed at how easy it was to quickly and easily customize our grinds, from espresso or Turkish coffee (which requires the best grind) at one end of the spectrum to the French press or cold brewing (requiring coarser grinds) on the other . Simply turn the wheel to clearly marked settings to grind your desired coffee style.
The Virtuoso + features a handy display that allows you to program grinding time to the tenth of a second, using a knob on the side. Not available on many of the other models we tested, this feature allows you to grind your beans for an exact period of time, a useful capacity when you're in a hurry and know the size you're looking for. Having a timer is also important because once you find that magic grinding number that suits your taste, you'll get the same quality every time. If your timer is set for too long, your coffee may be too strong; If it is too short, it will be weak. If you are still experimenting with grinding time and weight, you can use pulse mode to explore accurate and consistent grinding.
The 40mm conical wheels on this model, meanwhile, created the most consistent foundation of any grinder we tested in espresso, drip, and French press setups. The grinding wheels are cone shaped, which helps control grinding size, heat transfer (which can burn grains), and noise levels.
Compact and sturdy, weighing 9 pounds, the machine takes up less space than a coffee maker, and has additional attractive appeal thanks to its minimalist stainless steel and black design. Aesthetics are subjective, of course, but we prefer this design to others in the test group. Another plus: the bean container (containing 8 ounces) and the grinding container (containing 5 ounces) are transparent, so you can see what it's working with, and the added touch of an LED light on the container does more. easy to monitor your work.
Although certainly not silent, this grinder was quieter than many of the tested models, and cleaning the grinding wheels, hopper, and receiver was relatively easy, in part thanks to the included brush.
All in all, this is an excellent coffee grinder for anyone looking to replicate a great cup of coffee that you would find in a specialty store. Consistent results, precision grinding settings, sleek design, timer function, and other special touches like the powerful yet quiet motor and LED-lit container make it worth the price. It may take a little time to find the perfect setup for you, but it's part of the fun.
Best Value: Burr Bodum Bistro Electric Coffee Grinder ($ 99.63, originally $ 143; amazon.com)
With 12 adjustable grinding settings, this is our best choice for hobbyist baristas ready to enhance their coffee with a grinder. The Bistro, which uses 35mm stainless steel conical grinding wheels to grind the grains, received high marks in our tests. It didn't score as high as our first pick, but it was close and still far outperformed other grinders.
The setup took a little longer than other models, due in part to the few instructions, and it took us work to figure out the suggested time for different relief grinding inside the hopper lid. But once we understood things, it couldn't have been easier: just put the beans in the hopper, choose the grind size by turning it, set the timer anywhere from one to 20 seconds, flip the switch, and voila.
The grinder body, made of rubber, plastic, and glass, was our style favorite. Modern and minimalist, it comes in five colors: black, red, white, chrome, die-cast copper and shiny copper, and its small size (weighs 4.7 pounds and measures 7.6 by 7.1 by 12.5 inches) means it takes up very little space in the counter.
And while the grinding wheels aren't as smooth as those produced by more expensive models, the Bistro does have some nice features for a machine under $ 100: a friction clutch lets you know if small stones get into the grinding wheels, and the glass bowl Helps reduce static, which means it cleans easily and no residue remains.
If you really like espresso or are looking to delve into the art of making coffee, you may want to look at high-end models. Espresso requires extremely fine grinding (think about the consistency of powdered sugar) and those grinds should be uniform in size. Entry level grinders simply cannot reach that level of finesse or consistency. But if you are a newcomer who just wants to play around with a few variables in search of a better cup, the Bistro is definitely for you.
Best Mini / Portable: Mini Porlex Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder ($ 77.50; amazon.com)
The Japanese-made Porlex Mini is a dream for frequent travelers. Whether you are traveling and have a more refined palate than can satisfy standard coffee in your hotel room, or if you are a type of nature lover who loves camping almost as much as the quality of coffee, this hand grinder It can keep you happy no matter where you are.
The Mini is small, weighs just 8 ounces, and is 5 inches tall by 2 inches wide. If you're a fan of Aeropress, you're in luck - it fits perfectly inside.
But that compact size doesn't mean you sacrifice flexibility. Let's say you want espresso, but your partner wants a French press. The device's 18 grinding settings produce extremely consistent results for both.
The key to its consistency is its spring-loaded ceramic grinding wheels, which don't heat up like stainless steel versions. These grinding wheels remain sharp, static-free, and do not absorb water or odors. Ceramic grinding wheels also do not rust, making them very easy to clean.
Now due to its small size the Mini has only a grinding capacity of 20 grams which is fine if you just want a cup or two. But it took us about 90 seconds to grind 20 grams, so be careful because it can take a long time to grind enough for several cups.
Even with its sleek, minimalist stainless steel body, rubberized grip, detachable handle, fantastic consistency, and great portability, we recognize that $ 77 is expensive for a hand grinder. However, there really was no comparison between the Mini and the other small models we tested, both manual and electric, in regards to grinding consistency, and this is the only model we recommend. In fact, we would put its grinding performance even compared to some of the high-end electric models we tested. Plus, waking up to a fabulous cup of freshly ground coffee on your trip? Worth it.
Keep in mind when using a grinder
After tasting 10 coffee grinders, we felt experienced enough to achieve amateur barista status. One thing we learned: While all models vary in features, they were quite similar in ease of use and ease of assembly.
But since even small variations in grind size can change the flavor profile of your coffee, and consistent grinds reduce bitterness, expect to pay $ 100 and more for a good grinder made of durable materials that achieve optimal consistency.
If you like to keep things simple, but still crave something tastier than your regular cup of coffee made from ground coffee from the supermarket, an inexpensive electric grinder will probably be fine. It will taste more like what you get from a coffee shop and it will be tastier than the coffee you are used to.
If you are not overly concerned with the size of your grind and / or only need a cup or two at a time, a simple hand grinder that you can handle with a crank may suffice. Another advantage of manual grinders? They make almost no noise. It is likely that all the electric grinders we tested woke up anyone who still sleeps a few rooms away.
However, if you enjoy the challenge of honing your barista skills to create that perfect cup that is much more than just a morning caffeine shake, or if you want to switch between espresso, cold brew, French press, or any other coffee variety, Investing in a mill with a few extra features and multiple setups will pay off (and it'll be even cheaper than daily stops at the corner café).
The key is in the teeth. Ground coffee is very convenient, but the beans start to get rancid once they are ground, so no real coffee expert buys ground coffee.
For comparison, manual grinders (or blades) are usually less expensive, but make the result more inconsistent. The crushers, on the other hand, feature two blades, one of which is motorized and rotates, crush the beans and help ensure consistency in grinding, leading to better flavor, aroma and body.
As for construction, most of the grinders we tested use ceramic or stainless steel grinding wheels. Stainless versions are more common, but may need to be replaced after a few years, while ceramic grinding wheels are more durable and result in extra fine espresso grinds.
The ability to adjust the grinding settings allows precise grinding to suit the coffee you want to brew. Espresso craving? You will want the best grinding that your machine offers. Drip? Opt for a medium routine. French press? Choose the thickest setting. Some grinders also allow you to set the grinding time, which means you will get the exact measurement you are looking for.
Finally, if your grinder has a large hopper, resist the urge to grind a bunch of grains at once to use throughout the week. Coffee tastes better when it's freshly ground.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.