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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most important tools in the coffee-making arsenal. Which one should you purchase?

Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated, rotating surfaces instead of cutting them with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you look for in a grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

As its name implies, conical burr grinders have one circular burr ring within another one with sharp teeth. This shape allows for a more efficient grinding, as the burrs are arranged around the central point. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is a good thing since excessive heat can lead to bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs are prone to warping and dulling quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is not evenly ground. They are more fragile, which means that small stones and other particles can damage them over time. In addition, flat burrs generate more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have no burrs even. These "false" burr grinders have large, flattened teeth. They are often paired up with weak motors that produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr grinders and, contrary to what some people believe, don't produce the same quality of grind as real burr grinders.

Some experts aren't convinced, but others believe that the shape and size of burrs used in a coffee grinder could influence the final flavor. These theories are mostly anecdotal but they have a powerful hold on the minds and hearts of coffee lovers. For instance, some people believe that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts.

It could be true, but it is important to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. The only way to be sure for certain is to try the grinder using the beans you'll be using it with. The grinder's overall design and operating features will have a larger effect on the final cup of coffee than the type of burrs. It's therefore important to consider other factors when you evaluate the quality of a grinder, like its reputation and customer reviews.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. Several reviewers praise it as a "time-tested option" that provides excellent value for money and is suited for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.

The grinder uses burrs that rotate instead of blades to crush the beans, which produces larger and more evenly-sized beans as compared to a blender or burr grinder, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the flavor and aroma of beans.

Blade grinders, on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground which can affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this could vary by model and brand.

Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical. These are two discs with cutting edges facing each one. We don't recommend these for espresso machines because they are more difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a premium burr grinder with a flat-burr like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

The grinders we've tested allow you to set how long the machine will be grinding for a particular period of time, which is helpful when making espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are precise to just a fraction of seconds. However, this feature isn't required for all brewing methods and most under-$200 burr grinders operate on what amounts to a fancier version of the windup timer.

The most affordable models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means that you have to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great choice in the event you're looking for an easy small, affordable alternative 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 some of the other models we've tried, but still tolerable if you don't mind a little noise. The quieter a grinder will be, in general the more expensive it will be. This is due to the upgraded materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.

3. Easy to Use

A burr grinder is an instrument that is recommended by every expert for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee brewing. These grinders create a much more consistent, finer grind than you get from your regular blade grinder. They also assist in making brews that are better balanced in body, flavor and acidity. They also achieve this more effectively. But, as you might expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and many are difficult to use.

We spoke with experts and obtained their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders that are available on the market. Many people, even those on a tight budget are recommending the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings to manage a variety of brewing methods from pour-over, French press, and drip coffee. It also did well in our tests.

It's also quieter than other grinders with electric motors we've test, and it doesn't create the same amount of heat as other grinders do. That's important, as excess heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder's only drawback is that it's best coffee bean grinders at grinding on the coarse end of the spectrum, which can be a problem for espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a grinder with more advanced features like the Baratza Encore may be a better choice.

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

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, is a fan of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that are easily adjustable and will make a fantastic brew using any method--except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind well enough). It's easy to use for anyone who isn't afraid of a little messes and flyaway chaff, and it's relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A quality burr grinder will cost a few hundred dollars, but it's worth the cost. 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 produce a little bit of fines (the tiny pieces of coffee that are smaller than the official grind size you select), but this won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers, and it's a small cost to pay for delicious, consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other. They aren't as popular but are favored by coffee geeks because they give a uniform grind size, which is ideal for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might have to purchase new burrs for each different brew type or roast level.

According to our experts, the Baratza has the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for a burr mill. It's less than $200, which is much less than the majority of other models that lack the same capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's perfect for all brewing methods. You can easily upgrade to other sets, including those from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a solid performance in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise as burrs in higher-end models, but its user interface and a variety of settings are suitable for both French drip and press. The OXO is an excellent starter model for most people. Coffee enthusiasts who are serious may require a more sophisticated model however the OXO is suitable for them.

We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their coffee by hand. They are ideal for traveling and for people who are only able to make one or two cups of coffee beans and grinder at a time. These models, which utilize the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders use the use of a crank rather than motors, and are generally more quiet than electric models.