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grinders we like

We are obsessed with fresh coffee.

Pre-ground coffee begins to lose its flavor within minutes. 

The best way to improve your coffee experience at home is to invest in a quality burr grinder. 

Here you'll find the grinders we recommend at each price point. All external links are affiliate links (we get a small kickback from Amazon if you buy something), but we have no ties to any of the manufacturers. 

Entry-level grinders (under $200)

We recommend:

The Baratza Encore is what I use at home most of the time for pour-over. It is a well-built, entry-level machine, fine for just about any brewing method except for espresso or Turkish pot. 

If you can get used to the monotony of cranking a mill around, then a hand grinder is also a nice budget-friendly option. Porlex and Hario both have a great reputation. Hario was my first burr grinder, and it served me well for years (I still use it for travel). The Porlex Mini, however, has a slight edge over Hario for build quality and grind consistency, though it holds less coffee than the Hario.

I've never used the Breville grinder, but they are a good company and their grinder is often recommended as a nice entry-level machine that does not skimp on quality. 

Mid-range grinders ($200-500)

While any one of the entry-level grinders can technically grind fine enough for espresso, it is really in this price range that you can expect to get decent espresso shots out of your grinder. We recommend:

Clearly, we're fans of Baratza grinders. They are a great company and have excellent customer service, on top of making nice quality grinders. The Sette grinder is great for espresso, and it's what I use at home. The Sette 270 has better burrs and more settings than the 30.

The Virtuoso+ is excellent for pour-over coffee. But it is also a great all-around grinder. If you need something to do both pour-over and espresso, it will do the job well.

The Rocky Rancilio is a classic home espresso grinder. I haven't used one myself, but it has a good reputation in the coffee community.

High-end grinders ($500+)

Excellent grinders are expensive. There's no way around that. But we think you'd find great value for what your spending on any of these:

The Sette 270wi is the top tier of their Sette models, of which I'm a fan. Great for espresso. The Forte, while slightly less visually appealing, is a fantastic all-around grinder. 

Mazzer has been a staple in coffee shops for years. They are one of the most recognizable grinders, and I'm willing to bet your local shop has one. As home grinders, they might be overkill, but the Mazzer Mini is a nice midway option. It isn't as loved as the Super Jolly, but it'll work for the home-espresso enthusiast. 

Because Mazzer grinders have been around for a while, it is pretty easy to find used ones for a bargain. Used Minis usually go for around $300-400. If you don't mind putting in some work, that's a deal. You'll want to change the burrs out and clean the machine, but these things are built to last, so used machines are rarely beyond repair. 

Conclusion

So there you have it. I know coffee grinders can feel daunting, but I hope this brief intro has helped. 

At the end of the day, any grinder is better than no grinder! Get what you can afford. It'll be your first step towards delicious coffee at home. Ditch pre-ground coffee for good and invest in your taste-buds. 

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