If you’re a daily french press coffee drinker, then finding the best coffee grinder for french press is a must to achieve fresh, smooth tasting coffee.
Coffee Grinder
Just like using an espresso machine is a way to brew espresso coffee, French Press is another very popular way to brew coffee. However, many people don’t know what type of coffee grounds to use. The answer: coarse coffee grounds.
Most coffee grounds on the market aren’t coarse enough for French Press, but you can solve this problem easily with a coffee grinder that has a coarse setting. If you’re looking to make an aromatic, sweet tasting Fresh Press coffee, we recommend using Kona coffee beans for an ultra-premium, smooth tasting cup.
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Contents
10 Best Coffee Grinder Reviews
There are a lot of features to consider when selecting a coffee grinder: Manual or automatic, capacity of beans vs. grounds, number of settings, etc. The list goes on.
French Press Coffee Maker
If all the criteria that go into researching the best coffee grinders is overwhelming to you, then you need to check out our comprehensive reviews. We go into detail about 10 top-notch coffee grinders. The best part is that they’re all compatible with French Press.
Lastly, here’s the criteria we paid special attention to: Burr grinders, coarse setting for French Press, and hopper capacity.
1. Best Pick-Breville The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder
The Breville is the French Press lover’s dream. Actually, it’s the coffee lover’s dream. Whatever method you use to make your coffee, the Breville is very versatile.
It measures 8.5 x 6.2 x 15.2 inches and weighs over 6 pounds. This is a powerful and precise coffee grinder with all the imaginable features. One thing that sets it apart right from the start is the LCD display screen.
Having a digital aspect automatically makes this a premium, high-tech coffee grinder. The screen lets you easily navigate through the settings. From there, you can choose the grind time, the amount of shots (use espresso beans) or cups (use coffee beans), and the grind time.
Part of what makes the Breville a precise coffee grinder is a feature called Dosing iQ. This is the built-in digital timer that gives you the right dose every time. Since the coffee beans inevitably affect the flavor of the coffee, precision is extremely important.
Key Details
If you’re a seasoned French Press user, then you know that you need coarse coffee beans. With the Breville, there’s a setting specifically for the coarseness needed to use a French Press. Breville even includes instructions in their manual on grinding beans for the French Press.
The 60 precise grind settings make the Breville the most versatile coffee grinder we’ve seen. It also has the largest coffee bean capacity at a whopping 18 ounces.
That’s more than the standard bag of coffee beans. The large capacity means the machine itself is on the larger side.
So if you’re looking for a coffee grinder that goes above and beyond, consider the Breville. It’s made with top-quality conical burrs, and it’s more advanced than other coffee grinders. Lastly, it is covered by a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- 60 grind settings, including coarse French Press
- LCD Display shows settings
- 18-ounce coffee bean capacity
Cons
- Premium price
- Not space-saving
- 1-year limited warranty only
2. Best Value Pick-OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Our best value pick goes to the OXO coffee grinder. It has several features of a premium grinder at a more affordable price point. It’s also quite large at 7.4 x 11.3 x 16.4 inches. However, that’s to be expected with electric coffee grinders.
We like that this coffee grinder uses stainless steel conical burrs. This is the part of the grinder that does all the hard work.
However, it’s different from a standard blade. Conical burrs like the ones in the OXO crush the coffee beans uniformly. Having a consistent grind is important for the smoothness of coffee.
The hopper, which is where the coffee beans are held, is spacious. It can hold 0.75 pounds of whole coffee beans. We also like that the hopper has a UV tint to prevent light from degrading the beans.
Key Details
It’s also mess-free. The container where the grounds come out is even larger, accommodating about 12 cups of coffee grounds.
What makes this coffee grinder a great choice is that the 15 settings are then broken down into micro settings. There are two micro settings in-between each of the 15 preset settings.
This is great for grinding coffee for French Press. It allows the user to get the most accurate coarseness.
One caveat with the OXO is that it gets easily clogged. This is common if you use oily coffee beans, such as some espresso beans. Lastly, it comes with a two year warranty.
Pros
- 15 settings and 28 micro settings
- Hopper is mess-free and has a UV tint
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Can get clogged if oily beans are used
- Must clean frequently
- Not space-saving
3. Best Budget Pick-JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, Conical Burr Mill
Even if you’re on a budget, you still deserve perfectly grounded coffee for your French Press. That’s why we’ve selected the JavaPresse as our best budget coffee grinder pick.
The JavaPresse is a manual coffee grinder. So it doesn’t rely on batteries or electricity to operate. Instead, the user will turn the crank handle in a clockwise direction. It measures only 1.8 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches, so it stores and travels easily.
Although it’s a manual coffee grinder, it still has the versatility of an automatic one. The JavaPresse has 18 adjustable settings ranging from fine to coarse. The coarse setting is perfect for French Press.
One major plus of using a manual grinder is that it’s significantly quieter than an electric one. The JavaPresse specifically is 90% less noisy than its competitors.
Key Details
If you wake up early and don’t want to wake the rest of your household with a loud coffee grinder, consider the JavaPresse. It’s less noisy but more compact. Another feature we like about the JavaPresse is that it’s built with sturdy burr grinders. This is a must for a consistent grind.
Many manual grinders are made with flat blades. However, the JavaPresse is ahead of other manual grinders by using burrs. JavaPresse doesn’t use regular burrs, though. It uses patent-pending ceramic burrs that are proven to last five times longer than stainless steel.
The drawbacks of using a manual coffee grinder like the JavaPress are obvious: it requires more effort to repeatedly turn the crank. Plus, the grinder could break if you turn the crank counter-clockwise.
It also holds significantly fewer coffee beans— only 5-10 are recommended at a time. It is covered by a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- 90% less noise than competitors
- 18 adjustable settings
Cons
- Can only add 5-10 beans at a time
- Manual operation requires more effort
- 1-year warranty only
4. Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Virtuoso is a premium coffee grinder that’s also award-winning. According to Baratza, this coffee grinder is the preferred machine of the professionals at Specialty Coffee.
Part of what makes this coffee grinder stand out is it’s whopping 40 grind settings and quick speeds. If you’re a French Press user, you’ll have no problem finding the ideal coarseness for your taste.
Plus, this machine will do so within seconds. Compared to other coffee grinders, this one works in half the time.
Its size—4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 inches—is average. So if you’re looking for a versatile machine that’s quick and easy to use, the Baratza is one to consider. It will also last you a long time.
Key Details
A premium coffee grinder comes with premium materials. The Baratza is made of European stainless steel.The conical burrs are also steel, while the exterior has some parts made from metal. This enhances both the quality and the elegant look since many coffee grinders are made of plastic.
The Baratza has a feature that we haven’t seen in any other coffee grinder, and that’s a pulse demand. This allows the user an on-demand coffee grinding experience. You can use the 60-second timer to grind your coffee beans, but you can also use the pulse button for more flexibility.
The pulse button uniquely allows users to customize their coarseness further. For a finer consistency, press the pulse button more frequently. For a coarser consistency, press the pulse button sparingly.
We do have a critique of the Baratza. Its 8-pound weight is above average so it is a heavier grinder. This may pose some restrictions for people who don’t want to lift the heavy machine for daily use. Lastly, it comes with a one year warranty.
Pros
- 40 grind settings
- Twice as fast as its competitors
- Pulse button
Cons
- Premium price
- Weighs 8 pounds
- 1-year warranty only
5. Secura Automatic Electric Burr Coffee Grinder Mill
The Secura is a high quality, compact grinder. It’s only 6 x 4 x 8.75, so doesn’t take up too much counter or storage space. Plus, assembly and disassembly are easy.
The burr grinder is removable, making it easy to clean. The Secura is a space-saving electric coffee grinder. It’s also affordable, versatile, and high-quality. It has the main features that a good coffee grinder should but it’s only a fraction of the price of some premium options.
One feature we like in any appliance is automatic shut off. This is important for electronic appliances like the Secura coffee grinder. However, many coffee grinders don’t have this feature.
Key Details
After the allotted volume of coffee grounds have been made, the device will turn itself off. This is great for energy efficiency as well as safety.
We also like the large capacity of coffee grounds that can be made in one sitting. For instance, you can make up to 12 cups of coffee grounds with the Secura. However, the Secura holds more coffee grounds than it does coffee beans.
The coffee bean hopper only holds 100g of coffee beans at a time. So you may need to add more to get 12 cups of coffee grounds. The hopper also isn’t mess-free, so it may leave coffee grounds on the counter. It also comes with a two year warranty.
Pros
- Automatic shut off
- 17 grind settings, including one for French Press
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Small-capacity hopper
- May leave a mess
- Takes practice to use
6. DeLonghi Ariete Electric Coffee Grinder
De’Longhi is a top-selling brand in Italy, home to the world’s best espresso. They’re known for their high-quality coffee makers, and especially their espresso machines. We also like their electric coffee grinder for multiple reasons.
First, this grinder has 15 settings ranging from ultrafine to coarse. While we don’t recommend using the ultrafine setting for French Press (go for the coarse setting), this is a good sign that the burrs are high-quality and durable.
Many grinders can’t handle ultrafine coffee beans like Turkish coffee. The fact that this coffee grinder is capable of ultrafine grounds indicates that it’s a good model. At 15.7 x 11 x 7.6 inches, however, the De’Longhi is a heftier grinder.
Key Details
There are also many customizable options with this grinder. Not only can you choose from 15 grind settings, you can also set a time. This is a feature that most coffee grinders don’t have because the time is usually preprogrammed. With the De’Longhi, you can choose between 10 and 50 seconds.
Some coffee grinders are complicated and require many steps, but the De’Longhi is simple to use. Choosing the amount of coffee beans, the grind setting, and the time setting is painless with De’Longhi’s easy-to-follow instructions that are included.
Assembly and clean-up are also easy with this coffee grinder. The hopper is removable, allowing you to prevent clogging and buildup.
There are a couple of drawbacks for some users. It may be too large and the machine doesn’t keep your settings. Once the grinder is done, the settings reset. Lastly, it also comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Custom time settings
- Easy to clean
- 15 settings ranging from ultrafine to coarse
Cons
- Settings reset after each use
- Not space-saving
- 1-year limited warranty only
7. Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
The Capresso is an electric grinder that uses conical burrs. Its steel burrs have an advanced cutting design, making them highly precise and suitable for both fine and coarse grinding. Its smaller size (5 x 7.8 x 10.5 inches) is nice for storage purposes as well.
If you’re looking for a coffee grinder for French Press, consistently ground coffee beans are vital. The Capresso will give you a uniform coarse ground every time. The Capresso is designed to give you maximum aroma and flavor. This is thanks to the unbeatable precision.
What makes the Capresso so precise is the computer-controlled grinding heads that cut the conical burrs. The burrs are produced in matching pairs at 0.1 mm precision. This advanced technology is ahead of the other coffee grinders.
Key Details
After the burrs are cut, they are hand assembled in Switzerland. Handy assembly makes sure the burrs align correctly, furthering the precision even more.
Another advanced feature of this coffee grinder is that it produces less noise than other grinders. The motor operates slowly—a feature that also contributes to the precision but may be a drawback for those who are in a rush.
One reservation we have about this coffee grinder is its low capacity. The hopper only holds 8.8 ounces of coffee beans. The container for coffee grounds is even smaller at 4 ounces. Lastly, it comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Low noise
- Conical burrs offer precise fine and coarse grinding
- 15 settings
Cons
- Low capacity
- Slow grind time
- 1-year limited warranty
8. Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is one of the biggest coffee grinders on our list. The large chamber can hold enough ground coffee for 32 cups.
We love the 18 different grind settings which enable you to completely customize your coffee. Choose from ultra-fine grind to extra coarse depending on your coffee machine. The one-touch power bar will easily help you instantly start grinding beans to your desired size.
The heavy duty motor is extremely powerful but still compact and small. It easily fits on the counter top and has convenient cord storage that will keep your kitchen looking organized and tidy.
Key Details
The removable bean hopper is very easy to clean and can hold up to a half pound of coffee, letting you grind a lot with little effort. Once ground, the coffee goes into the large bottom holder which can store the ground coffee until ready for use.
The adjustable grind dial lets you customize your grind so you can make coffee grounds for an espresso machine, French press or dip coffee maker. You simply turn the dial to your desired setting and press start!
The Cuisinart coffee grinder comes in a variety of colors so you can choose one to match your kitchen. Pick between cream, white, stainless steel or gray.
The exterior of the coffee grinder is mostly plastic which is a downside for us. You need to keep the machine away from a hot oven or coffee pot as it may melt. However, the blades are stainless steel and should last for years.
Pros
- Compact size
- Easy to clean
- One year warranty
- Adjustable grinds
Cons
- Plastic exterior
- Can only grind coffee (no nuts or other foods)
- Not as durable as other grinders
9. Hamilton Beach Electric Coffee Grinder
The Hamilton Beach coffee grinder is our best budget pick. It is economical but still quite powerful.
This stainless steel coffee maker is easy to use and only required the push of one button. The sharp blades instantly cut through coffee grinds and give you freshly ground coffee in a flash.
There are no adjustable grind settings for the Hamilton Beach grinder. If you want a finer grind, just hold the button down longer. For a coarser ground coffee, simply pulse the beans until they are the texture you need.
Key Details
One advantage of the Hamilton Beach coffee grinder is that it can grind more than just coffee. You can use it to chop herbs and spices one day and coffee the next.
The coffee grinder has a decent capacity and can hold 4.5 ounces of coffee beans. It is very lightweight at just over a pound but despite the compact size, it still has cord storage in the bottom of the machine.
The Hamilton Beach coffee grinder does have a few drawbacks. It is on the smaller size and does not hold much coffee. It does not have adjustable grind settings so you need to watch the coffee as it grinds, stopping it at the correct time.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to use
- Multiple uses
Cons
- Smaller size
- Just one settings
- Not as durable as other grinders.
10. KRUPS Coffee Grinder with Scale
Getting the right ratio of coffee beans can be difficult. But the KRUPS grinder with a scale makes it easy. This grinder was uniquely made with this built-in scale.
It allows you to achieve what KRUPS calls the Golden Ratio of coffee grounds, making for a balanced cup of coffee every time. If you like to measure things when you’re in the kitchen, you will like the scale that comes with the KRUPS coffee grinder.
At 18.6 x 10.4 x 6.7 inches, this is a large coffee grinder. It has a capacity of 14 ounces of coffee beans. This is about the size of an entire bag.
Key Details
Another feature of this grinder that stands out is the construction of the hopper. It’s the area where the coffee beans are stored. KRUP’s hopper features an automatic closing door to prevent leakage.
Coffee grinds can be messy, so this is a convenient feature to have. The hopper is also removable, making for easy cleanup.
Some caveats about this machine are the noise level and frequency of clogging. The burrs and motor in this coffee grinder are louder than others. It can also get clogged. It comes with a two year warranty.
Pros
- 39 grind sizes
- Built-in scale for acheiving balanced cup of coffee
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Premium price
- May be noisy
- Not space saving
Best Home Coffee Grinders Buying Guide
If you take coffee seriously, a coffee grinder will come in handy for you. Sure, you can buy ground coffee ready-to-go at the supermarket, but coffee grounds become stale and lose their flavor with time.
The best way to have a fresh cup of coffee every time is to grind your own coffee beans right before brewing. It sounds time-consuming, but it’s not. Grinding your own coffee beans only takes a couple of minutes. It makes a huge difference in terms of freshness, aroma, and smoothness.
Ready to start grinding your own coffee beans? The first step is actually buying a coffee grinder, which is more difficult than it sounds. There are tons of coffee grinders out there. Some are great while others should be avoided. Here’s what to look out for when choosing a coffee grinder.
How to Select the Best Coffee Grinder
If you’re searching for a coffee grinder to use with your French Press coffee maker, there are a few qualities that are non-negotiable. Here’s what we mean.
Burr Coffee Grinder
One quality that is a must in a good coffee grinder is burr grinders. Burrs use two matching grinders similar to the shape of gears. The coffee beans are moved between the two burr grinders to achieve a more consistent size and texture.
This is the complete opposite of what used to be the standard in coffee grinders—blades. Burr grinders, which includes flat and conical burrs, are superior to blade grinders for several reasons.
Blade vs. Burr Grinder
Some coffee grinders use blades that resemble those in blenders and food processors. The blades are double-pronged. To use a blade grinder, you add coffee beans to the chamber and press a button to spin the blades. This chops up the coffee beans.
The problem with blade grinders is that they’re inconsistent—some beans are chopped up smaller or larger than others. There’s also no settings (i.e. fine, medium, coarse, etc.), so getting the right coarseness is a guessing game.
On the other hand, burr grinders have multiple settings and grind the beans uniformly. This gives you a balanced flavor as well as the coarseness that’s needed to work best with your brewing method. The differences between blade and burr grinders can’t be ignored, which is why our top 10 coffee grinders all use burrs.
Flat vs. Conical Burr Grinder
There has been a long debate regarding which type of burr grinder is better: flat burrs or conical burrs. The physical difference lay in the shape of the burrs. Both types of burrs use a pair of grinders similar to gears. As you can imagine, flat burrs are flatter than conical burrs, which have more of a 3D shape.
Both have their advantages, but we recommend conical burrs for a number of reasons. The main reason is that flat and conical burrs produce eerily similar results, but conical burr grinders are more accessible and affordable.
While flat burrs produce a slightly more consistent grind, they tend to be noisier, produce more waste, and give off more heat. Another important factor is the huge difference in price.
The best conical burr grinders are half the cost of flat burr grinders. Budget-friendly conical burr grinders are a fraction of the price of flat burr grinders.
Finally, flat and conical burr grinders produce different tastes. In a blind taste test, coffee lovers at a Portland conference decided that conical burr grinders produce a better taste.
Grind Settings
One of the most important factors to consider when buying a coffee grinder for French Press is whether or not it can produce coarse coffee grounds. Each brewing method has a corresponding coarseness that works the best.
For French Press, coarse coffee grounds yield the best results. This is because French Press uses a mesh strainer. The coffee grounds must be small enough to maximize the flavor but large enough to not get caught in the mesh strainer.
Some burr coffee grinders have up to 60 grind settings like the Breville. Coffee grinders that use traditional blades don’t have any settings, which is not ideal for French Press (or any brewing method for that matter).
Having a wider variety of settings gives you the most precise grind size for your brewing method of choice. It’s also convenient if you utilize multiple brewing methods in addition to French Press. For example, the extra fine settings come in handy if you use an espresso machine.
Capacity
If you’re just making one or two cups of coffee, you don’t need a whole lot of coffee grounds. In fact, you only need a couple of spoonfuls of coffee grounds to produce a couple of cups of coffee.
However, it’s nice to have a larger capacity if you’re having company or if there are multiple coffee drinkers in your household. Manual coffee grinders have a much smaller capacity than automatic ones. So this can be a pro or con depending on your situation.
The Breville has the largest coffee bean capacity we’ve seen. It can fit 18 ounces of coffee beans in the hopper. The smallest we’ve seen is the JavaPresse, which can only fit around 10 coffee beans.
A little bit of coffee goes a long way, but capacity is important to some people. If you grind a lot of coffee beans at a time, an automatic grinder may be a more suitable type of grinder for you. If you only grind enough coffee for one person, a manual grinder will work just fine.
Types of Coffee Grinders
Coffee grinders are usually distinguished by blade or burr. They can also be categorized into two main types: automatic and manual. Now that you know to steer clear of blade grinders, it’s time to decide what type of burr grinder is right for you.
Automatic or Electric Coffee Grinder
An automatic grinder is the kind that is powered by electricity. Since they are machines, they are more powerful than manual grinders but take up more space. They’re also more expensive, but this is because they’re more high-tech.
Automatic grinders tend to have more settings than manual grinders. You can choose the grind size and often the amount of cups you want to make. If you want a more customizable experience, an automatic grinder may be the way to go.
The caveat of using an automatic grinder is that they’re noisier. This is due to the motor inside the grinder as well as the actual grinding itself. If noise, size, and price aren’t issues for you, automatic coffee grinders are high-quality and durable. In addition, they yield a consistent grind size, and they’re convenient to use.
Manual
If you don’t want to rely on electricity, a manual coffee grinder is a great choice. They’re space-saving, budget-friendly, and high-quality. Many manual coffee grinders are made with stainless steel, ceramic, or a combination of both. Since there’s no motor, manual coffee grinders may also last longer than electric ones.
Another advantage of manual grinders is that they’re portable and travel-friendly. They tend to be lightweight and allow you to grind coffee on the go. They’re also quieter.
The only drawback is the smaller hopper capacity. You can fit an entire bag of coffee beans in most automatic grinders, but manual grinders are significantly smaller. This is still a great choice for individual coffee drinkers. Lastly, if you want to grind more coffee with a manual grinder, simply do it in rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a burr grinder better?
A: Yes, a burr grinder is better than a blade grinder. Burr grinders allow you to get the most consistent grind size. Coffee lovers know that consistency is key when it comes to brewing coffee.
If you use a blade grinder, you run the risk of getting a very inconsistent grind, which will negatively impact the flavor of the coffee. You can get a good burr grinder at a reasonable price, and it will make a huge difference in the taste of your brewed coffee.
Q: Are manual coffee grinders better than automatic?
A: There’s a rumor that manual coffee grinders make for better-tasting coffee than automatic grinders. This is relative to personal preference though. However, manual grinders may be better for you if you travel frequently or if you’re on a budget.
Some people also prefer manual grinders because they’re compact and quiet. However, automatic grinders are better when it comes to versatility, hopper size, and convenience. Which coffee grinder is better depends on your personal preferences.
Q: Which coffee grinder setting should You use for French Press?
A: Choosing the right grind size for your brewing method is paramount. If you use a French Press, always make sure your coffee grinder of choice is capable of grinding coarse coffee. This quick video does a great job of showing which grind size corresponds to various brewing methods, including French Press:
Conclusion
There are so many factors that go into brewing smooth coffee from your home. Investing in at-home coffee equipment can save you so much money over time.
You’ll also impress yourself as your coffee making skills get better and better. One way to boost your at-home coffee experience is with a coffee grinder.
It’s amazing how much better your coffee will be once you start using freshly ground coffee. Grinding your coffee beans right before brewing is a game changer. The only drawback of using a coffee grinder is having to research and choose one.
We hope that after reading our detailed coffee grinder reviews and comprehensive buying guide, you’ll have all the information you need to select the best coffee grinder for French Press that is perfect for your kitchen.
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