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By a significant margin, the question I get the most from any coffee amateur interested in getting serious about their journey is what coffee grinder I recommend. Last week, I answered that question 3 times during the same day. The answer may be pretty straightforward, but I thought it would be an excellent time to provide a good summary about the best burr grinder in 2022 for your hard-earned dollars; as with everything in life: it depends.
Best improvement for your coffee: a burr grinder
If you are familiar with this website, you may remember one of my first articles about the role of a burr grinder in improving the quality of your coffee. I encourage you to read this article (here) if you are new in your coffee journey and need some convincing about why you should consider investing in a burr coffee grinder. This article aims to answer the question about the best options based on your needs.
Unlike many things in life, it is surprisingly simple: most burr grinders would be a good choice. But like many other products, there are many options: a manual grinder or an electrical grinder? Do you need a pricey model to enjoy a better cup of coffee? Do you need to spend more on a more reliable product?
Before we start, I want to clarify that the considerations and recommendations in this article apply to “regular coffee” (filter, pour-over, French press, or any of the methods described in previous articles) but NOT for espresso. You can use a very inexpensive grinder to make most styles of coffee, but espresso requires investing more to deliver results that won’t frustrate you. If you need a grinder that produces good results for espresso, I invite you to read my article.
What is important to you?
Let me describe the criteria you should consider before picking a specific model. Understanding your priorities will help you select a product that will satisfy you for a long time and work for your needs.
How much coffee?
How much coffee do you intend to grind at once? Do you usually brew a large pot of coffee for several people, or do you brew a single cup? If you need to grind a decent quantity of beans at once, I will not recommend opting for a manual grinder. An electric grinder with a powerful motor that processes your beans fast and without overheating would be critical.
What is your budget?
If budget is your most important criterion, you may want to consider a manual grinder: there are excellent models as cheap as $40 that work great. Put a little more, and for much less than $100, you can find luxurious models with a construction quality that would be more satisfying to use than many electric models for the same price. Fear not; there are excellent electric models under $100 that you will enjoy every day for many years.
Some critical factors to consider
Is the noise level an essential factor? If you plan to grind coffee early in the morning when your loved ones are still sleeping, you may want to pay attention to the noise level produced by some models. I know too many people who are not using their grinder in the early morning for that specific reason or using it the day before. As a result, they do not get the primary benefit of owning this equipment, which is enjoying freshly ground goodness. To keep costs down, most manufacturers use a motor that needs to spin faster to compensate for the lack of power, which can result in a noise level that may be unacceptable.
Do you want to spend a little more to get a better build-quality model? That would result in a more satisfying experience in your morning routine. Spending a little more gives you access to a better (and quieter motor), better materials, and controls that feel more consistent. It can also result in better uniformity.
Better quality can also be a diminishing return: you could invest over $2,000 for a great coffee grinder, but your coffee would not be an order of magnitude better. To the extreme amateur, a high-end grinder will allow detecting some subtle flavors that may be otherwise muddled. This is not the object of my article. I want to provide options enabling you to properly enjoy fresh coffee beans of at least 95% of their quality. Multiplying the price of your grinder would only get you the 5% remaining possible improvement. Going for a decent yet affordable burr grinder will be the most considerable gain you can make to your morning coffee.
Let us look at the best value options for a burr grinder in 2022
Capresso Infinity Plus – Best affordable electrical burr grinder
From Seattle Coffee Gear‘s website: Founded in 1994 to introduce the American market to high-end European coffee makers, Capresso brings excellent versatility and precision to the home barista! Whether you’re looking for a Capresso coffee maker or want to upgrade to a high-end percolator. This Swiss company makes robust coffee machines, grinders, espresso machines, milk frothers, and other staples that will help you start your home coffee journey.
Capresso only makes gear for coffee. A few acquaintances have been using this grinder for a while, and they are delighted with it: it is quiet, the motor is strong, and it does not seem to clog. The Infinity may not be the prettiest, but it is a compact workhorse that will not take too much space on your countertop. Capresso offers a metal body version at around $160, which is even quieter.
Capresso Infinity Plus Conical Burr Grinder, White. Photo from Amazon.
Pros:
- Probably the best affordable electric burr grinder in 2022
- Quiet
- Reliable
- Stronger than it looks
Cons:
- Not the prettiest
Hario Skerton Plus/Pro Hand Grinder- The cheapest burr grinder in 2022
If you are on a very tight budget and don’t mind doing manual labor for 30 seconds to a minute in your coffee routine, you should consider the Hario Skerton Plus or the Skerton Pro. Under $50, it is the cheapest decent burr grinder you can find on the market in 2022. Unlike many hand grinders, it allows you to grind up to 100g of coffee at once, making it a suitable option if you brew a large pot of coffee.
You understand that some compromises were made in its design and construction at this low price. According to reviews, the workflow is not the most satisfying, especially for changing the grind setting. Some users complain that very coarse grounds can be uneven, but it is dependable, and Hario products are usually robust, despite being inexpensive.
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill – ‘Skerton Plus’ Manual Coffee Grinder 100g Coffee Capacity, Black. Photo from Amazon.
Hario “Skerton Pro” Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder, Black. Photo from Amazon.
Hario did improve this model over the years. You can find some cheaper versions of the Hario Skerton on Amazon: I recommend going for the “plus” or for the “pro” (about $45), which is a slightly better design that results in a better workflow.
Pros:
- The most affordable quality burr grinder
- Can grind enough coffee for a large pot at once
Cons:
- It can be uneven for coarse settings
Oxo Brew – The value alternative
The OXO Brew grinder is similar in features and price to the Capresso Infinity Plus. It looks a little better than the Capresso, although looks are subjective. However, I would trust the Capresso over it for the long-term satisfaction and the quality of its motor. The Capresso has a proven design that has been improved over the years. I don’t have personal experience with this grinder, but most reviews are positive:
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, Silver. Photo from Amazon.
- It is reasonably quiet.
- It grinds evenly.
- Users seem to appreciate the metal receptacle cup that prevents the mess created by static electricity.
Pros:
- Best value for a burr grinder under $100 in 2022
- Well designed
- Reasonably quiet
Cons:
- Long-term reliability?
KINGrinder K1 – Best hand burr grinder under $100
The KINGrinder K1 is most likely the most satisfying and best-built hand grinder under $70. Its construction and material quality are a step higher than an electric grinder at a similar price point. It is very satisfying and can even grind thin enough for espresso or Turkish coffee. No other grinder can do that at such a price point. The downside is that it only grinds up to 20-22g at the time, and therefore I would not recommend it if you brew a pot for more than yourself every day. I have been using this product almost daily, and I love it. If you want to know more, read my detailed review here.
KINGrinder K1 Iron Grey Manual Hand Coffee Grinder. Photo from Amazon.
Pros:
- Quality, construction, materials
- Pleasant workflow
- Can even grind for espresso and Turkish coffee
Cons:
- Only grinds for 1-2 cups at the time
Fellow Ode – Best quality option
If you are ready to spend more to get a better product, I recommend considering the Fellow Ode grinder. At $300, it is a significant step up in design, aesthetics, construction, and performance compared to the better values we discussed. Fellow is a company founded by people passionate about coffee. They design and build beautiful and excellent coffee gear. I have enjoyed their fantastic kettle for over a year (see my review here). Their Ode grinder features 64mm flat burrs that deliver the most even grind. It has a very satisfying large dial to choose between 31 precise settings. You can also adjust the speed of the motor to optimize your grinding to your tastes. Because of such a feature, it is probably the last grinder you will ever buy since it has everything to follow you on an extended coffee journey. It also senses when the hopper is empty and stops automatically.
If you want to go far in customizing our coffee experience, you can replace the burrs with different models that could further improve the taste profile of your coffee. Most coffee amateurs, me included, would not pick the differences but the fact that you can do that says a lot about the future-proof aspect of that grinder,
Like every other Fellow product, it will look stellar on your countertops. It is also very compact despite offering the performance of a professional product. $300 is a lot of money, but the Ode provides a lot for that money. The materials quality and the sleek design help to make it a very satisfying piece of equipment to enjoy every morning for a very long time.
The bottom line
Any options in this article will help you enjoy a delicious fresh cup of coffee every morning. The improvement over using ground coffee will be immediate, no matter which grinder you choose. Choosing the model that fits your priorities will help you to maximize your happiness every morning without breaking the bank. That is what this website is about.
