If you’re a coffee drinker, you may already have a bit of an understanding of burr grinders and how useful they are when getting your day started. Your goal in brewing coffee is to extract all those delicious flavors from the coffee bean.
The consistency of your grind is invaluable to achieving the ideal extraction of flavors, as you can end up with acidic, sour, and bitter flavors if your grind is uneven or overdone. A good grinder can make a world of difference. Here we will explore the best burr grinder options available.
What is a Burr Grinder?
A burr grinder is a type of coffee grinder that is designed to help you maximize the flavor and aroma of your coffee beans. Most coffee lovers will swear by this appliance. Often referred to as a burr mill, it is created with a pair of revolving burrs that are used to grind up the coffee beans. These are highly effective at crushing the beans with consistency and uniformity, both of which are vital to the brewing process. There are multiple types of grinders to choose from, depending on your personal preferences. We will discuss those further below
5 Best Burr Grinders
- JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder – Best Budget Grinder.
- Sboly Electric Burr Coffee Grinder – Best Overall.
- OXO Burr Grinder Review – Our Top Pick.
- SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder Mill 2.0 – Best Electric Grinder.
- Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder – Best Home Grinder.
1. Best Burr Grinder Under $100 – JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder
JavaPresse’s hand grinder is one of the top burr grinders out there that fall under $ 100 At around $45. this grinder boasts a built-in adjustable grind selector that offers over 18 settings for maximum control over your beans. Since it’s operated with a hand crank, you don’t have to worry about the noise offered by electric grinders or keep track of any cords or batteries.
The grinder is comfortable to use and produces consistent grounds, regardless of the coarseness chosen. In fact, it doesn’t even take very long to grind 20 grams of coffee with 46 seconds for a coarse grind and 70 for a fine one, While the grinder grinds just enough grounds for 2 to 3 cups; this is only an issue if you’re serving larger groups of coffee drinkers.
The JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder packs a punch with performance, utility, and ease of use.
Pros
• affordable price
• durable design
• dual plate burr ensures consistency Cons
• Can only grind in limited amounts
• Hand crank may slip off while in use
2. Best Budget Burr Coffee Grinder – Sboly Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
The Sboly Electric Burr Coffee Grinder is a small and handy appliance that is packed with excellent features. You’ll find setting it up in your kitchen a simple task allowing you to quickly start enjoying freshly ground coffee.
The bean hopper can hold up to 12 cups to ensure that you have enough to make as much coffee as you need at any time. With the variety of grind settings, you can have the right size ground for any brewing method that you need.
Furthermore, this appliance is fairly quiet, so you never have to worry about waking anyone up with anything but the aroma of coffee brewing.
One of the best things about this grinder is how easy it is to keep clean. It easily comes apart for you to scrub away any leftover grounds or residue to keep it clean for years to come. It even comes with a cleaning brush to allow you to reach every partied. This coffee grinder is excellently priced at $45. This is the best conical burr grinder under 100.
Pros • Consistent ground results in 18 grinding settings Can make 2-12 cups
Cons
• Plastic grounds catcher generates static
• Can be a bit messy at first
3. OXO Burr Grinder Review
The 0X0 Brew coffee grinder contains a variety of features that can boost the quality of your coffee. There are 15 settings, as well as micro settings, to choose from that allow you to adjust your grind to your preferences. This can take some experimentation to find the one you love the most, but once you do, it is consistent and uniform every time!
The one-touch start timer remembers your last settings, so you only have to set it once. This is a massive time saver in the mornings, allowing you to get your morning going as quickly as possible.
With this grinder, you can produce as much as 110 grams of ground coffee at a time, which is enough for 12 cups when brewed.
Whether it’s just you drinking coffee in the mornings or you have others in the household who need a cup before they get going, you can easily grind up enough coffee grounds to ensure that everyone can get a cup—all of this and more at $100 even.
Pros
• High quality and consistent grind
• Hassle-free cleaning
• Professional features at affordable cost
Cons
• Grounds container can vibrate from the position while grinding
• Can be a bit loud
4. SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder Mill 2.0
The SHARDOR Coffee Grinder Mill contains a metallic burr system that cuts down on overheating, which can be a problem with electric burr coffee grinders and can have a poor impact on the taste of your coffee. The customizable ground settings allow you to easily set the quantity and coarseness of your grounds and never worry about it again.
There are 14 settings from coarse to ultra-fine. Simply wake up. Press a button, and get ready for a rich and complex cup of coffee. Whether you need to arrange for two cups or 12. this grinder can hold as much as you need.
The transparent hopper lid provides an excellent way to keep an eye on the number of coffee beans that are still available for grinding. You can quickly determine when you need to refill the bean hopper, which holds up to 60 grams of coffee beans. Cleanup is a breeze thanks to the removable burr and chamber. The included brush easily removes all traces of coffee powder or oils.
Pros
• Reasonably priced at $50
• Consistent grinds, even when used daily
• Very easy to use
Cons • Must be cleaned regularly to prevent buildup.
5. Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
This $85 coffee grinder is a steal with a variety of features that are ideal for the average coffee drinker. It is crafted using stainless steel and holds FDA and ETL Certifications, so you can feel confident in the quality and durability of this coffee grinder.
It was built with a strong motor, a blue light completion indicator, and a safety lock. You can’t open the grinder until the burrs stop completely. This appliance is completely safe and reliable, allowing you to grind with confidence.
The appliance has a simplistic design with a 12-cup capacity and one-touch use. Simply choose one of the 19 precise grind settings, and your beans are ready to be ground. This makes getting your morning started simple, which is great for anyone who has to get up and go.
With so many grind settings, you can use this grinder when you want to brew espresso. French Press coffee, Moka and anything else you can think of. The versatility of this grinder can benefit anyone.
Pros
• Large capacity for beans and grounds
• Fairly quiet compared to other brands
• Easy to clean
Cons
• Ultra-fine ground can cause static
• Beans don’t always flow smoothly when the hopper is close to empty
Buyers’ Guide: FAQ
It’s clear that there are a lot of things to consider and compare when it comes to purchasing a burr grinder for your home. Here we will try to answer the most common questions revolving around this product and how you can find an excellent one for under $100. This handy guide can give you a deeper insight into the ideal coffee grinder for your coffee-making needs.
What does a burr grinder do?
A burr grinder is used to grind coffee beans. Otherwise referred to as a burr mill, the grinder contains two abrasive surfaces that grind the beans to the coarseness that you prefer.
Aside from coffee, a burr grinder can be used for a variety of other hard small food products such as poppy seeds, dried peppercorns, coarse salt, and spices. Coffee burr grinders are often electrically powered, while grinders for spices may be battery or manually operated.
How can I maintain my burr grinder?
A properly maintained burr grinder can last you for at least 500 pounds worth of coffee beans. On average, a couple sharing a household will go through about a pound of coffee each month, which means that your burr grinder can last you an upwards of 45 years, depending on how frequently you use it.
An electric burr grinder requires a bit of work to keep clean. Unplug it before removing the hopper and grinder chamber. You’ll need to clear away any dust or oil buildup that exists using a cloth or mild soap and water. Set these pieces aside and remove the outer burr. Clean both the inner and outer burr before reassembling the grinder.
Alternatively, a manual coffee grinder requires a different approach. Remove the handle, lid, and ground catcher before unwinding the knob to reveal the inner burr. This has a centerpiece that must be pushed in and removed too.
Extract the metal and plastic washers, the rod, and the string. While the hopper lid and handle can be rinsed briefly, the grounds catcher will need a scrub in soapy water. Use a Q-tip to remove coffee oils and grounds from the burrs and other components. When you’re done, you can reassemble your coffee grinder.
What’s the difference between a flat and a conical burr grinder?
The shape of the burrs used to grind your coffee beans does have an impact on the way the flavors will extra as the beans steep. If your grounds are over-extracted, which means the water struggled to pass through larger particles, you’ll face bitter coffee, while under-extraction results in acidic and bitter flavors. In fact, blade grinders often result in trimodal grounds.
Though they are easily cleaned and inexpensive, they simply do not offer a ground that is suitable for coffee. Luckily, you have two superior options that can provide the kind of ground that leads to a genuinely delicious cup of coffee.
Conical burr grinders use a cone-shaped center burr and an outer serrated burr. The sharp edges drag whole beans into the grinding area to be ground to somewhat uniform, small pieces.
One key advantage offered by a conical burr grinder is that it emits less noise and heat as it operates at a lower RPM. Conical burrs produce small and large grounds, which create an imbalance in flavor due to the over-extraction of the smaller particles.
On the other hand, flat burrs bring a whole different experience to your morning coffee. The burrs, shaped like donuts with razor edges, face each other When whole beans are fed into the grinder, the inner teeth grab the beans and force them to the outer teeth for a precise grind.
It’s important to clear grounds away from the burrs to keep them from becoming stuck. Flat burr grinders generate more heat and noise due to the additional time and greater RPM it requires to grind down the beans into a completely uniform ground, which results in a more sophisticated brew.
What should I look for in a burr grinder?
There are several factors to look for in your hunt for an excellent burr grinder. The first thing you’ll need to consider is the type of grinder that you’d prefer. Perhaps a retro manual grinder would fit into your kitchen aesthetic better while offering a deeper insight into the bean brewing process.
Maybe you prefer something more convenient, such as an electric burr grinder that can tackle any task for you. You can even choose a blade grinder, though they can present some problems when grinding the beans, as discussed above.
In addition to the type of grinder, the material used to produce the grinder makes a real difference in the quality of the appliance. The best materials to look for are stainless steel, zinc alloy, and Carbon steel.
The most commonly used material is zinc alloy due to its strength, rigidity, and resistance to corrosion. Stainless and Carbon steels are both highly durable materials.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the grind settings as well as the appliance’s capacity. Overall the capacity should suit your individual needs to ensure that you can always grind up enough coffee. Ideally, it will be compact enough to fit into your kitchen with ease. You can find grinders with as many as 40 settings to choose from for your grind size. Keep in mind how you plan to use the grounds to get the best possible coffee ground.
What is the best Burr Grinder under $100?
Ultimately I can’t say which grinder is the best for you. There are various factors to consider that are personal to your needs.
For instance, the Sboly Electric Burr Coffee Grinder is an ideal selection for anyone who enjoys using a variety of different brewing methods and techniques.
However, if you are often in a rush in the mornings and need something quick, the OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder allows you to have your preferences saved so you can enjoy fresh coffee as quickly as possible.
How can I select the best Burr Grinder under $100?
When selecting a grinder under $100, the information covered here can help you shop smart. Don’t go blindly online to purchase just any old burr grinder. Freshly ground coffee should be uniform in size and aromatic.
The right grinder can help set the tone for every cup of coffee you have in the future, so you want to make the right choice. Take your time to read through reviews on each grinder that appeals to you.
Make sure you keep an eye out for reviewers who offer pros and cons, allowing you to quickly determine if it offers the features that matter most to you. In addition, find out if the retailer is a reputable source with effective customer service.
Should I buy a grinder online or in-person?
There are benefits with either option. When you shop in-person, you can directly see the product and ask an associate for assistance if you had any questions. Online shopping, on the other hand, can be a more convenient way for you to get exactly what you need.
There is a greater variety of products available online that may be able to better suit your needs. You can easily compare prices, as well as reviews of the product and retailer without having to dig too deep for the information.
Furthermore, you can easily purchase the item without having to drive anywhere. It’ll simply be delivered right at your door.
Conclusion
As you can see, the quality of your morning cup of coffee relies heavily on the burr grinder that you select for yourself.
Be sure to keep the questions covered in the Buyer’s Guide in mind while you shop around. All in all, I’m sure we’ve given you ample to consider, whether you find the flat burr or conical burr grinders more appealing. Use the information covered here and explore your options with confidence. Check out our best Single Serve coffee makers guide and our Best coffee roasters for small business guides!
