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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A coffee grinder is a vital tool for any home coffee maker's arsenal. But which one should you buy? Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces instead of slicing them with blades. They're generally regarded as superior to blade grinders. But what features should you be looking for in a burr grinder? 1. Conical Burrs The name suggests that a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring that is inside another ring with angled teeth. This design allows for more efficient grinding, because the burrs rotate around an axis. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is desirable since excessive heat can cause bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs can warp and become dull very quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso. They are also more fragile, meaning that small stones and other particles could cause damage over time. Flat burrs also generate more noise and require regular maintenance and cleaning. Many burr grinders that are sold on the market call themselves “burr grinders,” yet they have flat or no burrs. These “false burr grinders” come with large flat teeth, and are often coupled with motors that have weak components that produce irregular grounds. They are not genuine burr mills and contrary to what many people think, they do not offer the same grind as real burr mills. Although some experts disagree, others claim that the type of burrs in the grinder have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. electric coffee bean grinder are mostly anecdotal but hold a firm grip 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 can mellow and enhance dark roasts. This may or not be the case. However, it is something to consider in the event that your grinder has significant impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to be sure that for certain is to test the grinder using the beans you will be using it with. The design of the grinder as well as its working features will have a bigger effect on the final cup of coffee than the type of burrs. This is why it's important to assess a grinder based on other factors like the reputation of the brand as well as customer reviews. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. Many reviewers have praised it as a “time-tested choice” that offers great value for money. It is designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew. According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to crush beans. This results in more uniform grounds than a grinder, or other burr grinder. In addition, the burrs generate less heat when they grind which helps preserve the beans' aroma and flavor. Blade grinders on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds that affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also known to be quieter than blade grinders, however this can differ based on the model and manufacturer. While the majority of the burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, a few make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other). We do not recommend them for espresso because they can be difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a top-of-the-line burr grinder that is flat such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+. Some of the grinders we tested let you choose the amount of time the machine will grind, which could be helpful for those who are making espresso. Some grinders, like our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are accurate to a fraction of one second. But this feature isn't necessary for most brewing methods, and the majority of burr grinders priced under $200 are based on an improved version of the windup timer. The most affordable models we have in our lineup, such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity—use manual burrs, meaning you'll have to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great choice if you are seeking an easy compact and affordable alternative that doesn't require electricity. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is also a budget-friendly option. It is louder than other models we've examined, but it's acceptable if you're not worried about some noise. In general, the pricier a grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and the latest soundproofing technology. 3. Easy of Use If you're just starting to explore the world of home coffee brewing, there's one tool everyone agrees is necessary: a burr grinder. These grinders create more consistent, finer grind than a blade grinder, and will help you make brews with better balance in acidity, flavor and body. They are generally more reliable. However, as you may expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and some are complicated to use. We spoke with experts and obtained their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for a lot of people, including those who don't want to spend a fortune. It has multiple settings that allow it to accommodate a variety of different brewing methods, from pour-over, French press, and drip coffee. And it was a success during our tests. It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't produce more heat. That's important, as excess heat can harm the delicate aromas of your beans. The OXO grinder's only drawback is that it's best when grinding at the coarse end of its range which could be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a higher-end burr grinder, such as the Baratza Encore might be a better option. Manual burr grinders powered by cranking are easy to use and perfect for those who drink only a cup or so of coffee every day. They're a good choice for those who travel or require to make just one portion of pour-over. Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Test Kitchen's director, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and produces a wonderful beverage using any method – except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind finely enough). It's a breeze to use by anyone, as you don't mind a few messes or chaff that fly away. 4. Cost A quality burr mill will cost you around a hundred bucks, but is well worth it. 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 small amount of fines (the tiny bits of coffee that are smaller than the official grind size you select) However, this won't bother the majority of drinkers and it's a low price to pay for great-tasting consistent coffee grounds. Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another. They aren't as popular but are favored by coffee geeks due to their ability to give a consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. They can be costly and you might have to buy new burrs each time you change the type of brew or the level of roast. According to our experts, the Baratza offers the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for a burr mill. It's less than $200 and is far cheaper than other models with similar capabilities. It has a 64-mm flat burr set that's excellent for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets, like those from SSP. The OXO is a decent, low-cost option that has a good track record in our tests. The burrs aren't as precise as those found in pricier models, but it has multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press and its user interface is intuitive. The OXO is an excellent starter model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts 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 with their hands. These are great for traveling and for people who are only able to make two or three cups of coffee at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, but operate with a hand crank instead of motors. They are also typically quieter than electric models.