Are you an espresso beginner and struggling to find the best entry-level espresso grinder under an affordable budget? If your answer is “yes”, you have coffee in the right place at the right time because our team has already done the market research and colletid feedback from the former user and picked the 7 best electric espresso grinders and also picked up 2 best manual espresso grinder. Keep in mind that not all coffee grinders are suitable for oily coffee beans.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder “Simple design, suitable for daily use, user friendly anyone can grind preciously”
Best Budget Under $100: Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder “Affordable electrical grinder, can grind for multiple brewing’s”
Best Versatile: Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder “Commercial grade home coffee grinder produces extremely consistent grind”
Best Electric: Bodum Bistro Premium Burr Grinder at Amazon “Ideal for coffee snobs who want a few advanced features but don’t want to break the bank“
Best For Espresso: KitchenAid-KCG0702CS-Burr-Coffee-Grinder-Contour-Silver “Optimized for less frictional heat ensures coffee flavor, no matter how fine the grind“
Best Manual Grinder For Travel: Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder “Can produce consistent grinding, ergonomic handle, small and portable”
It is quite difficult for you to pick the best value espresso grinder if you just entering into the espresso world, that is why you will find below details on what factors you should consider before buying an espresso grinder based on your kitchen or office use. Owning an espresso grinder is a great thing because it allows you to brew Starbucks quality coffee in the comfort of your choice and saves the time and money you spend at the local coffee shop.
Best Entry-Level Espresso Grinder Comparison & Review (Electric and Manual)
| Coffee Grinder | Model Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder | # Specialty Coffee Association Award Winning Grinders # User friendly and suitable entry level # Wide range of 40 grind settings |
Check Price |
 |
Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Digital Timer Display | # Specialty Coffee Association Award Winning Grinders # Digital Timer And Backlit Grounds Bin # Stylish and designed with 40 Grind Settings # 1 year warranty |
Check Price |
 |
Breville The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel | # Stainless steel 40mm conical burrs with 60 individual grind settings # Powerful 165-watt motor # 18-ounce bean hopper capacity equipped with locking system # Precision Electronic Timer which lets users adjust grind time in 0.2 second increments |
Check Price |
 |
Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder | # Commercial-grade solid steel conical burrs provide uniform grinding # Wide grinding range from ultrafine Turkish to French press # Preserves aroma # Easy to clean and large capacity |
Check Price |
 |
Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder | # Entry level home grinder preferred by coffee professionals # Digital timer gives you precise control # User friendly 30 grind settings Warranty for the peach of mind |
Check Price |
 |
OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Integrated Scale | # Conical Burr Grinder built-in scale # Can grind fine for espresso to coarse for French press or cold brew # Motor optimized for heat and static |
Check Price |
 |
KitchenAid-KCG0702CS-Burr-Coffee-Grinder-Contour-Silver | # Wide range of grind setting allows for excellent grind consistency # Made with durable stainless steel and grind jar minimizes the static “cling” # Sleek design improve kitchen countertop décor # Easy to clean and maintain |
Check Price |
 |
1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder | # 48mm Conical burr # Near zero retention small steps # 45 seconds to 1 minute for a 14-18g dose |
Check Price |
 |
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill – Skerton Plus | # Suitable for home use when grinding coffee for multiple brews at once # Hopper capacity: 100g (4+ coffees per grind) # Weight: 566g # Dimensions: 16” x 11” x 13” # Burr Material: Ceramic Conical Burr |
Check Price |
 |
Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder | # Ceramic conical burrs with wide range can grind from powder to french press # 20 gram capacity, 47 mm diameter and stands 130 mm tall # Made in Osaka, Japan # Stainless steel, static free body |
Check Price |
Related: Best Espresso Machine For Beginners Under $400
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder-Best Overall
Baratza Encore is the top-of-the-line smart Conical Burr Coffee Grinder made with stainless steel burr that produces consistent and uniform grind size without the mess. This coffee grinder is designed with simplicity in mind and comes with 40 grind settings so you can brew Espresso, Aeropress, Hario v60, Chemex, French press, and Automatic brewers which means you will have no issue brewing any type of coffee.
If you are just beginning in the coffee world, the is wise to invest in a quality burr coffee grinder like Encore that allows you to brew for multiple brewing and gives you control over grind size and coffee strength.
Pros:
- Specialty coffee association award-winning grinders produce uniform grinding
- Superior entry-level grinder, user friendly, simple on/off switch
- 40 grind settings: espresso, Aeropress, Hario v60, Chemex, French press, and Automatic brewers
- Great value for money
- Support and a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- No programmability
- Not suitable for Turkish coffee
Related: Best Coffee Grinder For V60
Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Digital Timer Display
The Virtuoso Plus is the updated version of the Baratza Virtuoso that can produce excellent quality grind exactly you want and it is mostly known for the exceptional motor and burr design. This is an excellent choice for a first-time espresso grinder because this grinder will grind consistently for espresso.
With Virtuoso Plus you would have no worries for consistency and precision grinding because the commercial-quality burrs and DC motor optimized to reduce friction, heat, and grind beans are extremely uniform. This is why home barista to professional barista depends on this reliable coffee grinder.
This stylish coffee grinder fits in every size kitchen and improves kitchen decor besides easing your coffee life day after day. You can almost grin for any brewing method including espresso but it could not grind for Turkish coffee.
Pros:
- Stylish design, commercial-grade components.
- Produce extremely consistent grind every time
- Easy to operate, maintain, and clean
- An integrated timer to replicate settings
- Wide range of 40 grind sizes
Cons:
- Expensive compared to Encore.
Breville The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Smart Grinder Pro is a high-quality coffee grinder and stainless steel conical burrs that are optimized to minimize grinding heat and protect the essential oils, maximizing the coffee flavor every time you brew. Furthermore, 60 precise-grind settings with an electronic timer allow you to grind the size exactly you need and exactly the amount of ground coffee you need every single time.
The LCD display makes it super easy to operate and you can see the current grinding status on the display so elderly people also can grind easily. Even better, the coffee grinder features to grind beans directly into a filter or any container you like, so there’s less to clean.
Pros:
- Convenient features make grinding effortless and provide uniform grinding
- High quality, durable, long-lasting burrs
- Easily programmable settings make coffee life easy
- 60 grind settings (with 10 micro-adjustments)
- Easy-to-understand interface LCD
- Coffee grounds cup doubles as storage
Cons:
- Learning curve involve
- Little bit Expensive
- Power cord length could be long
Related: Best Burr Coffee Grinder For French Press
Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
Unlike other coffee grinds with the same price range, this coffee grinder features 4 major settings: extra-fine, fine, medium, and coarse which means you can improve your barista skill to the next level and can brew anything you want from Turkish coffee to French press.
This beginner-friendly commercial-grade coffee grinder has hardened steel 40mm conical burrs that can grind at low 450 RPM so your coffee flavors will be preserved and you will get the maximum potential from your coffee beans day after day.
Overall, this budget-supported entry-level grinder provides satisfactory results, especially when it comes to the trickiest finer grinds.
Pros:
- Commercial-grade burr provides precision grinding
- Integrated 5-60 second timer to replicate settings
- Ability to grind for Turkish coffee to French Press coarse
- Quality burrs with low RPMs reduce heat
- Extremely easy to maintain and clean
- Affordable
Cons:
- Plastic housing may feel cheap
- Small bin for ground coffee
Related: Best Coffee Grinder For AeroPress
Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder [For serious Espresso lover]
Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder is an SCCA award-winning coffee grinder designed with 30 grind settings that allow you to grind quickly up to 5g/second and minimal retention. Even better, you can grind from coarse to fine so you can easily brew your favorite coffee in the comfort of your kitchen.
This coffee grinder has been designed with simplicity and functionality in mind, therefore beginners can grind preciously and it is suitable for fresh grinding in the morning day after day.
Unlike other expensive coffee grinders, this coffee grinder features a digital control panel that allows you to grin the exact amount of ground required and this smart-looking compact coffee grinder fits in any size kitchen.
Pros:
- Specialty coffee association award-winning grinders
- Entry-level home grinder for espresso, Aeropress, Hario v60, Chemex, some drip brewers
- Digital timer giving you precise control over how much coffee you need
- 30 grind settings high speed grinding up to 5g/second and minimal retention
- The digital control panel can grind directly to a portafilter
- Support and a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- One of the loudest grinders
- The portafilter holder doesn’t come with a locking mechanism
Related: Best Coffee Grinder For Turkish Coffee
What is the best grind size for espresso?
The coffee bean grind size should be slightly coarse but fine because fine particles allow brewing on super-short brew time. On the other hand, fine particles are essential for providing resistance to the water.
In the espresso brewing process, espresso is brewed under high pressure so the extraction occurs at high speed. And, fine grind enables us to push those grinds super-close together, the pressurized water would just shoot through the coffee bed too quickly for a uniform espresso.
What type of grinder is best for espresso?
There is countless choices when it comes to choosing the best coffee grinder for espresso coffee that allows you to grind the desired size you require. No matter you can use an electrical or manual hand crank burr coffee grinder based on your preference and your convenience.
But, it needs to make sure the espresso grinder is not only easy to use or user friendly but also capable of producing coarse to fine consistent grind every single time. You can also read about the Espresso Grinder Under $400
Blade Coffee grinder
Blade coffee grinder uses blades with a motor just like a blender that can grind very quickly but does not produce consistent and even ground which is the secret of making great flavor espresso. Thus, you may miss some potential from your coffee beans. You can also read about the best coffee grinder for camping.
Often, you may burn your coffee beans because the cheap blade grinder produces heat if you run the grinder for a large number of coffee beans. Besides this, you have very little control over your grind size.
Even though blade grinder is cheaper than burr grinder, burr coffee grinder is always preferred for the quality consistent grind.
Burr Coffee grinder
This grinder is specially designed with burrs instead of blades that allow you to adjust the grind size you want and produce a consistent and uniform grind so that your coffee bean oils will be preserved and you get fresh organic flavor coffee every single time for brewing excellent flavor espresso.
Unlike blade grinder, you can grind coffee beans batch after batch without any risk of burning your coffee.
That is why espresso lovers always prefer the best quality burr coffee grinder vs blade grinder that will not only ensure espresso quality but also serve for several years to come.
The best part, large and small capacity burr coffee grinders are available and you can invest in a small manual or electric coffee grinder for AeroPress or espresso that you like for traveling.
Entry Level Espresso Grinder Buying Guide For Beginner
Once you have decided which type of espresso grinder you want then you have to consider 6 things before you get one.
Capacity
It is important to know how much coffee your grinder can grind at a time. For example, if you have a large family or prefer to grind a week’s supply at once, you would go for a high-capacity grinder. Furthermore, a large capacity grinder does not limit you in any way when it comes to grinding your preferred amount of coffee.
However, you may prefer a small or medium capacity grinder if you want to grind a small batch before your brewing or you want the grinder for use for your personal use in your office or college dorm room.
Grind settings
When it comes to choosing the best coffee grinder, the ideal coffee grinder should feature multiple grind settings and options for multiple brewing. This will give the flexibility to brew and drink espresso, cafetiere, and filter coffee. Furthermore, you can customize and personalize the grinding process that
meet your demands on time.
Brand
There are numerous brands for coffee appliances and some brands are superior in terms of quality and designs, some manufacturers are trusted for reliable and high-performance grinders while other brands make substandard products. Therefore, choose trusted brands that come with coffee grinders with useful features and provide great value for money.
Consistency
Coffee grinder quality is defined by how consistent it can grind because consistent grinds are essential for perfect extraction and you get fresh flavor coffee full of aroma. Thus, make sure your grinder is easy to adjust and capable to grind different sizes ranging from extra-fine to fine, medium-coarse, medium, or coarse.
Easy to use and beginner-friendly
When it comes to choosing any espresso grinder, you should confirm the grinder must be easy to operate, beginner-friendly, and will last for several years.
Coffee Grinder Dimension
Coffee grinder dimension is the most important feature if you have limited space in your office or home kitchen. Fortunately, there are small, medium, or large size coffee grinders available in the market and you should pick one that perfectly fits on your kitchen countertop or office desk.
Hopper size
One should choose a large hopper size if one wants to grind coffee beans for your full family or a large number of guests and another advantage of using a large hopper is that you do not require to refill water frequently.
On the other hand, if you are one of them who drinks several cups in a row, then you should go for a medium-size hopper.
Material
The coffee grinder should be made of durable material such as stainless steel or ceramic that not only serve you for the years to come but is also is easy to clean and does not produce bad flavor in your coffee.
On the other hand, plastic can break down quite easily and often produce plastic flavor coffee.
So, if you go for a Chemex coffee grinder having plastic in it make sure the plastic is high-quality plastic does not affect your coffee taste.
Origin of country
It is important to check the manufacturer origin of a country because all countries do not produce the best quality coffee appliance. When you go for buying the best quality affordable coffee grinder you can look for Italian, German, Japanese, or USA-made coffee appliances and should not go for China-made coffee gear.
Warranty
In most cases top Coffee appliance manufacturers come with a warranty for peace of mind because they have confidence in product quality. Thus, it is better to know clearly the warranty before investing in coffee appliances.
Want to increase your coffee grinder lifespan? Tips To Properly Care For and Maintain Your Grinders
Regular basis cleaning of grinder increase coffee grinder lifespan. therefore, cleaning coffee grinder is essential not only for increasing the lifespan of the coffee grinder but also for improving espresso tastes. You probably already experience that coffee beans are naturally oily and you often discover that your coffee grinder burrs start accumulating coffee slowly and it will increase over time with more grinding if not clean thoroughly and may cause your grinder to clog.
Therefore, it’s best practice to clean your grinder each time you get new coffee to avoid unwanted flavor in your cup. Even if you’re using premium quality coffee, you should clean the grinder around every seven days. In fact, the more often you clean your coffee grinder, the better lifespan it will be. You don’t have to take
through cleaning every time or do not require grinder apart.
- Use an artist’s brush or paintbrush for removing groundes from burrs
- Paper towels work well to wipe out the ground bin or collection container
- Using water may decrease the lifespan because water will cause the burrs to rust
- Fully dry out grinder after cleaning to reduce moisture and to improve the grind qualty
How to clean the grinder after grinding beans?
Cleaning the grinder after grinding oily beans is mandatory if you want to get rid of the oil and residue so it doesn’t affect your next batch of beans.
Chances are high that the oils are getting all over the burrs, hopper, and chute, causing grounds to build up if you grind dark roast oily beans instead of non-oily coffee beans or dry beans.
Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about as you can easily clean the grinder after grinding, and for that just need to disassemble as much as you can, use hot soapy water on the outer burr, and a brush on the rest.
FAQ: Espresso Grinder For Begineer
Q: Do you need a special coffee grinder for espresso?
A: The answer is Yes and No. You can either choose blade or burr grinder, electric or manual coffee grinder. The most important thing you require is to confirm that the coffee grinder is capable of grinding from coarse to fine.
Q: How fine should I grind my coffee for espresso?
Ans: When it comes to grinding for making great espresso, the grind size should be just like a mixture of powdered sugar and fine beach sand because too fine grinding might block the coffee filter. Thus, you must use a fine enough grind that helps to increase the pressure required to push the water through the filter and also helps you create a good crema.
Q: Is an espresso burr grinder really worth it?
Ans: The straightforward answer is: Yes, a burr coffee grinder is definitely worth the money when it comes to making rich flavor coffee or espresso.
Experts or professional baristas always recommend grinding fresh beans just before starting brewing and the grind should be consistent because the coffee flavor and taste have a direct relation with perfect grind size and coffee extraction depends on the uniform grind size. This is why a burr grinder is really worth buying instead of using a blade grinder or pre-ground coffee beans.
Q: Why are espresso grinders so expensive?
Ans: Espresso grinders are comparatively more expensive than blade grinders due to the quality of parts, design, and performance. Espresso burr grinders are capable of grinding the consistent grind size you want and optimized for heat reduction so that you get the maximum potential from your coffee beans.
However, espresso coffee grinder is not so expensive when you calculate the money you spend on your local coffee shop and you can also go with a manual espresso burr grinder option that anyone can buy.
Q: Can you use a hand grinder for espresso?
Ans: If you do not simply want to spend money on an electric espresso grinder, there is nothing wrong to use a burr grinder for making espresso. In fact, you can find high quality with ergonomic design manual espresso grinders that come with the feature of adjusting the coffee grind size you want.
Furthermore, hand espresso grinder is not only budget friendly but also it is lightweight and perfect for travelling.
Conclusion
Undouble, picking the best entry-level espresso grinder is difficult if you have no prior experience because there are countless burr coffee grinders with different features that promise many good things. Our recommendation for an affordable entry-level espresso grinder is Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder which will work as a home professional grinder and definitely improve your barista skills.