We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The best coffee grinder for caffeine fans, tried and tested by experts
Enjoy the taste of freshly ground coffee from home
Tested by Connie HackHomes Tester
If you want to swerve the rising takeaway latte costs, it is possible to replicate your perfect cup at home. You just need the right kit. And having the best coffee grinder is the crucial first step, especially if you’re into speciality brews, as grinding your beans to the right size is crucial for unlocking those delicious flavour notes and aromas.
A good coffee grinder should produce consistent grounds that are tailored to your drink and bean of choice, from espresso to drip coffee and everything in between.
With your morning coffee on the line, our experts put a range of models to the test in the lab to find the very best buys out there. Because when you've spent hundreds – or even thousands – on one of the best coffee machines, you don't want the experience ruined because you don’t have enough grind settings. Well, not on the Good Housekeeping Institute’s watch.
Check out our top-performing picks below and read on for everything you need to know about coffee grinders before buying – including the difference between a burr and blade...
The best coffee grinder to buy in 2026
Best cordless coffee grinder and best blade grinder
KitchenAid Cordless Coffee Grinder with Battery
Read review
How we test coffee grinders
To find the best coffee grinders, the Good Housekeeping Institute experts assess each model on its fine, medium and coarse settings, using the same coffee beans throughout for fairness. We judge the following key criteria.
Ground consistency: We weigh the amount of coffee grounds produced by each model before putting them through a Kruve Sifter (a professional coffee ground sifter), which separates the grounds by particle size. We then weigh the grounds that are the correct size for the setting and calculate a percentage of ‘usable grounds’. We’re checking for accuracy and consistency.
Capacity: Using the fine, medium and coarse settings, we make the minimum and maximum capacity of grounds for each model. We’re looking for consistent results every time – whether you’re grinding for one cup or 10.
Wasted grounds: No one wants waste, so we check how much residue is trapped under the blades and note whether any beans get stuck on the inside of the grinder.
Noise levels: We record the noise level on each setting using a decibel reader, because you don’t want to wake the whole house up when you’re making your morning espresso.
We also rate each grinder on how easy it is to set up, how intuitive and useful the design is, and how helpful the instructions are. Our top performers worked quickly and quietly, pouring grounds consistently without any mess.
Sage The Smart Grinder Pro
Sage The Smart Grinder Pro
Pros
- Clear LCD display
- Hopper lid is designed to be air tight for fresher beans
Cons
- No pouring lip on the container (although it still pours well)
Score: 89/100
Sage is a market leader when it comes to coffee, topping our best bean to cup machine roundup, so we expected a similarly impressive coffee grinder. We weren’t disappointed; it was durable, intuitive and well-designed.
Using IQ technology, it lets you adjust the grind time by 0.2 second increments, giving great control over the dose. And with 60 settings, it delivered perfect grounds for everything from espresso to French press coffee. Its fine grounds were the most precise in terms of weight and size. Medium and coarse grounds were less accurate but still generally consistent.
It doesn’t come with dishwasher-safe parts, but the clean-up process was still easy – minimal residue escaped from the grinder and there were no major dirt traps either. It's a worthy winner.
Key specifications
| Type | Electric burr |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 450g |
| Settings | 60 |
| Noise level | 78.7dB |
| Dimensions | 21.5 x 16 x 38.9cm |
Pros
- Fairly quiet in use
- Comes with clear diagrams, troubleshooting advice and cleaning information
Cons
- No dishwasher-safe parts
Score: 87/100
Our runner up comes from Norwegian brand, Wilfa. As with many Nordic exports, the electric burr grinder has a sleek finish, but it’s practical too. The 250-gram hopper has a UV filter to protect your beloved beans, while its five grind settings are helpfully labelled with the types of coffee they’re designed for (e.g. French press and filter). The timer dial is easy to read too, and it starts grinding at the push of a single button.
Testers found it worked best when grinding finely; its coarse grounds were less accurate than they’d have liked. Static built up too, so when our experts opened its container, the grounds flicked out, making a mess on the countertop. The quick wipe down required was worth it for the delicious coffee, though.
Key specifications
| Type | Electric burr |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 250g |
| Settings | Five |
| Noise level | 77.2dB |
| Dimensions | 17 x 13 x 28cm |
Fellow Opus Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Fellow Opus Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Pros
- Sturdy and durable build with non-slip feet
- Smooth and simple controls
Cons
- Sometimes testers had to push the button twice before it started grinding
Score: 85/100
Testers loved the unique design features that made this burr grinder a joy to use. First up, the lid – it's divided in two so you can measure out either 20 or 40 grams of beans, only grinding what’s needed. Plus, there’s a handy guide to the grinder settings on it – there are 41, after all.
Testers were also impressed by the collection cup – it’s magnetically aligned and equipped with anti-static technology, which means the grounds travel down the chute without making a mess.
Like the coffee grinder above, it was less accurate on coarser settings, but for finer grounds, it excelled and was the quietest of all the options on this list.
Key specifications
| Type | Electric burr |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 110g |
| Settings | 11 with 41 precision adjustments |
| Noise level | 73dB |
| Dimensions | 12 x 27 x 30cm |
BODUM BISTRO Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
BODUM BISTRO Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
Pros
- Clear diagrams show how to use it
- Lid provides guidance on recommended grind times according to dose and size
Cons
- No troubleshooting advice in the manual
Score: 84/100
Bodum claims that the conical-shaped burr spins more slowly than a regular grinder wheel, making it quieter and less messy. While we didn’t find it to be particularly quiet, our experts didn’t notice much residue caught in the burr. And its design, along with the glass catcher, also reduced the build-up of static, helping to preserve the great taste of our grounds.
There are only 12 grind sizes, so it may be trickier to find the right one for your tastes when compared to some other grinders, but there’s still plenty to suit most styles of coffee. Testers found it worked best on a finer setting and appreciated that the catcher and lid are both dishwasher-safe – let’s be honest, no one wants to tackle the washing up first thing in the morning.
Key specifications
| Type | Electric burr |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 220g |
| Settings | 12 |
| Noise level | 92.2dB |
| Dimensions | 27.5 x 17.8 x 16.3cm |
KitchenAid Cordless Coffee Grinder with Battery
KitchenAid Cordless Coffee Grinder with Battery
Pros
- Good-sized grinder button for easy use
- Sturdy and durable design with non-slip feet
Cons
- Didn’t produce a very accurate medium grind
Score: 83/100
This blade grinder is part of KitchenAid’s Go series, which means it’s a cordless model you can take with you anywhere – yes, even on holiday. The rechargeable battery offers up to six minutes of grinding per charge and it fits all the appliances in the Go range, including the mini chopper (GHI score: 97/100) and hand blender (89/100), which our experts have also tested and loved.
As this is a blade model, there’s no hopper to store your beans, but this is no bad thing; it’s more compact and easier to store in a cupboard. It produced a lovely fine grind too and was very consistent across each of our tests. Plus, our experts liked the fact that the bowl and cover go in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Key specifications
| Type | Electric blade |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 113g |
| Settings | N/A - Hold button to grind |
| Noise level | 82.4dB |
| Dimensions | 21.4 x 13.4 x 15.1cm |
De'Longhi KG200 Electric Coffee Grinder
Pros
- Fairly consistent dose of grounds across each test
- Plenty of clear diagrams showing how to use and clean
Cons
- No dishwasher-safe parts
- Fairly noisy
Score: 81/100
Another blade model, this has an easy-to-use, push-to-grind design, so you can effortlessly achieve your desired grind size. Testers found the button responsive and smooth to push and hold and were impressed with the accurate size of the fine grounds.
While there’s a viewing window to watch your beans as they grind, the lid’s dark colour made it difficult to judge when they’d reached the required size. They also noticed quite a bit of residue stuck to the sides of the lid, making it difficult to remove the grounds without making a mess.
Key specifications
| Type | Blade grinder |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 90g |
| Settings | N/A - Hold button to grind |
| Noise level | 84.7dB |
| Dimensions | 25 x 13 x 11cm |
Amazon Basics Electric Coffee Bean Grinder
Amazon Basics Electric Coffee Bean Grinder
Pros
- Compact and easy to store
- Instructions include tips for using the grinder
Cons
- No non-slip feet
Score: 79/100
Don’t let the budget price tag fool you – this is still a great little coffee grinder if you’re taking your first steps towards barista-level brews. It was one of the most accurate grinders for achieving fine coffee grounds, making it a good choice for espresso-lovers.
For medium and coarse grounds, the sizing was consistent but a little off what testers expected. Thanks to its clear lid and responsive button, however, you can quickly stop grinding as soon as you reach the right consistency for your desired coffee-brewing method.
It’s tricky to clean as you can’t remove the blade from the main body, but that’s a minor niggle for a great value tool.
Key specifications
| Type | Blade grinder |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 30g |
| Settings | N/A - Hold button to grind |
| Noise level | 79.7dB |
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 8.7 x 9.4cm |
Pros
- Sturdy and durable grinder
- Comes with a brush to clean around the burr
Cons
- Residue collected under the burr, creating some mess
Score: 78/100
With a large 250-gram capacity hopper, this Dualit burr grinder is one for coffee-loving households. Both dosage and grind size are easy to adjust, courtesy of its smooth-turning dial, and 35 different settings will help you get the perfect grind every time.
Testers were impressed with the consistency of its fine grind but found the quantity varied across their tests. The grinder was a little noisier than the others we tested, too.
That aside, our experts loved its thoughtful little details, like the holder, which means you can grind straight into a portafilter, and the included scoop that fits inside the lid of the hopper.
Key specifications
| Type | Burr grinder |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 250g |
| Settings | 35 |
| Noise level | 82.8dB |
| Dimensions | 31 x 12 x 19cm |
Pros
- Clear lid makes it easy to see when your grounds are the right size
- Clear instructions with good detail
- Stable during use and has non-slip feet
- Affordable
Cons
- Parts aren’t dishwasher safe
- Basic, plastic design
Score: 76/100
This affordable grinder has stainless steel blades, and you simply hold down the button until you’re happy with the grind on your beans (there’s a clear lid so you can see when you’ve got the right consistency).
Like many of the models we’ve tested, it was best at producing fine grounds – around 70% were the right size – and it performed better when grinding larger quantities, rather than enough for single cups. It was quieter with larger amounts too, registering at 85.9dB (equivalent to the noise of a blender) versus 91.2dB (more like a drill) when grinding just 10g of beans.
None of the beans got stuck during testing though, and only a small amount of residue got trapped under the blade. It would be easier to clean if the blade were detachable, but the rest of the grinder is simple to take apart and put back together. This model is on the basic side, but would suit beginners looking for an affordable, simple way to grind their coffee beans.
Key specifications
| Type | Blade grinder |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 60g |
| Settings | N/A - hold button to grind |
| Noise level | Up to 91.2dB |
| Dimensions | 19.5 x 9.2 x 10.7cm |
Melitta 1027-01 Calibra Coffee Grinder
Melitta 1027-01 Calibra Coffee Grinder
Pros
- Lets you select quantity of grounds by cup, dosage per cup, and weight
- Accurate measuring scale
Cons
- Difficult to clean as there is a gap under the scales where residue collected, and no parts are dishwasher safe
Score: 74/100
Even larger than the Dualit grinder above, this 375-gram capacity hopper provides plenty of space for your fresh beans. And it’s not just its size that stood out on test; there’s an integrated digital scale, so you can grind to the gram, and a user-friendly control panel that clearly shows which of the 39 grind sizes you’re using.
In testing, its fine grind was accurate and consistent; however, the medium and coarse settings produced grounds that varied in size and weight. Testers appreciated that it was on the quieter side, though.
Key specifications
| Type | Burr grinder |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 375g |
| Settings | 39 |
| Noise level | 77dB |
| Dimensions | 37.5 x 12 x 22.8cm |
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We know the importance of a standout cup of coffee, so we take great care to find the very best products for brewing at home. And we know what we're looking for as we’ve been testing products in the Good Housekeeping Institute kitchen for over 100 years.
After our experts reviewed each grinder against our rigorous protocols in the lab, the results were passed to our homes writer, Megan Geall, who looks after all our coffee guides. She has written about hundreds of products and analyses all the scores and feedback to turn our experts’ findings into easy-to-read reviews.
Why is coffee grind size important?
Coffee making is an art; every step requires careful attention to create the perfect cup – right down to the size of your coffee grounds.
We spoke to Henry Ayers, original co-founder of The Gentleman Baristas and All Things Bloom Coffee, to find out just what happens to your morning brew when you get the grind size right – or wrong. “How fine or coarse the grounds are directly impacts the time it takes for water to drip through,” he explains. “Think of a glass of sand versus a glass of pebbles. Pouring the same amount of water through each, you’ll see that water takes longer to pass through the finer particles of sand.”
Unsurprisingly, this has a direct impact on your drink’s flavour. Take espressos. These have short brew times, so to get the best from your coffee, Ayers says you need “a finer grind size to present more of a barrier for the water passing through, ensuring enough flavour is extracted in that short time”.
There are a few tell-tale signs to that let you know if you've got the grind right. According to Ayers, if your coffee is weak, watery or sour then the grind is probably too coarse, so try switching to a finer setting. With a bit of trial and error, you’ll be sure to find your Goldilocks grind.
What is a burr coffee grinder and are they better?
There are three main types of coffee grinders: blade, burr and manual. As the name suggests, with a manual, you have to do the grinding yourself, turning a lever to crush the beans. For that reason, electric blade and burr grinders tend to be more popular – it’s easier to select your preferred setting, and your beans are taken care of at the push of a button.
Blade grinders work in a similar way to food processors, spinning a blade to chop the coffee beans. Burr grinders, however, work like a pepper mill with the beans passing through two metal or plastic grinding surfaces to break them up.
As a general rule, burr grinders are often larger and more expensive than other types, but they also offer more control over the grind size, and therefore, the final taste of your coffee. Unsurprisingly, then, when asked which is better, Ayers is emphatic: “Burr! Always! Blade grinders are fine for spices as you get a mix of fine and big bits. But for a good tasting coffee, you need a consistent, even grind,” he explains.
“Adjustable burr grinders allow for more precision than blade models. As the burrs move together and apart, they create a small gap, and the particles can only leave the grinding chamber once they’re small enough to fit through that space.”
Deciding whether to go for a burr or not really comes down to your palate, go-to drink and budget, so think about how often you’ll be grinding beans and your brewing method before settling for the one.
How to choose the best coffee grinder
With the coffee grinders on our list ranging in price from £20 to £195, it’s important to know you’re ticking all your boxes. Here’s what to consider before you buy.
Hopper
Generally found on burr grinders, hoppers are containers for storing whole beans, and having one means you won’t need to load your grinder every time you use it. While a larger hopper can (obviously) hold more, leave them there for too long and you risk light compromising the taste of your coffee.
Instead, Ayers advises storing coffee beans in “a vacuum container in a cool dark place” to preserve the flavour. If you’re concerned about this though, some premium models boast hoppers with UV filters for this exact reason.
Settings
Burr grinders generally have lots of grind size settings. However, according to Ayers, “Really, a fine grind, a medium grind, and a coarse one are doable for most people. The only reason there are more grind sizes is so you can get an exact grind for certain coffees such as V60s, moka pots and AeroPress.”
As a rule, use a fine grind for espressos, a medium one for filter coffee and a coarse setting for a cafetière.
Blade and manual grinders don’t offer settings – you simply adjust the grind duration to alter the finished result.
Anti-static features
During the grinding process, the coffee grounds pick up an electric charge from rubbing against the metal burrs. The finer you grind the beans, the more static they’re likely to pick up (as they’re pushed up against the burrs for a longer period). This can be annoying because it can result in the grounds flicking onto the counter when you collect them, leaving a mess behind.
Some research suggests that static can impact the taste too. The grounds clump together, changing the way they interact with the brewing water as it passes through and into your cup.
It sounds very technical, but there’s an easy solution: look for grinders with anti-static features. These include magnetic catch cups that reduce friction or even ones made of glass – a poor conductor of electric charges.
If all else fails, some coffee afficionados believe a few droplets of water can stop a build up of static.
What's the best coffee grinder for beginners?
If you’re new to coffee grinding, the Amazon Basics Electric Coffee Bean Grinder is a great starter model. It’s our favourite budget pick and was extremely accurate when producing fine coffee grounds, which are great for espressos. The compact design means it’s easy to store, too.
But if you’re a coffee connoisseur and want the level of precision a burr grinder can offer, the Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder could be a better fit. There are 12 grind sizes to choose from which should suit most styles of coffee, without overcomplicating it.
What's the quietest coffee grinder?
According to our lab tests, the quietest coffee grinder is the Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder, which registered at 73 decibels (about the same level as a vacuum cleaner). Note that some of the models we’ve tested reached over 90dB.
The verdict on coffee grinders
Our winning coffee grinder is Sage’s The Smart Grinder Pro – an electric burr grinder with 60 settings. It impressed with its clear LCD display and ability to grind beans into a fine powder for fresh espressos.
If you’re looking for a blade grinder instead, we recommend the KitchenAid Go Coffee Grinder. It produced fine, consistent grounds and works cordlessly, so you can grind on the go.
For a budget and beginner pick, the Amazon Basics Electric Coffee Grinder is a good choice.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Connie is responsible for reviewing a wide range of homes products in the GHI lab, something she’s really passionate about. She loves helping readers to find the right buy for their budget and needs. As someone who finds cleaning extremely satisfying and therapeutic, vacuums have become one of her favourite categories to test. Previously, she worked as a product tester for The Sleep Advisors, where she reviewed hundreds of mattresses, pillows, toppers and sleep gadgets. With a BA (Hons) in Photography, Connie loves getting creative with the camera in her spare time, and also enjoys colouring and digital design. Her attention to detail plays a big part in every test she does, ensuring nothing goes unnoticed and all results are accurate.
