Review of the Best Budget Coffee Grinders (And Buyer Guide)

The difference between brewing coffee using ground beans and pre-ground ones can’t be oversimplified. Using freshly ground coffee is like preparing your meals with freshly harvested veggies from your garden. 

You may own the best cappuccino machine, but without freshly ground coffee, your beverage will lack the caffeine kick your body yearns for. After all, the freshness and excellent aroma that comes with using ground coffee beans every morning cannot be rivaled. 

This is the main reason why most coffee enthusiasts are switching to freshly ground beans. Plus, pre-ground coffee can go stale if not well stored. Luckily, you don't have to break the bank to enjoy a cup of coffee brewed using freshly ground beans. Most budget grinders have advanced features that can guarantee you a flavorful beverage every morning. 

But choosing the best grinder can be pretty challenging, especially with the many options available. So after a thorough search, we’ve rounded up the best budget coffee grinders in the market.

So let's dive right in…

The Best Budget Coffee Grinders Are

1. Timemore Chestnut C2 Coffee Grinder— Best Overall

Timemore Chestnut C2 has become quite famous among coffee lovers in the last few years. And that is because it can easily rival most of the high-end options in the market in terms of performance. 

Being budget-friendly is a bonus, as it offers consistent grinds. Plus, it can produce ground beans for a wide range of brewing methods except for Turkish press and espresso. This unit is quite fast for a manual grinder; in fact, it can quickly grind a gram of coffee beans per second.

This grinder is available in a wide range of colors, with the most common ones being white and other dark options. And the main difference between the darker options is the stabilizer and knob. 

The burr is made from steel, while the main body of this grinder is an aluminum alloy. The inner part of the stabilizer, hopper lid, and knobs incorporates PCTG plastic.

The C2 grinder has a capacity of about 25 grams; therefore, it's ideal for brewing a single cup. The roughness adjustment function has 36 adjustable steps; therefore, you can get the desired texture. Weighing about 430g, this grinder can even be used outdoors or when traveling. Despite the fact that its burr is quite efficient, this grinder is not ideal for preparing espresso.

Conclusion: Despite being a budget grinder, the Timemore C2 is durable and performs better than some of the high-end options.

Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5

2. Hario Skerton Pro Manual Burr Grinder

Besides its unique design and attractive price, this Hario's upgraded version of their classic hand grinder offers more. This grinder is manual and portable, so you can carry it anywhere. 

This consistent grinder is ideal for lots of brewing methods, including French press. And unlike most affordable grinders, it can grind for espresso. But you have to be patient as it can take more time to produce a fine grind.

The Skerton Pro has retained a huge percentage of its predecessor's design while introducing some modern, sleek lines. This grinder comes with a ceramic conical burr that guarantees you a uniform and precise grind every time. But it has a simpler grinding adjustment mechanism that is fun to use. 

For a more stable grinding, it has an improved burr shaft and a detachable handle. Plus, its non-slip base prevents it from moving when grinding. 

The Skerton Pro mill can hold about 8 cups worth of ground beans. And you can easily adjust its setting to produce coarser or finer coffee. The only downside to working with this grinder is that it's quite demanding, especially when making coffee for more than two people.

Conclusion: despite being an upgraded version of the ceramic mill, it does grind more coffee beans at once. Therefore, you can get grounded beans for brewing about 8 cups at once.

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5

3. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind

The Cuisinart DBM-8 is an electric grinder with a disc burr that can produce coffee for several people. In fact, it has the capacity of grinding coffee enough for making 32 cups. But you can only grind 4-18 cups at a time and store the remaining coffee in its chamber. 

This powerful grinder has a 140-watt motor that can guarantee you finely ground beans every time.

This grinder has 18 levels for grinding your coffee, so you can pick the right option between extra course and ultra-fine. Therefore, it is the best option for espresso lovers. Plus, its automatic stop ensures that you maximize flavors, aromas, and oils. 

So, if you need to grind for less than 4 cups, you can put fewer beans, and the automatic stop will switch off the machine after it finishes. 

And the good thing about this grinder is that it has an 18-month warranty. The only downside is that it's quite loud, which is expected of most electric grinders.

Conclusion: For a budget electric grinder, this unit is quite reliable. Unfortunately, its burr is not the best in the market, so you should expect it to produce a lot of noise when grinding. It can also produce some dust, also referred to as fines.

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5

4. Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder

As one of Capresso's best-sellers, Capresso Infinity is an exquisite option for any barista. Whether it's Turkish coffee, espresso, or French press brew, this grinder has you covered. 

This unit features a multiple gear motor with a 40mm conical burr that rotates at about 450 RPM. This may be a slower rate than high-end options, but it prevents premature oil extraction and keeps heat generation low. The gear and motor are quieter than you would expect from any budget grinder. 

This machine's plastic hopper has a capacity of about 8.8 ounces, but the grounds bin can accommodate 4 oz. The ground bin is made using plastic; therefore, it produces static cling. 

Like most grinders, its burr is removable, so cleaning it is quite easy. This high-quality grinder is made from stainless steel and ABS plastic, and it has a 100watts motor. Plus, it comes with a 12-months manufacturer's warranty, which means that you're covered for an entire year. 

Capresso infinity has 16 grinding settings, ranging from coarse-to-extra fine with 4 settings for each. Plus, its timer can be set between 5-to-60 seconds. And being 10 inches tall, it can easily fit on your countertop.

Conclusion: Since it's a bit costly than most grinders on our list, it's no surprise that it produces a consistent grind than most options. It is reliable and quieter than Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind.

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5

5. Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder

Bodum is known for producing high-quality grinders, and this is no exception. Compared to other budget grinders, it looks like a high-end grinder, and the fact that it's affordable is a bonus. 

This grinder has a unique design, but the part that stands out is the ground jar. The ground jar is made from borosilicate glass, producing less static; therefore, you will have fewer chaff and fines clinging to it.

And thanks to its unique design that reduces stray grounds and static, this grinder will keep your kitchen clean. It also features reliable conical steel burrs; unfortunately, it doesn't produce finer grind like high-end options. But if you always add sugar and milk to your coffee, then this will work for you. 

It also has an inbuilt timer with a maximum setting of 20 seconds per grind. This isn't enough for grinding huge amounts of coffee beans; therefore, you must consider this when brewing.

Conclusion: It doesn't produce an excellent grind quality for a grinder that closely resembles high-end options.

Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5

6. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

Compared to most manual grinders, the JavaPresse grinder is a unique tool. It is quiet enough to grind in any room in the house and light enough to travel with. This silent grinder has 18 grind settings that guarantee you control and precision over the coarseness of the grind. 

It has a unique hand-crank mechanism that gets rid of about 90% of the noise that an electric grinder would. And being a manual grinder, you won't have to worry about long plastic cords, power, or battery running out.

Built to last, this grinder is ideal for a wide range of brewing methods, including espresso and Turkish coffee. But if you're particular about the quality of the grounded coffee and don't want to break a sweat, then this machine is not for you. 

Its stainless steel body makes it highly durable. However, many people have complained that it's time-consuming and cannot grind coffee for more than one person. 

Conclusion: JavaPresse coffee grinder is one of the best portable grinders for anyone who is ready to break a sweat to enjoy their favorite drink.

Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5

7. Secura SCG-903B Grinder

Like most grinders in the market, Secura SCG-903B comes with an auto shut-off feature and about 17 settings. Therefore, you can get the right size of grains from this electric grinder. You can get extremely coarse for French press and extremely fine for espresso. Plus, it has a quantity control dial for between two to 12 cups.

It has a unique burr grinding mechanism that can help preserve the aroma and grind uniformly. But you should be ready to create space on your countertop because it does take some space. However, some coffee lovers have complained that it is messier than most grinders. But for its price, it is worth it.

Conclusion: Despite being messy, it does guarantee you freshly ground coffee every morning.

Overall rating: 4.2 out of 5

8. Chefman RJ44-A2 Coffee Grinder Machine

Chefman RJ44-A2 is a unique grinder with a 110-watt motor that guarantees you a consistent grind each time. Thanks to its 17 grinding settings, you can customize the grind to your liking. 

It has a huge hopper that can accommodate 2.8 ounces of coffee to prepare about 12 cups of coffee at once. Therefore, you can prepare fresh coffee for your entire family at once. But make sure you give the motor 2 minutes to cool between brewing cycles.

Chefman RJ44-A2 has a reliable mill system that prevents overheating of the beans. Therefore, you can get freshly ground beans with better taste and flavor for an ideal brew. 

This grinder is designed to be easy to clean and use. It uses a one-touch operation to start grinding. Plus, its container and burr grinding disc are detachable. It also comes with a cleaning brush to help you clean it. 

This model is excellent for finer grinds, which are ideal for a cold brew and French press. Unfortunately, some users have complained that it's a bit messy.

Conclusion: Thanks to its 1-touch operation, this is one of the easiest grinders to use. Plus, its 17 grinding settings guarantee you the finest grind available.

Overall rating: 4.1 out of 5

9. Mueller Ultra-Grind Conical Burr Grinder

If you're looking for an excellent grinder that performs like high-end options but costs less than $100, then this is the right option. Mueller Ultra-Grind has the same features as a high-end grinder. 

It has a gear reduction motor that produces less noise and a steel conical burr that helps grind your roasted beans. And despite the fact that it can easily hold enough coffee for 32 cups, it's still compact and can fit perfectly on your countertop.

Its one-button touch feature means that this grinder is quite easy to use and convenient. All you have to do is press the button, and you will have freshly ground coffee within seconds. And to stop it, you can either wait for the auto-stop to kick in or press the button again. 

The fact that its grinding chamber is detachable means that it's quite easy to clean. Plus, it has an embedded brush for cleaning purposes.

Thanks to its ten main grinding settings and other micro-settings, this machine is ideal for lots of brewing methods. Unfortunately, some users have complained that putting it back together after washing can be a tad challenging.

Conclusion: For such an affordable unit, this grinder has numerous features that can be found in high-quality grinders. Plus, it can guarantee you coffee for the entire family within seconds.

Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5

Buyer Guide: Choosing the Best Budget Coffee Grinder

Coffee grinders have evolved over the last few centuries from mortar and pestle to electric grinders. In fact, the first coffee mill was invented by Nicholas Book in the late 17th century. The first electric grinder which gave rise to the industry that we know today was introduced by Hobart, an American firm in the late 1800s. And since then, coffee mills have evolved to what we know and can't live without today. 

Currently, there are over 14 different types of coffee grinders, with the most common one being the Burr grinders. Plus, some produce finer ground coffee than others. 

So, selecting the right affordable option for your kitchen can be quite challenging. And that is because even budget grinders can guarantee you a fresh and flavorful beverage every morning. 

Here are a few factors to consider when purchasing the best budget coffee grinder:

Burr or Blade

When it comes to the grinding process, there are two main options: burrs or blades. Both choices are effective and can guarantee you a fresh cup of Joe every morning. 

A blade grinder works just like a food processor or blender with blades to chop off the roasted beans. The main issue with the blade grinders is consistency. And that is because they chop the roasted beans into small pieces instead of grinding them. And since different sizes of ground coffee extract the coffee flavor differently, you might end up over-extracting the beans. And this will result in bitter-tasting coffee. 

On the other hand, burr grinders are superior. They come with two pieces of sharp ceramic or metals that help grind the coffee beans. And since roasted beans fall between the grinder's burrs, they can be sliced from either side resulting in a consistent grind. The shape of the burrs can be flat or conical, but most entry-level grinders have conical burrs. The high-end grinders have flat steel burrs. 

Manual or Electric

The electric grinders are way more efficient than the manual ones. Electric grinders need little to no participation from you; you have to add some beans and press the start button. And if it has a timer, you can set it to automatically shut off when it finishes grinding. 

The good thing about electric grinders is that they can grind more beans than manual ones. In fact, they dispense coffee based on the number of cups or weight. For an ever accurate result, they have more grinding settings than manual grinders. This is actually why they are way more expensive than the manual ones. 

On the other hand, manual grinders are perfect for home-brewing newbies. Manual grinders are lightweight and small in size, so you can easily move them from one place to the other. 

The only negative fact about the manual grinders is that they aren't 100% consistent. So, you must clean them regularly if you want a more consistent grind. Another major drawback with manual grinders is that it takes more time to get the desired results. In some cases, you may have to grind for over 10 minutes, but it's an excellent workout.

Grind Setting

Another feature that's essential, especially for folks who love trying new brewing methods, is the grind setting. After all, each brewing method demands a certain grind size; therefore, grinders with more grind settings are quite popular. 

With some grinders, you can pick between numerous main grind sizes and even try some micro-grind settings. With several grind settings, you can enjoy a perfectly balanced, delicious cup of Joe. 

Conical or Flat Burrs

Well, this decision will be determined by your budget, primarily since flat burrs are found in high-end grinds. Flat burrs are known for producing evenly ground coffee, compared to the conical ones whose end-product is less uniform. 

Conical burrs also tend to be louder since they have powerful motors. But the good thing about conical burrs is that they have a low likelihood of overheating and are more efficient than flat burrs. 

Dosage Measurements

The amount of ground beans that you can produce at any given time is determined by the ground container and bean hopper. So if you want to grind more beans, pay attention to the sizes of the ground container and bean hopper. Unfortunately, manual grinders have smaller containers than electric grinders. 

Material

Most grinders, both manual and electric, are made of stainless steel or plastic. The ones made using plastic can crack or break when dropped, but they come in a wide range of colors. The steel grinders are stylish and can fit perfectly in any kitchen. Unfortunately, they are costly but more reliable.

The most common burr material is stainless steel. Therefore, you will never have to worry about it cracking, but they are prone to corrosion. So avoid washing them using water. 

The ceramic burrs have a longer lifespan and can never be blunted. Ceramic burrs don't produce any noise when grinding and don't corrode. And despite the fact that they produce a uniform grind, they are more fragile. Ceramic burrs can crack when exposed to a hard substance.

FAQs

Are Burr Grinders Better?

Yes, a burr grinder is better than a blade one. Burr grinders work systematically; therefore, the results will be consistent. On the other hand, blade burrs are inconsistent, and the extraction process will be uneven since the grounded particles will vary in size. The consistency rate of grinding has a huge impact on the taste of the coffee.

What Grind Size Should I Use?

The size of the ground coffee will be determined by the brewing method and the type of coffee you want to prepare. But generally, the fine grind is for espresso, and coarse is for immersion kind of brews. For pour over coffee, you should go for medium-coarse grind. Check out our reviews of the best coffee grinders for pour over. 

How Do I Clean My Grinder?

One of the easiest and efficient methods for cleaning the grinder is by using the cleaning pellets. All you have to do is run the cleaning pellets through the grinder twice a month, and you're good to go.

Conclusion 

A coffee grinder is a must-have for any coffee aficionado, especially if you dislike the idea of stale coffee. Luckily there are lots of models available, so you can pick an option that fits your needs. 

Remember, if you're always on the move, then a manual grinder can be perfect for you. This will mean you have to be ready to work hard in order to enjoy a flavorful cup of Joe each morning. But if you are looking for a grinder that can produce more ground coffee at once, then you should go for an electric grinder.

The coffee grinder that can never disappoint you is the Timemore Chestnut C2 coffee grinder. It is affordable, easy to use, and portable. Timemore Chestnut C2 coffee grinder performs better than most high-end coffee grinders.