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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A grinder is one of the most essential tools in the coffee-making arsenal. But which one should you buy? Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated surfaces instead of slicing them using blades. They're generally regarded as superior to blade grinders. But what are the features you should be looking for in a burr grinder? 1. Conical Burrs As its name implies, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring within another one with sharp teeth. This shape allows for a more efficient grinding, as the burrs are arranged around a central point. The inclined teeth are more effective at cutting the beans evenly and produce less heat. This is beneficial since excessive heat can create bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs can warp and dull very quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso. They are more brittle as well, meaning that small stones and other particles could cause damage over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance. Many burr grinders on the market claim to be “burr grinders,” but they have flat burrs or no burrs even. These “false” burr grinders have large, flattened teeth and are usually paired with weak motors which produce uneven grounds. They aren't true burr grinders and, despite what some enthusiasts believe they don't have the same quality of grind as real burr grinders. Some experts disagree with this claim, but others believe that the size and type of the burrs in a coffee grinder can influence the final flavor. These theories are largely based on anecdotes but they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. For example, some think that conical burrs bring out the individual flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs can mellow and enhance dark roasts. This may or not be the case. However, it's something you should think about if your grinder will have significant impact on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing a grinder with the beans you plan to use can you be certain. The design of the grinder as well as its operating features will have a larger effect on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. It's important to consider other factors when evaluating a grinder, such as its reputation and reviews from customers. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. It has been praised by several reviewers as a “time tested choice” that is great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew. According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This produces more uniformly-sized grounds than a grinder or other burr grinder. Additionally, the burrs generate less heat when they grind and preserves more of the bean's aroma and flavor. In contrast, blade grinders can produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which affects the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this can vary depending on the model and brand. Although the majority of 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 don't recommend them for espresso machines because they can be difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line burr grinder that is flat like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+. Some of the grinders we tested allow you to select the amount of time the machine will grind, which can be useful for those who are making espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette270 an inbuilt intelligent timer that can provide the precision of a split second. However, this feature isn't essential for most brewing methods, and the majority of grinders under $200 operate on what amounts to a fancier version of a windup timer. The most affordable models in our lineup—such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity—use manual burrs. This means you'll have to crank them by hand to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great choice if you are looking for an easy compact and affordable option without electrical power. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It's louder than some of the other models we've tried but is still a good choice for those who don't mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to generally be the more expensive it is. This is due to the improved materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques. 3. User-Friendliness If you're just beginning to discover the world of home coffee brewing There's one thing that every expert says is essential is a burr mill. These grinders create a much more consistent, finer grind than you get from your regular blade grinder. They also help you produce brews that are better balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They are generally more reliable. However, as you may expect, high-quality burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and many are difficult to operate. We asked experts for their recommendations on the easiest electric burr grinders to use. Many people, including those on a tight budget are recommending the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. Highly recommended Reading has several settings that can accommodate different methods of brewing such as pour-over, French press to drip coffee, and it worked well during our tests. It's also quieter than other electric grinders that we tested and doesn't generate the same amount of heat. This is important because excessive 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 the spectrum, which can be a problem with espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a burr grinder with more advanced features such as the Baratza Encore may be a better choice. Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are simple to use and are perfect for those who consume only a cup or two of coffee every day. These grinders are ideal for those who travel, or only need to make one cup of pour-over coffee. 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 can produce a great beverage using any method – except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind precisely enough). It's easy to use for anyone who isn't afraid of small messes and flying chaff, and it's quiet. 4. Cost A good burr grinder can cost you a few hundred dollars, but it's well worth the price. 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. The grinders produce a small amount of fines, which are the tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you choose. However this isn't noticeable to most coffee drinkers. Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other. They aren't as popular but are favored by coffee geeks because they provide a more consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you may have to buy new burrs each time you change the type of brew or the level of roast. According to our experts, the Baratza is the best combination of cost and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200 which is far lower than the majority of other models that lack the same level of capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that is perfect for all brewing methods. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, like those from SSP. The OXO is a decent, low-cost alternative that has a great track record in our tests. Its burrs aren't quite as precise as those in more expensive 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 most people. True coffee geeks might prefer a more advanced model, but the OXO will work well for those who are. For those who prefer to crank their beans manually We also tested a handful of manual burr grinders, which are great for those on the move and who are able to make one or two cups at each time. These models, which utilize the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders use a crank instead of motors, and are generally more quiet than electric models.