Overview

So, how do you know which is the best coffee grinder for espresso?

Well, I’m glad you asked.

With over 15 years of experience in the coffee-making industry, I can spot a high-quality espresso grinder from a mile away. 

To save you confusion and uncertainty, I have listed six espresso grinders that won’t disappoint, leaving you with one grinder to avoid because not all grinders are built for espresso.

But before you decide what espresso coffee grinder you’re going to invest in, let’s take a step back and dive into why you need a coffee grinder if you haven’t invested already.

So, grab a brew, find your seat and let’s learn what makes a good espresso bean grinder.

Why Do You Need a Coffee Grinder?

Whether you’re looking to buy your first coffee grinder or you’re looking to upgrade, pairing a good coffee grinder with a high-quality espresso machine is essential for achieving the best espresso experience according to Ivan at Espressoverse.

The grinder ensures that coffee beans are uniformly and precisely ground to the right size, allowing for optimal extraction and flavour.

And you can even opt for specific coffee grinders designed to make a specific drink like espresso. Coffee grinders can either be manual or electric.

It depends on what you’re looking for to know which is the best espresso grinder for you.

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Manual Espresso Grinder vs Electric Espresso Grinder?

Manual coffee grinders for espresso look like pepper grinders. Although they do the same job as an electric coffee grinder, it is often not done as effectively. 

Manual coffee grinders require some elbow grease to create the grind and consistency you’re looking for.

Whereas electric coffee grinders guarantee a fine grind needed for espresso. 

Although durable and high-quality build, electric coffee grinders can be expensive.

But at a click of a button, you can create your much-needed barista-styled espresso.

You will also notice that you can choose between an espresso burr grinder or a blade grinder. Read more about burr and blade grinders.

Benefits of a manual coffee grinder

Manual coffee grinders are small and compact which makes them great for travelling and for saving countertop space.

Best Overall Espresso Grinder 2023

• Read the Sage Smart Grinder Pro Review

Not only are they typically inexpensive, but they have proven to be reliable and durable. 

Benefits of an electric coffee grinder

Electric coffee grinders are quick and efficient. Within seconds or minutes, you can have your perfectly crafted espresso ready to drink.

These powerhouses come with a wide range of grinder settings allowing you to brew freshly ground coffee at home.

What Makes a Good Espresso Grinder?

Not all coffee grinders are made for creating a rich shot of espresso.

But the best home espresso grinder has the capability of producing a fine and consistent grind.

This requires you to have greater control over your grinding settings. So, when finding the best coffee grinder for espresso, there are a couple of things you need to consider.

And if you’re wanting to know why a finer grind is better for espresso, head over to our frequently asked questions.  

Burr vs Blade

Your grinder for espresso machine features a gear-like mechanism known as the burr or blade. Burr coffee grinders are best for espresso as they crush the beans into a fine consistency.

Whereas, a blade coffee grinder has less control over the grind. The blade in fact slices the beans producing a coarse grind which can be used for French press. Without a decent grinder for espresso machine, you cannot make good-quality espresso.

You can find the best burr grinder for espresso in our list of recommendations. 

Conical vs Flatt Burr

Now you’re aware of espresso burr grinders, it’s time to consider the different types of burrs. There are two types of burrs: conical and flat.

Conical burrs are cone-shaped whereas flat burrs are, you guessed it, flat. Flat burrs are typically more expensive but more consistent for espresso.

Size

The size of the burr can contribute to the espresso bean grinder’s performance.

Larger burrs have more cutting area which can produce espresso faster. The size of the motor also gives the espresso grinder more power.

The bigger the motor the bigger the power which leads to better espresso.

Control

To get this consistent grind you should look at what control features the espresso coffee grinder has.

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Espresso hand grinder controls pretty much stop at adjusting the grind size of the coffee. Whereas most electric coffee grinders offer more flexibility as you can change the grind size, shot size, grind time and quantity.

Grind Setting

The grind setting is arguably the most important function you need to look at when finding the best coffee grinder for espresso.

Look out for the number of grind settings and increments the espresso coffee grinder offers. The more grind settings there are the more control you’ll have over the grind.

Grinders are arguably one of the most important pieces of equipment when making espresso.

And as you now know, not every coffee grinder on the market is designed for grinding espresso. But with our six recommendations, you have a wide range of inexpensive and functional coffee grinders to choose from.

Check out our list of best home espresso grinders below.

• Brew Methods: All methods

• Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

• Dimensions: H389 x W160 x D214mm

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 450g

• Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

• Features: Programable, Consistent, Precise

• Pros: ✅ Ease of Use ✅ Robust

• Cons: ❌ Inconsistent Coarse Grind

Its UV-protected, airtight and compact features modernise your home grinding experience.

With multiple coffee options to choose from and 60 unique settings, you can select the precise dosage that you require.

This machine is one of the best home espresso grinders designed with smart controls for easy use.

The conical burr grinder produces a consistent and high-quality espresso shot. You can grind directly into a portafilter or airtight container. 

So, if you’re looking to up your game in the coffee world then check out this compact espresso grinder from Sage.

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Read more here about Sage Espresso Grinders.

• Brew Methods: All Methods

• Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

• Dimensions: H420 x W250 x D200mm

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 340g Coffee Bean Capacity

• Container/Portafilter Rest: Portafilter x 2

• Features: Great value home espresso grinder

• Pros: ✅ Small Increments in dose and grind

• Cons: ❌ Only for espresso

This home espresso grinder offers a wide range of controls for a fine grind.

From 60 precise grind settings, you can craft your perfect barista-styled espresso in the comfort of your home in one-second increments.

The stainless-steel grinder has an excellent burr grinding mechanism designed to brew an intense espresso.

The espresso burr grinder minimises grind heat and protects the rich flavour of coffee beans.

Experience the freedom of grinding into the portafilter, filter basket or paper filter and achieve precision with an electronic timer.

This product comes with a two-year repair, replacement, and refund guarantee.

Dose Control Pro Grinder makes our list of burr grinders for espresso due to its grind control and build quality. 

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Read more here about The Sage Dose Control Espresso Grinder.

• Brew Methods: All Methods

• Burrs: Conical 55mm Stainless Steel

• Dimensions: H400 x W200 x D300mm

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 300g

• Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

• Features: 55mm Burrs, LCD Display

• Pros: ✅ Precise ✅ Capacity

• Cons: ❌ Expensive

Eureka is well known for manufacturing grinders as they have been around for over 100 years.

Their silent technology suits any home with its high-end aesthetic design.

The espresso machine features a high-res LED touchscreen with intervals of 0.1 seconds offering a precise dosage.

To adjust the stepless grinder, simply turn the dial to the correct grind size.

Built with 55mm flat burrs, this matte black grinder offers great consistency and speed with a powerful motor. 

This espresso bean grinder has a strong and impressive build quality. Although not the cheapest, Eureka’s coffee grinder offers great flexibility for serious espresso lovers.

Find your everyday espresso taste with the Eureka Mignon Specialita grinder.

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• Brew Methods: All Methods

• Burrs: Conical 63mm Stainless Steel

• Dimensions: H311 x W122 x D211mm

• Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose

• Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

• Features: Professional Burrs, Zero Waste

• Pros: ✅ Professional Consistency ✅ Waste

• Cons: ❌ Expensive

This espresso grinder is more on the expensive side but with a 5-star rating you can’t ignore it.

Its durable aluminium build qualities and stylish aesthetic does make this espresso grinder hard to resist. 

Niche Zero is built with 63mm conical burrs that produce premium coffee. The single-dosing grinder has a step-less grind allowing you to keep consistency in mind.

Simply select your grind size, pour in your coffee beans and turn on the espresso machine.

Designed with consumers in mind, this coffee grinder is easy to use with its adjustable grind settings. Adjust by rotating the dial and switching back and forth between grind settings.

If you have style and simplicity in mind, then Niche Zero is the coffee grinder for you. Upgrade to pro-level grinding at home and opt for reliability with Niche Zero.

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• Brew Methods: Espresso (Pressurized Basket), Stovetop, Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press

• Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

• Dimensions: H374 x W120 x D227mm

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 375g

• Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

• Features: Scales, Programable

• Pros: ✅ Grinding Technology ✅ Value

• Cons: ❌ Not Easy To Use

With its detachable parts, the espresso grinder is easy to clean and maintain.

All of the parts including the bean and ground coffee container are dishwasher friendly.

The espresso bean grinder has an easy-to-read LED screen and clearly labelled button controls. It is also designed with an integrated scale to help you perfectly measure out your coffee beans.

And it’s quite easy to make coffee to your requirements with its 39 grind settings. 

But for expresso, you’ll need to opt for a finer grind setting of one to five. Simply manually adjust the grind setting by twisting the bottom of the container that shows the dial. 

This electric espresso grinder uses a burr instead of a blade which produces a more consistent grind needed for espressos. Achieve a rich and finely ground espresso with Melitta Calibra’s coffee grinder.

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• Brew Methods: All Methods

• Burrs: Conical 38mm Stainless Steel

• Dimensions: H146 x W52 x D52mm

• Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose

• Container/Portafilter Rest: Container

• Features: Professional Burrs, Transportable

• Pros: ✅ Quality Burrs

• Cons: ❌ Manual Grinding

Timemore C2 might be the one for you. 

This stylish and lightweight espresso hand grinder is an all-rounder for home-taught baristas.

Only weighing 467g, this coffee grinder is perfect for coffee on the go. The compact Timemore C2 is a more affordable option compared to other high-end espresso hand grinders.

The non-slip aluminium body has a distinctive look and feels with a sturdy design that fits comfortably in the hand.

The 38mm stainless-steel burr espresso grinder provides a consistent and precise coffee grind. The grinding level can be gradually adjusted covering fine, medium and coarse grinding degrees.

Get excellent value for money and produce espresso in one minute with Timemore’s C2 manual coffee grinder.

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This electric coffee grinder is easy to use and does cross off many of our tick boxes for a good quality build.

I own a Wilfa Svart and use it everyday.

However, to extract espresso, you’ll need to produce a fine grind which this coffee grinder cannot perform.

This stainless steel automatic electric coffee grinder from Wilfa is just not cutting it fine enough for us. Literally…

FAQs

Is there a difference between a coffee grinder and an espresso grinder?

Coffee grinders simply grind coffee. However, with a manual coffee grinder, you may find it difficult to achieve the fine coffee grind needed for an espresso machine.

Most espresso grinders are electric and have the power to produce finely ground coffee.

So whilst coffee grinders are designed to crush coffee, espresso grinders are built to provide more control over a fine grind. 

Can I use a regular coffee grinder for espresso?

While you can use a regular coffee grinder for espresso, not all grinders will give you the fine and consistent grind needed for a good shot of espresso. Espresso requires a grinder with the ability to produce a fine grind and to make micro-adjustments to dial in the perfect shot

Is a finer grind better for espresso?

A finer grind is better for espresso because it’s much stronger than your typical cup of coffee.

A fine grind creates a rich and bold espresso shot. However, if the grind is too fine then the shot will not extract properly.

And if it’s too coarse the coffee with taste sour.

Hence why having a good quality coffee grinder is crucial. 

Do I need an espresso grinder?

If espresso is your go-to coffee drink, then you will need an espresso grinder to create a truly fine grind.

A quality espresso requires a finer consistent grind than only an espresso grinder and produce.

How do you grind the perfect espresso?

Every grinder is different. But the goal is to make espresso in 20 to 30 seconds. To achieve this, you need to find the perfect grind.

A perfect grind should be finer than sugar but not too fine that it clumps together. If the espresso takes too long to extract, then grind it finer.

If extraction is too slow then grind coarser. The best way to find the perfect grind is to invest in a good quality espresso grinder.

Should espresso be fine or coarse?

Espresso should be fine. If you grind too coarse, you risk under-extracting and producing a watery espresso.

However, if you grind too fine, you might end up with over-extracted espresso.

How much should you spend on an espresso grinder?

They’re so many options on the market for you to choose from but you should spend what is affordable for you.

Just note, you get what you pay for. Cheap espresso grinders may not last as long whereas expensive grinders are stronger and more durable.

Buy a grinder that is worthy of your espresso.

Are expensive coffee grinders worth it?

Yes! Buying an expensive coffee grinder is an investment.

If you’re wanting to savour the robust flavours of your freshly grounded espresso, then a more expensive coffee grinder can help you craft espresso similar to skilled baristas.

Can you tamp espresso too hard?

It is a possibility. You should be careful to not tamp espresso too hard as it can lead to over-extracting leaving you with a bitter shot of espresso.

Avoid this by holding your espresso tamper and using a downward twisting motion tamp the grind.

Why is a burr coffee grinder better?

A burr coffee grinder will dramatically improve your coffee’s quality.

Why? Because burrs grind with pressure rather than a blade grinder. This results in a more consistent grind preventing over-extracting the espresso.

This type of coffee grinder also avoids clogging and offers more flexibility when grinding coffee beans.

How often should I clean my espresso grinder?

Cleaning frequency can depend on usage, but a good rule of thumb is to give your grinder a basic clean once a week and a deep clean once a month. Coffee oils and small particles can build up over time, which can affect the taste of your espresso and the performance of your grinder