Best Burr Grinders for Espresso — Electric
We’ve done our best to present a grinder that will accommodate just about anybody’s needs based on performance, reliability, and budget.
These picks are based on factors such as features & benefits, pros/cons of each model, etc.
We’ve researched and/or tested many of these grinders and each one delivers excellent espresso grinds.
Best Coffee Grinders for Espresso — Manual
Just because you don't plug it in, doesn't mean it can't provide a great espresso grind.
One of the things we love most about manual coffee grinders is that they're portable — perfect for grinding on the go.
They're also typically cheaper than electric grinders, making them a great entry-level option.
What Do I Need to Consider When Looking for the Best Coffee Grinders For Espresso?
The main thing to keep in mind when shopping for an espresso grinder is that the best coffee grinder not only produces consistent, uniform grinds (vital to ANY brew method, but especially espresso) but also excels at finer grinds.
Espresso is a finicky beverage, and even the slightest change in grind size will affect the timing, and therefore, the extraction of your shot.
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a grinder for espresso, such as:
- Grind size (rest assured, all the grinders in this roundup grind fine enough for espresso)
- Grind consistency
- Burr type (flat or conical)
- Build quality (plastic or metal)
- Price
The grinders we've assembled in this list are some of the best home espresso grinders on the market to date. These grinders are sure to produce a cup of espresso that’ll have your taste buds dancing the night away.
Even still, consider the following when shopping...
Burr Grinder vs. Blade Grinder—What’s the Difference?
With coffee grinders, there are two main types: burr grinders and blade grinders. So, which one makes the best coffee grinder for espresso?
Blade grinders work via a fast-spinning blade that chops up the coffee beans. While they’re relatively inexpensive, blade grinders produce very inconsistent, uneven grinds that produce a pretty terrible cup of espresso.
Burr grinders use two abrasive surfaces (called burrs) to crush and grind the coffee beans. This results in a superior, consistent grind ideal for espresso (or any other brew method).
Also, the ability to control the size of your grounds is one of the most important advantages of burr grinders. If you’re serious about making great espresso at home, you’ll need a quality burr grinder.
Burr Type: Flat vs Conical Burrs
Of these burr grinders, there are two common types of burrs: flat burr grinders and conical burr.
Flat burrs are, well, flat, while conical burrs are cone-shaped. They look a bit like a thin disc with serrated edges. Both types of burrs will get the job done well, but many espresso aficionados prefer flat burrs for their ability to produce a more uniform grind at finer grind settings.
Some folks find conical burrs produce less heat (important for preserving coffee’s delicate flavor compounds), are often easier to clean, and are less expensive than flat burrs.
Conical burrs are also better for coarser grind coffee, such as that used in the French press and cold brew. So if you’re leaning toward more of an all-purpose burr grinder, conical burrs will be your better bet.
Ceramic Burrs Vs. Stainless Steel
Manufacturers typically make burrs from either ceramic or stainless steel. Ceramic burrs tend to stay sharper longer than their stainless steel counterparts, but they’re also more fragile and can be more difficult (and expensive) to replace if damaged.
Stainless steel burrs are more durable and sharper to begin with but will dull quicker than ceramic burrs. I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on the material of your burrs, as both will produce excellent results.
Grind Size Adjustment
The first and most important thing to consider is grind adjustment. The ability to make small, precise adjustments to your grind size is crucial when brewing espresso.
Any coffee grinder worth its salt will have some sort of adjustment for this, but not all grinders are created equal.
Some espresso grinders, like the Baratza Sette 270, feature a stepless grind adjustment. This means that you can make infinite adjustments to your grind size (within the range that the grinder can ground), allowing for maximum precision.
Other espresso grinders, like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, have a stepped grind adjustment. This means that the coffee grinder has pre-defined settings to choose from. If the grind size that you’re after falls between one of these settings, you’re out of luck.
As stated before, you can’t control grind size with a blade grinder. So, if you’re using one of these to make espresso, you won’t be happy.
Grind Consistency
The second major factor to consider is grind-size consistency. This is the ability of the coffee grinder to produce uniform grinds (free of other grounds that are too coarse or too fine).
Uniform grinds are important for any brewing method, as inconsistent grinds can lead to over-extraction or under-extraction.
Espresso is especially sensitive to grind consistency, as even the slightest variation can lead to a subpar shot.
When testing for grind size consistency, we use a tool called the Kruve Sifter. This allows us to measure the percentage of coffee beans that fall within our desired grind size range.
For espresso, we’re looking for a grind that is between 200 and 400 microns (fine to extra fine).
Using a Hand (Manual Grinder) vs Electric Coffee Grinder For Espresso
“Grind is fine, but electric’s quicker.”
Can a hand grinder (manual grinder) grind for espresso? Absolutely. Certain quality hand grinders like the 1Zpresso JX-Pro (featured in this post) are plenty capable of grinding for espresso.
Also, hand grinders, a.k.a., manual grinders, are typically more affordable than electric grinders, they’re quieter, and they’re great for travel.
But, you’ll have to sacrifice some convenience. Grinding by hand takes longer than using an electric grinder and can be more difficult to achieve a consistent grind, depending on the model.
So if you’re looking for consistency AND speed, an electric coffee grinder is still going to win out every time.
The Burr Size to Grind Speed Relationship
The relationship between burr size and grind speed is important to understand when choosing a grinder for espresso.
The larger the burr size, the faster the grind speed in most cases. The reason for this is that larger burrs have more surface area, which means they can grind coffee beans faster.
This also largely depends on the RPM of the burrs.
There are also some other caveats to be aware of. First, the type of bean you’re grinding makes a difference. Harder coffee beans will create more friction, which can slow down the grind speed.
Second, the grind setting also plays a role. A finer grind will require more time to achieve than a coarser grind.
That said, with everything else being equal (like motor size), a grinder with larger burrs will be faster than one with smaller burrs.
Doser Grinders vs. Doserless Grinders
Doser espresso grinders have a small chamber that collects the ground coffee, which is then dispensed into your portafilter upon pulling a lever. Alternatively, doserless coffee grinders dispense the ground coffee directly into your portafilter (or grounds bin).
So. Doser or doserless? The answer lies within how you'll use the grinder. Some people prefer the convenience of a doser, while others find that a doserless coffee grinder is less messy and easier to use.
For home use, it usually makes sense to go with a doserless coffee grinder and only grind as much coffee as you need at one time.
What’s a Stepped Grinder vs. a Stepless Grinder?
The fundamental difference between a stepped grinder and a stepless grinder is the grind adjustment. Stepped coffee grinders have pre-set grind settings you can choose from, while stepless coffee grinders allow for infinite adjustability between settings.
So, which is better? For espresso, most agree that a stepless grinder is the way to go. This is because espresso requires a very specific size of grind, and having the ability to make minor adjustments is crucial.
With a stepped grinder, it might be difficult to get the grounds just right. And if it’s even a little off, it can have a big impact on the quality of your espresso.
How To Dial In Your Espresso Grinder Settings
There are a few factors that will affect the output and quality of your espresso. Below is a quick guide on how to dial in your grinder to get the best results.
How Much Coffee For Espresso? Measuring the Correct Quantity of Grounds
There are two ways to measure the amount of coffee you’ll need for espresso. The first method is time-based, and the second is weight-based.
1. Time-Based Dosing
Most grinders will have programmable presets for single dosing (single shot), dosing for a double shot, and manually controlling the dose (via a switch that’s typically activated by the portafilter or a separate button).
Start by setting it to dispense the amount of coffee you desire in your portafilter. For a double shot, 18 grams of coffee is typical. If using a single basket (for a single shot), 7 grams is ideal.
2. Weight-Based Dosing
If your grinder has an integrated scale, you can
weigh your coffee while it’s being ground. The same weights specified above will apply; 7g for a single shot, 18g for a double shot, and 20g for a triple basket if you’re feeling frisky.
Strive for Equal, Even Distribution of Your Grounds
Once you’ve weighed out your dose, it’s time to disperse the grounds evenly in the espresso basket.
To do this, hold your portafilter on its side and give it a few good taps against the counter or your hand. Check to see if the grounds have settled evenly across the entire surface area of the basket. If there are any clumps, use a small probe (i.e., a toothpick) to loosen the grounds and help them settle evenly.
Tamping Your Espresso Grounds
Tamping is the process of packing down the coffee in the basket. This is important because it creates the amount of resistance (back pressure) needed to extract evenly (and allows the portafilter/coffee to fit under your machine).
If the coffee is too loose, the water will flow through too quickly and produce a weak shot. If it’s too tight, the water will have trouble flowing at all and you’ll get an over-extracted espresso with bitter notes.
The ideal tamp pressure is between 20-30 lbs. of downward pressure.
Timing Is Everything With Espresso
The total time it takes for your espresso to be extracted will serve as your guide in dialing in the exact grind size you need to achieve the perfect shot (therefore, having an espresso grinder that excels at fine grinds is important).
The rule of thumb is that your espresso shot(s) should take between 26-32 seconds to extract.
Once you have your dose, distribution, and tamp dialed in, it’s important to start the shot timer as soon as you hear the pump on your espresso machine.
If your extraction is taking less than 26 seconds, the grind is too coarse and needs to be finer (water passing through too quickly). If it takes longer than 32 seconds, the grind is too fine and needs to be ground coarser (water hardly able to get through the grounds).
Just know that you will not get your shot dialed in on the first try. It will take some trial and error before getting it just right.
By gradually making slight adjustments and keeping track of the total shot time, you’ll find that “sweet spot” that will have you pumping out consistently good espresso shots.
From a very young "growth-stunting" age, Clint Doerfler has had a deep-rooted love for coffee. As a result, he founded Coffee Gear Gurus® to share his passion for incredible home brewed coffee with others. When he's not watching true crime shows with family or playing music, he's devoted to helping fellow coffee feins make amazing coffee at home - regardless of their experience.
