Among electric coffee grinders, the more affordable option is the blade grinder, which chops up the beans with spinning blades. While it is often claimed that they chop beans unevenly and that they overheat the beans, this has not been our experience. Rather, blade grinders are inconvenient for two reasons: First, they don’t grind enough coffee in one batch for a full pot, unless you like a weak brew.

Instead of a bulky hopper and a timer, the Fellow grinder features a single-dose bin with no timer, which means you grind the beans as you go to keep your daily grind fresh. On the lid of the bin, a graph offers users some guidance on the grind size for various types of brewing methods, including Pour Over, Cold Brew, and French Press. Coffee grounds came out consistently and evenly ground.

Although blade grinders get a bad rap, we found these grinders don't overheat the beans or give uneven results. Rather the biggest drawback is that they don’t hold enough coffee for a full-bodied 12-cup pot.

The Cuisinart Supreme misses the mark. It's one of the cheapest burr grinders available, but after using it, it's easy to see why. To begin with, the grounds it produces are reasonably uniform, but the range of grind sizes is quite limited. Its coarsest setting isn't very coarse and the finest setting definitely won't get you into Turkish territory.

However, this grinder isn’t without limitations. After a grinding cycle, there was a significant amount of grounds clinging to the discharge opening. Though a knocker is in place to reduce grind retention, it didn’t work properly during our testing, making a mess after each grind.

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The stainless-steel ground container resists static cling so it doesn’t strew grounds when you open the lid. We also found virtually no ground coffee accumulated in the chute. With a height of about 13-inches, the Oxo takes up more space than many other grinders but will easily fit under a cabinet. A coffee scoop and an exceptionally thorough and easy to read instruction manual come with the machine.

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Managing Editor, Kitchen & Appliances. Danielle has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. She’s the mom of two boys and loves making pizza on Friday nights.

But we found it gives far less ground coffee than we prefer—about 1 tablespoon per cup at the 2-cup setting and 8 tablespoons at the 12-cup setting.

Coffee beans come from a variety of plants, climates, and countries that all affect the taste and body of your cup of joe. The light, floral, fruity, or rich chocolatey, nutty flavors that define the most sought-after beans begin to dissipate as soon as they are ground and subjected to air, even if the coffee is sold in a vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed bag or can.

The device includes a tool with a brush on one end and a scoop on the other. Both the cup and hopper lid are dishwasher safe.

However, we did notice that this machine made a substantial mess during testing. There's no knock knob built into this machine to clear out residual grounds, so leftovers often spilled out after grinding was complete, resulting in inaccurate dosages and wasted coffee.

This intuitive coffee grinder offers pre-programmed settings depending on grind size and cups or shots. We also love that it's mess- and static-free. Read More

Another one of Fellow's sleek and high-end grinders, the Opus features a conical burr grinder that boasts up to 41 grind settings—including ultra-fine espresso.

Manual grinders (or hand grinders) don’t need any electricity but require you to use a hand crank to grind the beans. While you get even results, it takes minutes as opposed to seconds to grind coffee beans by hand, and the chore gets tedious fast.

This guide was first written by Ben Keough, who has been testing and writing about consumer tech and home goods for more than a decade. He previously served as Reviewed Editor-in-Chief of News and Features. He also once owned and operated a specialty coffee shop in Da Nang, Vietnam, where he converted his love for coffee drinking into a passion for making coffee and learned what it takes to produce a perfect cup.

The second generation of the Fellow Ode builds off of the capabilities of its predecessor, with a few upgrades. This model works with two 64-millimeter professional-grade flat burrs, which boast two-stage grinding geometry that's meant to upgrade the consistency and flavor of each grind. It also promises quieter grinding and less residual mess, thanks to new anti-static technology.

In each grinder, we ground two batches of beans to a fine, medium, and coarse consistency, timing each batch. After grinding, we recorded the temperature of the ground coffee and evaluated it for grind size and uniformity.

The machine is full of other thoughtful design flourishes. Both the top burr and the bean hopper include well-labeled locking mechanisms that ensure the machine won't run unless it's properly set up. The lid on the hopper has a pull-ring to make it easy to remove, as does the electrical plug. The grind collection cup includes a screw-on lid with a rubber stopper for airtight storage in case you have leftovers.

Although the machine determines the grinding time, you still need to push down the lid until it stops. And before pushing, you have to carefully align the bowl with the base and press in a small and specific place. This led us to a few false starts.

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder has five grind settings that produce a nice range from fine for espresso to coarse for French press. There’s no cup setting, which we don’t think you need. There's also a timer rather than a continuous on button.

But with all the different types of grinders—blade, burr, and manual models—which one is right for your needs will depend on how much coffee you brew at once, the amount of ground coffee you use per cup, and how much effort you’re willing to exert before your wake-up caffeine jolt.

While we found that the Fellow Ode Gen 2 excelled at grinding beans with precise consistency during our tests, we didn't love the design of the catch, which made pouring grounds difficult. And although it's pricey, this model doesn't include an espresso setting—so moka pot and espresso machine loyalists should likely look elsewhere.

We listened to hear how much of a racket they made as they worked and determined how easy they were to clean. In addition, we considered the quality of construction and how much space each grinder took up on the counter.

That’s why coffee lovers and aficionados prefer to grind their own beans right before brewing. But oxygen isn't the only enemy of coffee flavor—overheating the beans, grinding them unevenly, and using the wrong grind for your coffee maker can do just as much damage.

The Hamilton Beach Fresh-Grind is a simple blade grinder. It’s not particularly elegant in design but it’s compact and has an innovative mechanism for storing the cord neatly in the base. It's a dependable gadget that will grind coffee beans evenly, but you can only grind 6 tablespoons of coffee at once.

But how does it grind? Pretty well! The coarsest setting is a bit too fine, but it does an excellent job at pour-over/Aeropress/cold brew sizes, and produces a beautifully fine espresso grind. Grind consistency is very good, though not quite as perfect as what you get from the Baratza Encore.

Before you make a purchase, it's important to understand the differences between burr, blade, and manual grinders. A burr grinder pulverizes roasted beans between two serrated moving steel plates, a handful of beans at a time which always results in an even, consistent grind. While not large in comparison to a coffee maker or a toaster oven, burr grinders require some space on your countertop. However, they can process enough coffee at once for a full-bodied 12-cup carafe.

We also love how little static cling we experienced with the KitchenAid grinder, and the fact that there was very little mess left behind after each grind session. Not only does this mean easier clean-up, but fewer beans wasted.

If you like to use 2 tablespoons per cup and often brew a family-sized carafe at one time, a burr grinder that can grind enough beans in one batch is your best choice. In addition, be wary of coffee grinders that ask you to select the number of cups and then automatically grind the beans. They grind less than two tablespoons per cup.

While the OXO can hold three-quarters of a pound of beans, we always recommend measuring your beans and placing them in the hopper before grinding; that way you don’t have to either grind a second batch or find yourself with leftover ground coffee.

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The Braun is nicely designed: Select the number of cups to brew and one of the nine settings, then press start and the machine will automatically grind the beans.

Second, most don’t have grind settings, so you have to guestimate how long to run them to get the right texture for your cup. This type of coffee grinder doesn’t take up too much space on your countertop and is easy to stash in a cabinet when not in use. Plus, it can double as a spice grinder.

According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) which sets standards for coffee making, the perfect cup of coffee is brewed by using 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6-ounce cup or a standard coffee cup size. If you do the math, that’s 24 tablespoons for a 12-cup potful. (We know, that’s a lot of coffee!)

This incredibly intuitive grinder doesn't require any bean weighing; simply program the grind size (which can be determined by using the helpful checkpoints, like cold brew and French press) and number of cups or shots you're brewing. The machine will automatically program a suggested grind time, and all you have to do is press "start."

This sleek-looking grinder has a touchscreen that goes to sleep when it’s not in use. For best results, we recommend using its manual button rather than the cup settings. Read More

The Mr. Coffee is designed to solve some of the problems associated with blade grinders. It has settings for fine, medium, and coarse grinds and also has settings for four to 12 cups. The grinding cup is removable for thorough cleaning either by hand or in the dishwasher. However, all this complicates a relatively simple appliance.

The key is buying a good coffee grinder—like our top pick, the OXO Brew Conical Brew Grinder (available at Amazon) —which produces a nice range of coffee, from extra-fine grounds for your espresso machine to a coarse grind for a French press.

Regardless of where you're at in your coffee grinding journey, the KitchenAid coffee grinder can help you get the best results.

If you’re looking for a sturdy burr electric grinder that takes up minimal counter space, then you may want to consider this one by Fellow, the company that also makes one of our favorite electric kettles. With its sleek design, quiet grinding cycles, and more than 30 grind settings, this coffee grinder is a worthwhile investment.

The dial is smooth to the touch and easy to turn. The grinds-receiving bin can be magnetically attached to the base, which helps the bin remain stabilized during the grinding process. In terms of noise level, this product may be the quietest grinder we’ve tested.

If you really like to fine-tune your grind and dosing, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro has enough tools to satisfy your love of detail. You can choose from 60 grind size settings, and when it comes to dosing, you can set your grind time in increments of 0.2 seconds or simply choose your number of cups.

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Plus, this grinder isn’t easy to clean. Though the manual thoughtfully provides a how-to guide, you still need to use a screwdriver to disassemble the grinding chamber to perform a thorough clean.

Unfortunately, it flunked the five-second grind test with chunky results that featured some very fine grounds mixed with nearly whole beans. Grind long enough and you'll get somewhat consistent results—especially for French press and pour-over—but you never get the fine grind that the Krups can produce.

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Of course, there are downsides. The Smart Grinder Pro is expensive, huge, heavy, and perhaps a touch over-engineered. That said, if you demand the shiniest tech and the most possible control over your grind, it's a great choice.

We suggest using the manual button instead: Load up the hopper with the amount of beans you want to use and then press manual until all of the beans are ground.

Valerie Li Stack is a senior staff writer for Kitchen & Cooking. She is an experienced home cook with a passion for experimenting with the cuisines of countries she's visited. Driven by an interest in food science, Valerie approaches the culinary scene with a firm grasp of cooking processes and extensive knowledge of ingredients. She believes food speaks to all people regardless of language and cultural background.

The Mr. Coffee doesn't remember your previous setting, so each time you use it, you have to select the settings you want. The settings themselves are not at eye level nor easy to see.

While this coffee grinder stands taller than most, there are 15 settings and it's easy to use and clean. Read More

The Krups Fast Touch Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder can only process up to about 12 tablespoons of beans which yields an equivalent amount of ground coffee. If that’s enough for you and you’re not looking to spend a lot, this just might be the perfect choice.

Also, be careful removing the cup and the lid. The coffee clings to the plastic, causing a bit of a mess. Fortunately, the cup and the hopper lid can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

We like that the Braun is fairly compact, includes a cord storage, and has a place in its back to hang the cleaning brush that’s included with the grinder.

Monica is Reviewed's Kitchen & Cooking editor and an avid home cook; she's been testing a wide range of kitchen products at Reviewed for three years. Previously the Digital Editor at Culture Cheese Magazine (and a former barista), she's also had her work published in The Boston Globe, Modern Luxury, Boston Magazine, and more.

You’re better off just loading it up with the amount of beans you want to grind and keep grinding until it’s all processed. Also of note, on the fine setting you don’t get the powdery texture that's required for espresso.

For an inexpensive price, you get two appliances in one as it's also a spice grinder. In between uses, the chamber can be removed for thorough cleaning and can even be popped in the dishwasher so you don’t have to worry that your coffee will have a hint of Szechuan pepper or your twice-cooked pork will taste like coffee.

If you’re an el exigente who enjoys a full-bodied cup, you’ll probably want an electric burr grinder. But if you prefer the convenience of an automatic drip coffee maker that uses a medium grind and don’t want a particularly strong cup of brewed coffee (we get it, no judgment!), an inexpensive blade grinder like the Krups Fast Touch blade grinder (available at Walmart) will do the trick.

Most automatic drip coffee makers come with instructions calling for 1 tablespoon of coffee per cup and many even come with a tablespoon scoop. Now how much you use is entirely up to your personal preferences. Using the SCA’s recommended amounts will bring out all the nuances in coffee beans and will yield a rich and full-bodied beverage, but many may find that way too strong.

If new to grinding your coffee beans, this small, easy to use model creates consistent medium-fine grinds. It also doubles as a spice grinder. Read More

Of course, there's always nuance when it comes to coffee strength preferences. So if you find that the pre-programmed settings aren't suited to your liking, you can always adjust them. But the machine provides a great starting point, especially for beginners.

If there’s one area I’m particularly interested in, it’s coffee making and that’s because java is always my drink of choice whether it’s first thing in the morning, before or after dinner, or late in the evening. I’m pretty fussy about my coffee, preferring a rich and bold-flavored brew that comes from using a generous dose of ground coffee made from freshly ground, high-quality beans.

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We noted whether or not there was static cling and/or caking in the grinder cup, whether the machines spat ground coffee all over the counter or got stuck in the chute.

The grinder comes with portafilter attachments in two sizes, reducing mess for those with home espresso machines, and is also designed to accommodate paper filters for drip coffee makers. A large digital display makes the settings easy to understand at a glance.

When it comes to doing its job, the Mr. Coffee grinds evenly but it doesn’t grind very finely on the fine setting so this is probably not a good choice for espresso lovers.

One plus of this grinder is that it doubles as a spice grinder. However, be sure to clean it well before using it for coffee again. And while it's possible to rinse out the lid, the container can only be cleaned by wiping it with a damp towel.

The Krups produces a ton of static cling, so to prevent coffee grounds from spilling everywhere after opening, you'll have to tap the lid or bang the grinder on the counter. If using the ultra-fine setting, you’ll have to use your finger or a small brush to remove the particles that tend to cake on the bottom of the bowl.

If you’re new to grinding your own beans and want to figure out if the payback in taste is worth the effort, this inexpensive grinder might be a good place to start.

The problem is that the amount of coffee it grinds per cup may not be to your liking and varies according to the setting so that as you increase the number of cups, it decreases the amount of ground coffee per cup.

Though more advanced than the simplistic Krups Fast Touch, this KitchenAid blade grinder doesn't grind coffee any better. Unlike the Krups, it includes a removable stainless steel cup, which makes it much easier to pour your ground coffee into your chosen receptacle.

Manual grinders hold a small amount of coffee in the hopper and the ground coffee container so aren’t a good choice for brewing a big pot. They’re quite compact in size but premium priced.

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The Krups operates by pushing down a button on the lid. The longer you depress it, the finer the grind. It only takes between 5 to 20 seconds to process the beans, so it's important to keep an eye on it and stop the process when the ground coffee is to your liking. After grinding, the oval shape of the grinder makes it easy to pour the ground coffee into a filter.

For our updated round of testing, we chose Starbucks Pikes Peak Roast, a popular medium roast that’s widely available both in stores and through mail order.

This grinder impressed us during testing, producing everything from soft, fine espresso to extra-coarse cold brew. It also comes with a portafilter dosing cup to make transfers from the grinder to your espresso machine's portafilter a breeze.

The Cuisinart Touchscreen is a sleek device. On the panel, you can select from 18 different grind settings and the number of cups you want to brew, and it will display how long grinding will take. When not using the grinder, the screen goes to sleep to reduce visual clutter in your kitchen. To wake it up, just touch it.

It also seems to have a pretty hard time grabbing onto beans, tossing them around the hopper almost like a popcorn maker. It's among the loudest grinders we tested, and the collection bin produces atrocious static cling that makes it annoying to empty. Cleanup is messy, but at least Cuisinart says all removable parts are dishwasher-safe.