Coffee aficionados know for a fact that freshly ground coffee is infinitely better than pre-ground coffee, which makes coffee grinders quite valuable to have. If you’re a casual coffee drinker or simply budget-conscious, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many great coffee grinders that don’t require you to break the bank. So what are the best coffee grinders under $100?
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best coffee grinders under $100. We’ve also included a handy buyer’s guide to help you with your final purchase. Let’s get started!
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Top 9 Coffee Grinders Under $100 Worth Your Money
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of coffee grinders in the market. Among all the options we’ve looked at, only nine stood out from the rest.
Here are some of the best coffee grinders for under $100:
Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder – Best Overall
The Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder has everything you need for at-home coffee grinding and more: powerful commercial-grade burrs, adjustable grind settings, and a fairly decent hopper capacity.
With up to 16 grind settings, the Capresso allows you to choose from extra fine to coarse with just a flick of a button. The see-through bean hopper measures about 11 ounces of coffee beans and can hold up to 4 ounces of ground coffee at a time.
The Capresso Infinity also has a timed dosing feature that runs from between 5 to 60 seconds. While not as advanced as other machines, it’s still a function worth noting. Plus, it’s infinitely better than those where you have to keep your finger on the grind button.
In terms of design, the Capresso Infinity is simple but smart-looking. It has a relatively small footprint and comes in a range of colors and finishes to match your kitchen style.
Pros
- Low static production
- Quiet operation
- Good grinding range
Cons
- Grinds can build up in the machine
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder – Close Runner Up
The Oxo Brew Conical Burr is an expert-recommended grinder that features durable 40-millimeter conical burrs, 15 settings, and a one-touch start timer. The hopper holds a decent amount of coffee, accommodating up to 110 grams, enough for about 12 or so cups.
Apart from its reasonably intuitive interface, the Oxo Brew Conical Burr provides an above-average grind consistency. This is thanks to its impressive set of stainless steel conical burrs. It’s twice as sharp and less brittle as ceramic burrs.
In terms of operation, Oxo Brew Conical Burr is as simple and straightforward as can be. Granted, it doesn’t have any super-fancy features that’ll blow your mind, but it has enough to make a delicious cup of coffee. It’s also easy to take apart and deep clean.
The Oxo Brew Conical Burr has a small footprint, measuring only 6.8 x 11.8 inches. Its slender body won’t take much space on your counter, plus it’s low enough to comfortably slide under your upper cupboards.
Pros
- Highly consistent grind
- Not as noisy as most conical burr grinders
- Aesthetically pleasing design
Cons
- Heavily vibrates during operation
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
When it comes to innovation, Cuisinart doesn’t disappoint. For decades, the company has been praised for its high-quality products that often surpass the expectations of customers. The Cuisinart Supreme Burr Mill is one of those products. While it isn’t Cruisinart’s most “premium” coffee grinder, it’s arguably the most popular.
The Cuisinart Supreme Burr Mill is designed to impress in both functionality and appearance. The stainless steel finish is sleek and premium. The bean hopper is large enough to make up to 34 cups of coffee at its full capacity, making it ideal for large families and frequent coffee drinkers.
In terms of grind consistency, the Supreme Burr Mill performs decently. It doesn’t provide the most consistent grind, but it works way better than a blade grinder at the same price.
We also like the Supreme Burr Mill’s automated features. Everything operates with a single push of a button and a dial that determines the level of your coffee’s coarseness, from fine to coarse.
Cleaning is likewise an easy endeavor, especially since Cruisinart added a cleaning brush to aid when it’s time to tidy up.
Pros
- Straightforward and easy operation
- Sleek appearance
- Fairly large hopper
Cons
- Not the best grinding consistency
- Loud operation
TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder
The Timemore C2 Manual Coffee Grinder is a delightful mix of minimalism and luxury.
Thanks to its 36 individual grind settings, the Timemore C2 allows you to grind every type of coffee under the sun. From pour-over to Turkish, there’s nothing this grinder can’t do!
Inside the grinder’s housing, you’ll be greeted with a stainless steel burr-CNC machining, which helps the Timemore C2 built to grind with remarkable consistency.
The crank’s ultra-smooth movement saves you both time and effort. The built-in bearing keeps turning even as you release your hand, so you don’t have to put a lot of strain when cranking the handles.
With a grinder capacity of 25 grams, the Timemore C2 is perfect for single or double-cup coffee drinkers. It’s quite light and compact, only weighing 430 grams, making it the ideal solution for on-the-go grinding.
Pros
- Resilient ceramic burrs allow for consistent grinding
- Premium build
- Quick and effortless grinding
- Textured pattern facilitates grip
Cons
- Costs more than the average manual coffee grinder
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly but high-quality manual coffee grinder, look no further than the JavaPresse.
Equipped with over 18 individual grind settings, the JavaPresse is a convenient and noiseless way to grind fresh coffee whenever and wherever you want. Since it’s entirely powered by hand, this coffee grinder gives you 100% control over how exactly you want your beans to look before brewing.
Another great thing about the JavaPresse is its durability, which is unsurprising since it’s built to last. According to the manufacturers, the coffee grinder is equipped with a professional-grade ceramic conical burr, which goes through three different quality inspections before packaging.
The JavaPresse isn’t the fastest manual grinder at its price point. If you’re planning to make coffee for more than three people at a time, prepare to use some elbow grease. With that said, it only requires minimal effort since the crank is smooth and doesn’t lag behind.
Pros
- Smooth operation
- Durable construction
- Built-in window ensure grind consistency
- 18 adjustable grind settings
Cons
- Slow grind
- Plain design
SHARDOR Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
The Shardor Electric Burr Coffee Grinder is one of the most advanced grinders in its price range.
This machine has 16 grinding settings, divided into four categories: extra-fine, fine, regular, and coarse. The bean hopper can hold around 11 ounces of unground beans, while the container is about 4 ounces.
To ensure your safety after use, the Shandor grinder features a safety lock system and an auto-off function that engages when the container isn’t properly locked in place.
Another advantage of the Shardor grinder is that it’s super easy to clean. The upper burr and hopper chamber are removable, allowing you to rinse the containers when needed. Also, the manufacturers included a cleaning brush for extra convenience.
Pros
- Heavy-duty zinc and ABS housing
- Uniformly grinds beans
- Easy to disassemble and clean
Cons
- Noisy operation
KRUPS Precision Grinder Flat Burr Coffee
The Krups Precision Flat Burr’s lack of extra bells and whistles makes it affordable without compromising quality.
With this machine, all you really have to do to keep it going is to select a grind setting and cup capacity before pressing ‘start.’ That’s it! In just a few seconds, you’re on your way to brewing your coffee.
This coffee grinder comes with 12 grind settings (plus several intermediary settings), an 8-ounce hopper, and a one-touch ON/OFF operation. To prevent you from grinding more than you need, the Krugs Precision has a customizable quantity option that allows you to choose between 2 to 12 cups of coffee.
Moreover, this machine is equipped with extremely sharp burr grinders that effortlessly bash and chop coffee beans in seconds.
Pros
- Easy to operate, clean, and maintain
- Cup quantity indicator
- Good grinding consistency
Cons
- Not the most durable
KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder
Coffee grinders can be obnoxiously loud, which isn’t a great thing when you aren’t living alone. This is where the KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder comes in.
The Silent Vortex Electric Grinder is designed to be quieter than most coffee grinders. So, if you tend to wake up late every morning and find yourself rushing out of the house, you might want to get yourself one of these.
It also grinds shockingly fast. According to Krups, this machine can grind beans for 12 cups in just 15 seconds!
The Silent Vortex is a 3-in-1 grinder, allowing you effortless grind coffee beans, spices, and herbs. Unfortunately, this machine doesn’t have a grind setting, so you’ll have to manually grind your coffee using the ‘pulse’ method until you reach your desired consistency.
Pros
- Versatile design
- Quiet, one-touch operation
- Rapid grinding
Cons
- Doesn’t have a grinder setting
Things to Look For When Buying a Coffee Grinder
Apart from price, there are several factors and features you need to consider when buying a coffee grinder. These are as follows:
Grinder Type
Coffee grinders come in two types: manual or electric.
Manual coffee grinders work similarly to pepper mills. To grind the beans, you’ll have to crank the handle in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise manner for several minutes. Since it’s a manual grinder, the coffee’s texture depends on the setting you’ve selected and the time you spend turning the crank.
On the other hand, electric or automatic grinders operate similarly to food processors and blenders, using sharp blades or burrs to chop and grind the beans. Electric grinders are best suited for large families and individuals who drink coffee often.
Author Note: If you’re not a big fan of the noise electric coffee grinders make, you’re better off with manual grinders. They’re usually cheaper and grind in a more consistent manner. However, keep in mind that manual grinders require extra effort and are relatively time-consuming to use.
Grinding Consistency
When buying a coffee grinder, always check the machine’s grinding consistency. Usually, burr grinders produce more consistent grinds than blade grinders. The best way to check is to go through user reviews or test the machine thoroughly before buying.
If you’re not confident of the grinding consistency of the machine, always check if the product has a return and refund policy so you can replace the machine when it’s not up to standards.
Capacity
Coffee grinders come in a variety of hopper and basket sizes. Manual coffee grinders can hold anywhere between 20 to 40 grams, ideal for single- or double-cup users and frequent travelers.
On the other hand, electric grinders have a capacity of 300 to 500 grams, enough to fill up to 70 cups of coffee.
If you’re buying the grinder for yourself, you don’t have to worry about the grinder’s capacity. However, if you’re planning to make coffee for multiple people, it might be best to choose a grinder with a 300 to 500 capacity.
Noise Level
It goes without saying that manual coffee grinders are more silent than electric grinders since you’re the one controlling the crank.
Electric grinders are noisy, but some aren’t as noisy as others. Usually, conical burr grinders are quieter than blade grinders and flat burr grinders. Before buying a grinder, go through customer reviews to determine how loud the machine is.
Grind Settings
Coffee grinders under $100 usually have anywhere between 10 to 36 grind settings.
If you’re particular about how you grind your coffee and love experimenting and customizing your brew, choose a grinder with multiple settings.
Otherwise, choose a grinder that comes with at least five settings: extra-fine, fine, medium, medium-coarse, and coarse.
Grinder Burr
Grinder burrs come in two options: steel or ceramic.
Stainless steel burrs are a lot sharper than ceramic burrs, resulting in precise and consistent grinds. However, this sharpness isn’t permanent. Steel burrs lose their sharpness faster than ceramic burrs, therefore shortening their longevity.
Author Note: Ceramic burrs are the opposite. While they aren’t as sharp as steel burrs, they’re more durable and retain their original sharpness for a long time. The only downside to ceramic burrs is that they may rust or corrode if not cleaned properly after every use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on for some of the web’s most frequently asked questions about coffee grinders!
How much does a good coffee grinder cost?
Coffee grinders can be as low as $20 to as high as $500. Decent-quality coffee grinders designed for home brewing usually cost between $50 to $100. Premium-grade grinders cost $200 and above.
Are blade coffee grinders really that bad?
Coffee aficionados dislike blade coffee grinders because they’re not suited for the job. They pulverize coffee beans inconsistently and sometimes even burn them, compromising the taste of the coffee. Avoid all this by buying a burr grinder instead.
Is buying a coffee grinder really worth it?
Yes, grinding your own coffee is always worth it! Grinding your coffee beans greatly enhances your coffee-drinking experience. Think of it this way: don’t freshly ground spices taste better than the pre-ground stuff? The same is said with coffee!
Grinding your beans gives you the freedom to control and experiment with coffee. In the mood for espresso? No problem. Changed your mind and want pour-over coffee instead? Cool, that can be arranged! Simply switch your grinder settings to your coffee of choice and press ‘start’.
Within minutes, you’ll be able to enjoy a cup of coffee without having to buy a new bag of pre-ground espresso or pour-over beans from the store.
Author Note: Another advantage is the aroma. As you may have noticed, pre-ground coffee doesn’t hold its aroma very well. Grinding your coffee not only significantly improves the taste of your coffee, but it retains its aroma much longer too.
How often should I replace my burr grinder?
Burr grinders last for a long time and don’t require replacement unless it’s severely damaged or if the blades can’t be replaced. As a rule of thumb, steel burrs need to be replaced after grinding about 1,000 pounds of coffee, while ceramic burrs need to be replaced at 1,500 pounds.
Is freshly ground coffee healthier than pre-ground coffee?
According to research, pre-ground coffee comes with a higher free radical count than freshly ground coffee, which is believed to contribute to inflammation in the body and oxidative stress.
So, yes, freshly ground coffee is healthier than pre-ground coffee, but not by much. The advantage of freshly ground coffee is mostly taste and aroma rather than significant health benefits.
Final Thoughts
In terms of price, functionality, and quality, our top pick for the best coffee grinder under $100 is the Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder. In terms of consistency and power, the Bodum Bistro performed brilliantly in our tests.
If you’re searching for a manual coffee grinder, don’t pass up the TIMEMORE Chestnut C2. While more expensive than most manual grinders, its sharp steel burrs slice through coffee beans like butter. It operates quickly and doesn’t ever lag behind while cranking.