Automatic or manual
Automatic grinders are quick and simple. Just one click of a button and you'll have freshly ground beans. Manual grinders take a little more time, but grinding by hand gives you great control over each cup of coffee.
Coffee grinder Finder: How to wake up to the smell of freshly ground coffee
We'll help you choose the perfect grinder and roaster for your morning cup of coffee.
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Best Rated Coffee Grinders Brand: Maxim
If you love to rise and grind, then you should consider a Maxim coffee grinder. Top rated for performance, ease of cleaning and value for money, it's a great product to make your morning caffeine hit a pleasant experience.
Quick facts about coffee grinder and roasters
- Coffee grinders can give you fresher, more flavourful coffee and allow you to choose the right grind size for your coffee maker.
- Roasters are costly but can give coffee enthusiast more control over the flavour of home-brewed coffee.
- Blade grinders for the home can be found for under $50, while industrial burr grinders can cost $3,000 or more.
- Home coffee roasters can cost from around $350 to $3,000 or more.
Compare coffee grinders
What is a coffee grinder?
Coffee grinders crush up coffee beans, turning them into grounds from which cups of coffee are eventually made. When you grind a coffee bean you are beginning the flavour and aroma extraction process.
Grinders themselves do not make a cup of coffee, so if you're investing in a grinder you ought to already have a manual coffee machine or capsule coffee machine. Different grinders rely on different designs and mechanisms to crush beans. Knowing the type of coffee machine you'll use can go a long way in helping you choose the right coffee grinder.
The main reason to grind your own coffee beans is freshness. Grinding beans immediately before use guarantees a freshness that you won't be able to get from pre-ground beans.
Grinding your own beans also gives you a choice of grind size. Every coffee maker is suited to a specific grind size. Chances are your pre-ground beans aren't actually ground to the right size for your machine. Choosing the grind size also allows you to make different types of coffee (espresso, french press, drip, etc) that require different grind sizes.
Types of coffee grinders
There are two types of coffee grinder: blade and burr.
- Blade. Blade grinders are the cheaper option. A blade slices through your beans, grinding them down. Coffee purists dismiss blade grinders, as they often grind unevenly or too finely. Blade grinders can also be used for grinding spices, and arguably should only be used on spices.
- Burr. Burr grinders offer more precision, control and longevity. They can be purchased in a range of sizes and can be used in commercial spaces. Burr grinders come in conical and flat designs. Choosing between conical and flat burrs is often a matter of preference and what best suits your needs. Conical burrs have a reputation for lasting longer, however, this may depend on price point, design and construction material.
- Flat burrs are adjusted by moving two disks closer together for a finer grind, or further apart for a coarser grind.
- Conical grinds are adjusted by degree, allowing precise grind control.
Grind sizes
While it's ultimately a matter of personal preference, there are suggested levels of coarseness or fineness for different types of coffee.
| Coffee type | Grind size |
|---|---|
| Cold-brew | Very coarse |
| French press | Coarse |
| Automatic coffee makers | Medium |
| Espresso | Fine |
| Turkish | Very fine |
Don't be afraid to experiment with grind sizes to find the perfect one for you and your coffee machine. Buying a grinder gives you the freedom to explore different styles of coffee and tailor the process to your taste buds and sensibilities.
How to compare coffee grinders
When buying a coffee grinder, be sure to consider:
Doser or doserless
Dosers catch your grinds and parcel them into pre-programmed amounts. The advantages of a grinder with a doser include less waste, consistent portion control and fast operation for frequent use. Doserless grinders are usually cheaper.
Ceramic or steel
Ceramic burrs tend to cost more, but they have a longer lifespan. Steel is a good thermal conductor, allowing burrs to heat and cool more rapidly. Steel burrs are also sturdier, so while they may not last as long, they are less likely to break from an unforeseen disruption.
What is a coffee roaster?
Roasting coffee beans changes the flavour of the beans. Most coffee is roasted commercially and then sold as either coffee beans or coffee grounds. Home coffee roasters allow coffee enthusiasts to roast their own beans and completely control the flavour of their coffee.
Roasting coffee at home requires an investment in both time and money. However, if you use your roaster frequently you can actually save on the cost of coffee over the life of the appliance, especially when compared to regularly buying coffee at cafes.
How to compare coffee roasters
When choosing an at-home coffee roaster, consider the following:
Cost
The price of a roaster can range from around $350 for a smaller home model, to thousands of dollars for industrial machines. While roasters cost a lot upfront, you can save on buying pre-roasted coffee if you use the roaster frequently over the life of the machine.
Capacity
Some roasters hold just enough beans for one cup of coffee, while industrial models can roast huge batches. Think about how many people in your household will be using the roaster. Keep in mind, the higher the capacity, the more space the roaster will take up.
Noise
Coffee roasters can get noisy. Make sure to read reviews of the roaster you're interested in or check out a demo in store to see how loud the roaster is.
Best rated coffee grinder brand award breakdown
| Row Labels | Total Score | Overall rating | Value for Money | Ease of cleaning | Ease of use | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxim | 7.89 | 4.30 | 4.37 | 4.37 | 4.13 | 4.33 |
| Delonghi | 7.84 | 4.24 | 4.17 | 4.26 | 4.41 | 4.17 |
| Other | 7.79 | 4.25 | 4.31 | 3.56 | 4.25 | 4.13 |
| Bodum | 7.77 | 4.25 | 4.06 | 4.17 | 4.22 | 4.25 |
| Breville | 7.77 | 4.20 | 4.24 | 4.14 | 4.38 | 4.14 |
| KitchenAid | 7.66 | 4.11 | 4.14 | 4.17 | 4.11 | 4.29 |
| Sunbeam | 7.56 | 4.16 | 3.96 | 4.08 | 4.22 | 4.02 |
| Tiffany | 7.46 | 4.11 | 3.96 | 4.15 | 4.26 | 4.04 |
| Mazzer | 7.31 | 4.05 | 3.84 | 3.89 | 4.05 | 3.84 |
| Rancilio | 7.07 | 4.00 | 4.05 | 3.89 | 3.89 | 3.95 |
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info. 
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