ConsFirst / Coffee grinders
Coffee grinders: the downsides, first
Jams, clogs and grinders that stop working come up for seven of the eight grinders we compared, including expert favorites — the small Amazon sample for one top-rated espresso-capable grinder is 39% 1–2 stars. Here are the most popular coffee grinders in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared12 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 coffee grinders, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Timemore
$$Hand grinderScore 4.0/5
8%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)Small sample (220 ratings).Wirecutter's best hand grinder: even grinds from a 42 mm steel burr, a smooth crank and a sturdy aluminum body. But it makes only one or two cups at a time, fine grinds take close to 3 minutes and get tiring, and some owners find the grind adjustment tricky.
Top complaints
- Small batches, slow at fine settingsVery common
Wirecutter says it grinds enough for only one or two cups. It took about a minute for 20 g at medium and under 3 minutes at fine settings, and dialing in espresso gets tiring.
- Grind adjustment can be trickyMentioned often
Grind adjustment is the one mixed aspect on Amazon, with some owners finding it hard to use. Wirecutter had to go coarser than the dial's suggested pour-over setting.
- Not cheap; not for serious espressoOccasional
Wirecutter says it can't be called inexpensive and lacks the espresso range of the ESP Pro.
What owners love
- Even grounds from steel burrs
Wirecutter found even grounds across sizes and a balanced, 'sippable' pour-over in a barista's test. Grind consistency is positive on Amazon.
- Smooth crank, sturdy build
Wirecutter praises the smooth action, grippy body, folding handle, numbered dial and steel-and-aluminum build. Build quality is positive on Amazon.
- Fine enough for espresso
Wirecutter pulled thick, syrupy shots from the start, with better results than the Encore's fine setting.
Skip it if…- You brew a full pot
- You want to grind in seconds
- You'll dial in espresso often
Good for- Small kitchens, travel and silent mornings
- One or two cups of pour-over
- Occasional espresso without a second grinder
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency4.0
Why 4.0?
Even grounds across sizes (Wirecutter); consistency is positive on Amazon. - Grind range4.0
Why 4.0?
From pour-over to espresso-fine, though without the ESP Pro's espresso range; adjustment is mixed on Amazon. - Noise & speed3.5
Why 3.5?
A low grinding sound, but about 1 minute per 20 g at medium and nearly 3 minutes at fine settings (Wirecutter). - Durability4.5
Why 4.5?
Steel burr and interior with an aluminum body (Wirecutter); build quality is positive on Amazon.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best coffee grinder for manual use; its flaw is that it's not cheap, though reasonable for the quality.
#2
Baratza
$$Electric burrScore 3.5/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)About 2,200 ratings on the black ZCG587 listing.Serious Eats' pick for coffee geeks, with very consistent grinds and a solid build. But Food & Wine measured it at 88 dB and found it less reliable at its coarsest and finest settings, and Wirecutter dropped it because the ESP Pro offers more for $50 more.
Top complaints
- Very loudVery common
Food & Wine measured 88 dB and says it will likely wake every sleeper in the house. Noise level is mixed on Amazon.
- Fiddly hopper assembly and chute chaffMentioned often
Serious Eats' biggest gripe is that the gasket, ring and hopper aren't intuitive to assemble. Chaff builds in the chute and falls out when you remove the bin, and static takes about 40 seconds to dissipate. Good Housekeeping also notes extra setup steps.
- Weaker at the extremes; priceyMentioned often
Food & Wine found the grind got motley at the coarsest end and couldn't dial in top espresso at the fine end. Value and durability are mixed on Amazon, with some units breaking in under two months.
What owners love
- Very consistent grind
Serious Eats found so few fines its scale couldn't register them. Good Housekeeping saw clearly different fine, medium and coarse grounds, and consistency is positive on Amazon.
- Solid build and repair support
Food & Wine notes stronger metal parts, a robust DC motor and nearly every part sold separately. Serious Eats lists a 2-year warranty.
- Handles batch after batch
Good Housekeeping ground several batches without noticing heat, and Food & Wine found little retention after cleaning.
Skip it if…- Noise would wake the house
- You want precise espresso
- You'd rather not wrestle with hopper assembly
Good for- Big batches of drip coffee
- Tinkerers who try many brew methods
- A timer for repeatable doses
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency4.0
Why 4.0?
Very consistent in Serious Eats' sifting, but Food & Wine found the coarsest grind motley. - Grind range3.5
Why 3.5?
40 settings and the finest grinds in Serious Eats' test, but not adjustable enough for top espresso (Food & Wine). - Static & mess3.5
Why 3.5?
Static-free container (Good Housekeeping) and low retention (Food & Wine), but chaff falls from the chute and static takes 40 seconds to fade (Serious Eats). - Noise & speed2.5
Why 2.5?
88 dB in Food & Wine's test; noise is mixed on Amazon. - Durability4.0
Why 4.0?
Metal parts, DC motor, parts availability and a 2-year warranty; durability is mixed on Amazon.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best grinder for serious coffee geeks; gripes are fiddly hopper assembly and chaff falling from the chute.
- Food & Wine: Best large-capacity grinder, but very loud (88 dB) and less reliable at its coarsest and finest settings.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Former upgrade pick, still a great grinder, but the ESP Pro offers far more for about $50 more.
- Good Housekeeping: Best to prevent overheating; cons are extra setup steps and the price.
#3
Fellow
$$$Electric burrScore 3.8/5
24%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)Small sample (about 710 ratings).Among the most consistent and quietest grinders in Serious Eats' and Food & Wine's tests, with 64 mm flat burrs. But it can't grind for espresso, it jams if the cup is misaligned, and 24% of its Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars, with jamming as the main complaint.
Top complaints
- Jams and clogsVery common
Jamming is the one negative aspect on Amazon, and owners report constant clogging and more maintenance than expected. Serious Eats found grounds back up into the burrs if the catch cup isn't directly under the chute.
- No espresso, small batchesVery common
Food & Wine and Serious Eats say it can't grind for espresso. Wirecutter says it holds too little for more than two people and lacks convenience features.
- Pricey; mess reports varyMentioned often
Serious Eats says you may be paying extra for design, and value is mixed on Amazon. Wirecutter found it noticeably messy, with the on/off button too close to the counter, while messiness and anti-static are mixed aspects on Amazon.
What owners love
- Outstanding consistency
Serious Eats found a negligible amount of fines and boulders, one of the most consistent grinders it tested. Food & Wine calls the grind quality outstanding.
- Quiet
The quietest grinder in Serious Eats' test; Food & Wine found it on the quieter end of average. Noise level is positive on Amazon.
- Near-zero static and retention
Food & Wine says every tenth of a gram came out, with no need to spritz beans. Serious Eats' editor says its anti-static tech keeps counters clean.
Skip it if…- You want espresso
- You brew for more than two people at once
- You don't want to clear jams
Good for- Pour-over, drip, AeroPress and cold brew
- Quiet mornings
- Single-dosing with almost no retention
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency5.0
Why 5.0?
Negligible fines and boulders (Serious Eats) and outstanding grind quality (Food & Wine). - Grind range3.0
Why 3.0?
Covers filter methods to cold brew but no espresso; Wirecutter says the range isn't wide. - Static & mess3.5
Why 3.5?
Near-zero static and retention per Food & Wine and Serious Eats, but Wirecutter found it noticeably messy and owners are mixed on Amazon. - Noise & speed4.5
Why 4.5?
Quietest in Serious Eats' test and positive on Amazon; Food & Wine notes a sharp knocker snap at the end. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
2-year warranty (3 with registration), but jamming is negative on Amazon and 24% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Most versatile coffee grinder (for everything but espresso); it can jam if the cup is misaligned and you may pay extra for design.
- Food & Wine: Best grinder for pour-over; cons are the price and no espresso.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Worth considering for pour-over fans who care about looks; otherwise small capacity, limited range, an awkward button and noticeable mess.
#4
OXO
$$Electric burrScore 3.5/5
14%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)About 23,400 ratings; the same count appears on the matte black listings, so finishes are pooled.Best overall at Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping and Wirecutter's budget pick, with a tidy steel bin and a simple timer. But it's less consistent at the coarse and fine ends, it can clog with oily beans, and reliability is mixed on Amazon.
Top complaints
- Clogs, especially with oily beansVery common
Wirecutter says it can gunk up with dark, oily roasts (it retains about 1 g), and a Wirecutter contributor had clogs despite cleaning. Good Housekeeping cites online reviewers with the same issue. Wirecutter readers report a jam after one month and beans that stop feeding.
- Stops working; hard to cleanVery common
Reliability is a mixed aspect on Amazon (about 3,100 mentions), with some owners saying it stops working properly, and cleaning performance is negative. Wirecutter says OXO sells only a replacement top burr, so it's less repairable than the Baratza.
- Uneven at the extremesMentioned often
Wirecutter found it less consistent at the high and low ends and producing more fines than its other picks. Serious Eats saw large boulders at the coarsest setting.
What owners love
- Tidy steel grounds bin
Wirecutter found it noticeably tidier than the Baratza Encore, and Serious Eats says the stainless container resists static cling. Good Housekeeping says the lid stops grounds from flying.
- Easy timer and big hopper
A 0-30 second timer and a hopper that holds a 12-ounce bag; the hopper lifts off with beans inside (Wirecutter, Serious Eats).
- Quiet for owners
Noise level and grind quality are positive aspects on Amazon. Wirecutter found it slightly faster and a bit quieter than the Baratzas, though with a higher-pitched whine.
Skip it if…- You grind dark, oily beans
- You want espresso or very coarse cold-brew grinds
- You want a grinder you can fully repair
Good for- Drip and French press on a budget
- Keeping a bag of beans in the hopper and using the timer
- A tidier counter than most grinders
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency3.5
Why 3.5?
Consistent at medium settings but uneven at the extremes, with more fines (Wirecutter) and coarse boulders (Serious Eats); Good Housekeeping found it very even. - Grind range3.5
Why 3.5?
Wider than most budget grinders (Wirecutter), but weaker range results than Serious Eats' top picks. - Static & mess4.0
Why 4.0?
Tidier than the Encore and a static-resistant steel bin, though it retains about 1 g. - Noise & speed3.5
Why 3.5?
Slightly faster and quieter than the Baratzas but shrill (Wirecutter); noise is positive on Amazon. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
2-year warranty with replacements (Wirecutter), but only the top burr is sold as a part and reliability is mixed on Amazon.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best coffee grinder for most people; less consistent than its top picks and could use grind-size labels.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Budget pick: less consistent and less repairable than the Encore, can clog, and isn't much cheaper.
- Good Housekeeping: Best overall (August 2026) for very even grounds; oily beans may clog it.
- Food & Wine: Tested but didn't make its list; it picks the smaller OXO Brew Compact as best value.
#5
Baratza
$$Electric burrScore 3.4/5
17%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)About 16,600 ratings on the ZCG484 listing (white shown).Wirecutter's top pick since 2017 for even grinds and a repairable design. But durability is the top negative theme on Amazon, owners describe jams and broken plastic parts, and both Wirecutter and Serious Eats call it messy or loud.
Top complaints
- Breaks or jams, often a plastic partVery common
Durability is a negative aspect on Amazon (about 1,100 mentions), with owners saying it broke after about 2 months. Wirecutter readers describe the plastic sweeper wheel under the burrs breaking when the tinted grounds bin is overfilled, and a hard-to-clear clog. Wirecutter staff had to replace the plastic upper burr holder after 10 years.
- Messy chaff and stray groundsMentioned often
Wirecutter says the Encore throws off more chaff and stray grounds than the OXO, and one reader calls it 'a lot messy', needing a counter wipe after every use. Ease of cleaning is mixed on Amazon.
- Loud, plastic body; no timerMentioned often
Serious Eats says it is loud and its mostly plastic body bounces on the counter. Noise is mixed on Amazon. Wirecutter notes there's no timer, so you measure beans yourself, and the hopper has no shutoff to empty it.
What owners love
- Even grind for filter coffee
Wirecutter found it had one of the highest shares of particles in the target range. Serious Eats found remarkably few size outliers, and grind quality and consistency are top positives on Amazon.
- Repairable, with long-lived units
Wirecutter says almost every part can be repaired or replaced, and staff have used Encores for 8-10 years. Serious Eats notes you can upgrade the burrs.
- Simple and low retention
Just a pulse button, an on/off switch and a twist-to-set hopper. Wirecutter measured about half a gram or less of retained grounds.
Skip it if…- You want to dial in real espresso
- You want a quiet grinder
- You don't want to brush chaff off the counter
Good for- Drip, pour-over, AeroPress and French press
- Simple one-dial use with no timer to learn
- Owners who want parts and repairs for years
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency4.0
Why 4.0?
One of the highest target-range shares in Wirecutter's test and few outliers in Serious Eats'; slightly less flavor clarity than pricier picks. - Grind range3.5
Why 3.5?
Broad for its price (40 settings), but the steps are too coarse to refine espresso (Wirecutter). - Static & mess3.0
Why 3.0?
Low retention (about 0.5 g), but more chaff and stray grounds than the OXO. - Noise & speed3.0
Why 3.0?
Medium and not whiny per Wirecutter, but loud per Serious Eats; mixed on Amazon. Fine grinds are slow. - Durability3.5
Why 3.5?
Repairable with long staff use (Wirecutter), but durability is negative on Amazon and the warranty is 1 year.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated January 2026). Flaws: no timer, slow at fine settings, not for serious espresso, a hopper that's hard to empty, and a bit of mess.
- Serious Eats: Best budget grinder for coffee geeks; keeps pace with the Virtuoso+ on range and consistency, but it's loud and slightly behind the top picks on flavor clarity.
- Food & Wine: Tested but didn't make its list (listed only under 'What Didn't Make the List').
#6
Breville
$$Espresso grinderScore 3.2/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)About 7,000 ratings on the brushed stainless BCG820BSS listing.Food & Wine's and Good Housekeeping's best grinder for espresso, with 60 settings and a clear digital display. But it's loud and traps fine grounds inside, Wirecutter dismissed it for too many fines and a complicated interface, and reliability is mixed on Amazon.
Top complaints
- Traps grounds; clumpy outputMentioned often
Food & Wine says fine coffee gets stuck inside and dispenses in clumpy spurts. Trapped espresso dust then falls into coarser grinds when you switch, reducing clarity.
- LoudMentioned often
Food & Wine calls its din unpleasant and lists loudness as a con. Noise is mixed on Amazon, where owners disagree.
- Mixed reliabilityMentioned often
Reliability and durability are mixed on Amazon: some units last 3-4 years, but others stopped after 4 months or about 20 uses.
What owners love
- Wide range with fine steps
60 settings with tiny adjustment clicks for espresso (Food & Wine). Good Housekeeping praised its fine, powdery espresso grounds and portafilter holder.
- Helpful display
Serious Eats likes the large dial and grind chart labeled by brew method, and Good Housekeeping sets grind time in 0.2-second steps.
- Even grinds, easy cleaning
Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping found very even grounds. Serious Eats says it's easy to take apart for cleaning, and ease of cleaning is positive on Amazon.
Skip it if…- You switch between espresso and filter often (trapped fines)
- You want a quiet grinder
- You want the clearest-tasting pour-over
Good for- Entry-level espresso plus drip
- Grinding straight into a portafilter
- Seeing your grind setting and dose on a screen
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency3.5
Why 3.5?
Very even in Serious Eats' and Good Housekeeping's tests, but Wirecutter found too many fines and Serious Eats found less flavor clarity. - Grind range4.5
Why 4.5?
60 settings from espresso to coarse, with fine espresso steps (Food & Wine, Good Housekeeping). - Static & mess2.5
Why 2.5?
Traps fine grounds internally and dispenses in clumpy spurts (Food & Wine). - Noise & speed2.5
Why 2.5?
Loud, an 'unpleasant din' per Food & Wine; mixed on Amazon. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Years of daily office use at Serious Eats, but 1-year warranty and mixed reliability on Amazon.
What experts say
- Food & Wine: Best grinder for espresso; cons are loudness and fine grounds getting stuck inside.
- Serious Eats: Most helpful display and consistent sifting, but coffee lacked the clarity of the Virtuoso+, Ode Gen 2 and Encore.
- Good Housekeeping: Best for espresso; its only listed con is the price.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: too many settings, a complicated interface, and too many fines.
#7
Baratza
$$$Espresso grinderScore 3.6/5
39%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)Very small sample (94 ratings) on the ZCG595 listing.Food & Wine's best overall grinder and an upgrade pick at Wirecutter and Serious Eats, with stepless adjustment from espresso to cold brew. But it's still messy at espresso settings, and its young Amazon listing shows 39% 1-2 star ratings, with clogging and quality-control complaints.
Top complaints
- Clogging, retention and QC reportsMentioned often
On Amazon, clogging and retention are negative aspects and quality control is mixed, with some owners saying it doesn't work properly or beans stick in the hopper. This conflicts with Wirecutter and Serious Eats, which measured very low retention.
- Still messy, especially for espressoVery common
Wirecutter says it's still somewhat messy despite an ionizer: pulling the tight bin sends chaff into the air, and fines land on the counter from the dosing cup. Food & Wine says static is an issue at espresso settings unless you spritz the beans.
- Pricey, and not for espresso puristsMentioned often
Food & Wine lists the price as its main con, and Wirecutter notes it costs twice as much as the Encore. Serious Eats says serious espresso drinkers may want more precision.
What owners love
- Espresso to cold brew
Stepless adjustment with 40 of its 60 steps (plus half-steps) in the espresso range. Wirecutter says it made one of its favorite pour-overs, and Food & Wine says it grinds admirably across the board.
- Accurate timer and single-dose mode
Wirecutter found the timer accurate to a tenth of a second and retention usually under half a gram. Serious Eats found timed doses accurate within a few tenths of a gram.
- Sturdier than the Encore
Food & Wine notes substantially more metal inside and out and fully removable burrs. Build quality is a positive aspect on Amazon.
Skip it if…- You only brew drip (the Encore costs half as much)
- You're a serious espresso hobbyist wanting extreme precision
- You want a proven track record
Good for- One grinder for espresso and filter coffee
- Fine-tuning shots with stepless adjustment
- Single-dosing or timed grinding
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency4.0
Why 4.0?
Commendable grind quality across the board (Food & Wine) and a favorite pour-over at Wirecutter; grinding performance is mixed on Amazon. - Grind range4.5
Why 4.5?
Stepless from espresso to cold brew, with 2.2-micron steps in the espresso range (Wirecutter); not enough for extreme espresso precision (Serious Eats). - Static & mess3.0
Why 3.0?
Very low retention in expert tests, but chaff and fines still escape (Wirecutter), static at espresso settings (Food & Wine), and retention/clogging are negative on Amazon. - Noise & speed3.5
Why 3.5?
Food & Wine calls its rumble a non-disruptive white noise. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
More metal than the Encore and Baratza's parts and repair service, but 1-year warranty and mixed quality control on a small Amazon sample.
What experts say
- Food & Wine: Best overall coffee grinder (October 2026). Cons: pricey, and static when grinding fine for espresso.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick for more control and a dedicated espresso range; its flaw is that it's still a little messy.
- Serious Eats: Best coffee grinder for espresso, but serious espresso fans may want something more precise.
#8
Cuisinart
$Electric burrScore 2.6/5
14%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)About 49,400 ratings; the listing is titled DBM-8P1.Amazon's mass-market burr grinder, with about 49,000 ratings, and Good Housekeeping's pick for cold brew and French press. But Serious Eats calls its burrs dinky and the grind inconsistent, and both experts and owners say it's very loud and doesn't last.
Top complaints
- Very loudVery common
Noise level is a negative aspect on Amazon (about 3,550 mentions). Serious Eats calls it deafeningly loud, and Good Housekeeping found it louder than several machines it tested.
- Stops working within monthsVery common
Reliability and durability are both negative aspects on Amazon, with owners saying it stopped working after 9 months or broke within 6.
- Inconsistent grindVery common
Serious Eats says its dinky burrs grind inconsistently and it's too expensive for the results. Grind consistency is mixed on Amazon, where some say it isn't suitable for espresso.
What owners love
- 18 settings and cup-count dial
Good Housekeeping found fine, medium and coarse settings suited to espresso, drip and cold brew, and the dial grinds for 4 to 18 cups.
- Easy to use
Ease of use, quality and functionality are positive aspects on Amazon. Good Housekeeping found the container easy to replace one-handed and to empty into a filter.
Skip it if…- You want a consistent grind for pour-over
- You want espresso
- Noise matters
Good for- Upgrading from a blade grinder on a small budget
- Drip, cold brew and French press
- Grinding by cup count (4-18 cups)
Scores (tap for why)
- Grind consistency2.5
Why 2.5?
Inconsistent per Serious Eats and mixed on Amazon; Good Housekeeping found its settings usable. - Grind range3.0
Why 3.0?
18 settings from fine to coarse (Good Housekeeping), but owners say it isn't suitable for espresso. - Static & mess3.5
Why 3.5?
Good Housekeeping found grounds pour into a filter mess-free through the container's small hole. - Noise & speed1.5
Why 1.5?
Deafeningly loud (Serious Eats), louder than most (Good Housekeeping), and negative on Amazon. - Durability2.5
Why 2.5?
Reliability and durability are both negative aspects on Amazon.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best for cold brew and French press coffee; its con is loud grinding.
- Serious Eats: Not recommended: dinky burrs, inconsistent grinding, deafeningly loud, and too expensive for the results.