(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 beans
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 clean
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 extremes
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.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
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).
Source: 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.
- You grind dark, oily beans
- You want espresso or very coarse cold-brew grinds
- You want a grinder you can fully repair
- 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)
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.