Kitchen & Dining · Small
Best Burr Coffee Grinder Under 100
Flat or conical burrs, settings range, timers and cleanup compared across five grinders, plus one blade model for contrast.
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At a glance
1
Best for French Press and Cold BrewCuisinart
2
Compact Blade PickBlack+Decker
3
Best for Hands-Off MorningsOXO
4
Best for Long-Term UpkeepBaratza
5
Matte Black AlternativeOXO
Detailed reviews
This is the grinder we'd hand to someone leaving a blade grinder behind who mostly brews drip or French press. Stainless steel flat burrs crush the beans rather than chopping them, and an 18-position selector runs from ultra-fine up to extra-coarse. Cold brew and French press both want coarse grounds, and that extra-coarse end is why this model belongs in any conversation about the best burr grinder for cold brew. A slide dial sets how many cups' worth of grounds to produce, and the cycle stops on its own.
The practical details are thoughtful. The removable hopper holds 8 oz of beans, the grind chamber takes up to 32 cups' worth of grounds, and a safety interlock keeps the 500-watt motor from running unless everything is seated. A cleaning brush, a scoop and cord storage come in the box, the parts are listed as top-rack dishwasher safe, and the warranty runs 18 months.
Owners report that once the grind is dialed in, results are consistent and the auto-stop makes mornings simple. One quirk to know: the cup numbers on the slider refer to small cups, so a full mug needs a higher setting than the label suggests. A common complaint is the noise, and there are reports of units that stopped working after several months, of cleanup getting messy, and of some beans escaping the burrs unground.
Pros
- 18 grind positions from ultra-fine to extra-coarse
- Flat stainless burrs crush instead of chopping
- Cup selector and auto-stop simplify daily grinding
- Cleaning brush and dishwasher-safe parts included
Cons
- Loud while grinding
- Some units stopped working within months
- Messy to operate and clean
Key features (4)
- Stainless steel flat burr mill with safety interlock
- Removable 8 oz hopper and large grind chamber
- Slide dial for four to eighteen cups of grounds
- Brushed stainless housing with built-in cord storage
We included this as the blade contrast, and it is the only pick here that chops beans instead of grinding them between burrs. Grind size comes down to how long you hold the push button, which is quick and intuitive but inexact. Stainless steel blades and bowl, a 150-watt motor and a lid-lock that stops the blades unless the cover is secure make it a tidy little machine, and it is rated for 110V.
Set beside the Cuisinart Supreme Grind Burr Coffee Grinder, it gives up grind control and a cup selector in exchange for a footprint that barely registers on the counter and a weight of 1.43 pounds. The 2/3 cup bean capacity suits one or two mugs at a time. Owners who brew small batches report that it is just right; a common complaint is that it holds too little for a full pot.
Owners also report quick grinding, easy operation, good value and a quieter hum than other grinders, and they like that it doubles for spices, herbs and grains. On the other side, a common complaint is durability, with reports of units that quit within a few months. Cleaning is another sore spot: a narrow gap under the blades clogs with grounds and no cleaning tool is included. If even grounds for pour-over matter to you, a burr model is the better fit.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for tight counters
- Also grinds spices, herbs and grains
- Lid lock prevents running when open
- Simple push-button control, easy to use
Cons
- Blades chop rather than grind between burrs
- Reports of failure within a few months
- Gap under blades clogs and is hard to clean
Key features (4)
- Stainless steel blades and grinding bowl
- 2/3 cup coffee bean capacity
- 150-watt motor with lid-locking safety mechanism
- One-touch push-button control for coarse to fine
This is the pick for people who want to fill the hopper and press one button. The 12 oz hopper is removable and UV-tinted, a dial sets the grinding time, and the grinder remembers its last setting. Conical 40mm stainless burrs sit behind 15 grind settings plus 43 micro-adjustments, so fine tuning has more room here than on the 18-step Cuisinart.
The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Burr Coffee Grinder uses flat burrs and a cup selector, while this OXO relies on conical burrs and a timer, so the two ask different things of you at the counter. Owners report that it makes cold brew and everyday coffee noticeably better than a spice grinder would, and that it grinds enough for a full carafe in well under a minute. It comes apart easily enough to brush out, though one owner called it a bit louder than a spice grinder.
The weak side is reliability. A common complaint is that the grinder clogs and makes a mess, and there are reports of units that broke down in less than two months or jammed repeatedly on certain beans. The two-year warranty is some comfort, and we'd run only a few beans through at first to see how yours behaves.
Pros
- Wide range with micro-adjustments on top
- Remembers your last setting, one-touch start
- Large removable UV-tinted hopper
- Comes apart easily for brush cleaning
Cons
- Clogs and makes a mess
- Reports of breaking down within two months
- Louder than a spice grinder
Key features (4)
- 40mm stainless steel conical burrs for uniform grounds
- 15 grind settings plus 43 micro-adjustments
- Timer dial that remembers the last setting
- Two-year warranty on a silver finish
This is the machine we'd steer toward anyone planning to keep one grinder for years. It has 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs in hardened alloy steel, a DC motor and 40 grind settings, the largest spread on this page, covering everything from espresso to French press and automatic brewers. The controls are minimal: a front pulse button and an on/off switch, so there is no timer and you measure the beans yourself.
Readers torn between this and the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 12 Oz are choosing between a timer plus a 12 oz hopper there and a wider ladder of settings with a serviceable build here. At 5.58 pounds it is the heaviest of the group, which usually translates to a steadier machine on the counter, and the warranty is 1 year.
Owners report a very even grind, easy burr removal for cleaning and an included brush that makes upkeep painless. They describe the noise as noticeable but not out of the ordinary, and they praise how responsive the maker's support is. A common complaint is that traces of grounds are left around the bin and lip, and some wish there were less plastic in the build. Flavored or oily beans can leave residue behind, so clean it regularly if you buy those.
Pros
- 40 grind settings across many brew methods
- Burrs lift out easily for cleaning
- Brush included for routine upkeep
- Even grind reported across drip settings
Cons
- Leaves traces of grounds around the bin
- Fairly noisy in use
- A good deal of plastic in the build
Key features (4)
- 40mm conical burrs in hardened alloy steel
- Front pulse button and simple on/off switch
- Powerful DC motor with a small footprint
- Available in black or white, 2020 exterior update
This model carries the same core features as the silver OXO: 40mm stainless steel conical burrs, 15 grind settings plus 43 micro-adjustments, a one-touch start that remembers your last setting, and a 12 oz UV-tinted hopper that holds up to 12 ounces of beans. The product details also point to a DC motor meant to keep beans from overheating, and a timer dial for choosing the grinding time.
Choose between this and the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 12 Oz on finish and footprint, since the burr set and controls match. This one weighs 4.47 pounds and is listed at 7.5 × 5.3 × 12.9 inches, while the silver version is listed at 6.8 × 11.8 × 14.8 inches, so check your counter and cabinet clearance before ordering.
It suits the same buyer: someone who wants an automated morning routine, a hopper large enough to fill and forget for a few days, and a wide range from fine to coarse for espresso, pour-over or French press. If a matte black look fits your coffee bar better than silver, this is the one to pick.
Pros
- Wide settings range plus fine micro-adjustments
- Remembers your last setting for repeat grinds
- Large UV-tinted hopper protects beans
Key features (4)
- 40mm stainless steel conical burrs for uniform grounds
- Timer dial with one-touch start
- Removable hopper sized for twelve ounces of beans
- Matte black finish at 4.47 pounds
Side by side
| Pick | Item weight | Item dimensions | Warranty |
|---|
#1 Best for French Press and Cold Brew Cuisinart | 4.5 pounds | 8.75 × 12.25 × 7.5 inches | Limited 18-month Warranty |
#2 Compact Blade Pick Black+Decker | 1.43 pounds | 3.5 × 3.4 × 7.28 inches | 2 years manufacturer limited |
#3 Best for Hands-Off Mornings OXO | 4.5 pounds | 6.8 × 11.8 × 14.8 inches | Two-Year Warranty |
#4 Best for Long-Term Upkeep Baratza | 5.58 pounds | 5.91 × 5.12 × 13.39 inches | 1 year warranty |
#5 Matte Black Alternative OXO | 4.47 pounds | 7.5 × 5.3 × 12.9 inches | — |
How to Choose a Burr Coffee Grinder
Why does burr grinding beat chopping?
A burr grinder passes beans between two abrasive surfaces, and the gap between them sets the size of the grounds. A blade grinder spins a blade through the beans, so some pieces end up chunky and others turn to dust. Chunks brew weak and sour while the dust over-extracts into bitterness, which is why even grounds matter more than any other upgrade.
The Black+Decker One Touch Coffee Grinder shows both sides of the blade approach: it is compact and doubles for spices, but grind size depends on how long you hold the button. If you brew the same way every day and care about consistency, a burr model such as the Cuisinart Supreme Grind Burr Coffee Grinder is the safer choice.
Which specs actually change daily use?
Settings count gets the headline, but the range and the steps between them matter more. The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder offers 40 settings, while the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 12 Oz adds 43 micro-adjustments on top of 15 settings, which suits anyone who likes to fine-tune.
How the dose is measured is the other big difference. A cup selector or a timer saves you from weighing beans each morning, and a timer plus a large removable hopper is what makes the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 12 Oz the easy pick for hands-off mornings. Five points are worth checking before you buy:
- Burr shape and material, flat or conical, steel over plastic
- Grind range, from coarse for French press to fine for espresso
- Hopper size and whether a timer or cup selector measures the dose
- Whether burrs and hopper come apart easily for cleaning
- How much static, mess and trapped grounds the design leaves
How much upkeep should you expect?
Every burr grinder needs regular cleaning, and oily dark roasts are the biggest trigger for clogging. Grounds and oils build up in the chute and around the burrs, so a full clean about every two weeks is sensible if you favor those beans. Flavored or glossy beans leave a residue that is hard to remove, so many owners avoid grinding them.
A machine you can open up is easier to live with. The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder lets you lift out the burrs, includes a brush and is built so parts can be replaced, which we think matters more over several years than a longer warranty. Warranties vary across this lineup, from 1 year to two years, so read the terms before you count on one.
Our picks at a glance
1
Best for French Press and Cold BrewCuisinart
2
Compact Blade PickBlack+Decker
3
Best for Hands-Off MorningsOXO
4
Best for Long-Term UpkeepBaratza
5
Matte Black AlternativeOXO
Frequently asked
Are conical or flat burrs better for home brewing?
Neither is better outright. Conical burrs tend to leave more fine particles, which gives a rounder, roastier cup, while flat burrs usually produce more grounds in the target size range and a clearer flavor, and many other factors shape the result. The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Burr Coffee Grinder is the flat-burr pick on this page, while the Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder and both OXO models use conical burrs.
Can these grinders make espresso?
Several list espresso at the fine end of their range, but a fine setting alone does not give the small steps an espresso machine needs, so we'd treat it as an occasional use. For the finest adjustment among these picks, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 12 Oz stands out, since its 43 micro-adjustments sit on top of 15 settings.
Why does a grinder jam on oily dark roasts?
Oils and fine grounds stick to the chute and burrs, and a blocked path makes the motor stall. Cleaning regularly and brushing out the burr area prevents most of it. The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Burr Coffee Grinder ships with a brush and has dishwasher-safe parts, which makes that routine easier.