Best Coffee Grinder: 6 Blade and Burr Models Compared
IBy Ilias · Updated October 10, 2026 · Listings checked on Amazon.com
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In short
The best coffee grinder for most kitchens is the Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind: it is the simplest to use, grinds enough for up to 12 cups, handles spices too and holds a 4.5 rating from 64,221 customers. If you want an even, adjustable grind, step up to a burr model like the Cuisinart DBM-8.
Cuisinart Supreme Grind DBM-818 positions, ultra-fine to extra-coarse
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder15 settings plus 43 micro-adjustments
Baratza Encore40 settings
KitchenAid BCG111not listed
Cuisinart DCG-20BKNnot listed
Manufacturer figures from the product listings; the dark bar is our pick. A higher number is not always better: read the analysis of each model.
Specs taken from the product listings on October 10, 2026. –: not listed by the manufacturer. Pressure, capacities and noise: manufacturer figures.
The models in detail
This guide is for anyone buying a first coffee grinder, or replacing an old one, who is unsure whether a blade or a burr model makes sense. We picked six grinders from Amazon.com product listings checked on October 10, 2026, favoring models with clear specs and a large number of customer reviews. We did not grind coffee with these units ourselves, so every figure below comes from the product page.
1 · Our pick
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind
Coffee grinder4,5/5 from 64221 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
The Fresh Grind earns the top spot on this broad page because it suits the most common situation: one person or a couple brewing drip coffee who want fresh grounds without learning a new tool. You press to grind and release to stop, and the listing says it makes enough for up to 12 cups. The removable stainless steel bowl and lid go in the dishwasher, which none of the burr models here claim. It also takes herbs, spices and seeds such as flax and chia, though you need to clean the bowl well or those flavors end up in your coffee. Its 4.5 rating from 64,221 customers is the largest base on the page. The trade-offs are real: it is a blade grinder with no grind-size settings, and the listing gives no capacity in ounces, no wattage and no model number. For espresso or pour-over, look at the burr models below.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
Grinds enough coffee for up to 12 cups.
Removable grinding bowl and lid are dishwasher safe.
Hidden cord storage under the base; the listing claims it is quieter than a leading competitor.
Also handles herbs, spices and seeds such as flax and chia.
Cons
Blade grinder with no grind-size settings.
The listing gives no capacity in ounces, no wattage and no model number.
Sharing the bowl with spices can carry flavors into the coffee unless cleaned well.
Best for: Casual coffee drinkers who also want a small grinder for spices and seeds.
Skip it if you want a consistent grind for espresso or pour-over.
Other specs
Timer / dosingNo timer; press to grind, release to stop
If you want to move from blades to burrs without spending time on setup, the Supreme Grind DBM-8 is the obvious next step. Its flat burrs run through an 18-position slide dial from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, and the electric timer switches the unit off at the end of the cycle, so you can walk away while it works. The grind chamber holds enough for 4 to 18 cups, which suits large pots better than any blade model here. One point to know: the description gives an 8 oz bean hopper, while Cuisinart's own comparison table lists 3.2 ounces for the DBM-8, so treat hopper size as uncertain. Power, dimensions and weight are not on the product page either. With 18 fixed steps, it is a drip grinder first; dialing in espresso is limited. It holds a 4.2 rating from 49,360 customers and carries a limited 18-month warranty.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
18-position slide-dial grind selector, from ultra-fine to extra-coarse.
Removable 8 oz bean hopper and removable grind chamber that holds enough grounds for 4 to 18 cups.
One-touch power bar with an electric timer that shuts the unit off automatically.
BPA-free, with cord storage, a scoop/cleaning brush and a limited 18-month warranty.
Cons
With 18 fixed steps, fine-tuning an espresso grind is limited.
The listing gives no wattage, dimensions or weight.
Cuisinart's own comparison table lists a 3.2-ounce hopper for the DBM-8, which conflicts with the 8 oz in the description.
Best for: Drip coffee drinkers who want an affordable step up from a blade grinder to a burr grinder.
Skip it if you mainly pull espresso shots and need fine, precise adjustments.
Other specs
Timer / dosingElectric timer with automatic shutoff at the end of the cycle
The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder covers more brew methods than anything else on this list. Its 40 mm stainless steel conical burrs pair 15 main settings with 43 micro-adjustments, and the listing says the range runs from espresso to French press and cold brew. The removable 12 oz (340 g) hopper blocks UV light, and the stainless steel grounds cup is designed to reduce static. You set a grind time on the dial, and one touch starts it again at your last setting, which keeps a morning routine quick. Compared with the Baratza Encore, you get a timer and a stated hopper size; compared with the Cuisinart DBM-8, you get finer steps. Dosing is by time, not weight, so the amount changes with the beans you buy. OXO leaves wattage, dimensions and weight off the listing. Customers rate it 4.3 from 23,427 reviews.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
40 mm stainless steel conical burrs.
15 grind settings plus 43 micro-adjustments, from espresso to French press and cold brew.
One-touch start with a timer dial that remembers your last setting.
Removable 12 oz UV-blocking hopper and a static-reducing stainless steel grounds cup.
Cons
The listing gives no wattage, dimensions or weight.
Dosing is by time, not weight, so dose varies with the beans.
Best for: Drip and pour-over drinkers who want an affordable, versatile electric burr grinder.
Skip it if you need weight-based dosing or very fine espresso dialing.
Other specs
Timer / dosingGrind-time dial; one-touch start remembers last setting
MaterialStainless steel exterior and grounds cup; UV-blocking hopper
The Encore suits the home brewer who owns more than one brewer, say a pour-over cone, a French press and an automatic drip machine. Its 40 mm hardened alloy steel conical burrs, made in Liechtenstein according to the listing, are driven by a DC motor and offer 40 grind settings spanning espresso, AeroPress, Chemex, French press and automatic brewers. Control is basic: an on/off switch and a front pulse button, with no timer or dosing function, so you measure beans before grinding. The listing gives no hopper capacity, wattage, dimensions or weight, which makes it harder to compare with the OXO on paper. Baratza pitches it as an entry-level model whose steps are spread across many brew methods rather than built for espresso fine-tuning. It has a small footprint, a 1-year warranty and a 4.1 rating from 16,640 customers, the lowest score of the six.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
40 mm commercial-grade conical burrs made in Liechtenstein, driven by a DC motor.
40 grind settings covering espresso, AeroPress, V60, Chemex, French press and automatic brewers.
Front-mounted pulse button plus a simple on/off switch.
Small footprint, 1-year warranty and Baratza support.
Cons
The listing gives no hopper capacity, wattage, dimensions or weight.
No timer or dosing function.
Pitched as an entry-level grinder; the steps are designed for a wide range of brew methods rather than espresso fine-tuning.
Best for: Home brewers who want a well-known entry-level conical burr grinder for drip and pour-over.
Skip it if you want a timer or need fine espresso adjustments.
Other specs
Timer / dosingNo timer; front pulse button and on/off switch
The BCG111 is the blade option for people who brew different amounts of drip coffee from day to day. The removable 4 oz stainless steel bowl carries markings for 4, 8, 10 or 12 cups, so you fill to the line instead of weighing beans. You push the cover down to grind and release to stop, and the clear cover lets you watch the grounds and stop at the texture you want. That visual check is the only grind control you get: there are no grind settings, so the result is less uniform than with the burr grinders above. The listing also contradicts itself, since its included-items line mentions a burr grinder while everything else describes a blade model. No wattage, dimensions or weight are given. It comes with a 1-year hassle-free replacement warranty and a 4.5 rating from 14,943 customers, tied with the Hamilton Beach for the highest score here.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
One-touch operation: push the cover down to grind and release to stop.
Clear cover lets you watch the beans and stop at the consistency you want.
Removable 4 oz stainless steel bowl with markings for 4, 8, 10 or 12 cups.
1-year hassle-free replacement warranty.
Cons
Blade grinder with no grind settings.
The included-items line mentions a burr grinder, which contradicts the rest of the listing.
No wattage, dimensions or weight in the listing.
Best for: Drip coffee drinkers who want a simple blade grinder with a measuring bowl.
Skip it if you need a burr grinder for a uniform grind.
Other specs
Timer / dosingNo timer; push cover to grind, release to stop
MaterialStainless steel bowl with markings for 4, 8, 10 or 12 cups
The DCG-20BKN is for someone with little counter space who wants fresh beans for drip or French press and nothing more. It grinds up to 2.5 oz (70 g) of whole beans at once, which the listing says is enough for up to 12 cups. A single on/off button runs it, and a safety interlock stops it from running unless the lid is closed. The bowl and blades are stainless steel, the bowl and lid are easy to clean, and the cord stores in the base. Like the Hamilton Beach and the KitchenAid, it has no grind-size setting: fineness depends on how long you hold the button, so the grind is less even than with a burr model and a poor match for espresso. Cuisinart does not list the motor wattage, dimensions or weight. It has a limited 18-month warranty and a 4.4 rating from 14,070 customers.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
Grinds up to 2.5 oz (70 g) of whole beans at once, which the listing says is enough for up to 12 cups.
Simple one-touch on/off control with a built-in safety interlock that blocks operation unless the lid is closed.
Stainless steel bowl and blades, an easy-to-clean bowl and lid, and cord storage in the base.
Backed by a limited 18-month warranty.
Cons
It is a blade grinder with no grind-size setting: fineness depends on how long you hold the button, so the grind is less even than with a burr grinder.
The listing gives no motor wattage, dimensions or weight.
Without any grind adjustment it is a poor match for espresso, which needs a fine and even grind.
Best for: Drip and French press drinkers who want a small, simple grinder for fresh beans.
Skip it if you want repeatable grind sizes or plan to grind for espresso.
Pick a burr grinder if grind consistency matters to you, and a blade grinder if you mainly want speed and simplicity. Blade grinders such as the Hamilton Beach, the KitchenAid BCG111 and the Cuisinart DCG-20BKN chop beans, and the result depends on how long you hold the button. Burr grinders crush beans between two surfaces set at a fixed gap, so each setting gives a more repeatable size. All three blade models here have no grind-size settings at all. If you brew pour-over or want to repeat a cup you liked, our burr grinder page compares six burr models side by side.
Match the grind range to your brew method
Check that the setting range reaches the grind your brewer needs, especially at the fine end. Drip and French press are forgiving and work with almost any burr grinder on this page. Espresso is the demanding case: it needs a fine grind and small steps between settings. The Cuisinart DBM-8 lists 18 positions and the Baratza Encore 40 settings, but neither is described as built for espresso fine-tuning. If you own an espresso machine, read our espresso grinder page, which compares models chosen for that one use.
Electric or manual
Go electric if you grind for several people every morning, and manual if you want quiet, portability or no cord. Every model on this page plugs in, which makes them quick for a full pot. Hand grinders trade speed for a smaller footprint and no motor noise, and some reach settings fine enough for espresso. They take time and effort for larger amounts, though. Our manual coffee grinder page covers six hand-crank models for travel, camping and quiet kitchens.
Capacity: hopper, bowl and chamber
Size the grinder to the largest pot you brew, not your everyday cup. Burr grinders list a hopper, such as the 12 oz hopper on the OXO, and the Cuisinart DBM-8 grind chamber holds enough for 4 to 18 cups. Blade grinders list how much they grind at once: up to 2.5 oz on the Cuisinart DCG-20BKN and a 4 oz bowl on the KitchenAid. Several listings leave capacity out, including the Baratza Encore, and the Hamilton Beach states only a cup count, so check the product page before relying on a figure.
Timer, dosing and controls
A timer or automatic shutoff saves you from standing over the grinder, while a pulse button gives you control. The OXO uses a grind-time dial that remembers your last setting, and the Cuisinart DBM-8 has an electric timer with automatic shutoff. The Baratza Encore has only an on/off switch and a pulse button. Blade models run while you press and stop when you let go. Time-based dosing is not the same as weighing: the amount varies with the beans, so a kitchen scale is still useful if you want consistent cups.
Power, size and warranty
Do not choose on wattage here, because none of these six listings gives a power rating. Most also leave out dimensions and weight, so measure the space under your cabinets before ordering. What the listings do give is warranty length: 18 months on both Cuisinart models, one year on the Baratza Encore and on the KitchenAid BCG111. The Hamilton Beach and OXO listings do not mention a warranty. If your budget is tight, our budget grinder page lists models that cost less than the burr grinders here.
Skip it if…
you pull espresso shots on a machine with a standard basket and expect a blade grinder to keep up.
you need a stated wattage or exact dimensions, because none of these six listings provides a power rating.
you plan to grind spices and coffee in the same bowl and do not want to clean it between uses.
you want weight-based dosing, since the timers on this page measure grind time rather than grams.
you mostly brew away from home, where a hand grinder makes more sense than any plug-in model.
FAQ
What is the best coffee grinder for most people?
For simple drip coffee, the Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind is our pick: press-and-release operation, a dishwasher-safe bowl and lid, and a 4.5 rating from 64,221 customers. If you care about an even grind, the Cuisinart Supreme Grind DBM-8 is the most reviewed burr model on the page, with 18 positions and an automatic timer. Neither listing states a wattage.
Is a burr grinder better than a blade grinder?
For grind consistency, yes. A burr grinder sets a fixed gap between two burrs, so each setting produces a more repeatable size, while a blade grinder's result depends on how long you run it. Blade models still make sense if you brew drip coffee, want the simplest tool, or also grind spices. The three blade grinders on this page have no grind-size settings.
Which coffee grinder is best for espresso?
None of the six models on this page is a dedicated espresso grinder. The OXO lists 43 micro-adjustments and the Baratza Encore 40 settings that reach espresso, but both are positioned as all-round grinders for many brew methods. For a real espresso machine, see our espresso grinder page, which compares models with more steps and, in some cases, a portafilter holder.
Can you grind spices in a coffee grinder?
You can in a blade grinder, and the Hamilton Beach listing names herbs, spices and seeds such as flax and chia. Clean the bowl well afterward, since flavors can carry into your coffee; its bowl and lid are dishwasher safe. The burr grinders on this page are pitched for coffee only, so keep spices out of them.
How much coffee does a grinder hold?
It depends on the model and on how the listing measures it. The OXO has a 12 oz hopper, the Cuisinart DBM-8 lists an 8 oz hopper (Cuisinart's own table says 3.2 ounces), and the Cuisinart DCG-20BKN grinds up to 2.5 oz at a time. The Baratza Encore listing gives no hopper capacity at all, so you cannot compare it on that point.
Do I need a coffee grinder with a timer?
Not necessarily, but a timer helps if you grind the same amount every day. The OXO remembers your last grind time, and the Cuisinart DBM-8 shuts off automatically at the end of its cycle. The Baratza Encore and all three blade grinders here have no timer, so you either measure beans first or watch the grounds and stop by hand.
I
Ilias, BaristaCompas
Models are picked from the product listings on Amazon.com, recorded and dated. Missing data is flagged instead of guessed, and no hands-on test is described unless it actually happened. Our method