Grinding coffee beans plays an important role in determining the quality of flavor of brewed coffee. It is essential to always freshly ground your coffee beans just right about to brew it to maintain its premium quality flavor and aroma that pre-ground coffee no longer has. Thinking about that, did you ever wonder what is the best affordable coffee grinder that you can find in the market nowadays?
There are tons of choices for an affordable grinder available out there. But grinding coffee is just as important as brewing it, so you wouldn’t just go buy whatever coffee grinder there is, right? But instead, spend time knowing what’s the best out there that is within budget, just like what you’re doing now.
The 5 Best Affordable Coffee Grinder
Having perfectly ground coffee is an essential step in achieving a perfectly good cup of coffee. And what more way to achieve that than owning a fantastic coffee grinder that can grind coffee beans just the way you want to. Coffee grinders come at different price ranges, so before spending some more of your hard-earned money, here are some things to look and consider when you’re looking for the best affordable coffee grinder.
- Blade Type – Can either use blade or burr grinders
- Grind control settings – Allows for a more flexible, versatile, and customizable grinding process. The grind size settings can be adjusted according to the ground, the beans to a consistency appropriate for your preferred drink.
- Speed and Consistency – Speed is necessary for a quick and hassle-free grinding experience, but consistency is still the key for a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
- Capacity – Having a large bean hopper and ground bin allows for a more comfortable experience as you don’t have to fill the tanks with every use continuously.
- Size and Ergonomics – the size of the machine plays a huge role in determining the portability and space-saving feature of the device. On the other hand, an ergonomically designed tool should be easy to operate and handle.
- Ease of use and cleaning – the users must be able to operate the device without depending too much on the product manual. Furthermore, easy cleaning and maintenance would define the overall durability and longevity of the machine.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder | The Baratza Encore is just the perfect mid0range coffee grinder that offers quality performance without taking too much from your wallet. It features a powerful 40-grind control setting using quality 40mm conical stainless-steel burr grinders. With its steady 550 RPM, the Baratza Encore provides reduced heat conduction, less noise, as well as notably low static generation. | ||
| Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder | The Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder is known for its highly intuitive interface and user-friendly program ideal for any beginner or budding coffee enthusiast. It has a powerful and steady 720 rpm motor and 12-range grind control settings. | ||
| Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder 560.01 | This entry-level coffee grinder doesn’t only look good; it also performs pretty well. It features a stainless steel conical burr grinder that has stepped adjustment for more convenient and easy use. It has a steady but slow grind speed, which makes grinding take a little longer, but this feature stops the grinder from heating as well as creates less noise. | ||
| Porlex JP-30 | Considerably one of the best manual coffee grinders, the Porlex JP-30 offers premium-quality grinding performance that is ideal for any coffee connoisseur with the keen eye for the perfect ground coffee. | ||
| Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill | The Hario Skerton Plus Coffee Mill is a manual coffee grinder that offers quality performance and powerful grinding capabilities. It is notably inexpensive, mess-free, and lightweight. Making it one of the most packed manual mills available in the market. |
Detailed Reviews of the 5 Best Affordable Coffee Grinder
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder
The Baratza Encore is just the perfect mid-range coffee grinder that offers quality performance without taking too much from your wallet. It features a powerful 40-grind control setting using quality 40mm conical stainless-steel burr grinders. With its steady 550 RPM, the Baratza Encore provides reduced heat conduction, less noise, as well as notably low static generation.
Value
The Baratza Encore’s powerful grinders offer grind control with 40 different power settings perfect for a wide range of coffee types and brew styles. It is an electrical grinder that requires minimal effort and starts with a press of a few buttons.
Functionality
The Baratza Encore features a strong DV motor that grounds coffee up to 40 different coarseness settings. It also includes a built-in scale that grounds beans accurately according to the weight of each batch.
The Earl’s Overall Rating
While this isn’t exactly an entry-level coffee grinder, it isn’t exactly the most luxurious model either. Baratza’s Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a compact model that provides a flexible grinding experience with its 40-dial grind control settings. Aside from having no LCD display, scale, or even a basic timer, the Baratza Encore performs really well and is known for its durability.
PROs
- Features an auto-grind option
- Has 40 adjustable grind settings
- Simple and easy to use
- Replaceable burrs
CONs
- All manual settings
- Does not grind fine enough for Turkish coffee
- Fine grind setting only good enough for pressurized portafilters
- No automatic timed shut-off feature
Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
The Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder is known for its highly intuitive interface and user-friendly program ideal for any beginner or budding coffee enthusiast. It has a powerful and steady 720 rpm motor and 12-range grind control settings.
Value
The 12 adjustable grind setting of the Bistro Electric is perfect for grounding coffee for brews such as espresso, even up to French press. It has an 8oz-capacity bean hopper, a dishwasher-safe grounds bin, and a built-in measuring guide for easier use and maintenance of the product.
Functionality
This entry-level coffee grinder offers 12 adjustable ground control setting that is achievable with the use of quality stainless steel burr grinders. Aside from its user-friendly interface, it is also easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance.
The Earl’s Overall Rating
There is no question that the Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder is the perfect match for any coffee lover. It is easy to use, hassle-free to maintain, and extremely powerful for top-quality ground coffee results.
PROs
- Reduced static cling
- Large 8 oz-capacity bean hopper
- Dishwasher-safe ground bin
CONs
- Grinds on a timer
- Issues with durability and longevity
- Grinder cannot ground fine enough for Turkish coffee
Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder 560.01
This entry-level coffee grinder doesn’t only look good; it also performs pretty well. It features a stainless steel conical burr grinder that has stepped adjustment for more convenient and easy use. It has a steady but slow grind speed, which makes grinding take a little longer, but this feature stops the grinder from heating as well as creates less noise.
Value
The Capresso Infinity’s grinding capabilities can produce a pretty consistent and uniform grind on its medium and fine settings. It also has a premium-like build that is well-constructed and pleasing to the eyes.
Functionality
This sturdy percolator comes perfect for outdoor activities. It serves flavorful coffee to large groups. The top cover prevents coffee spills. You can fill 60oz of water with this machine.
The Earl’s Overall Rating
Even as an entry-level coffee grinder, the Capresso Infinity 560.01 has superb grinding capabilities that provide a consistent and uniform grind as well as maintain the optimum flavor and aroma of the ground. Plus, the 16-range grind setting is enough to suffice the needs and demands of any novice user.
PROs
- User-friendly interface
- Relatively larger bean capacity
- Easy grind setting adjustment
- Minimal grinding noise produced
- Preserves maximum flavor and aroma
- Safety lock feature
- Preserves maximum flavor and aroma
- Safety lock feature
CONs
- Messy to use
- Strong static cling
- Hard to clean and demands intensive care and maintenance
- Issues with product durability and longevity
Porlex JP-30
Considerably one of the best manual coffee grinders, the Porlex JP-30 offers premium-quality grinding performance that is ideal for any coffee connoisseur with the keen eye for the perfect ground coffee.
Value
The Prolex JP-30 is a quality hand-held device with a sleek and compact design. It is an extremely quiet grinder with very powerful ceramic burrs that is easy to use and clean.
Functionality
Grinder features are limited with manual coffee grinders. However, the Prolex JP-30 highly compensates with its superb grinding capabilities, compact and space-saving build, as well as the quality of the yield ground coffee.
The Earl’s Overall Rating
Ideal for people who prefer manual coffee grinders for a variety of reasons, the Porlex JP-30 provides excellent quality grinding power and hassle-free experience. It is a straightforward device dedicated to producing premium quality ground coffee.
PROs
- Manual grinder
- Extremely quiet grinding experience
- Compact and portable design
- Rust-free ceramic burrs
- Quick and easy to clean
- Great for both indoor and outdoor use
CONs
- Small capacity
- Takes time to grind coffee
- Ceramic burrs break easily
- Issues with the durability and longevity of the product
Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill
The Hario Skerton Plus Coffee Mill is a manual coffee grinder that offers quality performance and powerful grinding capabilities. It is notably inexpensive, mess-free, and lightweight. Making it one of the most packed manual mills available in the market.
Value
The Hario Skerton Plus features a powerful set of grinders accompanied by an ergonomically designed handle and a non-slip base for a steady and stable grinding experience. It is built with Hario glass, stainless steel, and BPA-free plastic making it lightweight but not exactly durable.
Functionality
Manual grinders always lack features compared to electronically powered ones. Despite that, the Harion Skerton Plus Coffee Mill creates little to no noise, mess-free ground bin, and an all-in-all a good tasting freshly ground coffee.
The Earl’s Overall Rating
The Hario Skerton Plus performs really well, considering that it is a manual coffee grinder. It produces quality coffee grounds with a simple and smooth grinding performance. Plus, it is aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically designed for a hassle-free experience.
PROs
- Precise and uniform coffee grounds
- Non-slip base
- Ergonomically designed handle
- Easily detachable handle for hassle-free transportation and storage
- Durable ceramic burrs
CONs
- Grinder needs to be disassembled to adjust grind settings
- Grinding takes time
- Tedious manual grinding
Parting Shots
When it comes to the machines in this list, using the SCAA certification can give you a good idea of the performance of the machine, thus you would choose between the Redlike MK1 and the BUNN Heat N’Brew. However, not having an SCAA certification does not automatically mean that a machine does not provide great value for its price. Even without a SCAA certification, we feel that the other machines on this list do a great job when it comes to brewing a delicious cup of hot coffee!
The true coffee lover is careful when it comes to which coffee maker they’ll chose, especially if they are looking for which coffee maker makes the hottest coffee. Each of the machines in this list have their own pros and cons, and it will be up to you to decide which one would work best for you. Whether you want something quick and simple to use such as the Technivorm Moccamaster KBG or you want to be able to control each step of the brewing process with the Cuisinart CPO-850, the only thing that matters is that you get the perfect cup of coffee each time. Know more about coffee grinders.