Every coffee lover knows that a cup of coffee’s quality is affected by the freshness of the grounds. The fresher the grounds, the better the quality of the coffee. If you want the best possible coffee at home, you need to grind the beans yourself. For this you need the best small coffee maker with grinder.
Luckily for you, there are many models out there that are compact enough for home use but still feature a built-in grinder. You won’t need to sacrifice counter space in your kitchen by having two separate appliances to grind your beans and brew your coffee. Many coffee makers with built-in grinders have the hopper and grinder built on top of the machine to maximize space and be as compact as possible.
Types of Grinder
There are two types of grinder that you can find: blade and burr grinders.
Blade – Blade grinders have two blades that spin rapidly to slice up the coffee grounds into smaller pieces. Blade grinders are faster and cheaper, but they do not produce consistent-sized grounds.
Burr – Burr grinders have two moving components that crush the beans into smaller pieces. Burr grinders are slower and more expensive, but they produce consistent-sized grounds. There are two types of burr grinders, namely:
- Flat Plate – flat plate grinders have two parallel flat plates with serrated edges.
- Conical – conical grinders have two cones with serrated edges.
Between the two types of burr grinders, conical grinders are cheaper and quieter, but flat plate grinders are able to achieve the finest grinds.
Comparison Chart
Detailed Reviews of the 5 Best Small Coffee Makers with Grinder
Breville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker
The Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker delivers a great balance between precise grinder and reliable coffee maker.
Value
The Breville Grind Control gives precise grounds and quality coffee at an amazing price point.
Functionality
Quiet and quick operation, although the burrs jam occasionally when dark roast beans are used.
The Earls Overall Rating
Breville’s Grind Control gets our top pick because we loved the functionality of the coffee maker and the range of grind settings.
PROs
- 8 brew strength choices
- Adjustable brewing size
- Large LCD screen
- Programmable start and off
CONs
- Cannot be used with demineralized water
- Grinder jams with oily beans
- Difficult to clean
Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind-and Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker
If you are looking for a quality coffee maker but does not have a lot of space in your kitchen, this Cuisinart Coffee Maker is the one for you.
Value
This coffee machine makes great coffee, however it is quite challenging to operate most especially for beginners.
Functionality
This automatic coffee maker delivers 12 cups of coffee at a time. It has a strength selector that allow users to choose from strong, medium, and mild levels. Its bean hopper can also hold 8oz to half a pound of coffee beans.
The Earls Overall Rating
The Cuisinart Grind and Brew Automatic Coffeemaker is ideal for homes and offices that love superb quality coffee but do not have a lot of space.
PROs
- Fully programmable
- Has sealable bean hopper
- Makes wonderful coffee
CONs
- Difficult to operate
- High maintenance
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Mill and Brew Coffeemaker
Looking for an affordable coffee maker with grinder? The BLACK+DECKER Mill and Brew is our top choice because of the quality of the grounds and brew at its price point.
Value
BLACK+DECKER is known for making affordable but quality coffee makers, and their Mill and Brew is no exception. It makes great coffee for its price.
Functionality
Its one-touch operation is nice, but the machine leaked water when used.
The Earls Overall Rating
With the BLACK+DECKER Mill and Brew, you won’t be sacrificing quality for affordability. The grind is precise and consistent and the coffee is rich and flavorful.
PROs
- One-touch operation for grinding and brewing
- Can be used for whole and pre-ground beans
- Adjustable brew strength
- Large carafe
CONs
- Carafe is made from glass
- Durability issues with plastic parts
- Leaky water pump system
Gourmia GCM4500 Coffee Maker with Built In Coffee Grinder
The Gourmia GCM4500 makes grinding and brewing your coffee as easy as pressing a button. Say goodbye to all your coffeemaking worries with its one-touch operation.
Value
The Gourmia GCM4500 is easy to use, although it is a bit pricey considering the limited brew options.
Functionality
It produces rich coffee flavor but the glass carafe feels cheap and loses heat quickly.
The Earls Overall Rating
If you’re looking for a coffee maker with a grinder that can make your coffee in just a few minutes, the Gourmia GCM4500 is our top choice. However, the glass carafe is small and breaks easily so you need to be careful.
PROs
- Fully automatic
- Easy to use
- Quick brewing time
- 2-year warranty
CONs
- Poor customer service
- Plastic parts feel cheap and light
- Glass carafe is fragile and breaks easily
Capresso 465 CoffeeTeam TS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker
If you live in a coffee-loving household that does not want to wait long for a fresh brewed coffee, the Capresso 465 makes a carafe good for 10 cups at the touch of a button.
Value
It is a great-looking machine, but the brewing options are limited for the price.
Functionality
It is easy to operate, but the machine is noisy for a conical burr grinder.
The Earls Overall Rating
If you need a coffee maker with a large carafe, the Capresso 465 will not disappoint. With one-touch operation and concise grind size, you’ll love making coffee every morning with this model.
PROs
- Professional and elegant design
- Concise grinder
- Goldtone reusable filter
- Fully programmable
CONs
- Does not handle oily beans well
- Poorly-designed glass carafe
- Durability issues
- Noisy operation
Parting Shots
Now you know our top picks for the best small coffee maker with grinder. Each model will fit well in small kitchens with limited countertop space without compromising on grind and brew quality. Whether you go for a splurge model such as the Melitta Mill & Brew or you want something easy to use like the Breville Grind Control, the quality of your coffee will noticeably improve due to the freshness of the grounds. Find your perfect coffee machine with grinder today and taste the difference! Know more about coffee makers.