Best Coffee Grinder For Espresso In 2022: Well 7 Of Them Actually!

When you have an Espresso coffee machine at home, then you certainly need to own a coffee grinder. In this article, we will show you the best coffee grinder for Espresso.

Grinding coffee beans for an espresso machine is actually a very tricky task. It requires a fine consistent grind, and yet not too fine. That is the reason why many grinders have a wide range of grind settings, and you’ll want to be keeping an eye on this when you shop. These coffee grinders can also be used to produce ground coffee beans for other coffee brewing methods.

So while I give you a list of the best coffee grinder for espresso, learn up on what you may enjoy about espresso shots. And if you think espresso isn’t exactly your thing, feel free to take a look at some of the best coffee grinders for French Press brews!

The Best Coffee Grinder For Espresso

While there’s a grinder on this list for nearly every budget, the best coffee grinders for espresso might be a little bit more expensive than your grandmother’s coffee grinder. Feel free to check out my list of the best budget coffee grinders should any of these grinders listed below fall outside of your price range!

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

The Baratza brand is known for quality consumer-level grinders, and this stainless steel conical burr coffee grinder is featured-packed, a great partner for your home espresso coffee machine!

With 40 grind size settings to select from, this affordable coffee grinder can produce grounds for a variety of coffee brewing methods, from a coarse grind to a fine grind. Compared to most high-end coffee burr grinders, 40 settings are quite a few, and the Baratza Encore can produce grounds sized from 250 to 1200 microns.

What’s good about the Baratza Encore is that it is not complicated to set up. Just pour the coffee beans into the hopper, select the desired grind size setting, turn on the coffee grinder, press the grind button, and you’re all set for brewing.

The stainless steel conical burrs are controlled by a powerful motor. Heat is also reduced through a special gear reduction that spins constantly within the 450 rpm range. This allows for a quiet grind so that you don’t wake anyone else in the early morning hours.

Pros

Cons

Capresso Infinity Plus Conical Burr Grinder

Next on our list is the Capresso grinder. With its stainless steel finish, the Infinity Plus variant gets a touch of elegance. The Infinity Plus has only 16 grind settings, but it can grind a coffee bean to the right consistency for Espresso, Turkish coffee, French Press, and other brewing methods.

The 40 mm stainless steel burrs are sturdy and can create a consistent grind for different brewing practices. The motor runs at 450 rpm and is quite good at reducing heat and keeping the noise low.

This conical burr grinder also has a safety lock feature that turns off the unit when the hopper is not securely attached in place. The hopper is large that can hold around 11 oz of beans and 4 oz in the grounds bin.

Cleaning this grinder is also a breeze. The hopper and upper burr attachments are designed for quick removal. The metal body is also quick and easy to clean. The timer setting from 5 to 60 seconds is also a useful added feature.

Pros

Cons

Baratza Virtuoso Plus Conical Burr Grinder

This grinder is an upgraded version of the Baratza Virtuoso with an LCD screen. Although the Baratza Virtuoso Plus is a fine choice for drip coffee makers, it can also produce a fine grind for espresso.

Just like any other coffee grinders that can produce grounds for a wide variety of brewing methods, the Baratza Virtuoso Plus is equipped with professional-grade conical burrs. What’s good about these burrs is that they can be calibrated to your desired coarse grind or fine grind setting, so grinding for espresso quality grounds is attainable.

With 40 grind settings, a 40-second digital timer, and powered by a 240 watts motor that runs from 405 to 500 rounds per minute, the Virtuoso Plus is a class of its own. It also has an anti-static design, which eliminates messy coffee dust.

The Virtuoso Plus excels in aesthetics as well, with its nickel-plated, satin-finished top and base. The sturdy materials not only add to its durability but also help in keeping its noise down.

Pros

Cons

Baratza Sette 30 AP Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

The Baratza Sette 30 AP Conical Burr Coffee Grinder underwent 8 years of development before it finally set a new standard for coffee grinding. What’s unique about the Sette 30 is the 40 mm burr wherein the outer burr rotates instead of the inner center burr. This makes the Sette 30 grinder a fast one.

This coffee grinder can grind up to 3.5 to 5.5 grams of coffee beans per second. That is twice the speed compared to expensive coffee grinders on the market. The grinder also has a low retention grind feature which doesn’t waste any precious coffee grounds and allows for a fresh grind every single time.

It is also capable of setting time with an option in the hundredth second for the first 10-second adjustment, and a tenth of a second on settings above 10 seconds. This programmability feature gives you accurate control over the exact dose of grounds you need.

With regards to versatility, this Baratza grinder is quite impressive, with its 30 macro settings that can produce grounds fine enough for an espresso. It can also grind directly to different containers with its adjustable grind bin holder, such as a portafilter, allowing you to become the home barista of your dreams.

Pros

Cons

Rancilio Rocky Doserless Espresso Grinder

If you are an avid coffee lover, then the Rancilio Rocky Doserless Espresso Grinder can satisfy your caffeine cravings to your heart’s desire. This espresso grinder can grind beans for espresso and for other grinding purposes like drip coffee, percolator, cold brew, and press pots. This grinder is doserless (no grind chamber), so you can grind directly to a portafilter!

Rancilio Rocky is an Italian brand and has very positive responses from users because it’s a real workhorse with its reliable and powerful direct-drive motor that spins at a rate of 1725 RPM. In addition to being fast, the Rancilio Rocky grinder is also quiet when grinding your beans, which is ideal for early morning grinding when everyone’s still dozing in bed.

This workhorse grinder is durable with its heavy-duty stainless steel body construction, and you can feel that with its 18-pound (8.16 kg) weight. Hand manual grinders just can’t compete with that! It has bigger burrs measuring 50 mm for that precision grinding that you need, especially for your espresso machine.

Pros

Cons

Baratza Sette 270 Conical Burr Grinder

The Baratza Sette 270 is an upgrade from the Sette 30 model, featuring 30 macro settings and 9 micro settings for each macro set, resulting in an incredible 270 grind settings!

The Sette 270 brings a finer control of grind size, making it a better choice for more serious home baristas. It also has the same burr design as the Sette 30 wherein the outer burr is the one rotating, but the plastic parts in the 30 model were replaced by steel ones in the 270.

With the Sette 270, you can set 3 program times for more accurate dosing. This feature is helpful if you frequently use 3 different doses for several types of uses. The fork used in holding the portafilter and grounds bin is made of metal, and unlike with the Sette 30, you don’t have to remove it for adjusting.

Pros

Cons

Mazzer Super Jolly Commercial Espresso Coffee Burr Grinder

If you are serious about becoming a coffee barista at home, then the Mazzer Super Jolly grinder is worth the consideration, especially if you’re serious about your espresso-making adventures in the comfort of your home. The Mazzer Jolly grinder is designed for commercial use thanks to the machine’s 350-watt motor, but it can work perfectly well for home use.

This grinder is a real workhorse and is very durable with its lightweight sturdy aluminum frame, and its shell is made from stainless steel. This espresso grinder has big 64 mm flat burrs for that quality grind you need for a flavorful and fresh coffee brew.

The plastic UV-coated hopper is very large and can hold around 43.2 oz of coffee beans. The doser has a built-in pull lever for precise grounds extraction, from 5.5 to 8 grams at a time.

What’s unique about this flat burr coffee grinder is the stepless micrometrical grinding adjustment that allows you more grind control and more consistency of grind extractions!

Pros

Cons

Best Coffee Grinder For Espresso Summary

Best for Beginners: Baratza Encore

• Easy to operate
• Budget-friendly
• Check it out here

Best in Safety: Capresso Infinity Plus

• Auto-off safety features
• Stylish design
• Check it out here

Easiest to Clean: Baratza Virtuoso Plus

• Anti static grounds chamber
• LCD display
• Check it out here

Most Accurate Timer: Baratza Sette 30

• Precise timer
• Easy to operate
• Check it out here

Best for Portafilters: Rancilio Rocky

• Grind right into your portafilter
• Quiet and powerful motor
• Check it out here

Most Settings: Baratza Sette 270

• 270 grind settings
• Option for grinds bin and portafilter
• Check it out here

Best for the Home Barista: Mazzer Super Jolly

• Most precise
• UV coated hopper
• Check it out here

Buyers Guide for an Espresso Coffee Grinder

It doesn’t matter if you’re just a newbie espresso lover, or you just want an upgrade from your old manual coffee grinder. What matters is you get what you need to make the best espresso coffee at home.

Here are my top considerations before purchasing an espresso coffee grinder.

Price

One important factor to consider when purchasing a coffee grinder is the price. It is crucial to be realistic about your budget, as some grinders can get expensive very quickly.

Top-quality grinders are expensive but can last for years compared to other cheaper brands. However, there are less expensive options out there that can still deliver like a high-end coffee grinder, like the Smart Grinder Pro.

If you want to grind coffee for espresso, you may end up paying more than expected. A good grind makes all the difference when making your espresso. You don’t want a bad grind and have a cup that tastes like a pre-ground coffee, do you?

Burr Type

For the burr-type grinder, there are just only two choices: conical or flat burrs. While there are grinders with conical steel and ceramic burr options, we’ll just treat them the same here for now. I won’t be talking about any blade grinder options here either, as they are not ideal for espresso. A blade grinder is ideal for spices, so keep that blade grinder at bay for now.

Conical burrs are usually cheaper and grind more quietly, so they’re more fitted for home use. On the other hand, a flat burr grinder offers more grind control and will be used more often commercially, or for those home baristas that are serious about brewing espressos at home.

So, if your goal is to grind coffee to get the best espresso for your daily dose of caffeine, then consider getting a flat burr grinder. They may cost a few extra dollars, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.

Intended Brew Methods

It is important to consider what brew methods you intend to make with your grinder for daily use. Do you want your coffee ground for other purposes like a French Press, a drip coffee maker, or something like Aeropress?

It is best to think about your intended brew methods before you consider what grinder is best for your daily coffee grind, though most of the grinders on this list can grind whatever method you may desire.

Precision Grind

Another thing to consider in choosing a grinder for espresso is its precision. The best grinder for coffee is the one that can grind with precision. Espresso shots require a grinder that can produce a reliable grind in a finer setting. Any irregularities in the grind will not result in the exact body, rich texture, and crema that makes for a trademark espresso shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a special grinder for espresso?

The answer is yes and no. If you are looking for a complex body, rich texture, bitter-sweet taste, and the classic crema found in espresso, you may need to buy a higher quality coffee grinder, which is a manual grinder or hand coffee grinder cannot achieve.

How do I choose a coffee grinder?

Choosing a grinder for coffee will depend on how much you’re willing to spend, your intended brew methods, the burr type that will match your daily brewing methods, and if you want something professional, then consider the ability of a grinder to grind with precision.

What type of grinder is best for espresso?

If you want to make real espresso, then you should look for grinders made for espresso. A good place to start is looking for an electric coffee grinder that can give you an even grind consistency.

How do you grind coffee for espresso?

Get your fresh whole coffee beans to the hopper. Set your grinder to a fine setting for espresso, then grind just the needed amount of grounds to put into your portafilter. Simple as that!

How fine do I grind coffee for espresso?

It should be a little finer than table salt. In other words, grinding coffee beans between 250 and 500 microns will be the best for espresso. Your coffee grinder should have some hints as to the proper grind settings to utilize.

Pin Me!

Happy brewing, espresso lovers!