Autumn is a full-time freelance writer based in the Pacific Northwest. Their love of coffee continues to grow through writing, having once been a barista at Portland’s best kept secret TOV, as well as west coast fave DUTCH BROS.
If you’re a and adore a French Pressed , then you should definitely own a suitable for a French Press. Nothing beats freshly to brew in your French Press. In this article, I will show you the for French Press.
Believe it or not, your will not taste nearly as good if you get the wrong. The should be coarse and consistent, with as little finely dust as possible. Sounds tricky to get right, don’t you think?
It’s more possible than you think to your to a French Press’s particular standards. It may take some practice to do it correctlysing the right tool can help you produce the correct . Your standard or ordinary may not cut it, which is why we’ve found some top-tier grinders that are suitable for .
Sifting your ground beans through a isn’t a bad idea, but you will waste a lot of the grinds that way. Plus, you will also need to use a scale so that your brew ratio is correct after sifting. Making a perfect cup of in your is sounding more and more complicated.
Thankfully, there are some professional grinders that are well suited to brew the perfect cup of French Press. Let’s check out the for French Press!
Are you interested in which grinders can perform at the desired level for French Press lovers? Read on!
For those fanatics out there, did you know that a French Press is very close to an iced or ? This means that you can use one for many delicious beverage options.
In addition to the grinders, you should also check out our article featuring the French Press options.
Now, onto the for !
Table of Contents
7 Best Coffee Grinders For French Press
As a general rule, you don’t need a very expensive , but it would make sense that you’re on the hunt for the best of the best. As long as the produces a consistently coarse , then you’ll always be successful in making that great-tasting .
Here are my top picks for the grinders for French Press.
Best Retro Look: Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder Wooden Mill with Cast Iron Burr
- Premium cast iron conical burrs
- Adjustable grinding sizes
- Easy cleaning
- Ergonomically designed crank handle for easy grinding
- Dimensions: 7.2 x 2.8 x 2.8 in (18.28 x 7.11 x 7.11 cm)
- Weight: 1.34 oz (0.6 kg)
- Budget-friendly
The Akirakoki Manual is a unique , perfect for the hip and retro-themed kitchen. The features both old-school and classic aesthetics. The body is made from a solid block of wood that is only going to look better and better with age.
The burrs are made of premium cast iron, which means that it produces less heat and does not affect the integrity of the oil when grinding. The burrs are adjustable, perfect for you to get your desired coarseness for a French Press brew.
Pros:
- Durable and rust resistant cast iron burrs
- Compact and portable; great for camping
- Quiet grinding
- Unique retro design
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Opening for the hopper is a bit small
To me, the Akirakoki Manual is an ideal investment for novice enthusiasts who love a daily dose of French Press brew. It’s a great starter hand , especially for those who don’t have the budget for an expensive .
While it can’t make very much at once, it should be perfect for a personal French Press. You may want to look at a bigger if you can drink a lot of in one sitting (like me). But no matter what, the unique design of this flat can’t be beaten! It belongs on this list (and one of my favorites, too).
Best for Couples: Hario Manual Coffee Mill Slim Plus
- Slim and compact
- Hexagonal adapter on the handle for better grinding
- Grinds enough for two cups
- Ceramic burr grinder
- Dimensions: 4 x 7 x 3 in (10.16 x 17.78 x 7.62 cm)
- Weight: 10.6 oz (0.3 kg)
- Budget-friendly
If you prefer that won’t hurt your budget, then the Hario Slim is the one for you. This blade uses ceramic conical burrs for grinding . This type of keeps the heat low so that you can preserve those precious oils during the grinding process.
The Hario is compact and portable, which is perfect to take with you during your travels. It’s a too, which means you can use it without power, perfect to your beans during your camping trips.
The best part of this ? It has measurement markings for up to 2 cups so that you don’t get confused with the measurements and always have enough to for you and your plus one!
It also has a fairly intuitive selections, whether you’re making a cup for French Press, iced , , or something else entirely.
Pros:
- Durable ceramic burr for consistent grinding
- Budget-friendly
- Quiet operation
- Easy to clean and operate
- Good rubber grip and hexagonal handle design
Cons:
- Plastic construction (while competitors use more metal or wood elements)
The Hario Slim is a great conical for a newbie brewer since it is very simple to operate with clear measurements to boot. While it isn’t as much of a looker as our last , it still maintains a modern, sleek design.
This portable mill is a good starting point if you’re serious about being a enthusiast, and it’s perfect for you and your significant other. French Press coffee is perfect for sharing, and this will the perfect amount for two cups!
With its overall functionality and ease of use, the Hario Slim may be a great for years to come. If you love , travel a lot, and don’t want to spend much on a , then the Hario Slim can be a great choice.
Best Manual Grinder: JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
- Patented ceramic conical burr design
- Removable hand crank design for ease of storage and cleaning
- 18 adjustable click settings for producing fine to coarse grind
- Stainless steel construction for durability
- Dimensions: 1.8 x 7.5 x 1.8 in (4.57 x 19.05 x 4.57 cm)
- Weight: 9.4 oz (0.27 kg)
- Budget-friendly
The is a top seller online, and it becomes pretty clear why this is the case. I know I don’t like to be hemmed in by my morning choices; sometimes I want French Press, other times I want my Moka Pot.
These two types of brews require different types of grinds, and getting the right can be difficult with a . But what do I do when I still want to use a ? Thankfully, JavaPresse is here to the rescue. This has 18-click settings, allowing you to adjust the desired coarseness of with ease.
This also uses professional-grade ceramic conical burrs that can reportedly last 5 times longer than stainless steel blades. The body and hand crank are made of stainless steel to ensure durability, plus a sleek and modern design.
Using the JavaPresse is simple, easy, and quiet. This is another great to bring with you off the grid, or if you share a small space with another person. The last thing you want is to wake up your roommate with a noisy !
Pros:
- Durable construction, including the patented ceramic burrs
- Removable hand crank design makes it convenient and easy to use
- Very quiet operation
- JavaPresse very good customer service
- 18 grind adjustments give you more precise coffee ground texture
Cons:
- The plastic piece attached to the burr is prone to breakage
JavaPresse is one of the best grinders based on customer reviews alone. Its patented, professional-grade grinding burrs are just one of its best selling points. You’ll also be hard-pressed (ha, get it?) to find any other for French Press with this many .
It is also a quick coarse ; you can have your grounds for a French Press brew in just 1-2 minutes. There is no question about its durability with its stainless-steel construction, though do keep in mind that some reviewers mention one of the plastic pieces breaking.
RELATED: Read our review of JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder for more details.
Best for Budding Pros: Mueller Ultra-Grind Conical Burr Grinder Professional Series
- 40mm hardened alloy conical burrs mostly reserved for commercial use coffee grinders
- Gear reduction motor for slow grinding to reduce heat
- 10 macro grind settings (with micro settings)
- Hopper capacity of 8.46 oz (240 g)
- Grounds bin capacity of 4.58 oz (130 g)
- Package Dimensions: 18 x 10.8 x 5.8 in (45.72 x 27.43 x 14.73 cm)
- Weight: 7.25 lb (3.3 kg)
Are you looking for a reliable yet affordable for French Press? Are you a professional looking for a trusted to use at home? Then Mueller, a fairly well-known brand in the world, is a perfect match for you and your French Press.
Muller’s Ultra is equipped with hardened alloy steel burrs, which is perfect for grinding your uniformly at many different levels of coarseness. The machine’s secret is the gear reduction motor that slowly grinds the beans to protect the oil from getting burnt.
Another good feature of the Mueller is the innovative design of the passage. Instead of going through a chute, the grounds drop straight through the bin, which means that no residue is left behind.
Most electric grinders are pretty noisy when you use them, but the Mueller managed to lower its decibels to less than 76 dB. Thanks to its innovative gear reduction motor, this shouldn’t disturb too many house guests.
Pros:
- Consistent grind over many coarseness settings
- Innovative straight-thru design for less retention of coffee grounds
- Quiet operation
- Cup volume settings
- One-touch button for easy operation
- Detachable grinding chamber for easy cleaning
Cons:
- The unit is too tall and might not fit in most kitchen cabinets for storage
- The grounds chamber could be better if it has an airtight lid
The Mueller Ultra- is an innovative that has great features, especially for those of you looking to enter the professional world. The commercial-grade burrs and the gear reduction motor are quality features that aren’t available on many amateur grinders.
The straight-thru grinding design leaves no residue behind, yet another feature usually reserved for the pros. Plus, you can make a lot of per grind, perfect for multiple house guests (or someone like me).
While the may be larger than others on this list, it’s worth leaving out on your countertop. You’ll never have to guess if your is right ever again, which makes it a top contender on our list!
Most Controlled Grind: Capresso Infinity Plus Conical Burr Grinder
- Commercial-grade conical steel burrs
- Simple to use with clear instructions
- Has good grind consistency
- Gear reduction to protect coffee bean flavor
- It has a built-in timer
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 13.7 x 9.1 in (17.01 x 34.8 x 23.11 cm)
- Weight: 4.86 lb (2.2 kg)
The Capresso Infinity Plus is another great choice for your daily French Press brewing. It comes with 16 so that you have better control over your coarse selection. It also has commercial-grade steel construction for guaranteed durability, letting you as good as the pros.
This is coupled with a gear reduction motor that allows for a slower grinding speed, which helps in reducing heat and preserving the delicate oils and aromas found in your . Plus, the chamber is large enough to allow you to as much fresh as you like, all at once!
Pros:
- Commercial-grade burr construction
- Good coarse grind consistency
- Fairly quiet for an electric grinder
- Affordable
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- Static build-up due to plastic bin
- Retains too many grounds in the chute
For an entry-level for French Press, the Capresso Infinity Plus makes it on our list. This is easy to use with pretty much nothing to set. Just set the coarse , set a time, and let the do its magic.
It is worth mentioning, though, that due to static and its chute design, you may lose some ground in the grinding process. However, given how many beans you can at once with ease, I doubt you will notice the slight loss!
Most Durable: OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder
- Stainless steel conical burrs for guaranteed durability
- Stainless steel body finish (including the grounds bin)
- 30 grind settings
- One-touch start button
- Dial type timer that retains your last setting
- Large hopper that can hold almost a pound of coffee
- Dimensions: 7.40 x 12.00 x 16.00 in (18.79 x 30.48 x 40.64 cm)
- Weight: 4.5 lbs (2.0 kg)
Next on our list is the OXO . This is an ideal for many lovers as it is equipped with a 40mm stainless steel for the best possible flavor extraction. It has a total of 30 , providing you with more control over the consistency.
The OXO has a large that can hold enough for 5 cups of regular brew. You can also set the timer from 0 to 30 seconds, and it keeps your last time settings for quick operation on your next .
Pros:
- Produces consistent grounds
- UV-tinted hopper protects your beans
- Static-free grounds container
- Mess-free auto-lock hopper
- Quiet operation
- Sturdy stainless steel construction
Cons:
- Grounds get stuck in the chute
The OXO has even more positive features for the budding professional home barista and is one of the in the market. It has a static-free grounds container, durable steel burrs, UV-protected , and pleasing, modern aesthetics. It’s definitely on my shortlist of reliable grinders!
And when it comes to producing , the OXO has no problem with that. However, some customers experienced grounds getting stuck in the ‘s chute when grinding at a finer . This is a small issue nonetheless for an overall sturdy and reliable for French Press or for any brew such as .
RELATED: Read our review of OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder for more details.
Best Luxury Grinder: Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder
- Produces consistent grounds for any type of brewing method
- 40 steps of grind adjustment for better control of grounds
- Sleek, modern design
- Quiet operation
- Quick and easy cleaning of burrs
- Commercial-grade steel burrs
- Bean hopper capacity of 8 oz (227 g)
- Grounds chamber capacity of 5 oz (142 g)
- Burrs can be calibrated
- Weighs 6.83 lbs (3.1 kg)
- Dimensions: 4.70 x 6.30 x 13.80 in (11.9 x 16.0 x 35.0 cm)
The Baratza Encore is one of the pricey options on this list, but it is worth the price if you are after an above-average home barista experience. Encore is Baratza’s entry-level all-purpose that grinds consistently for a variety of brewing methods, including French Press.
Equipped with 40 grinding adjustments, this will go far beyond most customers’ expectations. The 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs are made of hardened alloy steel built not just for durability, but also for consistent grinding capability.
Pros:
- 40 grind settings
- Commercial-grade 40 mm hardened alloy steel burrs
- Convenient pulse button and easy dial on/off switch
- Powerful and reliable DC motor
Cons:
- A pricey option if you only want to use it for French Press
If you are after a quality that produces quality ground, the Baratza Encore is a great option to consider, especially if you’re looking for an automatic for your brewing needs. One of its best selling points is the option to calibrate the burrs according to your desired ground coarseness or fineness.
This may be more than the average French Press user is looking for and the price reflects that. No offense to French Press, but achieving its coarse can be done using simpler (and less expensive) grinders. But if you also utilize other brewing methods to make your , then the Baratza Encore is a worthy .
RELATED: Read our review of Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder for more details.
Grinders For French Press Summary
Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder: Best Retro Look
- Fashionable for any kitchen
- Sturdy and affordable
- Check it out here
Hario Manual Coffee Mill: Best for Couples
- Sturdy and reliable
- Perfect for two cups of French Press
- Check it out here
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder: Best Manual Grinder
- Multiple grind settings
- Cool modern design
- Check it out here
Mueller Ultra-Grind Conical Burr Grinder: Best for Budding Pros
- Professional grade conical burrs
- Many useful grind settings
- Check it out here
Capresso Infinity Plus Conical Burr Grinder: Most Controlled Grind
- Most consistent coarse grounds
- Easy to use
- Check it out here
OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder: Most Durable
- Reliable and sturdy construction
- Static-free hopper
- Check it out here
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder: Best Luxury Grinder
- The most grind settings on this list
- Professional-grade everything
- Check it out here
Buyers Guide for French Press Coffee Grinder
What should you be considering while shopping around for the for French Press? Here are some key considerations to keep in mind!
Manual VS Electric
While there are plenty of both options on the market, choosing a manual or an is a good place to begin. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both.
A doesn’t use electricity, which means that it can be easily transported in a bag or box while you travel. It makes it an ideal for camping and other off-the-grid activities.
Manual grinders use conical burrs, and can easily match the consistency of the produced by their electric counterpart. The best part about manual grinders? They usually only cost a fraction compared to an ‘s price.
While you may need to use a bit of muscle instead of letting a machine do the grinding for you, a slowly grinds the . This means it has no problem with heat that may burn the oil from your .
The biggest problem you may encounter with a is when you need to a large batch. I don’t personally experience this problem, as I just crank out one full after another when I’m making big batches of brew.
Looking for something a bit more automatic and precise? Then you should go for an . Generally, the most common reason for using electric grinders is convenience. You simply put in the , set your desired setting, and start the .
Using an electric is much easier, but it is important to buy a quality . Some don’t produce that are suitable for French Press.
An electric for a large, multi-cup French Press is very convenient for a large batch. While I don’t advocate letting your freshly sit around for a few days, having the option to make a big batch of French Press brew is great.
can still make a quality cup of , especially for French Press. I personally like owning an because I can use it for various . If you don’t plan on using your for French Press exclusively, definitely consider an electric option.
Durability
Durability should be an important consideration for you and your . And I assure you only the most durable grinders made it on this list.
Most manual grinders can last a lifetime without having any problems, especially if the burrs, body, and handle are made of stainless steel or ceramic. Those made of a hard plastic body are also durable, but not as sturdy as those made of metal.
For most electric grinders, the most important thing to look out for is the motor, so look for heavy-duty ones. Otherwise, tend to fail more simply due to their more complicated moving parts.
Versatility
Although you’re looking for a , you might also want to consider looking for something that can for other brewing methods. There’s nothing wrong with a cup of espresso or !
Most budget grinders that can produce a reliable can also make a for other brewing methods, including espresso methods. If you’re just starting your home barista adventures, then having a bunch of may not be a priority for you.
Price
Price and your budget are important factors to consider when choosing your next . If you’re on a tight budget, then starting with budget grinders will be your best option. Manual grinders may require a bit more elbow grease, but these options will be more affordable than the electric or high-end grinders.
However, if the sky’s the limit, choosing a luxury should be easy, and you may get a that’s good for other brews too, including !
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a for a French press?
A French press requires a consistent coarse ground to extract that great flavor, so yes, you will need a for this.
How do I for French Press?
First, you need to produce coarse grounds with a very . Thankfully, you’re shopping for French Press brewing, not an , so you’re on the right track!
Grinding the right amount of beans is also crucial to brewing a perfect cup of French Press. While it may take some getting used to, you may want to follow a ratio of 1:17 -to-water for a regular brew, and 1:11 if you want a stronger cup.
So, for 1 cup of , you’ll need 236 ml (18 oz) of water and 13.9 g (10.5 oz) of for a regular brew. Confusing at first, I know, but you’ll get it in no time!
What ground consistency is best for a French Press?
The best of for a French Press is evenly coarse grounds. I can’t stress this enough! Fine is murder for a French Press, resulting in a sludgy, gross cup of joe.
It is also important to mention that you avoid pre-. A is the way to go for a fresh, great !
Why is my bitter?
There might be a few reasons that your has turned out bitter. The first reason is using uneven coarse grounds. Your grounds might have been mixed with fine grounds that passed through the press filter, resulting in an unfortunate cup.
The second reason could be that you over-brewed your grounds inside the French Press carafe. Setting a timer is important for brewing a tasty , and make sure to remove any pressed in a timely fashion!
Pin Me!
There you have it, my top picks for the best coffee grinders for French Press. I hope you’re feeling a bit more confident, and if there’s something that I missed, please don’t hesitate to use the comments box below.
Happy grinding!