In order to brew consistently fresh cups of coffee at home, you need to nail your grinding game. And while the basics are not that complicated, having a good conical burr grinder at hand is definitely a must – there’s just no denying it.
The problem is, though… it can be quite a tough job finding the right one.
But no worries! I’ve done the detective work, and in this article, I have a list containing the 9 best conical burr grinders to grace the coffee lovers’ market.
If you’re in a rush, here’s the short answer:
Best conical burr grinder overall: Baratza Encore (Latest price on Amazon)
Best for the Money:
Cuisinart DBM-8 SupremeKeep reading for more details on each chosen model, specific features, pros, and cons, as well as what customers think.
Best Automatic Conical Burr Grinder?
The burr grinders I’m about to mention are highly rated products. Each one is well worth its price tag and guaranteed to make your morning coffee routine just a little easier.
1. Baratza Encore
The Baratza Encore is a solid option for an entry-level conical burr grinder. It’s made of durable plastic material that is easy to wipe clean and does not showcase streaks or fingerprints.
The machine is durable enough to be moved, stored, and brought back out to suit your needs and small enough that it can easily be tucked away in the cabinet.
It has a transparent bean hopper that can hold more than 2-pounds of beans and a base that is designed to resist sliding. The front-facing control panel has a simple, 3-button design.
The grinder operates at a low RPM that generates minimal amounts of heat and can be operated at 40 different grind settings ranging from medium to coarse.
Pros
- Quiet when in use
- A durable metal burr grinder
- Easy to understand control panel
- 40 grind settings to choose from
- Generates very little heat
Cons
- Not ideal for espresso
What People Are Saying
Buyers rave about the Baratza Encore’s ability to produce a consistent grind regardless of what setting you use. They also like that the grinder is quieter than most of the other choices on the market.
The downfall that this grinder has – according to its buyers – is that it has a tendency to stop working at random times, this problem is most likely related to a specific batch issue and not necessarily to the overall quality of the product.
2. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Conical Grinder
From Cuisinart comes this great programmable grinder. It has a ½- pound capacity bean hopper that is see-through and has a tight-fitting lid to protect against mess.
The grinding chamber is fully removable, while the handy blue backlit LCD screen showcases all the important information you need to know. This includes the grind time, number of cups, and fineness.
The machine features a countdown timer and automatic shut-off alongside a heavy-duty motor that has been known to last longer than four years.
The automatic shutoff feature helps to save electricity while also ensuring that the grinder cannot start unless the beans are inside the hopper with the latter being properly secured.
The machine operates with very little noise and doesn’t put out much heat.
Pros
- LCD screen with grind information
- Removable grind chamber
- Automatic shutoff feature
- Quiet operation
Cons
- The grounds chamber lid falls off easily
What People Are Saying
Customers praise this grinder for its counter appeal. They mention how good it looks with their kitchen decor, and how simplistic it is, which makes it versatile in terms of styling.
Many buyers also say that the grinder maximizes the aroma of their coffee, taking it up a notch further than other grinders that they’ve tried.
Other buyer raves about the long lifespan of this grinder, claiming it can last up for more than four years and still works just fine.
That being said, the main drawback reported by users was surrounding the grinder’s tendency to generate a large amount of static electricity and, as a result, frequent coffee ground messes.
Other customers talked about how the grinder’s odd shape (narrow top) makes it hard to wipe ground residue away from within. Which results in a strenuous cleaning experience.
3. Mr. Coffee Automatic Burr Mill Grinder
The Mr. Coffee burr mill grinder has been designed to provide consistent, high-quality grinds and premium performance. The machine generates a very little amount of heat and maintains a low level of static, ensuring mess-free coffee grinding every time
It features a removable bean hopper that holds up to ½ pound of coffee beans. This bean hopper is clear and easy to clean, as it can be washed with soap and water. The grinding chamber is also removable, operating at 160 watts.
The base of the machine includes a dedicated cord storage area so that the 24-inch power cord can be neatly tucked away when not in use.
When it comes to grinding, you can choose from 18 different settings ranging from ultra-fine to coarse, which makes the Mr. Coffee ideal for adventurous coffee lovers who enjoy switching things up.
The Mr. Coffee burr mill grinder uses one-touch technology, taking the hassle out of grinding beans and making it easy to get the coffee going in the morning. The one-touch technology has been tested and approved by the company’s own personal coffee enthusiasts.
Pros
- Internal cord storage
- 18 grind settings to choose from
- ½ pound bean chamber capacity
- Removable bean hopper
- Generates minimal heat
Cons
- Inconsistent grinds
What People Are Saying
Most customers agree that this grinder is well worth its cost. They love the intense coffee grind flavour produced using this grinder produce, as well as how simple the machine is to operate.
The one-touch power button is another important feature that a lot of buyers liked.
There are a number of complaints about the grinder, though. This includes one review that details how the buyer’s bean hopper broke. Other reviewers mention clogging, messes, and short lifespans.
4. Capresso Infinity
The Capresso Infinity burr grinder is a staple device in kitchens around the country. It boasts a wide grind range which includes settings for ultrafine, fine, medium-coarse, and very coarse. There are 16 settings in total.
The grinder is easy to set up and clean, offering a removable upper burr and brush for cleaning inside the chamber. In addition, it has a safety-lock setting that prevents it from operating without a bean container in place, protecting your hands when you’re cleaning.
The containers that come with the machine are removable and can hold up to 8.8 ounces of beans, while the coffee container can hold 4 ounces of ground coffee. Both can be washed with hot water and soap.
In addition, the design of the motor works to promote minimal static buildup and a mess-free experience. The machine’s timer can be easily adjusted using the front-located dial, with the ability to be set to grind for anywhere from 5 to 60 seconds.
Pros
- Removable upper burr for easy cleaning
- Safety-Lock technology
- 16 grind settings to choose from
- Simple, easy-to-use timer
- Bean hopper holds nearly 10 ounces of beans
Cons
- Plastic knobs and hardware
What People Are Saying
There are many great reviews for this grinder. Most of them talk about the wide range of grind settings and the fact that this machine works wonderfully for the average coffee consumer.
One particularly positive reviewer was highly impressed with the lack of static charge buildup, therefore leading to a clean-up process that takes less than a minute.
On the other side of things, though, there is a number of customers that have expressed their displeasure with the lifespan of the unit. They claim that the unit is prone to breaking within less than a year of daily use.
Others say that the plastic parts on the machine are cheap and have broken right off on some occasions.
5. Ariete Conical Burr Grinder
Ariete’s burr grinder stands at a whopping 14-inches high, making it one of the most substantial grinders on our list. It is a professional-grade stainless steel and plastic grinder with all the capabilities that one would expect from machines sold at higher prices, making it a steal.
The machine features an automatic locking bean hopper that can be removed for cleaning, refilling, and storage purposes.
The hopper can hold up to 13.3 ounces of coffee beans, with the ground coffee container being able to hold 6.5 ounces.
The grinder has 15 settings to choose from. These include everything from ultrafine to very coarse grinds. All settings can be adjusted using one simple front-located button that makes it easy to navigate.
Pros
15 grind settings to choose from
Large bean hopper with a 13.3-ounce capacity
Stainless steel body
Easy grind adjustments
Cons
Might have a short lifespan when used on a daily basis
? What People Are Saying
Customers report that the machine works well and gets the job done efficiently, with some reviews claiming that the Ariete is an incredible grinder.
That said, there are also certain reports of the machine suddenly ceasing to work, which is a source of extreme upset for many reviewers. The buyers also complained about poor customer support.
6. Kitchenaid KCG8433BM
The Kitchenaid KCG8433BM is a stylish, low-profile choice that provides consistent grind sizes each time. It’s known for its sleek, neutral color scheme (which can also be purchased in a vibrant red) and modern design.
The grinder is equipped with 70 precise grind settings ranging from coarse to fine, allowing you to get the right grinds for all your needs including French press and espresso.
Each grind setting is accompanied by method icons that match the size of each grind for easy reference. It also features anti-static technology and automatic smart dosing technology which automatically adjusts grind time to ensure that your coffee has the perfect dose.
The machine’s top hopper can hold 10 ounces of beans and the front-facing LED screen showcases grind time and size as well as the number of cups or shots currently being processed.
Pros
- Removable bean hopper
- Features anti-static technology
- 70 grind settings to choose from
- Features Automatic Smart Dosing technology
- Available in a variety of colors
Cons
- Reportedly not ideal for espresso
What People Are Saying
One of the top advantages reviewers mention about this grinder is that it consistently puts out uniform grinds while creating minimal mess and even less noise. They also love the way it looks on countertops, with its unique shape and universal colors.
The thing that some reviewers are finding less than appealing, however, is that the grinder reportedly does not produce coarse enough grinds to be successfully used for the French press , which can affect taste and caffeine effectiveness.
One report mentions that if the grinder produced finer grinds on the French press setting it would be a great piece of kitchenware.
7. Hamilton Beach Electric Burr Grinder
The Hamilton Beach electric burr coffee grinder is made with a durable stainless-steel construction and rigid plastic accents.
The machine has 18 unique settings and can be adjusted to grind enough for anywhere from 2-14 cups at any time.
The grind settings can be adjusted using a large front-located dial that clearly shows the different grinds. It operates on 120v of power and generates minimal amounts of heat.
This electric coffee grinder can be wiped clean with a damp cloth or stainless-steel cleaner and the removable parts – the grounds and bean chambers- can be washed with hot water and detergent. They are also dishwasher safe.
The grounds container has a Snap-On lid that keeps grounds fresh and prevents spills and messes, while the bean hopper must be twisted off, ensuring that it remains secure and in place while in use.
The hopper can hold up to two cups of beans.
Pros
- 18 grind settings to choose from
- Dishwasher safe plastic parts
- Large bean hopper
- Easy to clean
- Durable stainless-steel body
Cons
- Requires regular cleaning
What People Are Saying
Many of the positive reports on this grinder state that it is a good investment that doesn’t break the bank. customers also say that the compact size of the machine (compared to others on the market) is a major plus since it can be stored relatively easily and doesn’t take up a ton of counter space.
However, there are also customers who’ve had some bad experiences with this machine, claiming that the grinder “hasn’t quite mastered espresso grinds”, with other users commenting that the issue often resolves itself with more regular use.
Other customers have stated that the machine is very loud – louder than most other machines, in fact, which is a downside if you live with other people or pets who are easily spooked.
8. Sboly Conical Grinder
My pick for “best for the money”, the Sboly, is an affordable option that many coffee enthusiasts swear by. Its body is made of stainless steel and features durable plastic accents on the lid and bottom of the base.
The grinder weighs 5-pounds and stands 12-inches tall, boasting a 12-cup capacity that can be adjusted when grinding. The adjustment is done via a simple switch on the front of the device, which can then be followed up by the press of a button – the only button on the device, really, the power button.
This grinder operates at an RPM as low as 62dBA, which helps reduce noise and heat emission. It can be used at 19 different grind settings, ranging from extra-fine to coarse, which makes it suitable for use with everything from espresso to French press and pour-overs.
Pros
- 19 adjustable grind settings to choose from
- 12-cup grind capacity
- Durable stainless-steel body
- Conical grind burrs
- Simple control panel with one button
Cons:
- The grind hopper is flat at the bottom
- Coarse grind settings are hard to get right
What People Are Saying
Upon unboxing, the first thing many buyers notice is that the device looks much more expensive than it actually is. According to reviews, it looks sleek and modern and goes with almost any kitchen aesthetic.
The various grind settings are another major bonus for this grinder, according to reviews. Many buyers rave about the ability to grind beans for almost any type of coffee including espresso.
The complaints surrounding the machine are minimal, with most of them being small and relatively unimportant such as the bean hopper’s tendency to hold onto fine dust from previously ground beans.
The reviewers who mention this, though, also note that in most cases, this can be remedied by simply tapping the side of the hopper.
Another complaint is that the machine needs quite some time to get set up and operate correctly.
9. Bonsenkitchen Conical Burr Grinder
Bosenkitchen’s conical grinder is made using durable stainless steel and hard plastic that team up to provide users years of uninterrupted use and great tasting coffee.
The grounds cup of the machine is detachable, which makes it easy to clean and sanitize. It is also clear so you can see how much is inside it without opening it up
Its bean hopper has a capacity of 250 grams and, while it is clear and easy to see through, manages to protect delicate beans from harmful UV rays.
The mechanical system that the grinder uses helps to ensure that coffee grounds are never overheated, and that flavor is retained right until their use.
There are 10 grind settings, one-touch start technology, and a safety lock feature that ensures the grinder does not operate without the bean hopper being firmly in place.
There is also the added benefit of low noise, with the grinder making less noise than many others on the market.
Pros
- Protects beans from UV rays
- 10 grind settings to choose from
- Safety lock feature
- Makes very little noise when in use
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Residual grounds in chamber
? What People Are Saying
Customers who like the grinder comment on its quiet operation, claiming that it is much easier to get started in the morning, without that roaring noise in your ear. They also say that it holds up well against frequent household use, boasting a long lifespan even when it’s used multiple times a day for years.
The negatives are that the grounds chamber tends to hold on to a fair amount of residual grounds, making cleaning a bit longer and trickier than you would expect.
Residual grounds can also result in sediment in your coffee and cause inconsistent extraction issues.
Final Thoughts
Conical burr grinders are slowly replacing flat burr grinders – and for good reason! When all is said and done, they are reliable, more versatile, and better suited for the changing tastes of coffee connoisseurs.
From Cuisinart to Mr. Coffee, there are tons of conical burr grinders on the market, hence why I’ve outlined our 9 favorites above.
All of the mentioned machines come with great reviews and their own unique features, so I urge you to give them a try – you’re bound to find one that suits your needs.
