The 8 Best Coffee Grinders Under $100 And How To Choose One

The world of coffee grinders is vast and varied, with hundreds of makes and models on the market.

Among them, a particular category caught our eye: coffee grinders under $100, many boasting glowing reviews on Amazon and promising top-notch performance.

But can a grinder at this price point really be good?

To find out, we purchased a diverse array of grinders that fell under the magical $100 mark. Our mission was clear: to test these grinders, to push them to their limits, and to discover whether any of them could live up to the praise they had garnered online.

While we found quite a few duds to avoid, we did find some gems too. Here’s our 8 top-rated grinders for less than $100.

The Capresso Infinity is our top rated coffee grinder under $100. We were quite surprised by its superb combination of versatile features and quality performance.

It comes equipped with 40mm commercial-grade stainless steel conical burrs. Although it claims to grind fine enough for Turkish coffee, in our testing, at both Turkish and espresso ranges, the particle size was inconsistent. It can make good espresso, but is best suited to filter, drip and coarser grinds like French press.

One of the major issues with lower price point grinders is they are often very noisy. The Capresso has gear reduction motor which grinds slowly – reducing noise, static build-up and heat that could otherwise compromise the flavor and aroma of the coffee.

This model also shines when it comes to capacity and ease of use. It has an 8.8-ounce bean container that can handle larger quantities of beans at once – ideal for brewing large batches in a drip coffee maker.

We also like the grinder’s user-friendly features. The fineness settings are clearly marked and the built-in timer allows you to adjust grinding time between 5-60 seconds without having to constantly monitor it.

As with any grinder under $100, the build has a lot of plastic. Using all steel or metal simply isn’t possible at that price as the raw materials are too expensive. In spite of that it did feel sturdy and well built.

Maintenance was simple with a removable upper burr for easy cleaning. Overall, this is a really good grinder for the money. It grinds consistently, handles large batches well and for a burr grinder under $100, it represents great value.

Timemore make fantastic coffee gear. The Chestnut C2 Grinder is testament to this. We’ve used the C2 and C3 and are constantly blown away by the functionality of the grinders. With an electric grinder, to get really high quality grind consistency, you need to spend hundreds of dollars. While the Timemore is a hand grinder, they achieve remarkable grind consistency at a staggeringly low price.

The C2 is designed with an internal adjustable setting. It offers the flexibility of customizing your grind from coarse to fine. With high quality 38mm stainless steel conical burrs formed through five-axis CNC cutting at a hardness of 55-58HRC, this grinder ensures accurate and efficient grinding.

The C2 Grinder also stands out in terms of its portability. Weighing only 430g and coming with its own cloth bag, it’s easy to bring along on trips or camping adventures! The grinder is not just portable but easy to clean too – thanks to its compact design which allows for effortless disassembly without tools required.

This manual grinder pairs functionality with durability. We like the double bearing central axis positioning which ensure evenly fines sizes.

This grinder really shines when making pour overs, drip or even coarser grinds like cold brew or French press. It is ok for espresso. Not amazing, but it can work well with an espresso machine.

If you’re ok with the bit of extra work involved in grinding beans manually, then the Timemore C2 is by far and away the best value grinder under $100.

The Bodum Bistro is another solid burr grinder under $100. If you have a small space or coffee station, then this is our favorite option as it combines a small footprint with a small price tag.

We liked the friction clutch, which protects the grinding gear from damage by small stones. It has a capacity of up to 7.75 ounces of coffee beans, making it ideal for both single doses and bulk brewing.

The Bistro has 12 grind settings ranging from espresso fine to French press coarse. With such a small range, dialing in different brews was difficult.

As with most grinders under $100, the Bodum Bistro struggled to grind fine enough for espresso. Our shots were under extracted and particle size was uneven. However, when combined with our drip coffee maker, we had some really good results.

Plus, it includes a pre-set timer so that once you have your settings dialed in, you can reuse them again.

When it comes to cleaning, the borosilicate glass catcher is dishwasher friendly and the rest of the parts were easy to clean and maintain. However, the machine does create a lot of static and thus there is quite a bot of cleaning involved after each grind.

If you mostly brew filter or drip coffee and you want a grinder with a small footprint and affordable price, then the Bodum Bistro is a really good choice.

Like Timemore, 1Zpresso is another company that makes outstanding manual coffee grinders at prices that belie their quality.

The Q2 is a superb piece of kit. We really liked both the look and feel of the grinder.

Its sleek design includes a foldable handle, making it not only easy to use but also very portable and travel-friendly. It’s small enough to fit in the plunger of your AeroPress and weighs less than 500g. This is perfect to take to the office, for camping trips, or any occasion where bulky equipment would be inconvenient.

What sets this manual coffee grinder is its performance. There are 30 step adjustment settings available on the Q2 Grinder. These go from fine espresso range up to coarser brew settings.

In our testing, it worked great for Aeropress. However, any finer (ie espresso) and it was not as good. With our Aeropress, V60 and Clever Dripper, the results were fantastic. Uniform grind size, really good clarity in the cup and bold tasting notes.

It took us about 30s grind a single dose of coffee. We did manage to make some good espresso shots with the Q2. It definitely has the best performance of all the grinders under $100 on this list when it comes to range. Many of the other options are good at one type of brew and not so good at others. The 1Zpresso is something of a jack of all trades and a master in the medium to coarser settings.

The Cuisinart DBM-8 grinder is a no-frills, easy to use machine. There’s no bells and whistles. Choose one of 18-grind settings to choose from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, then press the start button.

For those with busy mornings, the automatic stop feature ensures that your beans are consistently ground, maximising oils and flavors regardless of how much time you have on hand.

Cuisinart’s design choices truly cater to ease-of-use. This burr mill comes with an one-touch power bar separate from the unit, reducing clutter while offering straightforward operation.

Plus, it includes a handy scoop/cleaning brush combo tool so maintaining cleanliness becomes all too easy – perfect for hectic kitchens! Added features like cord storage and removable parts make this grinder even more user-friendly.

This is a good first burr grinder. It’s by no means the best, but as a cheap entry level option it’s a solid pick.

If budget is your number one consideration, then Hario Skerton Pro Ceramic Burr Grinder is our top pick. It brings together Japanese design and functionality in a sleek, streamlined form.

It’s not just about its looks though; the performance it delivers is excellent for the price. Its ceramic conical burrs promise a precise and pretty uniform grind. The 100g coffee grounds capacity means you can grind enough for several servings at once.

We found adjusting the grind size on the Skerton Pro to be effortless thanks to the easy-grind adjustment screw. Another well-thought-out feature of this product is its detachable crank handle – perfect for compact storage and travel, making it ideal for both home usage and on-the-go.

With coffee, as with the other grinders on this list, it isn’t great for espresso. Simply put, it just can’t grind fine enough to properly extract a good shot.

However, when grinding for pour overs and drip coffee makers it’s really, really good. The major downside to the Skerton is the work involved. When testing, it took us roughly 4 minutes to grind 30g of medium roast coffee. Of course, all manual grinders are slower than their electric counterparts, but this one was a little slower than both the Chestnut and the 1Zpresso.

For under $50 though, this grinder is by far the best grinder in it’s class.

The OXO Brew grinder is another solid option and one of the best coffee grinders for espresso under $100. The one caveat to this is that it only works well with pressurized baskets. If you use a high flow, unpressurized basket, you will be disappointed as it simply cannot grind fine enough to pull a good shot.

We really liked the stainless steel static-fighting container that came with the grinder. It reduces mess and static cling of grounds significantly, which was a common theme in many of the cheaper grinders we’ve reviewed.

This grinder stands out for its large-capacity hopper capable of holding up to 3/4 lbs or 12 oz of coffee beans at once; perfect for gatherings or just those Monday mornings when one cup won’t cut it.

One particular highlight is its “trap door” design on the hopper ensuring no bean loss even when you remove it – proof that every detail has been thoughtfully considered in designing this machine.

This machine is a good all-rounder and is best if you like to make large batches or have a coffee maker that makes a lot of cups.

Ok, so we cheated a little here. But no list of the best coffee grinders would be complete without including a Baratza. This one is our best splurge. If you can go the little bit extra over $100, you will be getting a grinder for life.

The Baratza Encore coffee grinder has long been one of our favorite home grinders.. With the hardened alloy steel burrs, which are manufactured in Liechtenstein, and a powerful DC motor, this grinder offers exceptional durability and consistency.

The Encore has 40 grind settings. This feature allows users to explore various brew methods like espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press among others.

The coffee it makes tastes delicious. It works best from medium to coarse. So filter coffee, pour overs and cold brew are all superb with the Encore. At finer ranges, it also performs well. It’s not as good at espresso as the newer Encore ESP, but for 99% of households, it’s going to be an end-game grinder that won’t ever need an upgrade.

So if you can afford that little extra, we can highly recommend the Baratza Encore.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Coffee Grinder

Here’s a quick cheat sheet of the key factors to consider when buying a coffee grinder:

1. Type: Electric vs Manual: With cheaper grinders, you get more value for money with hand grinders. However, electric grinders are far more convenient and better for batch brewing.
2. Intended Use (Espresso, Drip, etc.): This is one of the most crucial factors. If you only use an espresso machine or coffee maker, make sure you pick a grinder that is tailored to the way you brew your coffee.
3. Build Quality and Materials:
   • Look for materials like stainless steel or ceramic that are durable and long-lasting.
   • Consider the quality of the burrs, as they are the main components responsible for grinding.
4. Capacity:
   • Consider the amount of coffee you typically brew. Choose a grinder with a hopper size that matches your daily needs.
5. Ease of Use and Cleaning:
   • Regular cleaning your grinder is essential for preserving flavor and function. Some grinders under one hundred dollars can be quite messy.
6. Noise Level:
   • If noise is a concern, look for models known for quieter operation.
7. Price and Budget:
   • Determine your budget and find a grinder that offers the best quality and features within that range.
8. Portability:If you travel often or need a grinder for on-the-go use, consider a compact and portable model.

Manual Vs Electric Burr Grinders

To make good coffee, grind size and grind consistency are 2 of the most important factors. It’s here that hand grinders truly shine, particularly in the sub-$100 price range.

When it comes to achieving the fine, uniform grind required for espresso, many hand grinders are equipped with high-quality burrs that allow for precise adjustments. This ensures that each particle is of a consistent size, leading to a balanced extraction and a rich, full-bodied shot.

On the coarser end of the spectrum, for methods like French press, hand grinders offer unparalleled control, allowing the user to create a grind with the exact coarseness needed for a clean, robust cup.

A quality hand grinder minimizes the presence of fines and boulders, resulting in a more uniform extraction.

Why Are Cheaper Hand Grinders Better Than Electric?

The debate between hand grinders and electric burr grinders often boils down to quality versus convenience. However, when looking at coffee grinders under $100, the disparity in quality becomes more pronounced, and the superiority of hand grinders becomes evident.

Here are the main reasons why hand grinders are better at lower price points:

1. Simpler Construction: Hand grinders are mechanically simpler, requiring fewer parts and less complex assembly. This simplicity translates to lower manufacturing costs, allowing for higher quality materials to be used even at a budget price.
2. No Need for Electronic Components: Electric grinders require motors, wiring, and other electronic parts, all of which add to the production cost. By contrast, hand grinders rely on manual operation, eliminating the need for these expensive components.
3. Quality Control and Craftsmanship: The cost savings in hand grinders’ production can be redirected towards quality control and craftsmanship. This ensures that even budget-friendly hand grinders are built with precision and care, something that’s often compromised in mass-produced electric grinders.
4. Economies of Scale in Material Selection: Hand grinders often utilize durable materials like stainless steel housing and feature high quality steel burrs. The reduced complexity in construction allows manufacturers to invest in these quality materials without exceeding the budget, something that’s challenging for electric grinders at the same price point.

Is It Possible to Get a Quality Burr Grinder for Under $100?

For the average person who enjoys a daily cup of coffee but isn’t deeply immersed in the world of specialty coffee, there are indeed some good options available under $100. These grinders often feature conical burrs and provide a decent range of grind sizes suitable for common brewing methods like drip, pour-over, and French press. The consistency and quality of the grind are generally acceptable for casual coffee drinkers, and the investment aligns well with a modest budget.

However, if one’s journey into coffee becomes more serious and refined, these budget-friendly grinders may soon reveal their limitations. The subtleties of specialty coffee require more control, precision, and consistency so an upgrade will eventually be required.

When it comes to espresso, the requirements become even more stringent. Pulling a good espresso shot requires a fine and highly consistent grind size, something that grinders less than $100 fall short of delivering.

The burr sets in sub-$100 grinders are not engineered with the precision needed to achieve the uniformity required for espresso. The result can be uneven extraction and a less-than-ideal flavor profile.

While many grinders, both electric and manual can be modded with upgraded burrs, it may just be easier to spend a bit more.

The Choice Is Yours

Navigating the world of coffee grinders can be as intricate and delightful as the coffee they help create. Regardless of you level of experience, the options available, even under $100, offer a surprising blend of quality and functionality.

The truth is that no burr grinder under $100 is an end-game grinder. There are some really solid options that frankly, will be more than enough for many coffee drinkers. But for people who want to nerd out and get really deep into the coffee space, that price range has it’s limitations.

Still, the grinders we used and recommended on this page are all good for what they are. That is a cheap and functional piece of coffee gear that will make lots of good brews at a very competitive price. If your budget is a strict $100, then all of these will be a good fit for your needs.

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