{"id":2043712,"date":"2024-09-13T13:03:40","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T18:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=listicle&p=2043712"},"modified":"2024-10-14T18:57:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T23:57:14","slug":"best-coffee-grinders-for-espresso","status":"publish","type":"listicle","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/collection\/best-coffee-grinders-for-espresso\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Best Coffee Grinders for Espresso, Tested by a Former Barista"},"content":{"rendered":"[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best Overall\" product_name=\"Baratza Encore ESP\" pros=\"Espresso grind is the best of all the machines\" pros1=\"40 grind settings\" pros2=\"Many replaceable parts available\" pros3=\"Dosing cup included\" pros4=\"Consistent grounds\" cons=\"Wobbly hopper\" image=\"2043438\" image_credit=\"TMB STUDIO\" pr_name=\"Amazon\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Baratza-Encore-Electric-Coffee-Grinder\/dp\/B0BW272XCV?tag=tohmke-20\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_2_name=\"Sur La Table\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surlatable.com%2Fproduct%2Fbaratza-encore-esp-coffee-grinder%2F8226417%3F\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Sur La Table\" retailers_3_name=\"Seattle Coffee Gear\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlecoffeegear.com%2Fproducts%2Fbaratza-encore-esp-coffee-and-espresso-grinder%3Fvariant%3D47157191311667\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Seattle Coffee Gear\" retailers_4_name=\"Williams Sonoma\" retailers_4_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.williams-sonoma.com%2Fproducts%2Fbaratza-encore-esp-burr-grinder%2F\" retailers_4_display_text=\"Shop on Williams Sonoma\" \/]\r\n\r\nAs we mentioned, the best coffee grinder for espresso must offer consistency, and that's where the Baratza Encore ESP<\/a> really shines. It's an improvement on the original Encore (which we also tested<\/a>) but with a more focused approach for espresso grinds. While it's ideal for super-fine grounds, it also doesn't compromise on quality for other brew types.\r\n
\"Baratza<\/div>\r\nWhether you're making a traditional shot, an espresso martini<\/a> or a tiramisu<\/a>, you'll get exactly the right consistency per the setting you choose\u2014and there are 40 different grind settings to choose from! At only 13 inches high, it's compact but sturdy\u2014definitely on the smaller end of the burr grinder spectrum. This makes it ideal for either stowing away or keeping on a coffee cart when not in use.\r\n\r\nIt doesn't have a self-timer or automation when grinding like other models we're testing, so you must be mindful of the amount of beans you put in the hopper. It took us around 25 seconds to grind 20 grams of beans on the finest setting. That said, like any other espresso grinder, it requires some experimentation to achieve the right consistency.\r\n\r\n\"The first time, I did a fine grind, and it pulled too long and was very bitter. It didn't output as much as I wanted it to either (only one of the two spouts of the espresso machine dispensed liquid),\" says Sydney. \"The second time, I ground the beans coarser, and the shot took a better amount of time to pull (closer to 25 seconds), but it still wasn't consistently pulling from that second spout.\"\r\n\r\n[quote-card quote=\"The third time, I turned the dial to 10, even coarser, and the shot pulled through both spouts and took close to 25 seconds. It was pulling like honey and had good crema on top. This was the best-tasting shot of the three grind levels. \" name=\"sydney Manning\" title=\"Editorial Coordinator, former barista\" \/]\r\n\r\nAdditionally, you can purchase and replace around 34 grinder components in the online store, ranging from the hopper containers to the power boards. This ensures that the machine will last throughout the years, even with daily use. It's also super easy to clean, as the hopper and grounds containers are removable for washing. You can also remove and wipe down the burrs with a dry cloth.\r\n\r\nGrinder type:<\/strong> Electric burr | Burr type: <\/strong>Conical\u00a0|\u00a0Dishwasher safe:<\/strong> No\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Beginners\" product_name=\"Breville Smart Grinder Pro\" pros=\"60 different grind settings\" pros1=\"Automatic options for grind sizes\" pros2=\"User-friendly interface\" pros3=\"Consistent grinds\" pros4=\"Abundance of replacement parts\" pros5=\"Portafilter holder for espresso\" pros6=\"Good value\" cons=\"Requires ample counter space\" cons1=\"Short cord\" cons2=\"Pricey\" image=\"2043439\" image_credit=\"TMB STUDIO\" pr_name=\"Breville\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breville.com%2Fen-us%2Fproduct%2Fbcg820\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Breville\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless\/dp\/B00OXGXW8O?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_3_name=\"Walmart\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBreville-Electric-Stainless-Steel-Burr-Coffee-Grinder%2F174818338%3Fwmlspartner%3Dwlpa%26selectedSellerId%3D12988%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds%26%26adid%3D22222222227174818338_12988_153331323320_18486918646%26wl0%3D%26wl1%3Dg%26wl2%3Dc%26wl3%3D664264636764%26wl4%3Daud-430887228898%3Apla-1882590591017%26wl5%3D9018830%26wl6%3D%26wl7%3D%26wl8%3D%26wl9%3Dpla%26wl10%3D117446651%26wl11%3Donline%26wl12%3D174818338_12988%26veh%3Dsem%26gad_source%3D1%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjw3P-2BhAEEiwA3yPhwOjCxuQtYticMxHEZKcTHV4GhYIgsJ2mzaalVe3LlGlppgBD3ReoGBoCyhsQAvD_BwE\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Walmart\" retailers_4_name=\"Sur La Table\" retailers_4_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surlatable.com%2Fproduct%2Fbreville-smart-grinder-pro%2F1898485%3Fmrkgadid%3D1%26mrkgen%3Dgpla%26mrkgbflag%3D0%26mrkgcat%3Dcat%26acctid%3D21700000001683301%26dskeywordid%3D92700076186156230%26lid%3D92700076186156230%26ds_s_kwgid%3D58700008255976838%26ds_s_inventory_feed_id%3D97700000008343482%26dsproductgroupid%3D1967131408030%26product_id%3D1898485%26merchid%3D5755698%26prodctry%3DUS%26prodlang%3Den%26channel%3Donline%26storeid%3D%257Bproduct_store_id%257D%26device%3Dc%26network%3Dg%26matchtype%3D%26locationid%3D%257Bloc_phyiscal_ms%257D%26creative%3D646720615861%26targetid%3Dpla-1967131408030%26campaignid%3D206387981%26adgroupid%3D144396845454%26%26affsrcid%3DAFF0005%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_term%3D%26utm_campaign%3D206387981%26creative%3D646720615861%26device%3Dc%26matchtype%3D%26nbt%3Dnb%253Aadwords%253Ag%253A206387981%253A144396845454%253A646720615861%26nb_adtype%3Dpla%26nb_kwd%3D%26nb_ti%3Dpla-1967131408030%26nb_mi%3D5755698%26nb_pc%3Donline%26nb_pi%3D1898485%26nb_ppi%3D1967131408030%26nb_placement%3D%26nb_li_ms%3D%26nb_lp_ms%3D%26nb_fii%3D%26nb_ap%3D%26nb_mt%3D%26gad_source%3D1%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjw3P-2BhAEEiwA3yPhwIQCOD-lZQ5a7cNXH0HuB3g10qdnlTq6r2xKBHqBP4HLaYiPsf_OxBoCBdgQAvD_BwE%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds\" retailers_4_display_text=\"Shop on Sur La Table\" \/]\r\n\r\nThe best espresso grinder for beginners is ideally intuitive. After all, even pros struggle when troubleshooting their shots! With over 60 grind settings and automatic options for grind sizes, choosing the right setting has never been simpler than with the Breville Smart Grinder Pro<\/a>. It comes with an attractive and user-friendly LED screen that lets you peruse grind settings and choose brew methods, so you'll never end up with the wrong grind size for your favorite espresso beans<\/a>.\r\n
\"Toha24<\/div>\r\n[quote-card quote=\"The LED screen makes it incredibly easy to learn the ins and outs of this machine without having to spend hours looking through the manual. Total gamechanger.\" name=\"Dylan fischer\" title=\"Product tester\" \/]\r\n\r\nThe screen shows grind times, cup\/shots and grind size. An easy-to-follow sliding scale shows each option from coarse to fine, with press, perc, drip and espresso grinds called out. It's very simple for a beginner to understand and can automatically function once you choose your brew style. Plus, there's the option to manually control the machine for more familiar home baristas, which is a bonus in our book.\r\n\r\n\"The portafilter is great and allows for grounds to be administered properly. This machine also has a diagram on the side by the dial that assists with troubleshooting. It indicates if your grounds need to be finer or coarser, depending on how fast your shot pulled. (Finer for a slower extraction and coarser for a faster extraction.) This is helpful because I personally forget which is which and usually have to Google every time I'm trying to troubleshoot,\" says Sydney.\r\n\r\nWhile a bit pricey, it rings up at around the cost of our top pick, so it really is a great value. The only downside is that this big machine requires a lot of counter space, so it's ideal for those with room to spare. It also has a rather short cord, which limits where it can sit.\r\n\r\nGrinder type:<\/strong> Electric burr | Burr type: <\/strong>Conical | Dishwasher safe:<\/strong> No\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"Best for Pros\" product_name=\"Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder\" pros=\"Intuitive operation\" pros1=\"41+ grind settings\" pros2=\"Consistent grind\" pros3=\"Dosing cup included\" pros4=\"Sleek design\" cons=\"Lots of retention (grounds get stuck in chamber)\" image=\"2043440\" image_credit=\"TMB STUDIO\" pr_name=\"Fellow\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffellowproducts.com%2Fproducts%2Fopus-coffee-grinder\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Fellow\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fellow-Opus-Conical-Coffee-Grinder\/dp\/B0BV96VPSR?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_3_name=\"Sur La Table\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surlatable.com%2Fproduct%2Ffellow-opus-conical-burr-grinder%2F7783665\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Sur La Table\" retailers_4_name=\"Seattle Coffee Gear\" retailers_4_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlecoffeegear.com%2Fproducts%2Ffellow-opus-coffee-and-espresso-grinder\" retailers_4_display_text=\"Shop on Seattle Coffee Gear\" \/]\r\n\r\nPros looking for the best grinder for espresso likely won't get caught up in gimmicky settings\u2014they just want a great cuppa. The small-yet-mighty Fellow Opus Conical Burr Grinder<\/a> might look simple at first glance, but it offers a luxe, stripped-down feel that works with most decor. It sits at a rather petite 10-inches, meaning there's ample room to display it alongside your favorite espresso accessories<\/a>.\r\n
\"Fellow<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Fellow offers a single-push grind button for maximum speed. A high-torque motor and over 40 different grind settings offer almost everything the budding barista needs to get started grinding and brewing everything from Americanos to lattes. At only 89 decibels, it's also quieter than most, which is ideal for early risers.\r\n\r\n[quote-card quote=\"This grinder has a beautiful look to it and would be best for pros. It can grind so finely that my Breville machine wasn't even able to pull espresso shots. There are a lot of settings with this grinder, and the only downside is the amount of retention the Fellow holds.\" name=\"sydney Manning\" title=\"editorial coordinator, former barista\" \/]\r\n\r\nThe sleek design isn't the only thing the Fellow has up its sleeves, though. There's only one knob for grind adjustment size\u2014and nothing else. This makes it super intuitive for java junkies and baristas alike. The underside of the hopper lid also has instructions for what settings work best for what type of coffee brewing method.\r\n\r\nWhether you're just getting into more advanced techniques or simply honing in on your expert training, the Fellow's burr grinder gives consistent results at the touch of a button\u2014no need to fuss around with finicky buttons or settings.\r\n\r\nGrinder type:<\/strong> Electric burr | Burr type: <\/strong>Conical | Dishwasher safe:<\/strong> No\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n

What to Look for When Buying a Coffee Grinder for Espresso<\/h2>\r\nAccording to Sydney, the most important thing is to find a grinder that corresponds with the type of coffee you're brewing\u2014whether espresso, drip or French press. Start by researching whether you need fine, medium or coarse grounds for your favorite brew methods. For folks who want to brew lots of different beverages, choose an option that offers a wide range of grind sizes for added flexibility.\r\n\r\nWhen grinding beans for espresso vs. coffee<\/a>, you want to ensure that the grinder can produce a nice, fine grind. Because espresso uses high pressure to brew each shot, it requires almost dust-like grounds to fully extract all the nuanced flavors. Otherwise, you'll end up with a bitter brew\u2014or worse, a weak, watery shot.\r\n\r\n\"Another important consideration is intuitiveness; for example, the Breville smart grinder is great with this. It allows you to get very precise in what you want. On the side, there are guidelines that help you troubleshoot grinding your coffee to make it coarser or finer. Digital grinders are always nice because they allow for the most customization and precision,\" Sydney says.\r\n

How We Found the Best Espresso Grinders<\/h2>\r\nOur expert Product Testing Team spent over 120 hours collecting roughly 600 data points on 21 coffee grinders for this piece. We began by researching the most well-reviewed and popular models, sourcing as many as possible. Former barista and product tester Sydney Manning conducted the espresso tests on her personal Breville Bambino<\/a>. She dialed in 3-4 times and pulled the same number of shots until she yielded an espresso she was satisfied with. She did this test on the top three most technical burr grinders: Fellow, Breville and Baratza ESP.\r\n\r\nTo separate\u00a0the different sizes of the grounds, we used the\u00a0Kruve Sifter<\/a>. We inserted the 500-micron mesh and the 800-micron mesh. Grounds larger than 800 microns were considered coarse, grounds between 500 and 800 microns were considered medium, and\u00a0grounds smaller than 500 microns were considered fine.\r\n

Tests<\/h3>\r\nWe conducted approximately 11 tests on each coffee grinder, including:\r\n