Brewing coffee at home is not a cheap hobby. You need to have the best equipment to get the job done and that includes a good coffee grinder. A quality grinder that won’t mess up usually costs at least $100. But if you’re just getting started or are on a budget, there are some great options available for under $100.
After countless hours of research, we’ve tested 17 products and come up with the 6 best coffee grinders under $100 with the Capresso Burr Grinder being our Editor’s Choice. In this price range, you will have to make some sacrifices in terms of features. They often have a smaller hopper capacity, are harder to clean are noisier. However, all products on our list are burr, meaning they will provide a more consistent grind than their blade counterparts, having from 1 to 16 grinding settings meaning you can use them for a variety of brewing methods.
More features: 4 oz container capacity, stain-resistant ABS, cleaning brush and measuring spoon included, 3 lb weight, timer option, pulse grinding
The Capresso Infinity 560.04 is perfect if you are a lover of Turkish coffee. Not only this is a great grinder for Turkish coffee but you can indulge in other coffee types like espresso and French press. Featuring 16 finesse settings, this electric burr coffee grinder will take care of your coffee needs. The 5’’ x 7.75’’ x 10.5’’ model is made from ABS plastic and conical steel burrs. The burrs slowly grind your coffee beans into a consistent texture which makes brewing easier.
The coffee grinder holds 8.8oz of coffee beans which are ground to produce 4.04oz of coffee ready to brew. The coffee bean holder is clear in color and comes with a secure top to prevent any spills. There is a timer included so as to make your work easier. Instead of manually grinding the coffee, you can set the time between 5-60 seconds and attend to other things.
It is an easy to clean machine that is supplied with a measuring spoon and a cleaning brush,
The upper burr is adequately easy to remove making regular cleaning convenient. The stain-resistant coffee grinder comes with a 1- year warranty. When you purchase this model you get a premium coffee grinder for a premium price.
More features: 0.25 lb container capacity, last setting memory option, timer option, 4.25 lb weight
The OXO BREW grinder measures 7.4’’ x 5.25’’ x 11.75’’ and it features 40mm burr grinders that are made of stainless steel. The conical burrs can be adjusted to suit the kind of coffee you want to make. There are 15 finesse settings ranging from coarse to fine that is easily interchangeable. Below the finesse settings is the timer that is designed to remember the last settings used. The one-touch button just needs to be pressed and you are back in business.
To contain the coffee beans, the grinder features a clear hopper fitted with a secure lid. The hopper offers a holding capacity of 0.75lbs. The ground coffee drops to the 0.25lbs container ready to make anything from an espresso to French press coffee. From 110g of ground coffee may produce around 12 cups depending on the type of coffee being made. The machine is relatively easy to clean and it is recommend to avoid using water/other liquids to clean the interior of the burrs.
The coffee grinder is not dishwasher safe and therefore, it needs manual cleaning. Read the instructions to find out all the recommendations made by the manufacturer. If anything comes up amiss, there is a 2-year warranty supplied with this model.
More features: stainless steel construction, 2.4 oz weight
The Porlex Jp-30 is made from stainless steel which is durable and able to maintain its appearance. The manual grinder is non-static and therefore, you will not have coffee grounds stuck everywhere. The ceramic burrs do a good job in producing consistent grounds for use. You can make anything from French press to espresso if you make the right adjustments. The ceramic burrs are easy to clean and therefore, should not prove to be an issue in the long run.
Made in Japan, this coffee grinder measures 1.8’’ x 7’’and weighs 2.4 oz. You can easily carry it wherever you need it. It can hold 30g of coffee beans to produce enough coffee grounds to make around 2-3 cups of coffee in one round. As long as you have enough muscle power to keep grinding, you can make as many coffee cups as you want. This coffee grinder is fitted with a comfortable handle keeping your hands from tiring fast. Recommended for coffee lovers on the go, this manual coffee grinder is affordable and it will last you for long.
More features: 4.4 oz container capacity, grind adjustment, die-cast aluminum handle, stainless steel body
The Hario Mini-Slim Pro is a modern model that is made of stainless steel. The metallic body gives the grinder durability and strength against impact. The grinder measures 5.9’’ x 2.9’’ x 8.2’’ which is easy to transport from one location to the other. It features a hexagonal adapter and an aluminum handle to provide stability while grinding. The handle is ergonomically designed to provide the user with comfort even after long periods of grinding coffee.
Fitted with ceramic burrs, the coffee grinder is able to breakdown the coffee beans to the texture needed. Whether you need coarse or fine coffee grounds, this model is able to deliver without much fuss. You are able to adjust the coffee grinder to get the texture that you need easily. It comes bearing a 1.7oz hopper which makes coffee that collects in the 4.4oz container to produce about 2cups of coffee. This affordable coffee grinder is easily transportable and would fit perfectly in an Aeropress coffee maker.
More features: pulse action, low heat build-up, cord storage at the base, 30,000 rpm speed
The Capresso 505.02 coffee grinder is available in black or white colors. The grinder is designed to work for both coffee beans and spices depending on which one of the two you need. The unit features a stainless steel blade that is responsible for breaking down the coffee beans. The blades operate with low heat buildup in order to preserve the freshness of the coffee.
It additionally features a pulse action grind to permit the user in selecting the right finesse settings. You can choose to have a coarse, medium or fine grind according to the type of coffee being made. Operating at a speed of 30,000rpm, this unit gets the job done quicker than manual operation.
The coffee grinder is able to produce enough coffee grounds to make 15 cups of coffee and more. The large-capacity model has a see-through lid so that you can keep an eye on the texture of the coffee. The cord storage provided makes it easy to store the unit when it is not in use. Well designed and affordable, this 120V model would make a great purchase for those with budgetary constrictions.
More features: non-slip bottom, alloy motor, 12.3 oz per minute grinding speed
The Giraffe-X 600N coffee grinder definitely gives a different feel in terms of design. It comes with a strong 110V motor housed in a plastic shell. The coffee grinder uses flat burrs made of stainless steel operating at a speed of 12.3 oz per minute. This permits the burrs to produce consistent coffee grounds that are required to make a good cup of coffee. This model will prove convenient whether you are using a semi-automatic coffee machine or a siphon coffee maker.
Above the motor stands the hopper designed to hold a sizeable amount of coffee. The 250g hopper is fitted with a lid to keep the coffee beans in place. After the coffee is ground it drops to the 729ml container below ready for collection. The collection box comes with a handle to make manoeuvrability better. The non-slip bottom keeps the machine steady on both slippery and coarse surfaces.
In this model, there are 8 finesse settings offered. If you need a course grind then you select a lower number on the finesse settings. The control knob is easy to use and well-illustrated to make your life easier. This easy to clean machine is affordable and would make a great addition to someone who needs a flat burr grinder.
Making your own coffee can become an experience you relish every day as the aroma fills your nostrils. Once you find a reliable coffee grinder then the rest is easy to work out as you can enjoy different types of coffee in the comfort of your home. First, let us look at the benefits of owning a coffee grinder in the first place.
Consider the grinder typeThere are basically two kinds of coffee grinders in the market that you can access. You need to know if you need a manual or electric coffee grinder.
Electric grinders cost more as they feature motors that run the blades/burrs. They grind coffee fast and have features such as timers to make life more convenient. High-end electric grinders also offer a range of finesse settings to work with, therefore, giving you more options. Electric grinders offer great service but they can be noisy too.
Manual grinders use physical force to push the top burr against the bottom burr to crush the coffee beans. They usually come with fitted handles to make the circular movements easier on the muscles. These models are more affordable and work without making much noise. Many manual coffee grinders have ceramic burrs as they are more durable compared to the steel burrs.
The price you pay for a coffee grinder will depend on the features that you are looking for. The more features you require the more you are likely to pay. There are many brands that offer coffee grinders for prices under $100 like the one featured in this review, and they answer the basic needs of users who grind coffee regularly.
Who said it was impossible to find a reliable coffee grinder for under $100? There are many brands out there that understand that not everyone is able to afford top of the range coffee grinders. These brands have taken an initiative to produce quality coffee grinders for an attainable price. There are also brands that provide low-quality products so you have to be careful so as to get the best deal. Below are some of the features to look for in a reliable coffee grinder under $100.
How much coffee do you need? If you are looking to make vast amounts of coffee then a large coffee grinder will do. This way you produce all the coffee grounds needed to make a large pot of coffee. If you only need a cup or two at a given time, then a smaller coffee grinder will do. For those in search of portable units, look for a size that can easily fit into a bag for easier transportation, like Porlex Jp-30. Make sure that you have adequate space for storage in case you want to purchase a large coffee grinder.
There is a great debate between the benefits of using a burr mechanism over a blade when it comes to grinding coffee. Burr mechanisms are usually made from stainless steel or ceramic. The burr grinder offers a consistent breakdown of the coffee beans to produce even flavored coffee. Blade grinders are known to provide inconsistent coffee texture which alters the taste of the coffee. Additionally blade grinders may run hot therefore dissipating the flavor and aroma of the coffee prematurely.
If you want to preserve the taste of your coffee beans then burr grinders are more effective. If you need to grind more than just coffee beans then blade grinders would do. They are known to handle spices exceptionally well.
Well-illustrates and easy to access controls make operation easier. Whether it is the timer or the finesse settings, the user should be able to operate the controls without frustration. The instructions provided by the manufacturer should clearly pint out how to use and maintain the grinder. This makes it easier for the user to understand what they are doing.
Warranties are important, especially when dealing with a brand for the first time. The warranty acts as an assurance from the manufacturer that the quality of the goods can be trusted. It also goes a long way in offering solutions just in case the product is faulty. If you are not sure of the quality and you don’t want to take a risk, select a unit that offers a warranty. In many cases coffee grinder warranties are not less than 1-year.
Do you want to make coffee without waking the whole house up? Well, in that case, it is important to get a quiet running coffee grinder. Always look at the decibel rating on the product to determine if it will be noisy. The higher the decibel (dB) rating, the more sound will be produced.
The coffee grinder you purchase should give you the options to select the finesse stings you want. Whether it is coarse grounds or superfine grounds, you as the user should have right to choose. There are models that offer 40 finesse settings and others that offer less than 10. Think of your favorite coffee brew and select a grinder that can offer the texture required.
This again boils down to the amount of coffee you need to make. A larger hopper capacity will result in a large number of coffee grounds. A small model like the Hario Mini-Slim Pro coffee grinder can only hold a small amount of coffee grounds at a given time. Think of the amount of coffee to be made at a given time and you select a hopper of the appropriate size.
From the instructions to the controls provided, the coffee grinder should offer no hassles. If you are working with a manual grinder then features like the handle should be well fitted and comfortable to use. If the machine is easy to activate, use and store, then you have a winner in your hands
Features like anti-static surfaces help reduce the mess created while grinding coffee. Manufacturers select materials that are hard to stain and can maintain their appearance. A grinder like the Capresso Infinity 560.04 features an easy to clean exterior and interior. Selecting easy to clean units saves you time and frustration.
Coffee grinders also come with accessories that aimed at making life smoother. Things like scooping spoons and cleaning brushes are common to find. These accessories allow easy interaction with the machine and it saves you money that could have been spent purchasing the accessories.
Water is discouraged as a means of cleaning coffee grinders as the water will cause the metallic pieces to corrode over time.
Here are the cleaning steps for :
Blade grinder
Burr grinder
From the coffee grinders shortlisted, we appreciate the Capresso Infinity 560.04 for its 16 finesse settings, easy to clean body and the fact that it comes with additional accessories. For the price you fetch for this product, you get all the features you need to brew French press coffee all the way to Turkish coffee.
The OXO BREW coffee grinder is a good option if you need a unit that has a number of finesse settings and can make around 12 cups of coffee. The coffee grinder is easy to clean and it comes with a memory timer that remembers your previous settings.
Finally, the best one-cup of the day is the Porlex Jp-30 coffee grinder. Its ceramic burrs do a good job in producing consistent grounds for use. You can make anything from French press to espresso if you make the right adjustments. Of all the coffee grinders presented we hope you are able to the best coffee grinders under $100. Once you have it hand, we are sure your coffee-making experience will change for the better.
