Best coffee grinders for under $250

After reading countless reviews and researching dozens of brands and models, we’ve landed on the as our top choice for the best grinder on the market.
The Encore boasts a ton of great features that will please everyone from the coffee connoisseur to the average person stumbling through their morning in search of a caffeine pickmeup. Its conical burr grinding system has 40 individual grind settings, which means it can precisely grind your beans to any texture, from super fine all the way to coarse. (This matters because different types of coffee require a different grinds consistency. You’ll want finer grinds for espresso, for example, and coarser grinds for your press coffee.)
The Encore couldn’t be easier to use. There’s an on/off switch on the side, a front-mounted pulse button that grinds on demand, and a beans hopper up top that turns side-to-side to adjust the grinds setting. It’s simple to clean—no tools needed to remove the burrs and no special brushes required to clean them—as well as being fairly quiet to run so you won’t wake up the entire house when you’re grinding. And at  less than five inches wide, this grinder won’t take up a ton of room on your counter.
But best of all? The Encore is consistent, reliable, and effective. Customers rave about this grinder’s powerful motor, perfectly ground beans, and affordable price point, and have similarly glowing things to say about Baratza’s customer service. 
Amazon customer says:

“I received a Baratza Encore for Christmas. Wow, what a difference. Beautiful grind from the stainless grinders – consistent and can go finer than I want, much quieter and the coffee tastes great again. Oh – and it’s easier to use…1. This Baratza grinder is relatively quiet, I can use it in the mornings without waking the whole family up. 2. The grind is consistent. From coarse to very fine for an espresso machine. On setting 10 it’s just right for a press. 3. I like the stainless conical burr grinders, and the container for the grounds slides in and out easily. I’m loving this grinder!”

And Amazon customer writes:

“I seldom write reviews (because I am too lazy) but in this case I felt that I must review it. First of all, the grinder itself does an excellent job in grinding coffee. But I am giving it 5 stars not for the product itself but for the excellent customer service. The grinder worked flawlessly for over a year and then it broke 2 weeks ago. The unit was 2 months out of warranty. I checked Baratza’s website and they have a repair program. The price for reasonable ($45 for repair.) I figure it was worth the repair since a new one is more expensive one year later. I shipped it to the service center with the payment enclosed and I got it back 10 days later. They fixed it by replacing the broken motor and re-calibrate the unit. Not only was the turnaround quick, but they also didn’t charge me for the repair (void check returned.)”

Looking to take the plunge into grinding your own beans but not sure you need all the bells and whistles that come along with a fancier grinder? (Not to mention the hefty price tag?) The is the machine for you.
We love this conical grinder for its straightforward, uncomplicated design, its reliable grinding power, and its price point of under $100. The Infinity has 16 fineness settings, which is more than enough for your average coffee drinker. The grinder’s burrs are made from commercial grade stainless steel, so they’ll definitely get the job done when it comes to achieving an even grind. And although the machine isn’t great at producing coarser grinds, it still does a pretty decent job at it.
The Infinity is on the quieter side and also features a safety lock, a sizeable beans hopper and grinds bin, and a timer that can be set from five to 60 seconds. There’s a cleaning brush included (although some customers recommend purchasing a larger option, like , separately) as well as a measuring scoop. And it’s worth noting that the grinds bin is not anti-static, so some users complain that the grinds tend to ‘jump’ around a bit and create a small mess when the bin is opened; however, this can be avoided by waiting a few seconds after grinding for everything to settle and by tapping on the sides of the bin. 
, an Amazon customer, says:

“I did my homework. I read every review. I went crazy trying to figure out which one to get. I was willing to pay more, I wanted the one that would make my coffee ambrosia. So, this is the one I bought.Quiet, works great, perfect grind … No grinder is perfect. And having read every review, I become convinced that the more one spends, the less imperfections are tolerated. This one hits the sweet spot. Not ridiculous in cost, not absurdly cheap, an ok price and a great grind.”

If you’ve been using a more basic grinder but are looking to upgrade to a fancier machine, the sturdy, versatile is an excellent pick.
Packed with a few extra features (and costing a few extra dollars) than the brand’s more affordable model, the Encore, the Virtuoso provides a step up in grinding power for the more serious coffee drinker. Featuring a metal base, unlike the Encore’s plastic one, the Virtuoso is a sturdy machine with a bit more heft to it. And with 40 grind settings to choose from, it’s easy to find the one that works for you and to seamlessly switch from a coarser to a finer setting depending on which type of coffee you’re making.
Like the Encore, the Virtuoso also has a front-mounted pulse button and a foolproof on/off switch, but it also features a 60-second timer so it’s easy to replicate the perfect grind once you figure out your preferred setting. And don’t forget about Baratza’s stellar , a huge plus when you’re investing in an expensive grinder like this one.
Amazon customer writes:

“This thing changed my coffee game. I had already switched over to better brewing methods (stovetop espresso, aeropress, french press), began investing in higher quality beans (including some failed attempts at roasting my own), and switched to using filtered water. I seriously questioned whether the grind would really make all that much difference, but I can say with authority that it absolutely does. I’ve found myself being disappointed with coffee from the retail coffee shops and wishing I had just made some at home. This is a worthy addition if you are serious about making good coffee at home.”

And , another Amazon customer, says:

“My husband is a bit of a coffee connoisseur so he took his time finding a new grinder. Looks like we’ve found a winner. He is so impressed by the wide range of grind options and enjoyed tinkering around until he found just the right grind for his Chemex coffee maker. We have also found the espresso grind to be just right.”

With over 7,000 Amazon reviews and a ridiculously affordable price point, the easily snags our spot as the best bang for your buck when it comes to coffee bean grinders.
This grinder features everything your average coffee drinker would want or need when it comes to grinding your own beans. There’s nothing fancy going on here—no digital screens, not a ton of different grinds settings, and there’s a flat disk burr rather than a conical one, so you’re not going to get the level of precise grinding power that you’d come to expect from a more expensive machine. But that’s totally okay, because at under $40, there’s still a ton to love about this reliable little grinder.
The Supreme Grind features an 18-position grind selector, a sizable (and removable) beans hopper, and a grinds chamber that holds enough ground coffee for about 32 cups, give or take the cup size you prefer. There’s an electric timer that automatically shuts off when your grind cycle is complete, and the machine is easy to keep clean. And you simply cannot beat the price. For less than what you’d pay for a week of coffee at Starbucks, you can be grinding fresh beans in the comfort of your kitchen every morning.
Amazon customer writes:

“This is one of those products that just keeps on keepin’ on. I first purchased one ten years ago, and after grinding coffee 365 days a year for that entire time, it finally gave it up. Was so pleased to find that the design hasn’t changed a bit. Good for Cuisinart to recognize when they’ve got something good and sticking to it. To all appearances it’s the same product it was 10 years ago. Looking forward to another decade of fresh-ground coffee!”

And Amazon customer says:

“I have been using this burr mill for over a year now and it works just as well today as it did the day I took it out of the box. The grind is consistent with no burned taste. The hopper holds just enough beans to get me through the week. The ground selector takes a bit of playing with to get what you are looking for and I have played with it a bit since I tend to switch back and forth from course, to medium, to fine depending on which brewer I am using that day.I am not a coffee snob by any means, just a person that prefers to blend my own beans to fit my coffee mood of the day. Be it pour over, k-cup or French press, this burr mill will work with my coffee cravings.”

Serious coffee drinkers who love espresso, French Press, and everything in between know how important it is to own a grinder that offers a wide range of settings and turns out precise, even grinds no matter what consistency you’re after. If that sounds like you, it’s time to check out the .
The first thing you’ll notice about this professional-grade grinder is the clear and concise LCD display screen. It’s here where you can control the grind setting, grind time, and number of shots or cups that you’d like. (There’s even a pause button if you need to stop mid-grind.) There’s a simple sliding scale across the screen with pre-programmed settings that go from coarse to fine, making your grinding experience foolproof. 
And speaking of grinding—there are 60 (that’s right, 60) settings on this machine, and they all work pretty damn well according to our research. While most conical burr grinders at this price point claim to grind coffee beans fine enough for espresso, but don’t, the Smart Grinder Pro truly delivers on this promise. It has no trouble consistently grinding beans down to an uber-fine texture perfect for your next shot of espresso.
The Smart Grinder Pro comes with two portafilter holders (a portafilter is coffee-speak for the component of the espresso maker that holds the ground up beans before and during brewing), a removable beans hopper large enough to hold a week’s worth of coffee, a grinds holder with super handy measurements etched into the side, and a cleaning bin. And although this grinder doesn’t come cheap, we actually think it’s fairly well-priced considering its professional-grade capabilities.

from Amazon says:
“This coffee grinder is the best one I have ever used. Fully adjustable grind, easy to operate. Great machine for that coffee snob that likes to mess with the grind size for different coffee beans and roasts. Once you get the grind set then the time to grind can be adjusted for just the right amount of fresh ground coffee. Mmmmmm.”

And , another Amazon customer, says:

“This is the best grinder I have ever owned. It makes a HUGE difference in coffee smoothness and flavor due to it’s consistent grind. I kept putting it off due to its price but am so happy I finally bought it. You really do get what you pay for.”

Looking to drink your coffee and strengthen your hand muscles? Then look no further than the , a great manual grinder that’s also ideal for travel or work.
Although some people may find manual grinders to be a pain, many coffee enthusiasts love them for a host of good reasons. Hand grinders produce the same even, consistent grinds as electric burr grinders, but at a fraction of the cost—and the size. Manual grinders work for everything from espresso to French Press, they’re quiet, they don’t run the risk of malfunctioning nearly as much as their electric counterparts, and they’re perfect for taking on the go or to the office. And, quite frankly, there’s something to be said for taking a moment in your day to slow down and enjoy the process of grinding your own beans.
The Hario Mini Mill is slim, sleek, and simple to use and clean. It can easily be stored away in a cabinet or a drawer (the handle pops right off, making the grinder even more compact), and the ceramic mill means it won’t rust. According to reviewers, it will take you about one to two minutes to grind enough beans for a few cups of coffee, but we think that’s time well spent.
Amazon customer says:

“This is the best manual coffee grinder that I have ever owned. As soon as I removed the Hario mill from its package, I was impressed by the design, its lightness, and robust quality of construction. The narrow waist fits perfectly in my palm, and the mouth of the coffee grinder is wide, so that spilling beans while refilling a [manual] coffee grinder is a rarity for me now. Oh, I almost forgot to mention how quickly this coffee mill grinds the beans. It takes me less than 1 1/2 minutes to grind enough for one full-size cup of Turkish coffee, and the size of the grind is very easy to adjust as well. A superior product, and I heartily recommend it.”

A true coffee snob may scoff at the mere inclusion of a blade grinder on this list (“Blades, not burrs? Gasp!”), but we think it deserves a spot. Not everyone cares about conical burrs, or the consistency of their grinds, or whether or not a machine can produce coffee as fine as angel dust for use in a $2,000 espresso machine. Some folks just want to take their regular ol’ everyday coffee up a notch with some fresh-ass beans, and for those fine folks, there’s the .
This blade grinder is certainly nothing fancy, but it sure does get the job done, and for a fraction of the cost of the rest of the grinders on our list. It can grind up to three ounces of beans in about 10 seconds, enough for about 12 cups of coffee. You won’t be able to use the grinds for espresso, but for a drip coffee maker or even for something like a French Press, they’ll be perfect. (It’ll even work to give your single cup coffee maker a boost if you’re using reusable K-Cups.) Its compact design means won’t take up much space on your counter, and there’s even a lid activated safety switch to keep your fingers intact.
And if you ever need to grind spices, herbs, nuts, or grains, the F203 will get the job done. Not bad for a kitchen gadget that costs less than you spent on two glasses of wine last night.
Amazon customer says:

“Okay, this is a simple machine, and it does just ONE THING, but OMG it does it well. I actually have two of these grinders: one for spices, and another one for coffee beans. I’ve used them every day or multiple times a day for years, and they just keep on ticking.”