Last Updated on November 23, 2021 by John Moretti
How do you stay grounded? By appreciating the little things in life. Here’s why you need a coffee grinder that gives meaning to the coffee-making process. In this article, I will share the best coffee grinders for the French press in the market. Whether you are a new fan or an aficionado, I got you covered!
Before listing the best coffee grinders in the market, you should know that you need a coarse grind. The kind of coffee you brew helps you figure out which is the right size. Brewing styles have different lengths of time in which the grounds get into contact with the water.
For instance, you need a fine grind size with an espresso. Steam and water are pushed fast through the coffee grounds; hence the acceptable grounds allow water to remove all the great flavors.
With a French press, you also need coarser grounds compared to an espresso. While making a French press, the grounds sit for a longer time, and the coarse grounds help prevent over-extraction.
If the grind size is too small, the beans pass through the filter and into your cup. Annoying!
The most popular grind sizes include;
- Extra fine – This is great for Turkish coffee
- Fine – Can be used for moka pots and espressos
- Medium fine – Best for a pour-over or AeroPress
- Medium – This grind size is best if you are a fan of siphon coffee, pour-over, AeroPress, or drip coffee.
- Medium-coarse – Use in dripper coffee
- Coarse – Best for a French press or percolated coffee
- Extra-coarse – Cowboy coffee and cold brews come out best with this grind size.
Rundown For The Best Coffee Grinders For French Press
- Best Overall: Baratza Encore Conical Burr grinder
- Best Versatile: Breville BCG820BSSXL Smart Grinder Pro
- Best Budget: Bodum Bistro Buss Coffee Grinder
- Best Manual: Javapress Manual Coffee Grinder
- Best Electric: Capresso 565 Infinity
- Best For Family: OXO Brew Burr Grinder
- Best Design: Kitchen AID KCG0702ER
- Best Portable: Lido 3 Manual Coffee Grinder
- Best For Couples: Hario Manual Coffee Grinder
- Best For Budding Pros: Mueller Ultra Grind Conical Burr Grinder
- Best Flavor Retainer: Gourmia 633 Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
- Best Blade Grinder: Krup’s F203 Blade Grinder
Best Overall: Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder
I had to choose this as the best overall in this list. It’s highly versatile and has established its name in the coffee industry. If you are new to coffee grinding, this is the best choice for you.
The key to making the perfect cup of joe with this grinder is the pulse button front and center and on/off button. With these, you can grind your coffee without much fuss.
Baratza gives you a variety of grind settings (40) to suit any brewing style. You have the option of choosing the coarse grind for a French press.
Additionally, this coffee grinder has steel burrs which give you a lot of mileage without static electricity.
On top of all that, this brand gives you a one-year warranty if you need any customer support. You will get affordability, ease of use, and rugged build all in one grinder.
Pros:
- 40 grind settings
- User-friendly
- Steel burrs
Cons:
- Needs regular cleaning
- Does not have advanced features
Best Versatile: Breville BCG820BSSXL Smart Grinder Pro
Breville is the most versatile coffee grinder I have ever seen. It gives you 60 different grind settings and also has an option of adding ten more after adjusting the upper burr. With such a grinder, you can get a French press or any brewing style you want.
This smart grinder pro has stainless steel conical burrs to work your coffee beans to the best grind size. It has a high-tech look compared to other brands, which allows you to choose the dose. Moreover, it allows you to set a 0.2 second grind time interval. It has a lot of advantages, but it has its cons too.
You might get difficulties aligning the ground container because it clogs the grinder. Additionally, its precision when measuring your ground coffee is not accurate.
Pros:
- Versatile with more than 60 grind settings
- You can set the grind time and the dose
- Dispense directly into the portafilter
Cons:
- Clogging issues
- Inaccurate dosing functions
Best Budget: Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder
If you want a quality grinder that is friendly to your wallet, the Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder will do you good.
It is a standard grinder without many extra features, but it will perform its function well. It will grind your coffee beans at a coarse grind for your French press at a low cost.
Using Bodium Bistro gives you the experience of luxury due to the smooth turn/spin process with the dials and buttons. It’s ultra-light and quieter compared to other brands on this list.
One thing to note is that this grinder is made from lightweight plastic except the stainless-steel burr.
Pros:
- Price friendly
- Quieter than other coffee grinders
Cons:
- Substandard design that leads to wastage
- Lack lid for the top bean container
Best Manual: JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
Javapress is a brand well known for its manual coffee grinders for a French press brewing system. It is a slim and sleek grinder with an 18-setting range giving you a range of options. If you like something other than a French press, Javapress manual coffee grinder gives you a range of grind settings.
It provides consistency in grind size and increases the lifespan with its ceramic combo burrs. Most people prefer electric grinders for the best French press. But as far as manual grinders are concerned, Javapress does not disappoint.
As a cherry on top of the cake, you get a bag of whole beans for free upon purchase.
On the downside, it has an uncomfortable cylinder, making it hard to grind many beans. Also, you have to get used to this grinder while setting the perfect grind size for your French press.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy adjustments
- Great appearance
- Ceramic combo burrs
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Learning curve with the grind size setting
- Uncomfortable cylinder
- Complaints on quality control
Best Electric: Capresso 565 Infinity
Capresso is a decent-sized gorgeous grinder that comes with stainless steel or black finish. It has a ground container that can hold 4 ounces of coffee while the hopper holds 8.8 ounces of beans.
I love this grinder because you do not require a lot of effort in preventing heat transfer while grinding. Additionally, the infinity grinding gives you 420 revolutions/minute.
Capresso 565 infinity uses conical steel bars, which are detachable for cleaning. After purchase, you also get a cleaning solution and brush pack for maintenance.
This grinder is great for a French press because it works well with coarser settings while other grinders struggle.
Even with all those pros, I still didn’t like that it comes with a few grind options. You can only grind your beans with 16 different settings.
Pros:
- Detachable burrs for cleaning
- Require minimum effort in preventing heat transfer during grinding
Cons:
- Few grind size setting options (16)
Best For Family: OXO Brew Burr Grinder
The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is the best manual grinder if you drink a lot of coffee at home. The hopper can hold up to 12 ounces of beans. I recommend grinding the number of beans you need at a time. However, if you are a coffee-drinking household, there is no harm in grinding many beans.
OXO Brew has 15 grind settings and gives you the option of adjusting the wheel for other micro settings. This way, you can grind to different settings, including coarse to extra fine. Your cup of French press will turn out the way you like it with this grinder.
It has an excellent design with a stainless-steel aesthetic, with a bit of black that will suit any kitchen.
Pros:
- 15-grind setting and additional micro settings
- Holds up to 12 ounces of beans in the hopper
- Great design
- Stainless steel burrs
Cons:
- Some complain that they get loud over time
Best Design: KitchenAid KCG0702ER
If you like Retro Style, the KitchenAid KCGO702ER is for you. It is available in red die, black, or silver cast metal which can make an accurate statement for your kitchen.
It is a small grinder that will only take up a small space in your kitchen. I love the glass material used to make it because it reduces static electricity.
If you are a coffee-loving household, this is not the grinder for you. It can only hold up to 7 ounces of coffee beans in its hopper.
The kitchen Aid does not have a lot of fancy functions. It has 15 grind-size settings, and the coarse setting for the French press works very well.
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Glass material that reduces static electricity
Cons:
- No fancy programmable options
- Too pricey for 15 grind size settings.
Best Portable: Lido 3 Manual Coffee Grinder
As for those people who cannot travel without having a cup of coffee, I got the perfect grinder. The Lido 3 Manual coffee grinder has portability features such as a lightweight plastic jar, foldable handle, and a carrying bag. It also has rubber bean stoppers and a hopper that can hold 2.4 ounces of beans.
Lido 3 Manual Coffee Grinder incorporates everything you need in a portable coffee grinder. Moreover, the brand adds a new tool and bristle brush to help with cleaning and maintenance.
Even with all those great features, it still does not compromise functionality. With steeples adjustment features and Swiss-made steel conical burrs, you won’t get anything short of quality ground coffee beans.
Pros:
- Portable
- Durable material
- Ample hopper capacity
Cons:
- Slightly pricey
Best for Couples: The Hario Manual Coffee Mill Slim Plus
If coffee brings you and your partner together, you need a grinder that will strengthen your relationship even more. This is the grinder that will help you stay grounded as a couple.
This coffee grinder has ceramic burrs to grind while maintaining low temperatures to preserve oils and flavors. Additionally, this grinder is portable, making it perfect for a couple that spends a lot of time traveling.
So why did I choose this grinder as the best for couples? It measures up to two cups, which means you do not have to estimate the exact quantity.
With several grind setting options, you can grind your beans for a French Press, cold brew, iced coffee, or anything else.
One thing I noticed with this grinder is that it has issues with the handle. If you aggressively grind hard beans, the handle can disengage.
Pros:
- Quiet while grinding
- Portable
- Ceramic conical burrs
- Economical
Cons:
- The plastic build
- A handle that easily disengages when you grind aggressively
Best for Budding Pros: Muller’s Ultra Grind Conical Burr Grinder
If you are looking for a professional grinder for your home, Miller’s Ultra Grind Conical Burr Grinder is an excellent choice. It is reliable and well known by budding pros in the industry.
Muller’s also gives you the luxury of choice by providing a 10-click setting that gives you consistency in every grind. Moreover, it has ten micro settings for each grind setting which totals all the grind settings to 100.
It also gives you an option to choose between non-dosing and dosing.
It has an ABC plastic build which I don’t prefer, but the stainless steel burrs make up for this fact
Pros:
- Great grind size for French press
- 10 click settings each with ten micro settings
- Stainless steel burrs
Cons:
- Plastic build
- Can be messy and get ground coffee all over the place
- Extra work while cleaning due to static
Best Flavor Retainer: Gourmia 633 Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
If you like a strong-flavored cup of joe, Gourmia is the best grinder for you. It gives different grinding results from extra fine to coarse for espresso and French press, respectively. Its hoppers can hold 16 ounces of coffee beans, and the BPA-free ground bin can also hold 8 ounces.
The excellent qualities do not end there. You can easily detach both containers during cleaning and maintenance. If you like coffee flavors and aroma that take you to the moon, Gourmia should be your choice. Its efficient work retains the flavor and prevents the bitterness commonly available in home-processed coffee.
With 22 grind settings, you can choose any type of grind for your brewing style. Additionally, its large hopper holding capacity can produce up to 18 cups.
Thanks to the lightweight design, this grinder is very portable, and you can carry it to the office or anywhere else.
Pros:
- Elegant design
- Large hopper holding capacity
- 22 grind settings
- Affordable
- Minimal effort required for cleaning and maintenance
- Portable
Cons:
- The grind can be slightly inconsistent
- Not very durable
Best Blade Grinder: Krups F203 Blade Grinder
If your wallet is not big enough for a burr grinder, you can go for the best blade grinder. I know burr grinders can be expensive, so I saved the last choice for a high-quality blade grinder. It is cheaper, durable, robust, and has a clear lid feature that allows you to view the grinding process.
Krups has a simple on and off button, which you hold on to for grinding. The longer you hold on to the button, the finer the coffee beans will turn out.
Within 30 seconds, you can get the perfect coarse grind size for your French press.
Pros:
- Quality for a blade grinder
- Durable
- Simple to use
- Small footprint
Cons:
- Uncontrollable and inconsistent grind.
What To Look For When Buying A Coffee Grinder For French Press
Burr Vs. Blade
It is critical to understand how a coffee grinder has an impact on your French press. All types of brewing styles require even coffee grounds. Without consistency, you will get a substandard cup of coffee.
The size of the coffee grounds determines the surface area to volume ratio. This, in turn, helps with the rate at which the grounds release the flavors. For instance, extensive grounds take their time to release flavors compared to the small ones. If the grounds are inconsistent in size, you will extract uneven flavors.
Even if you increase the amount of time water gets into contact with the coffee, the result is either under-extracted or over-extracted grounds. You will get sour flavors from under-extracted grounds and bitter flavors from over-extracted grounds.
Here’s where a blade and burr come to play. Blade grinders are cheap and chop at the coffee grounds. They give inconsistent ground sizes and also generate heat which affects the flavors negatively.
On the other hand, burr grinders use ceramic surfaces or round rotating metals to grind your coffee. They give consistent grind size and are more expensive than blades. They are the best choice for your French espresso or any other brewing style.
Manual Vs. Electric
When it comes to how the grinder operates, you need to choose which one is best for you. Both manual and electric have their advantages and disadvantages.
I prefer a manual grinder. They are quieter and help me appreciate the coffee-making process. I love hearing the sound of beings being ground up with hand cranks. Additionally, they are portable and do not need electricity. I can carry my grinder anywhere I go, even if it’s backpacking.
On the downside, they are slow and require labor. If you like minimal effort when making your coffee, a manual grinder is not for you. Electric is the complete opposite. They are heavy, noisy, need electricity, and do not require intensive labor to operate.
Versatility
Yes, at this point, you require a coffee grinder for a French press. However, what if, in the week, you want a pour-over or an auto-press. It is critical to get a grinder that is versatile to grind beans for different brewing styles.
A grinder that handles different grind sizes is best if you like a French press on the weekends and like a traditional drip brewer on weekdays. A grinder that allows you to have different options will work best for an at-home barista like you.
Ceramic Vs. Stainless Steel Bars
Choosing between burr and blade grinders is not the end of the journey. After choosing burr, the best grinder, you have to factor in what they are made of. There are two options to choose from; stainless and ceramic steel.
- Stainless steel – This material produces a fine grind size at a lower price than ceramic burrs. This should not fool you into believing that they are cheap. You will have to spend an extra buck for every burr grinder.
- Ceramic burrs – Ceramic burrs are on top of their grinding game. Not only do they not produce heat when grinding, but they also don’t get blunt over time. However, they are pricier and can crack.
Maintenance
Some people are one-time coffee brewers, while others need their coffee multiple times per day. If you grind your coffee several times a day, you need to clean it regularly. Eventually, you will be required to replace parts.
If your grinder is not pricy, you can replace it altogether instead of the parts. However, you need to consider that a cheap grinder can end up costing you more in the long run. Some grinders give you the option of switching worn-out parts, which can be a big plus.
When shopping, look at the ease of cleaning it after the ground clogs up. Additionally, clean out fresh beans immediately after grounding to maintain quality.
Flat vs. Conical Burrs
You also have to consider the burr’s shape; conical or flat. Surprisingly, there are plenty of debates about which is better. Some say that canonical burrs produce less heat, while others argue they produce more heat because they grind quickly.
You will hear some saying that flat burrs give a consistent ground size. I don’t see a significant difference between the two. You will have to experience them both to decide which is best for you.
Cost
You have to consider what you are willing to pay for your French press grinder. If you want a budget-friendly option, a manual grinder is better. This can come in handy for campers and backpackers because they are portable and do not need electricity. Unfortunately, manual grinders are not for the impatient.
With an electric grinder, you will need to pay extra. If you are a person that wants efficiency and no labor in a grinder, the electric grinder will suit you best.
Additionally, if you want an electric grinder on the low-price end, they will be smaller and have few grind-size options. For more money, you have limitless options for grinders. You can get a grinder that gives 40 settings for your grind.
They have internal fans to keep the beans cool. They will set you back thousands of dollars, but they are worth it. However, if your coffee grinder is only for a few cups of coffee, you do not need to spend this much.
