In this article, we’ve curated a list of the 8 best coffee grinders that promise to elevate your pour-over brewing game to new heights.
Whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or just embarking on your journey, finding the right grinder is essential for unlocking the intricate flavors locked within your beans.
Join us as we explore the finest options available, ensuring every pour-over cup is a masterpiece of flavor and aroma.
8 Best Coffee Grinders For Pour Over: At A Glance
- Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: Best Overall
- OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: Best Value For Money
- Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: Best For Ease Of Use
- Fellow Gen 2 Ode Brew Grinder: Best Design
- Breville Smart Grinder Pro: Best For Capacity
- 1Zpresso JX-Pro S Manual Coffee Grinder: Best Manual Grinder
- TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 Manual Coffee Grinder: Best Budget Option
- Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder: Best Premium Option
What Are The Main Characteristics Of A Great Grinder For Pour-Over?
When selecting a grinder for pour-over coffee, there are several factors to think about.
An effective pour-over coffee grinder should provide a uniform grind size, feature adjustable settings, and demonstrate durability.
Furthermore, having a variety of adjustable settings grants you greater influence over your end result.
The grind size varies according to your chosen brewing technique, making it essential to opt for a grinder capable of producing the right grind size for your preferred method.
Typically, medium-fine grind works well for pour-over coffee.
Remember, the type of burrs, the materials used, the grinder’s capacity, and its price all play pivotal roles in your decision-making process.
Why You Should Always Choose Burrs Over Blades
Burr grinders outshine blade grinders due to their ability to create a consistently sized grind, leading to enhanced flavor and aroma in your coffee.
These grinders employ two rotating abrasive surfaces to crush coffee beans, whereas blade grinders operate with a blade resembling a blender’s propeller.
Burr grinders are favored for yielding more uniform grounds with fewer inconsistencies.
Blade grinders, on the other hand, chop and break beans, generating heat that can compromise flavor and aroma.
Burr grinders, being gentler on beans, avoid this heating process that can affect the overall taste.
Moreover, they allow you to customize the bean’s grind size—a feature absent in blade grinders.
While blade grinders are more budget-friendly, the little extra that you pay for burr grinders is definitely worth it in the long run.
Review Of The 8 Best Coffee Grinders For Pour Over
Now that we’ve got that out the way, let’s take a look at our 8 best choices to help you decide the best option for you.
Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: Best Overall
At the top of our list for the finest coffee grinder tailored for pour-over coffee is the Baratza Virtuoso+.
If you’re willing to invest a bit more, this grinder comes highly recommended.
The Baratza Virtuoso+ is a top-notch burr coffee grinder designed for both coffee enthusiasts and professionals.
It boasts a versatile selection of 40 grind settings, empowering you to attain a consistently even grind for any brewing method you prefer.
This grinder features a high-power, yet slow-paced DC motor that ensures your coffee beans remain cool, even during lengthier grinding sessions.
The combination of an electric motor and gear speed reducers slows down the burrs to a gentle 450 RPM, creating a seamless flow of beans while minimizing bothersome noise, excess heat, and static accumulation.
From espresso to French press, the Virtuoso+ maintains an accurate range of fine to coarse grinds, catering to various brewing preferences.
It’s user-friendly, swift, and operates quietly, taking up minimal counter space.
The exterior design is thoughtfully refined, featuring a convenient front-facing pulse button that lets you grind directly into an espresso filter basket.
Plus, with a 60-second timer, replicating your preferred grind amount becomes effortless.
Priced around $250, the Baratza Virtuoso+ steps up from the entry-level Encore, offering exceptional value.
It’s a versatile, all-in-one grinder that can finely grind for espresso or provide a coarser grind for drip and French press methods, making it the perfect companion for pour-over enthusiasts.
Pros
- Stainless steel conical burr ensures a uniform grind quality
- Offers a wide range of 40 grind settings for versatile brewing
- M2 burr in the Virtuoso+ grinds faster than M1 burr in Baratza Encore
- Low grounds retention, with only 1.5 grams remaining after grinding
- Thoughtfully designed, easy to clean, and simple to maintain
- Durable construction designed to withstand heavy usage
Cons:
- Some users might not prefer the smoke-tinted plastic hopper and predominantly plastic exterior
- Falls into the mid-range price category, potentially pricier than entry-level alternatives
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: Best Value For Money
The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder stands out as a versatile tool, crafting consistent coffee grounds in a variety of sizes.
With its 38 grind settings, it easily adapts to different brewing styles like French presses, standard coffee makers, and cold brew.
The 40mm stainless steel conical burrs ensure remarkably uniform grounds, especially in the medium-fine range, an essential trait for perfect pour-overs.
Designed for convenience, it’s a great fit for folks who use the same coffee amount daily in their trusty machine.
Priced at around $100, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder offers excellent value, providing capable performance without breaking the bank.
There’s just one minor drawback – it’s a bit louder than other options on this list.
Yet, unless noise sensitivity is a concern, the affordable price makes it a small trade-off for the features it brings.
Pros
- Affordable, providing great value for the price
- User-friendly design, suitable for beginners
- Offers 38 grind settings for versatility
- Convenient one-touch grinding feature
- Bean hopper with UV-tinting
- Equipped with a timer
- Generous hopper capacity
Cons
- Can be somewhat noisy during operation
- Lightweight materials raise durability questions
- Prone to static buildup
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: Best For Ease Of Use
The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is an ideal choice for both newcomers and those looking to upgrade from blade or basic grinders.
It’s a burr grinder that does justice to your quality coffee beans.
With its solid construction, powerful motor, and versatile grind options, it’s truly worth the investment.
Since 2015, the Baratza Encore has remained a favorite among coffee enthusiasts, consistently earning its spot as one of the best burr coffee grinders.
Boasting an impressive 40 grind settings, this grinder is a master at one thing: grinding beans. Cleaning it is a breeze too.
It excels in delivering accurate medium to coarse grinds, which are perfect for popular manual brewing methods like pour-over, Aeropress, Siphon, and Chemex.
Affordably priced, the Baratza Encore burr grinder offers a wide range of 40 coarseness settings to cater to various coffee types and brewing preferences.
Not to forget, it’s wonderfully user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for those new to coffee grinding.
Pros
- Creates reliably uniform grind sizes
- User-friendly operation and easy to clean
- Affordable option compared to the Virtuoso+
- Renowned for its durability, offering a lasting investment
- Features a magnetic catch cup or dosing bin for convenience
Cons
- The plastic casing may not be visually appealing to some users
- Operational noise is noticeable for some users
Fellow Gen 2 Ode Brew Grinder: Best Design
The Fellow Gen 2 Ode Brew Grinder takes the original Ode Brew Grinder up a notch, specially designed for brewed coffee techniques.
With upgraded Gen 2 Brew Burrs, it finely and precisely grinds with a broader range, catering perfectly to various brew methods—except for espresso.
Offering 31 grind settings, it’s a versatile tool for dialing in the ideal pour-over coffee.
The 64 mm burrs ensure a consistent grind size, leading to balanced flavor and even extraction.
The grinder introduces new anti-static technology, keeping the grind mess in check.
It features a redesigned load bin, ensuring smoother bean feeding, and an expanded 100-gram catch cup—perfect for batch brewing.
Easy to operate and visually appealing, it maintains outstanding grind consistency and flavor clarity.
If you’re looking for a grinder that complements your countertop aesthetics, this one won’t let you down.
Pros
- Stylish and appealing design
- Compact size for easy placement
- Provides exceptional grind consistency
- User-friendly operation
- Potential for a future upgrade with SSP Burrs
- Operates quietly, a favored attribute for many users
Cons
- Higher price point
- Some users note a slightly higher-pitched and metallic sound from the grinder
Breville Smart Grinder Pro: Best For Capacity
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro stands out as the perfect choice for those aiming to brew pour-over coffee for themselves and their guests.
With its substantial 18-ounce bean hopper, preparing freshly ground pour-over coffee for a group becomes effortless and practical.
This programmable conical burr grinder offers an impressive 60 settings, optimizing the outcome of any brew.
Its intelligent settings ensure excellence, regardless of your desired grind coarseness.
With versatile grinding options, you can choose to grind directly into various containers, including the portafilter, airtight container, gold tone filter basket, or paper filter.
The grinder’s LCD screen is clear and informative, displaying your chosen grind setting, grind time, and the number of shots or cups you’ve selected.
A highlight feature is the Precision Digital Time, which permits precise adjustment and programming of grind time in 0.2-second intervals.
This hands-on control guarantees a perfect dose every time.
Surprisingly, the grinder also accommodates espresso brewing, making it even more impressive, especially given its reasonable price point.
Pros
- Consistently delivers excellent grind quality
- Offers a broad range of 60 grind settings
- Operates with relatively low noise
- Great capacity for espresso brewing support
- Stylish and sleek design
- Features an LCD display for convenience
- User-friendly and easy to operate
Cons
- Comparatively higher price compared to some other grinders on this list
- User can be somewhat convoluted for beginners
- May produce errors when grinding for larger drip coffee pots
1Zpresso JX-Pro S Manual Coffee Grinder: Best Manual Grinder
If you want a more hands-on approach and seeking the finest manual coffee grinder for pour-over brewing, then we’d like to introduce you to our top pick: the 1Zpresso JX-Pro S.
This manual coffee grinder is renowned for its efficiency and speed, perfect for those who prefer an effortless grind experience.
Crafted from a blend of wood, polycarbonate, silicone, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy, this grinder boasts a sleek silver color.
It weighs 778 grams and measures 19 x 6.3 x 18 cm.
With a grounds capacity of 30 to 35 grams, it’s equipped with a helpful cleaning brush.
The JX-Pro’s swiftness surpasses many manual and even some electric grinders, all while presenting an attractive design.
Indeed, the JX-Pro stands among the finest grinders available today and offers exceptional value.
Its 40-click settings permit precise grind adjustments, catering to a variety of brewing methods.
From its efficiency to its appealing design, this grinder is a true gem in the world of coffee grinding.
Pros
- Robust build and offers a sturdy feel when used
- Remarkably fast, grinding at an average rate of 1-second per gram
- Features 40 click settings for precise grind customization
- Suitable for various brewing methods, including pour-overs and espresso
- Operates with minimal noise, ensuring a quiet grind experience
Cons
- May be considered a tad heavy by some users
- Limited capacity for single-cup pour-overs
- Being a manual grinder, it demands some physical effort to operate
Timemore Chestnut C3 Manual Coffee Grinder: Best Budget Option
The Timemore Chestnut C3 Manual Coffee Grinder is your handy, on-the-go solution for consistent coffee grinds.
This manual grinder is compact, easily portable, and straightforward to use.
It’s designed to ensure you get a reliable grind every single time.
Crafted from a mix of aluminum and stainless steel, it not only looks stylish but is built to last.
With a 25-gram capacity, it offers around 36 adjustable steps, enabling you to effortlessly switch between fine to coarse grinds using the adjustment nut.
The Timemore C3 is a true bang for your buck, considering its solid construction and consistent grinding performance. It’s user-friendly, efficient, and cleaning it is a breeze.
Ideal for coffee enthusiasts who crave quality in their brew, this grinder ensures you don’t compromise on flavor.
Specifically tailored for pour-over brewing, the Timemore Chestnut C3 is engineered to provide long-term durability and consistently excellent coffee cups.
Its remarkable quality and toughness guarantee years of dependable and enjoyable use, ultimately offering a smart investment for any coffee lover.
Pros
- Stylish and resilient design
- Budget-friendly price
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Maintains consistent grind quality
- Simple grind setting adjustments
- Includes a brush and protective case
Cons
- Grind settings are limited, and not ideal for espresso
- The hopper capacity is quite small
- Being a manual grinder, it demands some physical effort to operate
Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder: Best Premium Option
The Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder is a dependable and budget-friendly choice tailored for home use.
It features a stationary device holder, allowing you to adjust the arms to grind directly into either the provided grounds bin or a portafilter.
This grinder employs a 40mm conical steel burr set from Etzinger, specially geared towards espresso, offering 30 grind settings to suit your preference.
With a hopper capacity of 10 ounces, it’s ready to handle a good amount of beans.
The Sette 30 is equipped with a potent DC motor, ensuring optimal starting torque and efficiency, which translates to cooler operation.
Boasting a power of 290W/120V, it strikes a balance between performance and energy consumption.
Its dimensions measure 4.5″ in width, 9.5″ in depth, and 15.75″ in height, with a weight of around 7 pounds.
An LED display on the front makes operation a breeze.
The start/stop button lets you accurately measure the coffee amount for each brew.
One impressive aspect of this grinder is its remarkably low retention, which means no coffee grounds go to waste.
Pros
- Impressive grind consistency, particularly for fine settings
- High-speed grinding, faster than many other available grinders
- Straight-through design minimizes grind retention
- Sleek and smart-looking design
- An affordable choice for home setups
- Generous hopper capacity
- Offers the option to grind into a portafilter or dosing bin
Cons
- Notably loud during operation
- Grind consistency diminishes as grind size becomes coarser
- Limited to 30 grind settings
Key Factors To Consider When Buying A Grinder For Pour Over
Burr Grinders vs Blade Grinders
When comparing coffee grinders, burr grinders are widely regarded as superior to blade grinders.
Burr mills use two rotating abrasive surfaces for grinding, while blade grinders employ a propeller-like blade akin to a blender.
Burr grinders, though pricier, stand out for their consistent grind size, quality, and overall uniformity.
Flat or Conical Burr
Burr grinders come in two main types: flat and conical burrs.
Flat burrs consist of two parallel rings, while conical burrs feature a cone-shaped inner burr and a stationary outer burr.
Flat burrs offer better consistency but come at a higher cost.
On the other hand, conical burrs treat coffee beans gently, resulting in a sweeter and more flavorful cup.
Conical burrs are usually more affordable, making them accessible to a wider range of coffee enthusiasts.
Manual or Electric
Manual coffee grinders deliver consistent grounds across various sizes, essential for a balanced and delicious cup.
They’re suitable for different grind sizes, although adjustments may not be as fine-tuned.
Electric grinders offer convenience and handle larger quantities.
Well-designed electric models work quickly and some even portion coffee by weight, streamlining the brewing process.
Grind Settings
Precision in grind size adjustment matters for pour-over coffee.
Burr grinders, compared to blade grinders, offer a greater variety of grind settings.
This allows for more accurate fine-tuning of grind size.
Stepped or Stepless
Grinders can be classified as stepped or stepless.
Stepped grinders have preset notches for easily switching between grind sizes, while stepless grinders offer infinite adjustments.
While stepless grinders provide more precision, they can be a bit more challenging to handle.
Capacity
Choosing a grinder with the right capacity is crucial, particularly if you often grind a larger amount of coffee.
Electric grinders generally accommodate more coffee than manual ones.
Ease of Use, Cleaning, and Maintenance
Consider how easy a grinder is to use, clean, and maintain.
Manual grinders usually have simpler cleaning and maintenance needs but demand more effort during use.
Electric grinders are more user-friendly but may require more frequent maintenance.
Budget
Lastly, consider your budget.
Burr grinders tend to be pricier than blade grinders, and flat burrs are generally more costly than conical burrs.
Manual grinders are usually less expensive than electric ones, but they involve more physical effort.
Reflect on your budget, needs, and brewing preferences to find the best grinder within your price range.
The Verdict
Our top picks stand out for their unique strengths.
The Baratza Virtuoso+ takes the lead as the best overall choice, combining quality, versatility, and performance.
For those seeking value, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder offers remarkable affordability without compromising on consistency.
If manual control is your preference, the 1Zpresso JX-Pro S is the best option, delivering efficiency, portability, and exceptional manual grind precision.
No matter your preference, these options cater to a range of needs, ensuring a delightful coffee experience.
FAQ’s
What kind of grinder is best for pour-over?
For pour-over coffee, it is recommended to use a burr grinder that produces a consistent grind size.
Specifically speaking, a Conical Burr grinder is the preferred option.
Do you need a burr grinder for pour-over?
Yes, you need a burr grinder for pour-over coffee.
A burr grinder produces consistent grind size, which is important for pour-over coffee.
What is the best way to grind for pour-over?
The best grind size for pour-over coffee is a medium-coarse grind.
A medium-coarse grind will be similar in size to a French press grind but less chunky and will feel slightly smoother.
