The 7 Best Rated Burr Coffee Grinders Under 50 - Our Picks

Quick summary

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder Stainless steel built of this coffee maker proves its durability and suits mostly drinkers who like outdoor. 5 best overall Check Price

Mr. Coffee Automatic Burr Grinder One of the cheaper price units in the market with wide range of grinding settings 4.5 Check Price

Secura SCG-903B Automatic Electric Burr Coffee Grinder Mill Affordable grinder model stands out due to its number of settings and auto shut-off feature. 4.5 Check Price

People make coffee too complicated sometimes.

They make it seem like you need a Master’s Degree in coffee-making to have a say. The truth is — there’s no right way to make coffee. Standards exist, but if you enjoy coffee a certain way, there’s no reason to stop drinking it that way.

But nobody ever said you can’t experiment with new coffee brewing methods and techniques. And one of the most downplayed and misunderstood parts of the coffee-making process is the grinder.

Why buy a grinder in the first place?

Should you go for a blade or burr grinder? What’s the difference? How do you choose, and is there any reason to opt for something expensive?

In this review, we’ll explore the best coffee grinders under $50, and we’ll also show you what to look for so you don’t get caught up in the confusion and hype.

The Difference Between Burr and Blade Grinders

Before jumping into why burr grinders are way better (yes, they are), let’s discuss why you need a grinder in the first place.

Grinding whole beans is considered by most coffee aficionados to be the only true way to get a well-balanced, full-flavored cup of coffee. The biggest argument for grinders is — pre-ground coffee, even if it’s vacuum-sealed, loses some of its qualities over time. And the coffee you make with it will never taste as good.

The second major reason is — grinding your own beans is more cost-effective than buying coffee in a specialty coffee shop. Plus, you get to take part in an age-old ritual.

So, now to the big question: What’s the difference between burr and blade grinders?

Blade grinders work much like blenders. They have a sharp revolving blade that spins and chops up the coffee beans. While this may sound fine at first, these grinders have significant disadvantages. It should be noted that there is the rare blade grinder that can match a burr grinder, but you still don’t get the level of control and consistency no matter how much you spend.

Burr grinders are touted as the best type of grinder. Instead of a revolving blade, burr grinders have a revolving burr. To put it simply, it works similarly to a standard mill. One part of the grinder rotates while the other remains stationary. By adjusting the distance between the rotating part and the fixed part, you can set a grind size to your preference (and brewing method).

Blade Grinder Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Doesn’t require any settings

Cons:

• Inconsistent grind size
• Lack of control
• Spinning blades create heat (which could affect the coffee’s flavor)

Burr Grinder Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Consistent grind size
• Include settings to adjust grind size
• Easy-to-use

Cons:

• More expensive than blade grinders

How to Choose the Best Burr Grinder

Now that we’ve shown you beyond a reasonable doubt that burr grinders are superior let’s get into what you should look for when shopping for one.

Since this is a “best burr coffee grinder under 50” review, that’s one of the main criteria — an inexpensive yet reliable grinder that’s suitable for daily use. The other things you should take note of are the types of materials used, the number of settings, bean hopper size, and motor speed/noise level.

Materials

Burr grinders can be electric or manual. Electric grinders tend to have more plastic parts on the outside, while manual grinders are more durable and made of solid materials like stainless steel. Beyond what it looks like and how it feels is the material used for the burr.

Burrs can be made of stainless steel or ceramic. Both are considered equally durable and long-lasting. Steer clear of plastic burrs — the risk of something breaking is higher if the plastic is of low quality, and you don’t want plastic in your morning cup. Plastic burrs could also affect the taste of the coffee.

Number of Settings

Like we said before, there’s no right way to drink coffee. However, it’s generally accepted that each grind size corresponds to a specific brewing method. This is because each method extracts coffee differently. For example, French Press and Cold Brew are all about steeping. Drip machines pass hot water through grounds, Moka pots use steam and espresso machines use high-pressure.

• Coarse grind — suitable for cold brew or French Press,
• Medium grind — ideal for auto drip and pour over.
• Fine grind — works for Moka pots
• Extra-fine grind — great for espresso machines or Turkish coffee

A burr grinder has to have grind settings — at least four settings and preferably more. The best rated burr coffee grinder under 50 bucks have as many as 18 settings!

Bean Hopper Size

A big consideration if you have a big family or office. The bean hopper holds the beans before they’re turned into aromatic coffee grounds. An important thing to consider is that manual grinders have a relatively small hopper (not really a hopper, more like a chamber), and electric burr grinders can have large hoppers (some hold up to a ½ lb of beans).

You’ll see mention of the number of cups when bean hoppers are mentioned. This is a relative number. Each cup setting correlates to how long the grinder will grind for (obviously, if it’s electric). Cup settings should be used as a guide because the time it takes to grind the beans depends on your taste, the type of coffee, the roast and the grind settings you select.

Motor Speed and Noise Level

Motor speed shouldn’t be a concern. Electric grinders can chew up an entire hopper in under a minute. The motor speed comes secondary to the grind quality — you want a consistent, predictable grind every time.

If you plan on grinding your beans in the morning while people are sleeping, noise can be a pain. The best quiet electric coffee bean grinders are manual grinders. They’re about as noisy as a pepper mill. Electric grinders can get loud, so make sure to read the reviews to see if people complain. Manufacturers do not quote or measure decibels.

Conical and Flat Burr

And last but not least, there are two types of burr grinders: conical and flat. The word conical comes from the root word “cone,” which is easy to picture — the burr is cone-shaped. Flat burr grinders, on the other hand, use a flat wheel.

Some claim that conical grinders are better and retain fewer bits of beans. From what we’ve seen, it’s a good idea to open up the grinder and brush away any remaining beans anyway, so this is a minor point and shouldn’t influence your decision.

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FAQ

• How do coffee grinders work?

  Coffee grinders work by breaking whole beans down into grounds of various sizes using either blades or burrs.

• How do blade grinders grind coffee beans?

  Blade grinders work a lot like blenders — they have a revolving blade that chops up the beans into small pieces.

• How do burr grinders grind coffee beans?

  Burr grinders crush whole coffee beans to produce a consistent grind size.

• What’s the best quiet coffee bean grinder?

  Manual grinders are the quietest since there’s no electric motor. The downside is that you’ll have to put in some elbow grease to cut down on noise.