Best Coffee Grinders for Espresso
The best grinders for espresso, from the Baratza Encore ESP to the DF64 II flat burr, compared by burrs, adjustment and dosing.
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The short answer
For most home baristas, the Baratza Encore ESP is the best espresso grinder for the money: its first 20 settings are calibrated in fine steps for espresso, and the next 20 handle drip and French press. If you want a hopper grinder with built-in weighing, step up to the Baratza Sette 270Wi. For near-zero retention and 64 mm flat burrs, the MiiCoffee DF64 II is the enthusiast pick. On a budget with a Breville machine, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is a sensible match.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Model | Burrs | Adjustment | Dosing | Best for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall value | Baratza Encore ESP | 40 mm conical (M2) | 40 settings, 1–20 fine for espresso | Hopper, dosing cup | Espresso plus drip | Check price |
| Best weight-based | Baratza Sette 270Wi | 40 mm conical | 270 settings | Built-in scale, grinds by weight | Fast, repeatable dosing | Check price |
| Best flat burr | MiiCoffee DF64 II | 64 mm flat | Stepless | Single dose | Enthusiasts, low retention | Check price |
| Best for Breville owners | Breville Smart Grinder Pro | 40 mm conical | 60 settings | Timed dosing, 18 oz hopper | Budget espresso | Check price |
| Best all-rounder | Fellow Opus | 40 mm conical | Two-ring macro/micro | Single dose | Espresso to cold brew | Check price |
| Best manual | 1Zpresso J-Ultra | 48 mm conical | About 8 microns per click | Hand grinder | Travel, tight budgets | Check price |
Why your grinder matters more than your machine
Espresso extracts in about 25–30 seconds under pressure, so tiny changes in grind size swing the shot from sour to bitter. An espresso grinder needs fine, small adjustment steps in the espresso range and consistent particle size. Blade grinders and most drip-focused grinders can’t do that. We compared specs, owner reviews and published reviews of the grinders below.
1. Baratza Encore ESP — Best overall value
The Encore ESP keeps the familiar Encore body but adds Baratza’s M2 conical burrs and a split adjustment range: settings 1–20 move in roughly 9-micron steps for espresso, and settings above 20 jump about 45 microns per step for filter brewing. It has an 8 oz hopper and comes with a dosing cup.
Who it’s for: anyone who wants one grinder for espresso and drip without spending a lot.
Good to know: there is no timer, the dosing cup is larger than a double shot needs, and published reviews measured it as fairly loud.
Check the Baratza Encore ESP on Amazon →
2. Baratza Sette 270Wi — Best weight-based grinder
The Sette 270Wi has a built-in scale that grinds to a target weight, 40 mm conical burrs, 270 adjustment settings and a cradle that holds your portafilter. Published reviews found the weighing accurate to about 0.1 g, and it grinds quickly.
Who it’s for: people who want fast, repeatable doses without a separate scale.
Good to know: it’s one of the more expensive grinders here, and some reviews question the long-term accuracy of the scale.
Check the Baratza Sette 270Wi on Amazon →
3. MiiCoffee DF64 II — Best flat burr
The DF64 II is a single-dose grinder with 64 mm flat burrs, stepless adjustment and very low retention. It’s popular with hobbyists who weigh every dose and want clarity in their shots, and its burrs can be swapped for aftermarket sets.
Who it’s for: enthusiasts who single-dose and want flat-burr flavor without a commercial-grinder price.
Good to know: stepless adjustment takes some practice, and the industrial look isn’t for every kitchen.
Check the MiiCoffee DF64 II on Amazon →
4. Breville Smart Grinder Pro — Best for Breville owners
The Smart Grinder Pro has 40 mm conical burrs, 60 settings, an 18 oz hopper, timed dosing and cradles for different portafilter sizes, including Breville’s 54 mm. Reviewers describe it as fairly quiet.
Who it’s for: Bambino and Breville owners on a budget.
Good to know: it’s best at espresso and weaker at coarse grinds, and at about 15 inches tall it may not fit under cabinets. Many owners install an aftermarket finer upper burr to reach finer settings.
Check the Breville Smart Grinder Pro on Amazon →
5. Fellow Opus — Best all-rounder
The Opus uses 40 mm conical burrs with an outer ring for big changes and an inner ring for micro-adjustment, covering espresso to cold brew. It’s a compact single-dose design.
Who it’s for: households that brew espresso and pour-over and want one good-looking grinder.
Good to know: reviewers note slow grinding, no portafilter cradle and noticeable retention.
Check the Fellow Opus on Amazon →
6. 1Zpresso J-Ultra — Best manual
The J-Ultra is a hand grinder with 48 mm conical burrs and very fine adjustment (about 8 microns per click). It’s one of the most precise ways to get espresso-grade grounds for the money.
Who it’s for: budget espresso setups, travel, and lever or manual espresso makers.
Good to know: grinding for espresso takes real effort, and you can’t grind straight into a portafilter.
Check the 1Zpresso J-Ultra on Amazon →
How to dial in a new espresso grinder
When a new grinder arrives, start in the middle of its espresso range rather than at the finest setting. Weigh 18 g of beans for a double shot, grind, and pull a shot while timing it and weighing the output. Aim for roughly 36 g in 25–30 seconds as a starting point.
- Too fast and sour? Grind finer by one or two steps.
- Too slow and bitter? Grind coarser.
- Change only the grind until the time is in range, then adjust the recipe to taste.
- Season new burrs: the first few hundred grams can taste a little different as burrs settle.
Conical vs flat burrs for espresso
Conical burrs tend to produce a fuller-bodied shot and are common in affordable grinders. Flat burrs are often associated with more clarity and distinct flavors, which suits light roasts. Both can make excellent espresso; adjustment precision and consistency matter more than burr shape at this level.
Espresso grinder checklist
- Fine adjustment in the espresso range: stepless or many small steps.
- Single dose or hopper: single dosing suits people who switch beans often; hoppers suit one daily coffee.
- Retention: low retention means fresher grounds and less waste.
- Portafilter fit: check for a cradle or grind-into-cup option for your basket size.
- Height: measure under your cabinets.
- Noise: matters for early mornings in shared homes.
FAQ
What grinder do I need for espresso?
A burr grinder that can grind very fine and adjust in small steps. Good examples are the Baratza Encore ESP, Baratza Sette 270Wi, Breville Smart Grinder Pro and MiiCoffee DF64 II.
Can a regular burr grinder make espresso?
Many drip-focused burr grinders can’t grind fine enough or adjust in small enough steps. The original Baratza Encore, for example, is mainly a filter grinder; the Encore ESP was designed to add espresso capability.
Is a single-dose grinder better for espresso?
Single-dose grinders like the DF64 II have low retention, which helps if you switch beans often or weigh each dose. Hopper grinders are more convenient if you drink the same coffee every day.
How much should I spend on an espresso grinder?
Many capable espresso grinders sell for around $150 to $600. Spending at least as much on the grinder as on an entry-level machine is a common recommendation.
