Coffee Grinder Buying Guide

Written by: Victoria A. • Date Created: August 2, 2025

Are you starting the journey with a new Manual Coffee Machine and you are not sure which Coffee Grinder you should pair it with? Or are you just thinking of upgrading your current one?

At Eastlink Espresso, we are committed to assisting you in discovering the perfect Coffee Grinder match, empowering you to brew espresso after espresso with confidence and enjoyment. With a focus on quality and customer care, we offer an extensive selection of top-tier Italian Coffee Grinders.

When looking for a new Coffee Grinder there's no perfect choice. A prevalent myth says that the coffee machines are more important than Coffee Grinders but in reality this is not true. The choice is subject to the personal use, workflow, dimensions and finally budget.

Grinding coffee is a brutal thing, the action of grinding coffee beans produces noise, vibration, static and heat. A great coffee grinder can eliminate most of these things.

When it comes to dial in your espresso you want to make sure you are in control of all variables, the main one is the coffee particle size (coarse or fine) and the secondary is the coffee quantity. The more control and consistency you get and the better your cup will be.

IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A COFFEE GRINDER

  • Burrs size (generally the bigger the better, not always)
  • Motor power
  • Speed
  • Precision of the adjustments
  • Clumpiness
  • Noise level
  • Easy access to the burrs for cleaning and maintenance

We are going to talk about on Demand Coffee Grinders which are designed to grind directly into your portafilter. These grinders only grind the right amount you need and therefore they allow the grounds to be as fresh as possible. The trick is to brew only coffee that is ground within a few seconds.

Our Coffee Grinders

When looking for a new Coffee Grinder the choice can be quite difficult and ultimately it would depend on a few factors, needs and budget. To summarise we will divide the Coffee Grinders in 4 groups:

Coffee Grinders with Manual Function

Some cafes and venues would even use these grinders for decaf or small applications.

Manual Coffee Grinder

They are in real sense built like commercial grinders but in a smaller footprint. Some cafes and venues would even use these grinders for decaf or small applications.These grinders can give you full control over the particle size, thanks to the coarse-fine dial adjustment, but they can lack of consistency. You will be judging the amount of coffee you are dosing by eyes and for this reason you won't be able to program the amount of coffee grounds.They can be a bit trickier to use, unless you are planning on using a Coffee Scale the results will be up and down during the day but they are definitely going to be more affordable since they have a basic electronic.

PERFECT FOR

  • Budget-conscious coffee lovers
  • Those who enjoy hands-on brewing

PROS

  • More affordable option
  • Full control over grind size
  • Simple electronics

CONS

  • Less consistent dosing
  • Requires coffee scale for accuracy
  • More manual work required

Shop Our Best Manual Coffee Grinders

Coffee Grinders Timed Based

Timed-based grinders offer convenience and consistency by allowing you to set specific grinding times for repeatable results.

Timed Coffee Grinder

Timed-based grinders represent the next step up in convenience and consistency. These grinders allow you to program specific grinding times, which translates to more consistent dosing once you dial in your preferred settings.The timer function eliminates much of the guesswork involved in manual grinding, making your morning routine more predictable and efficient. While they may not offer the precision of weight-based systems, they provide an excellent balance between convenience and control.These grinders are perfect for those who want consistency without the complexity of more advanced systems.

PERFECT FOR

  • Busy morning routines
  • Consistent daily brewing

PROS

  • Programmable timing
  • More consistent than manual
  • Good value for money

CONS

  • Less precise than weight-based
  • Requires initial calibration
  • Bean density can affect results

Shop Our Best Timed Coffee Grinders

Coffee Grinders By Weight

Weight-based grinders provide the ultimate precision by measuring the exact weight of ground coffee.

Weight-Based Coffee Grinder

Weight-based grinders represent the pinnacle of precision in coffee grinding technology. These advanced machines use built-in scales to measure the exact weight of ground coffee, ensuring unprecedented consistency in your espresso preparation.Unlike timed grinders that can be affected by bean density, roast level, and age, weight-based systems deliver the exact amount of coffee you program, regardless of these variables. This precision translates directly to more consistent extraction and better-tasting espresso.These grinders are the choice of serious home baristas and professionals who demand the highest level of accuracy and repeatability in their coffee preparation.

PERFECT FOR

  • Serious home baristas
  • Professional applications

PROS

  • Ultimate precision
  • Consistent results
  • Professional-grade accuracy

CONS

  • Higher investment
  • More complex operation
  • Requires calibration

Shop Our Best Weight-Based Coffee Grinders

Single Dose Coffee Grinders

Single dose grinders are designed to grind only what you need for each brew, ensuring maximum freshness and minimal waste.

Single Dose Coffee Grinder

Single dose grinders represent the ultimate in coffee freshness and flexibility. These grinders are designed to hold and grind only the exact amount of beans needed for each brew, eliminating the stale coffee grounds that can accumulate in traditional hoppered grinders.This approach ensures that every cup is made with the freshest possible grounds, and allows you to easily switch between different coffee beans without cross-contamination. Single dose grinders are particularly popular among coffee enthusiasts who enjoy exploring different origins and roast profiles.The workflow involves weighing your beans before grinding, which naturally encourages more precise and mindful coffee preparation.

PERFECT FOR

  • Coffee enthusiasts
  • Those who switch between beans

PROS

  • Maximum freshness
  • Easy bean switching
  • Minimal waste

CONS

  • More hands-on process
  • Requires weighing beans
  • Slower workflow

Shop Our Best Single Dose Coffee Grinders

Remember this golden rule:

Your grinder is just as important as your coffee machine. Invest in the best grinder your budget allows - it will make a dramatic difference in your coffee quality. A great grinder with a modest machine will always outperform an expensive machine with a poor grinder.