Making a fresh cup of coffee straight from a french press is a lovely and flavorful way to start to the day. In order to get the perfect cup of french press coffee however, your coffee beans will need to be ground fresh right before brewing, preferably with a burr grinder rather than a blade.
I used to just put whatever coffee I had on hand, usually a scoop of already ground beans, into my french press and add hot water, making a subpar cup each time. It wasn’t until I got my hands on my first grinder and experimented with course grind that I discovered the difference in quality.
If you’re making a cup of french press coffee, grinding the beans fresh before you start is essential to great flavor. Within hours of the grinding process, coffee begins to lose its flavor and aroma. Once the surface area has been exposed, the coffee is subject to losing freshness.
Preserving the freshness of your beans is key to making a delicious batch of french press coffee, and the reason you should always grind your coffee immediately before making your brew.
There are a lot of different coffee grinders out there, and I prefer to use ones with burrs instead of blades, for a more even, reliable grind.
If you are considering purchasing a small electric burr coffee grinder, you’ll want to keep in mind the many varieties they come in. Some are more heavy duty than others, and many come with a variety of different settings for grinding.
Lower on this page I’ve reviewed six of the best options for a small burr grinder but before we get to those reviews let’s summarize them first in the following table.
| Image | Product |
|---|---|
 Check Price on Amazon |
Capresso 560.04 Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
► The Best! My #1 Recommendation |
 Check Price on Amazon |
Brim Electric Handheld Burr Grinder
► Literally the Smallest Burr Grinder |
 Check Price on Amazon |
KRUPS GVX212 Coffee Grinder
► Super Affordable Grinder |
Obviously the best electric burr grinders are a bit bigger and more expensive but these all serve as good entry points to home grinding without spending too much money.
If you want to see my full review of some of these grinders then scroll down the page just a bit and let’s dive in.
Capresso 560.04 Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
This commercial-grade machine is comprised of conical steel burrs for perfect grinding. This is the most heavy-duty of the list, with gear-reduction motors to create a slow, quiet, static-less grind, which also serves to protect the flavor and aroma of the coffee.
This machine still has settings for grinding levels, but a little more simplified. There is an extra fine, fine, regular, and coarse setting, suitable for all preferences.
As far as convenience goes, the burrs are removable and easy to clean, and the machine comes with a cleaning brush and measuring scoop.
Brim Electric Handheld Burr Grinder
This grinder is gorgeous, with a unique triangle shaped body and a beautiful stainless steel finish.
I really like the large, silicone comfort grip which allows you to hold the machine comfortably while grinding. There are nine settings which can produce a grind fine enough for espresso, and coarse enough for a french press.
The burrs are stainless steel, meant to optimize the speed of the grind, which helps preserve the flavor of the beans.
KRUPS Coffee Grinder
Another sophisticated, elegant looking grinder, the KRUPS is a great choice with a lot of extra features.
The burr mill system is designed to prevent overheating, meaning the coffee will always stay fresh and maintain its aroma. You can select the quantity you are grinding, and the machine will automatically turn off once its ground the right amount.
What stands out about this machine the most is the safety and maintenance features. The grinder will not turn on unless the lids are secured safely in place, and the burrs are removable for easy clean up. Even better for clean up, the machine comes with cleaning brush to get in the tight spaces.
Nesco BG-88PR Burr Mill coffee grinder
This product makes it nearly impossible to not get the exact grounds you desire. There are 17 different settings, ranging from the finest to the coarsest. If you make a lot of different varieties of coffee, this would be a great choice because you can experiment with the settings to find the perfect number for whatever you are making.
The bottom unit has a bin with measurements, allowing you to get the right amount each time. It even has a timer and auto shut off, and can grind 2 to 12 cups of coffee.
This grinder promises lower heat generation during the grind, which helps maintain the freshness of the coffee.
Gourmia Compact Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
I really like the overall look and design of this grinder. It is compact, sleek and high quality.
There is a unit to add the whole beans to, and the product comes out in the bottom chamber. The grinder is easy to operate, and you can adjust how fine or coarse your grounds are by turning the cup counter-clockwise.
Grinding is an easy, one-click process. The two-part machine is easy to use, and easy to separate and clean.
KONA Electric Burr Grinder
I adore the look of this electric burr grinder. It’s got a black body, with a design very similar to the Gourmia Compact Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, but more sophisticated and sleek.
Like the Nesco, this grinder has multiple settings to allow you to reach your desired level of coarseness.
What sets this apart from the previous grinders is the extra features. This comes equipped with a 3-suction base to prevent it from falling off the counter and potentially getting busted. This is a big plus for me, as I have a lot of clutter and knowing this won’t get bumped off the countertop is a big relief.
How to Choose a Small Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
The purpose of a coffee grinder is to chop beans rapidly and efficiently. Beyond that, the right grinder to choose is dependent on a lot of lifestyle and personal needs.
First, consider how often you realistically will be needing to grind coffee, and at what capacity. If you just want to make a french press a few times a week, and that process will consist of pressing “grind” a couple of times until the beans resemble crushed black pepper, you probably don’t need a grinder with 17 different settings.
If you are going to be grinding on a daily basis, and use a variety of different textures, a compact grinder with few settings might be too little for your needs, and even get worn out too quickly.
All of the grinders on this list are high-quality choices, they just need to be aligned with the right lifestyle.
FAQ for Small Electric Burr Coffee Grinders
Are burrs better to grind with than blades?
Burrs and blades both have the same end goal: ground coffee. But blades tend to produce a less even grind than burrs, causing the taste to be inconsistent because of the mix of finely and coarsely ground beans.
An even grind is important, and burrs are more accurate at grinding coffee consistently because they chop the coffee in a manner that is more controlled than the typical blade.
Can I grind beans for a regular pot of coffee, not a french press or pour over?
Absolutely. All of the burr grinders on this list are great for creating the fine texture you’d want to put in a typical coffee maker.
Personally, I only ever buy whole beans. I always grind my beans fresh, even before putting them in my big coffee maker, to keep the flavor as potent as possible.
What is the difference between a high or low speed grind?
A low speed grind is generally preferred as it creates less heat and static, which can affect the taste of the coffee. I also prefer a low-speed grinder because they are typically quieter than their high-speed counterpart, which is useful early in the morning.
And now to wrap things up.
A coffee grinder is essential for any serious coffee-enthusiast. Nothing beats the fresh taste and aroma of a cup of coffee that came from freshly ground beans.
If you are looking to start grinding your beans, or find a better grinder for your money, you’ll want to take all of the features of these different burr grinders into account.
For me, the KONA Electric Grinder fits all of my needs. I love the design, and the look fits great with the rest of my coffee supplies. The grinder is also simple, which is important because I do not like having excess products or functions that I won’t use.
I just like to brew an easy french press a few days out of the week, and for that I always stick to one level of coarseness. This machine has very clear settings, which means I can play around and figure out which one produces the perfect cup, and then set it for that each time.
On days when I don’t make a french press, I still like to grind my coffee fresh. This machine allows me to get a fine ground in a matter of seconds.
Whatever your needs may be, incorporating a small electric burr coffee grinder into your collection of kitchen gadgets is a smart idea. Being able to consistently make a great cup of coffee, with no variation in the texture or flavor, is a great feeling.
Here are The Smallest Electric Burr Coffee Grinders:
- The Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
- The Brim Electric Handheld Burr Grinder
- The KRUPS Small Electric Coffee Grinder
- The Nesco BG-88PR Burr Coffee Mill
- The Gourmia Compact Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
- The KONA Electric Burr Grinder
I hope you’ll consider this list of small, electric, burr grinders before making your selection and steer clear of the slightly smaller blade grinders.
If you are OK with using a manual hand-crank grinder then we have a page dedicated to those here. They are smaller than those featured on this page but take a lot more effort to use.
Top 8 Small Electric Burr Coffee Grinders [Entry Level]
You like your coffee good.. I know, we’re the same.
Folgers pre-gorund coffee just doesn’t do it for you like it did for your dad. :/
When I first started making good coffee at home I bought myself a little blade coffee bean grinder – It wasn’t long though before I realized how this just didn’t help me make good coffee.
To make great coffee you just have to step up from a blade grinder to a burr grinder… unfortunately most high end burr grinders are big and cost a lot of money.
If you’re anything like me you’d love to have a big Baratza Virtuoso grinder or even a Breville Smart Grinder Pro but those pieces of equipment are just too big and expensive for most people, myself included.
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The obvious solution to not having pockets deep enough or kitchen counters big enough to buy those types of grinders is to buy the best small electric coffee bean grinder you can find and afford.
In this article we recommend to almost everybody to go get a “premium” entry level grinder, the grinder I use daily in my own kitchen at 6am is the Capresso Infinity 565.05. It is a great entry level grinder that performs really well. It’s quiet for a grinder, doesn’t produce much static, and it’s been pretty easy to keep it clean over the months I’ve been using it.
A few other small burr grinders I’ll be reviewing below include the following:
- The Bodum Bistro (Premium Entry-Level)
- The DeLonghi SS Burr Coffee Grinder (Low End Grinder with High End Stainless Steel Casing)
- The Baratza Encore (Top Tier Brand, Entry Level Model)
The smallest of them all (and usually the cheapest) is the Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind. It’s not the best unit but it is made by a major brand and it does get the job done for only a small amount of cash.
The Best Electric Coffee Grinders for Small Spaces
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Here at GGC Coffee we have lots of customers with many different budgets, both small and large. These smaller burr grinders however are the most common units we recommend to our customers and they are the most common grinders our customers purchase.
Pricing for grinders in this space typically fall between $30 and $130 and the quality of the grinder is going to go up significantly as you get over $100. Even in the low hundreds however these are still considered beginners grinders compared to models that can run in excess of $500 or even a grand!
Take a look below for more detail.
Bodum BISTRO Burr Grinder, Electronic Coffee Grinder with Continuously Adjustable Grind
Bodum BISTRO Burr Grinder, Electronic Coffee Grinder with Continuously Adjustable GrindThe Bodum Bistro is popular and well reviewed for very good reasons:
- It takes up very little space on your counter,
- It minimizes static cling in the borosilicate glass grind catcher, and
- It grinds beans to an excellent level of consistency compared to similarly priced grinders.
We also love that you can set your grind coarseness and grind time in advance meaning your morning brew is made effortlessly each time without any deviation at all.
Capresso 560.01 Infinity Conical Burr
Capresso 560.01 Infinity Conical Burr (small)The Capresso Infinity is another really well made upper-entry level electric coffee grinder.
We love that it makes everything from ultra fine Turkish grind to coarse french press grind.
We also love how easy it is to take apart the bean hopper and movable burr to clean it out!
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr MillThis Cuisinart electric burr grinder is one of the best sellign grinders of them all!
Why? Because it performs WAY better than a blade grinder for almost the same super low price!
This is not the best electric grinder but for the price it’s perfect for almost anyone even on the slimmest of budgets.
Ohh yeah, it’s really tiny too!
DeLonghi Stainless Steel Burr Coffee Grinder with Grind Selector and Quantity Control
DeLonghi Stainless Steel Burr Coffee Grinder with Grind Selector and Quantity ControlIf you are looking for a small and stylish electric grinder this DeLonghi is a great, low cost option.
It’s one of the smallest electric grinders on the market and it’s got stylish rectangular lines to match.
If you are looking for something that doesn’t cost a lot of money and isn’t going to take up much space then this grinder is hard to beat outside of picking up an even smaller manual hand crank grinder.
Here are a Few More Excellent Entry Level Burr Grinders
There’s nothing wrong with shopping around. If your pockets aren’t deep enough for a Virtuoso or Encore then any of these smaller (cheaper) burr grinders should get you started in the right direction.
Hamilton Beach 80374 Custom Grind Hands-Free Coffee Grinder, BlackMore InfoBaratza Encore – Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (with Bin)More InfoCapresso Coffee Burr GrinderMore InfoKRUPS GVX212 Coffee Grinder with Grind Size Cup Selection and Stainless Steel Conical BurrMore Info
Choosing Between Blade or Burr Coffee Grinders
The best way to get great-tasting coffee right in front of you on a daily basis (without having to pay a premium at a local cafe) is to grind your own coffee beans at home. Not only are grinders fairly inexpensive, but they’re also fairly easy to use and the newer models can often double as coffee makers or even espresso machines.
Unfortunately, buying a coffee grinder and choosing the right one isn’t as easy as making the decision of brewing your coffee yourself. And, when you do decide to go shopping for your own grinder, you’ll first end up having to choose between blade or burr coffee grinders. We would be amiss if we didn’t advise you to stick with the burr models only.
Related: See our reviews of the best blade grinders here.
Of the two, most people end up buying the former, which sometimes is the wrong choice, especially since small electric burr coffee grinders are so obviously the better choice if you want your coffee to taste it’s best.
Now, this isn’t to say that blade coffee grinders aren’t good for anything, but if you’re going to spend your money on coffee accessories you may as well get the best options even if it cost you $10-$20 more.
Above we’ve listed a few small entry level units that should do just fine for the average person.
I’d also like to recommend you read this full article on the differences between blade and burr grinders to get a better understanding of the reasons that burr grinders are worth spending more to own. You can also keep reading to get a summary of that article.
Why Are Burr Coffee Grinders Better?
The answer to this question is rather simple and it all boils down to how electric burr coffee grinders are able to grind coffee beans to much more consistent particles compared to their bladed counterparts.
As any coffee aficionado would be the first to tell you, the more consistent the grind the better tasting the coffee will be, which is why it makes perfect sense to buy a burr coffee grinder.
Coffee lover or not, it’s definitely recommended to go buy a burr coffee grinder, even if they may be a bit more expensive. The smaller units are priced very attractively in most cases and they can still be used for a plethora of kitchen tasks.
In the end this minimal expense is nothing when you can get the best tasting coffee possible at all hours of the day or night. Yes, we do want to see you swing by our coffee shop but we also know that brewing good coffee in the home is important too.
Looking for In Depth Comparisons of These Small Coffee Grinders?
Above you will find our quick review of each of the main options in the entry level burr grinder space. They are all conical burr grinders and some of them use ceramic burrs whereas the other half use stainless steel burrs.
The cheaper grinders typically have plastic body components and plastic containers whereas the more expensive models tend to have stronger and quieter motors, steel casings, and glass containers.
More expensive models tend to grind to a more consistent size and create less dust or shredded beans.
They are also usually easier to open up and keep clean.
The most popular models sold are on the low end of the price range, the Cuisinart DBM-8 and the Krupps GX5000. You can see our direct head to head comparison of the Cuisinart DBM-8 and the Krupps GX5000 here.
The better performing models in this group are the Capresso Invinity 565 and the Baratza Encore. You can see our head to head comparison of the Capresso Infinity and the Baratza Encore here.
Lastly, I recommend see the following post comparing the Krupps GX5000 to the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder to understand what performance upgrades you get by jumping up in price from the low end to the high end.
