This Is the BEST Coffee Grinder Under $100

Last Updated on December 8, 2023

If you have at least $100 to spend, you can easily improve your home coffee experience by upgrading to a quality burr coffee grinder.

There’s an overwhelming number of grinders on the market with a wide variety of specs and capabilities, so we’ll help you narrow down your options.

We’ve rounded up our favorite grinders under $100 and laid out in detail why we think they’re worth your consideration (and your kitchen).

What Is the Best Coffee Grinder Under $100?

Our top pick for the best coffee grinder under $100 is the Capresso 560.01 Infinity Conical Burr Grinder, mainly because of its impressive performance, ease of use, and remarkably quiet operation.

Top 3 Coffee Grinders Under or Around $100 at a Glance

There are several things to consider when shopping for an affordable coffee grinder, so let’s break down the most important elements before we dive into our detailed round up of the best grinders at around $100.

Blade Grinder or Burr Grinder?

Honestly, this isn’t even a debate. Burr grinders are highly superior to blade grinders. Although they’re more affordable, blade grinders just aren’t capable of delivering anything resembling grind consistency.

Blade grinders don’t actually grind. They have steel blades that chop or crush your beans. There’s no way to control this chopping process, and although you can achieve a coarse grind or finer grind by adjusting your grinding length, there is very little consistency. With a blade grinder you get coffee pieces ranging from large chunks (or ‘boulders’) to coffee dust. This leads to an uneven extraction and an inferior—often bitter—cup of coffee.

Steel or Ceramic Burrs?

Even among coffee experts, the jury is still out on this one. Steel burrs are sharper, offering more speed and precision. But with increased friction comes heat, which can negatively affect the flavor of your coffee before you even begin your extraction.

Burr grinders generally grind at slower speeds than blade grinders, which lowers the potential for heat damage. A conical burr will further lessen this effect. Conical burrs are also less likely to clog or experience grind retention as a result of static electricity build up that causes grinds to stick to the interior workings of your grinder.

Steel burrs are sharper to start, but they tend to dull over time and require more frequent replacement. Ceramic burrs, on the other hand, are less sharp and less precise and therefore tend to have great lasting power. Many ceramic burrs, however, are brittle and can crack if beans get lodged between them.

Personally, I favor steel burrs. All of the electric burr grinders on this list feature steel burrs.

Electric Grinder or Manual Grinder?

Only a few decent electric burr grinders sit around the $100 mark, but there are several manual grinders that fall far below that. If your budget is your top concern and you have the time, attention, and muscle to devote to a manual grinder, you can get impressive performance at a fraction of the cost with a manual burr grinder.

There’s a visceral, hands-on experience that comes from manually grinding your coffee beans. If you want to bring Zen-like attention to your morning ritual, a manual grinder can be an amazing companion.

For me, life is enough of a grind. Most of us can’t be bothered to grind our beans out every morning, so investing in an electric burr coffee grinder is the obvious choice.

Best Electric Burr Grinders Under or Around $100

Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s get to the goods.

Full disclosure: at time of writing a couple of these options had just breached $100, but they remain extremely close to the mark and in our opinion they’re worth the few extra bucks.

Here are our top picks for electric burr grinders:

Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder

It was a tight race for the top spot, but ultimately the Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder took the prize.

The Capresso Infinity burr grinder is our best overall pick for several reasons: solid grind consistency, a full range of grind sizes (from Turkish to French press) and its gear reduction motor.

This machine just sneaks under the $100 mark, but it performs well above this price point.

With 16 grind settings and conical steel burrs, the Capresso Infinity delivers some of the best grind consistency found in this price range, which in my opinion is the highest priority. We can forgive a slightly higher noise level or grind retention if the end result is an excellent cup of coffee, but with the Capresso there’s very little compromise.

The gear reduction motor, which decreases speed while increasing torque, results in a slightly slower grind time, but what you gain is the quietest grinder of the bunch. A slower grind also creates less friction, which produces less heat, allowing your coffee to retain its rich, full flavor. 

The Capresso 560.01 Infinity is a sleek, stylish, high-performing electric burr grinder—but it does have some drawbacks. What keeps it at this approachable price point are the cheaper plastic components. The plastic bean hopper and grind catchment container contribute to static buildup and some grind retention. It’s not an overwhelming amount, but it’s enough to be a bit annoying and require some frequent tapping and brushing to keep it clean. The cheap plastic timing nob has a tendency to break with heavy use. This is to be expected at this price point, and it’s not so bothersome as to knock the Capresso Infinity electric coffee grinder out of the top spot.

Pros

• simple to use
• best grind consistency
• quietest of the bunch
• full range of grind sizes

Cons

• some cheaper plastic components
• timed dosing requires experimentation
• grinder catchment can vibrate out of place

De’Longhi Ariete 3017 Burr Coffee Grinder

The De’Longhi Ariete 3017 went neck and neck with the Capresso. It didn’t quite reach the same heights for grind consistency or noise reduction, but it still performs very well for the affordable price point and has several similarities to the Capresso.

Another sleek and stylish electric coffee grinder, the Ariete has conical stainless steel burrs and offers a relatively consistent grind. With 15 grind settings (and additional incremental steps in between) it ranges from Turkish to French press, but there are some reports of reduced consistency at both ends of the spectrum.

The Ariete uses a timer for dosing but comes with a handy timing guide that illustrates the equivalent time-to-cup ratio and takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process. You’ll still want to play around until you find the perfect strength for your brew, but this handy guide will ultimately save you time and coffee.

Like the Capresso (and like most of the electric burr grinders on this list) the attractive price point means several components are made of plastic, which can lead to static and grind retention. It’s not a crazy amount but quite a bit more than the Capresso.

Pros

• essentially 30 grind settings
• good consistency
• relatively quiet
• timed dosing guide

Cons

• some cheaper plastic components
• more grind retention
• not as consistent for superfine/coarser grinds
• slightly higher price

OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is another great option, particularly if you grind large amounts of beans. The hopper can hold 0.75 pounds of coffee and can grind up to 12 cups in a single go. It’s a workhorse while remaining fairly sleek and stylish.

This electric coffee grinder has a few bonuses, such as the stainless steel grind catchment container, and relatively consistent grind and dose sizes. But it doesn’t quite reach the same performance as the Capresso or Ariete, and it’s a bit loud and messy, which is why it lands in 3rd place.

The OXO is simple to use and easy to maintain. It uses timed grinding, which requires some experimentation at the outset but is incredibly consistent once you get your dosing figured out. The grind consistency is above average, with very little coffee dust. While still very impressive for a grinder at this price range, it doesn’t quite match the Capresso or Ariete, and it struggles to grind fine enough for Turkish coffee.

The stainless steel grind catchment container is a great touch but unfortunately doesn’t do much to diminish grind retention, which is quite high with the OXO. It can also be quite messy, as the catchment bin often slips out of place. There’s very little attention given to noise reduction, and although not necessarily louder than some other machines, it has a high-pitched sound that can be grating.

I recommend the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder only if you intend to grind large amounts, and often.

Pros

• large capacity
• good grind and dose consistency
• stainless steel grind catchment

Cons

• high grind retention
• messy
• loud
• most expensive of the bunch

Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder

The Bodum Bistro is a huge disappointment to me. Not because of its features or performance—which are actually among my favorite—but because such a trusted brand skimped on durability. The Bistro is unlikely to make it to the two-year mark without needing parts replaced.

Again, it’s amazing to find a burr grinder with this level of consistency under $100, but unlike the others above, Bodum made a strange choice in using plastic gears, which are extremely prone to breakage. All of these grinders have plastic components, but choosing wisely where to incorporate cheaper parts is important. Replacement parts are fairly easy to find, but Bodum’s customer service is extremely hit or miss, so the process can be rather arduous.

All that being said, there are many things to love about the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder. It has a gorgeous sleek design and modern style, available in five fun colors. The borosilicate glass grind catchment container is not only stylish and durable but also results in almost zero grind retention. The conical steel burrs produce a grind consistency that is among the best on this list, from espresso through to French press.

If this electric coffee grinder was built to last it would be my top pick hands down, which is why I’m so disappointed in its lack of durability. If cleaned extremely frequently it might last longer, but it’s no thrill to clean this machine and it can be quite a chore. If Bodum upgraded those plastic gears I’d happily pay a few extra dollars for the Bistro.

Pros

• stylish
• great grind consistency
• quiet
• almost zero grind retention

Cons

• not built to last
• tends to breakdown after just a year or so of frequent use
• customer service is hit or miss

KRUPS GX5000 Burr Grinder

The KRUPS GX5000 is cheaper than the other electric burr grinders on this list. Although it performs worse than the others in nearly every category, it’s still a solid grinder. Overall, it’s a crazy deal for a quality electric burr grinder.

The GX5000 is probably the easiest to use as it has cup settings that take all the trial and error out of the grinding process. Set the appropriate coarseness for your brewing method, select how many cups you want to make, press a button—and voila!

With 45 grind settings, this electric coffee grinder runs the gamut from Turkish to French press coffee, but it doesn’t offer as nearly a consistent grind as the others on the list. It’s not too bad, but it’s not great. Let’s call it average. (It’s still much better than a blade grinder, that’s for sure.)

A contributing factor to the lower performance of the KRUPS GX5000 is that it’s a flat burr grinder. Flat rather than conical burrs create more heat, more noise, more static. This results in a less robust flavor and much higher grind retention. The KRUPS also has a tendency to over grind, creating coffee dust which leads to over-extraction and imparts unpleasant characteristics such as bitterness to your brew. 

If you’re a coffee lover on a tight budget, the KRUPS GX5000 gets the job done well for an insanely good price.

Pros

• crazy cheap
• simple to use
• easy to clean
• 12 cup capacity

Cons

• bit loud
• bit slow
• not as consistent
• flat burrs
• grind size nob can stick

Best Manual Burr Grinders Under $100

If you want a quality burr coffee grinder within an even tighter budget range—or if you prefer the power of your hands over the socket—a manual grinder may be right for you. They take some care and attention, not to mention a little elbow grease, but when used properly a manual coffee grinder can make the best cups of coffee your kitchen (or campground) will ever see.

If touch-of-the-button ease is more your style, you’ve probably already found your pick above. But for the strong of heart and hand, let’s forge on.

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

A longtime favorite of coffee geeks around the world, this sleek, slim, ultra-lightweight grinder is a go-to for a camper or frequent traveler who isn’t ready to sacrifice a good cup of coffee on the road.

If you make one or two cups of coffee every morning, a manual grinder can also work as your day-to-day, and the JavaPresse offers impressive consistency in a full range, from espresso to French press. You’ll be hard pressed to find a manual grinder that can deliver a grind fine enough for Turkish coffee.

Brushed stainless steel makes the JavaPresse attractive and durable. The glass window lets you eyeball your grinds, which is handy, and it’s recessed enough as to not compromise durability. The crank arm is smooth and effective, and grind times tend to be mid-range.

The JavaPresse manual coffee grinder’s ceramic burrs offer an impressively consistent grind. Adjusting the 18 grind settings can be a bit finicky, but once you get your JavaPresse dialed in, it performs well above the price point.

Pros

• consistent grind
• compact size and lightweight
• durable
• great for home and the road
• super affordable price
• very quiet

Cons

• adjusting the grind settings can be tricky
• not the fastest

Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill

Hario is a trusted brand known for their pour-over equipment and manual grinders that deliver incredible performance at extremely reasonable prices. I personally love the look of the Skerton Plus. The glass catchment bowl, although making it slightly more fragile, is a top-selling feature in my opinion.

Given the slightly larger size—the Skerton Pro has a 100 g capacity—and the glass components, I recommend it mainly as a home grinder. If you want a Hario that’s better suited for the road, check out the Hario Mini-Slim Pro, another favorite that just barely missed our list.

Like the majority of manual grinders, the Skerton Plus features ceramic burrs, which deliver a great grind consistency, unlocking the rich flavor of your fresh coffee beans. Hario recently added a stabilizing plate between the burrs to further increase grind consistency.

The Skerton is easy to use, adjust and clean, but it takes some muscle to get the job done, and it will take a few minutes to achieve a fine grind. The slip free and wider base of the Skerton Plus helps with grinding ease, but unfortunately the crank arm has a tendency to loosen with regular use.

Pros

• improved grind consistency
• stylish
• fairly compact coffee grinder
• glass catchment bowl
• reasonably priced

Cons

• requires some muscle
• crank arm can come loose
• not as quiet, durable or portable as the JavaPresse

Porlex Mini Portable Hand Grinder

The final grinder on our list, the Porlex Mini is small yet mighty, providing an impressive grind consistency—but you’ll have to work for it. With ceramic burrs and just 13 grind settings, it’s not as versatile as the other manuals on the list, but it delivers a great espresso grind if you’ve got the patience for it.

We love the Porlex for it’s sleek style and durable build. It’s perfect for coffee drinkers on the go, and it even fits right inside your AeroPress—the camping duo dreams are made of! If you’re grinding for a single AeroPress or pour-over daily, it’s a great home option, but it’s just not quite as versatile or high performance as the comparable JavaPresse. It’s also the most expensive of the manual grinders on this list.

Pros

• super lightweight and compact design
• great grind consistency

Cons

• less versatile
• bit slow
• small capacity
• on the pricier side

Final Thoughts

Whether electric or manual, upgrading to a burr grinder will instantly improve the quality of your home brew. With the ability to control and adjust your grind size, you’ll extract the most out of your favorite coffee in no time.

It’s fantastic that we can now own quality home burr grinders without breaking the bank. Putting your money on the Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder will be worth every penny.

If you happen to be an espresso fiend with a higher budget, check out our list of the best espresso grinders under $500.