The best espresso grinders
The grinder decides the shot as much as the machine does.
We rank every one we cover on what matters when dialing in: the grind, the adjustment, how much coffee it holds back, how it is built and how loud it is.
By the Espresso Rated editors · Updated Nov 10, 2026 · How we score
Our picks by need
Best overallTurin DF54The highest score across the board.83/100 · The quiet bargain flat
For single dosing1Zpresso K-UltraThe least retained coffee and mess.69/100 · The do-everything hand grinder
For dialing inTurin DF64 Gen 2The finest, easiest adjustment.75/100 · The loud, low-retention flatFor a small, quiet counterTurin DF54The quietest and most compact.83/100 · The quiet bargain flat
For the moneyEureka Mignon SpecialitaThe most grinder for the price.76/100 · The quiet timed-dose flatTop 10 espresso grinders
#1 · Top pick
Budget pick
Turin DF54
The quiet bargain flat
The cheapest electric flat burr grinder that makes sweet, even espresso, and it does so quietly. It grinds slowly, and the bellows and plastic cup feel like the places the money was saved.
Best atNoise and footprint, ValueWeakest atBuild and reliability, Retention and workflow
Read the reviewPrice $299
83/100
#2
Best value
Eureka Mignon Specialita
The quiet timed-dose flat
A quiet, compact espresso grinder that turns out fluffy grounds with few clumps. Keep it on one bean with a full hopper; the small stepless wheel makes switching fiddly.
Best atValue, Noise and footprintWeakest atAdjustment, Retention and workflow
Read the reviewPrice $549
76/100
#3
Easiest to dial in
Turin DF64 Gen 2
The loud, low-retention flat
A 64mm flat burr single-doser that grinds superb espresso, keeps almost no coffee inside and costs far less than the grinders it is measured against. It is also loud, with a high-pitched note you will not miss.
Best atValue, AdjustmentWeakest atNoise and footprint, Retention and workflow
Read the reviewPrice $366.95
75/100
#4
Baratza Sette 270
The loud single-dosing conical
One of the cheapest ways into good espresso grinding: fluffy grounds, almost no coffee left inside and a precise two-ring adjustment. It is also very loud, the body is plastic, and failed gearboxes are on record.
Best atValue, Retention and workflowWeakest atNoise and footprint, Build and reliability
Read the reviewPrice $399.95
73/100
#5
Mazzer Philos
The built-for-decades single-doser
A café maker's 64 mm flat-burr single-doser that grinds sweet, consistent espresso and leaves almost nothing behind. It is big, its dial sits at the back, and it is not the quietest choice for a home.
Best atGrind quality, AdjustmentWeakest atNoise and footprint, Retention and workflow
Read the reviewPrice $1,595
72/100
#6
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
The 60-step timed conical
An affordable hopper grinder that gets a beginner to even, heavy-bodied espresso and covers every brew up to French press. It holds coffee back inside, so it is a poor choice for weighing out single doses.
Best atAdjustment, ValueWeakest atRetention and workflow, Grind quality
Read the reviewPrice $199.95
69/100
#7
Least retention
1Zpresso K-Ultra
The do-everything hand grinder
A solidly built hand grinder that covers everything from French press to espresso on one numbered ring, with sweet, easy-going cups. Clarity is not its strength, and grinding for espresso every day is hard work.
Best atRetention and workflow, Build and reliabilityWeakest atValue, Grind quality
Read the reviewPrice $289
69/100- Grind quality5.9
- Adjustment7.2
- Retention and workflow8.8
- Build and reliability7.8
- Noise and footprintFew sources mention this
- Value5.7
#8
Fellow Ode Gen 2
The static-free filter flat
A quiet, tidy 64 mm flat-burr grinder that makes sweet, clear filter coffee and does not grind for espresso at all. Buy it for pour-over and batch brew only.
Best atNoise and footprint, Retention and workflowWeakest atGrind quality, Adjustment
Read the reviewPrice $399.95
69/100
#9
Baratza Encore ESP
The split-dial espresso starter
The low-cost way to start grinding for espresso: easy to dial in, sweet in the cup and simple to repair. Expect noise, clumpy grounds and a plastic body.
Best atValue, AdjustmentWeakest atNoise and footprint, Retention and workflow
Read the reviewPrice $199.95
68/100
#10
Fellow Opus
The quiet filter-first conical
A quiet, compact grinder that makes clean filter coffee and decent occasional espresso for little money. Its grind steps are too wide to dial in espresso easily, and how much coffee it holds back varies a lot from one counter to the next.
Best atValue, Noise and footprintWeakest atAdjustment, Retention and workflow
Read the reviewPrice $179.96
62/100
Popular comparisons
How we get to one answer
- We find the reviews. Long-term owners, café-trained testers and in-depth written reviews: 115 videos so far.
- We count what they say. For each thing that matters, like the shots or the steam wand, we note who praised it and who didn't.
- We tell you the story. One page per espresso grinder: what everyone loved, what people argue about, and who should buy it.