The Best Coffee Grinders for French Press: Electric and Manual Burr Models

Many home baristas love a good brew of coffee from a French press. If you have the press and good quality beans but your coffee isn’t tasting up to standard, you may need to find the best coffee grinder for French press brewing.

The quality and consistency of the grind are extremely important to brew your coffee correctly. When using a French press, if the grounds are too fine, they may slip through the mesh, causing you to end up drinking gritty coffee.

If the grounds come out too coarse, then you’ll be left with a weak coffee that didn’t have all the flavors extracted correctly. Both of these scenarios aren’t too pleasing for your early morning cup of coffee. So you may revert to buying pre-ground beans, which sounds simple enough.

While using pre-ground beans can prevent you from brewing inconsistent grounds, it will leave you brewing coffee that is not very fresh. This is because of the oxidation process that begins as soon as coffee beans are ground. As time passes, the beans lose their flavor.

The solution? Educate yourself on what makes a great grinder for a French press, and start enjoying better-tasting coffee. Here are five of the best electric burr coffee grinders for a French press, complete with a buying guide to help you choose the right one for your kitchen.

TOP PICK

If you have anything larger than a 4-cup French press, and making coffee for two or more, do yourself a favor and get an electric model like the Shardor burr grinder.  It’ll give you the right size grind in a snap.

The Best Coffee Grinders for French Press Are…

Product	Key Features
Best Burr Grinder For French Press	SHARDOR Conical Burr Coffee Grinder Durable conical burr 8 oz. bean hopper capacity Anti-static technology	Check Amazon
	Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 40 mm commercial-grade conical burrs Powerful DC motor 1-year warranty	Check Amazon
Best Cheap Coffee Grinder for French Press	Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill-‘Skerton Plus’ Manual Grinder Ceramic conical burrs Non-slip rubber base Ergonomic crank handle	Check Amazon
	CUISINART Coffee Grinder, Electric Burr, Stainless Steel Heavy-duty motor Cord storage space Auto-off feature	Check Amazon
	Mueller Ultra-Grind Conical Burr Grinder Professional Series 8.5 oz Capacity Hardened alloy steel conical burr Less than 76 dB	Check Amazon

A French press requires a medium-to-coarse grind to prevent particles from slipping through the mesh. If your grind size is too small, it may also result in bitter-tasting coffee. This occurs because of the coffee extraction process.

The smaller the grind size, the quicker it takes to extract the coffee flavors out of the beans. Larger grinds take longer to extract the coffee due to the bigger surface area. If your French press coffee is tasting watery and lacking in flavor, let the coffee steep for longer next time.

Once you have chosen quality beans and purchased the right grinder, you are almost ready to sip on some barista-grade coffee. Just make sure you measure out your coffee beans correctly and steep the grounds for an adequate amount of time.

For rich and flavorful coffee, you just need to improve your equipment with these top grinders to choose from.

1. SHARDOR Conical Burr Coffee Grinder — Best Burr Grinder for French Press

This SHARDOR model is the best burr grinder for French press coffee, offering a consistent grind with a high-powered conical burr mechanism. One of the main components of this grinder is the anti-static design preventing any coffee grounds from sticking to the grounds container.

This technology reduces waste and makes for an easier cleanup than other models. The machine comes with a built-in brush, and the hopper, upper burr, and grounds chamber are removable for cleaning purposes.

The SHARDOR grinder offers 35 different grind settings, allowing you to create grounds for a range of coffee types including a French press. The grinder can be set to create grounds for anywhere from two to 12 cups of coffee at a time.

The large coffee capacity makes the SHARDOR grinder a great machine for entertaining or for office settings. You will just have to be mindful of how many beans you put in the hopper each time as you should only remove it once the beans are finished to avoid spillage.

The consistent and precise grind size is worth the bit of extra noise from the machine. The burr mechanisms will cause a bit of noise just as a blade grinder will too. However, most noise levels for these grinders are around the same as a blender noise.

Pros

• Adjustable grinding amount
• 35 grind settings
• Overheating protection
• Easy-to-clean

Cons

• The bean hopper doesn’t have a holding valve
• It can be a bit noisy

The SHARDOR conical burr coffee grinder is the best overall product on this list thanks to its adjustable settings, anti-static design, and how easy it is to clean.

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2. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

This Baratza Encore model is the brand’s entry-level coffee grinder that still offers high-quality features. The burrs are designed to be of commercial-grade quality, offering a precision grind for up to 40 different grind settings. Your perfect French press grind is definitely catered to with this model.

The small design is fitted with hardened alloy steel burrs which are built to last. The Encore is not meant to be a short-term purchase, as each part was created with longevity in mind. The model was also upgraded with a new sleek exterior in 2020.

The Encore is simple to operate, and all you need to worry about is setting your grind size and turning the grinder on. The rest is done for you. The burrs will ensure an even grind for your coffee at any time you need it, and there is even a pulse setting for a quick grind if necessary.

If you want a coffee grinder that will last, then the Encore is for you. The price tag might be higher than the other models, but the commercial-grade equipment justifies that. You can have precision ground coffee in no time. Plus, the upgraded look will fit in perfectly next to your other coffee equipment without taking up too much space on the countertop.

Pros

• 40 grind settings
• Easy-to-use
• Great customer service
• Quick pulse setting

Cons

• May generate a slight bit of static
• A bit pricey

The Baratza Encore is perfect for beginners and coffee experts alike, providing precise grind settings, a durable construction built to last, and an attractive, modern design. Read our full review here.

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3. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill — Best Cheap Coffee Grinder for French Press

The Hario ceramic coffee mill is the best cheap coffee grinder for French press coffee with an ergonomically friendly crank design for quiet manual grinding. The compact design means this grinder is great for your kitchen aesthetics and for traveling.

This manual grinder is designed with a stepped grind adjustment for you to switch between multiple grind sizes as you need. The Hario grinder is fitted with ceramic burrs and a sturdy grind shaft and burr stabilizing plate to produce a consistent grind for your beans.

Plus, this product is fully equipped with silicone gripping to prevent any slips and glass in all the right places for you to see your beans and grounds as you grind them. The hand crank is detachable for easy packing for your travels. Enjoy precision ground coffee wherever you are.

Pros

• Multiple grind settings
• Removable crank handle
• Budget-friendly
• Small and compact

Cons

• No numbers for the grind settings
• Takes a while to grind

If you are alright with grinding your coffee beans manually and are on the lookout for a great budget buy, you can’t go wrong with the Hario; it is affordable yet durable and will have your beans ground just the way you like them.

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4. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

A top seller in electric burr grinders, the Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme gives you an all-around great grinding experience. Designed with stainless steel, this product has an elegant look complete with a sleek black trim.

This model includes a grounds container that holds enough grounds for 32 cups of your favorite coffee. Once your coffee beans are ground, the unit will automatically switch off to save power and start cooling down the high-powered motor so it’s ready for the next grind.

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme comes equipped with 18 grind settings from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, including the medium-to-coarse setting you require for your French press. You can pour in up to 8 oz. of beans and start a grind cycle for up to 18 cups of coffee.

Pros

• 18 grind settings
• Up to 18 cups per grind cycle
• Removable grounds chamber
• Great for coarse French press grinds

Cons

• Some consumers found it a bit noisy
• Has a block burr mechanism

This Cuisinart model is a high-quality yet affordable electric coffee grinder for French press coffee; you can enjoy uniform grinds for your French press with a large holding capacity if you choose to go for this model.

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5. Mueller Ultra-Grind Conical Burr Grinder Professional Series

This underrated Mueller conical burr grinder has recently been upgraded with higher quality and newer technology to ensure you get the most consistently ground beans for your brew. The model is also equipped with slow grinding mechanisms to reduce noise and heat while grinding.

This grinder’s many well-designed features make your coffee taste great without any extra heat spoiling your grounds. It comes with a portable airtight grinds container to keep your ground beans as fresh as possible, minimizing flavor loss from your coffee.

The stand-up machine is beautifully designed to fit into small spaces and will work well alongside your French press. You can set the timer up to 90 seconds and grind enough for 30-32 cups into the grounds chamber.

If you prefer to have a precise indication of how many cups the grinds will produce, this may not be the machine for you. However, it does grind up impressively consistent coffee with the burr grinders.

Pros

• 10 grind settings and adjustable timer setting
• Detachable and portable grounds chamber
• Adapter for a direct grind into a portafilter
• Brush, scoop, funnel bracket, and airtight grind container included

Cons

• The grounds chamber has some static
• Taller than expected

This model is perfect for home coffee enthusiasts who are determined to brew a quality tasting cup of coffee, as you will get all the grind settings you need from this model and a perfectly timed grind.

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Choosing the Best Coffee Grinder for French Press

I would recommend a burr grinder for your French press coffee over a blade grinder. This is because despite blade grinders being more affordable to buyers on a budget, a burr grinder offers a far more consistent grind.

You should choose the flat or conical burrs if possible. However, the block burr will also do more than a blade grinder, and it is a bit cheaper than the other two. The type of grinding machine isn’t the only element to consider when purchasing a new grinder.

Price

Any new purchase usually comes with price considerations based on your budget. If you are looking for an entry-level grinder to use while you save up for a better model, you can easily find a fairly cheap manual hand grinder with burrs to produce a consistent grind.

However, if you are looking for a durable model, you should balance the durability and possible lifespan of a model against the cost. Try saving up for a better burr grinder to ensure a consistent grind for a long time.

Heat and Static

When grinding your coffee beans for your French press, you need to ensure there isn’t too much heat accumulated in the device, as this could ruin your coffee beans before you even start the brewing process.

Certain grinders will have a slower grinding time which acts to protect the beans from unnecessary heat. Waiting a little longer for your coffee is worth the flavorful cup you will have with the unheated grounds.

Static is another issue that comes with some grinders, and this can cause a problem with cleaning up. If the ground container contains static, your grounds will likely fly all over the place when you release the chamber.

Cleaning Abilities

A simple, reliable coffee grinder should not require too much additional cleaning. You don’t want to spend all day cleaning up after your morning cup of coffee, especially when you plan to have a few more cups later in the day.

Choosing a grinder that comes with a built-in cleaning brush or dishwasher parts can make your post-coffee clean-up a lot easier.

Manual or Electric

You also have the choice between manual or electric grinder options when choosing a coffee grinder. If you don’t mind putting some elbow grease in before you brew up your coffee, then a manual grinder will save you on power and money.

The electric grinder may be slightly higher in the price range and will take up some power to use; however, the convenience of a simple start button cannot be matched. If you want to grind up beans faster without too much energy, then an electric grinder is the way to go.

FAQs

Do you need to grind your own coffee for a French press?

While you can buy regular ground beans at your local grocery store, these grounds are usually too fine for a French press. The best grind for this coffee is a coarse grind, which is easier to control if you grind the beans yourself.

If you are grinding your beans, you have full control over the size and consistency of the grounds. You can avoid too fine or too coarse grinds and create the perfect medium-to-coarse grind for your French press.

Is a burr grinder necessary for French press coffee?

If you are brewing coffee with a French press, you may be able to get away with using a blade grinder; however, the grounds may be inconsistent and produce a slightly bitter taste.

Burr grinders are slightly more expensive than blade grinders, but they do offer a consistent grind, which is better for the taste of your coffee.

Are ceramic burr grinders better than steel burrs?

Ceramic burrs are sturdier than steel burrs, and they usually last a lot longer. However, the ceramic is at risk of being chipped if there is a small stone present in the coffee beans. The stainless steel burrs will be hardier against these unforeseen occurrences.

No Need to Press the Issue

Ultimately, you should balance the cost, grinding mechanism, grind settings, and grounds capacity to determine what the best grinder is for your French press.

If you choose a burr grinder, you are guaranteed to have consistently ground coffee beans. My top choice is the Shardor Conical Burr Grinder because it gives great grind for French press and other brewing methods oh-so-efficiently.

If you are on a tight budget and want to try out a cheaper burr grinder before making a commitment, I would go with the Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill, it’s manual and old-school, and with just a bit of elbow grease, and a bit of tinkering, can also give you the right grind for your French press.