5 Best Coffee Grinders for French Press – Making the Perfect Cup

If you’re a fan of French press coffee, then you’ll know there are lots of factors that affect the end result.

For example, you could have the best coffee beans and purest water at the perfect coffee-brewing temperature and still have a sub-standard cup.

Today, we will discuss the importance of your coffee grinder and introduce you to the best coffee grinders for French press coffee.

Our Top 5 Picks

If you’re here to find out the best coffee grinder for French press coffee, here’s the list of our Top 5:

The Best Coffee Grinder for French Press: Our Top Picks

Now that we’ve considered all the factors in choosing a grinder for French press coffee, it’s time to look at our top 5.

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder – Our Top Pick

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder

Our top pick is the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder. We were keen to try out this grinder as it has excellent ratings.

Baratza is known for its high-quality products, and the Encore is no different. This is the best-selling grinder by Baratza and is one of the best-selling for home brewing.

This user-friendly model only requires a small amount of coffee grinding expertise, making it ideal for anyone looking for a coffee grinder for French press brewing.

The commercial-grade machine has 40 grind settings with 40mm conical burrs, so it is suitable as a grinder for French press and other brewing methods. The burrs themselves are made from a hardened steel alloy.

Despite being around for over 10 years, this grinder is still one of the best for French press coffee! In addition, it is one of the most widely used and liked entry-level grinders.

Its ease of use and intuitive control makes it the best coffee grinder for people new to coffee grinding. The grinder is activated by a simple switch if you want a continuous grind.

Alternatively, you can use the pulse button on the machine’s front. There are also 40 individual settings, so you can tailor the grind setting for your coffee brewing method.

The Baratza Encore has a small footprint too, which is ideal for most people’s kitchens. But, despite its small size, it holds 8 ounces of beans.

One thing we really love about this brand is that they recognize the environmental impact electrical appliances have. As such, they design their products to be serviceable.

You can get spare parts and support for years following purchase. They’re the opposite of many companies encouraging you to buy their most up-to-date product after a year or two.

Pros

  • A tried-and-tested grinder for French press – it’s existed for over 10 years and has excellent reviews.
  • It is compact and easy to use.
  • It is serviceable and spare parts are readily available.

Cons

  • The cord needs to be lighter.
  • You can’t see or measure how much coffee is in the bin.
  • There is no timer.

Verdict: This was the best coffee grinder due to its ease of use and sustainability.

Baratza Virtuoso Plus: Runner Up

Baratza Virtuoso Plus
Baratza Virtuoso Plus

Another Baratza coffee grinder comes in second place! Like the Encore, the Virtuoso Plus has an excellent reputation, and we were keen to see if we felt the same as its reviewers (we did!).

This grinder is a stylish appliance with the same 40 grind settings as our top pick.

Unlike the Encore, however, this has a digital timer that runs for 40 seconds. You can adjust this to 1/10 of a second. This also has a grounds bin with a backlight to see the coffee coming out. Though these were two ‘cons’ of the Encore that have been rectified in the Virtuoso Plus, we still felt that the Virtuoso was a close second rather than the overall winner due to its price.

The burrs are excellent quality and grind at 2g per second. These enhanced burrs will grind accurately, whatever your requirements.

The controls are easy to adjust, and you can grind straight into the portafilter or the grounds bin.

Like the Baratza Encore, the Virtuoso+ will fit nicely in most people’s kitchens thanks to its small footprint. It’s also able to hold 8 oz of coffee beans.

Finally, it is also serviceable and sustainable, which means you can continue to use it for many years thanks to the available spare parts and support.

Pros

  • It is heavy and robust.
  • It produces an excellent, consistent grind.
  • It is serviceable with spare parts available.

Cons

  • It is one of the more expensive coffee grinders.
  • It is loud.

Verdict: Overall, this is an excellent grinder for French press coffee. It’s a great product but will be out of many people’s budgets as a French press coffee grinder.

Breville Smart Grinder Pro: Good Versatility

Breville Smart Grinder Pro
Breville Smart Grinder Pro

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an excellent coffee grinder with a stainless steel body and burrs.

It has 60 grind settings and is suitable for various coffee brewing methods, including French press coffee. In addition, a built-in electronic timer can be adjusted to 0.2 of a second.

If you like varying your coffee brewing method, the Breville is the only grinder you’ll need. This is a good coffee grinder that can produce very finely ground coffee suitable for Turkish coffee and a coarser grind setting for French press brewing.

This is a large grinder and holds 18 ounces of coffee beans. You can also lock the machine to remove or store the hopper. There are also multiple options for grinding. You can grind straight into an air-tight container, a paper filter, a filter basket, or a portafilter, making this coffee grinder versatile.

Two portafilter cradles are included: one that is 50-54 mm and one that is 58 mm in diameter.

The LCD means that this smart grinder is programmable. So, for example, as a coffee grinder French press machine, you can select the number of ‘cups’ you’d like to make, and it will produce the correct dose of ground coffee. Alternatively, you can choose ‘shots’ to use as an Espresso coffee grinder.

Pros

  • The ground coffee container is air-tight and has a sealing cap and lid.
  • There is a cleaning brush to clean the burrs.
  • This is a conical burr grinder, and so requires less maintenance.
  • The LCD display is a nice feature that shows the setting, time, and number of cups/shots chosen.
  • There are 60 grind settings.
  • The grind size is consistent.

Cons

  • The motor could be more powerful.
  • It’s a little loud (but quieter than others).

Verdict: We liked the Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the accessories it came with. This would be a good choice if you want a more versatile coffee grinder and intend to use something other than French press coffee.

Java Presse Manual Coffee Grinder – the Best Manual Coffee Grinder

Java Presse Manual Coffee Grinder
Java Presse Manual Coffee Grinder

Whatever your reason for not wanting an electric coffee grinder, manual grinders are handy. Whether camping or picnics, you can always have freshly ground coffee without electricity.

The JavaPresse manual coffee grinder came up top of all the manual grinders we tried. This is also the first on our list to have ceramic burrs, too, if that’s something you’re looking for.

The JavaPresse has 18 different grind settings, so although it’s an excellent grinder for French press coffee, it’s also useful for other brewing methods like Moka pots, drip coffee, and espresso.

This is a burr grinder with professional-grade ceramic conical burrs that heighten the coffee flavor. We previously mentioned that ceramic burrs can be more brittle but don’t worry, JavaPresse has built this grinder to last and has patented their technique, claiming that their burrs last five times longer than stainless steel burrs.

Another impressive feat of JavaPresse is that they donate some of their profits to their partner coffee suppliers to enhance the local community. So if fair trade is something you’re interested in, you can rest assured that this company is doing its bit.

Pros

  • It would make an ideal gift.
  • Best coffee grinder for camping and travel.
  • Easy to clean.
  • Lightweight.
  • Portable.
  • Has over 23,000 ratings.
  • It has a uniform grind size.

Cons

  • It is slow (naturally, being a manual grinder).
  • It is small and only could for one or two cups of coffee.

Verdict: This is the best coffee grinder for those looking for a manual grinder for French press coffee. 

Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder: Best Budget Electric Grinder

Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder
Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder

Our fifth and final machine to make it on our best coffee grinder for French press coffee list is the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder.

This is an excellent choice of coffee grinder for French press lovers on a budget. The price is very reasonable, yet it still produces excellent ground coffee.

The OXO grinder has stainless steel burrs (conical burr grinders) and fifteen grind settings. You can also make micro-adjustments to grind coffee for various uses, including fine grounds for espresso machine coffee or a coarse grind for a cold brew and French press.

The hopper holds 12 ounces of coffee beans, which makes it one of the larger grinders for French press on our list. Its tint also blocks UV rays to protect the coffee beans. You can also remove the hopper without creating any mess due to its built-in trap that keeps the beans contained.

The machines itself is easy to use. After adding beans, select the grind size, turn the dial to choose the grinding time, and press start. The timer will also keep your last setting stored, so if you only use your grinder for French press, then you’ll never need to reset it each time.

Pros

  • High-quality, consistent grind.
  • The beans feed well.
  • It’s easy to clean.
  • It is esthetically pleasing.
  • Good value for money.
  • It’s quiet.

Cons

  • The bottom burr doesn’t come away for cleaning.
  • The grounds container isn’t air-tight.

Verdict: This one is recommended if you want a burr coffee grinder on a budget. It’s a great machine that does what you need as a coffee grinder for French press coffee and other brewing methods.

Why the Coffee Grinder Matters

A good-quality coffee grinder is essential for the best French press brewing method flavor.

This is because the grind’s coarseness affects the rate at that water flows through the ground coffee during brewing. French press coffee requires a coarse grind compared to espresso or drip coffee.

This coarse grind can achieve a fuller-bodied brew with more flavor extraction.

If the grind size is too fine, your brew will be over-extracted. This will make for a bitter-tasting coffee. If you use a too-coarse grind, on the other hand, you’ll have an under-extracted brew. This will taste weak and will lack depth.

So, why does the grinder itself matter?

When you invest in a good-quality grinder, you can adjust the grind setting to your specific requirements. This can make a significant difference in the resulting coffee.

For French press coffee, a burr grinder is generally recommended. This is because burr grinders can be adjusted easily and produce a consistent grind.

What Type of Coffee Grinder to Buy? Blade vs. Burr Grinders

Things are further complicated when you look at the different types of grinders available. Most grinders fall into two categories:

  • Burr grinders
  • Blade grinders

The main difference between the two is the way they grind the coffee beans.

A burr grinder uses two revolving abrasive surfaces (the burrs) to grind the beans into a consistent grind. One of the burrs remains stationary while the other rotates.

The coffee beans are fed through the gap between the burrs. With the rotation, the burrs crush the beans into uniform particles.

As its name suggests, a blade grinder involves a blade that spins rapidly. This chops the coffee beans into small pieces. Blade grinders tend to produce a non-consistent grind, however.

Does the Consistency of The Grind Matter for French Press Coffee?

Compared to other coffee brewing methods, the grind size for French press coffee is essential. A consistent grind is vital if you want your brew to be flavorful and well-balanced.

With a blade grinder, you’ll likely have under-extraction or over-extraction. So, even though blade grinders are generally more affordable, a burr grinder would be a better investment.

Flat Burr Grinders vs. Conical Burr Grinders

To complicate matters further, there are also different types of burr grinders: flat and conical.

Flat burr grinders have two parallel burrs that sit on top of each other. The coffee beans go through the burrs and are crushed. They are great for producing a uniform grind but need more maintenance.

A conical burr grinder has two cone-shaped burrs, and the beans fall between them.

They also produce a consistent grind. However, these grinders are known for creating a more complex and nuanced flavor profile, which is excellent for drip and French press coffee.

In addition, compared to a flat burr grinder, these are usually quieter and don’t require as much maintenance.

Manual vs. Electric Burr Grinders

Both manual grinders and electric grinders have their advantages and disadvantages.

A manual burr grinder is operated by hand with a handle. These are more portable and smaller than an electric burr grinder, making them great for smaller kitchens for camping and traveling.

Manual grinders are also less expensive.

They are more time-consuming, especially if you want to grind a large number of beans. What’s more, the consistency of the grind will depend on the user’s technique and strength.

An electric burr grinder uses a motor to rotate the burrs. This means it’s often more convenient and faster than using manual grinders. The results are often more consistent too. However, these tend to be more expensive coffee grinders.

Steel Burrs vs. Ceramic Burrs

One final consideration will be the material of the burrs themselves. Usually, they’re either steel or ceramic.

Steel burrs are made from stainless steel and are known for their durability. They’re also more affordable.

Ceramic burrs are durable too, but they’re also resistant to heat and remain sharp over time. They also don’t make as much heat when grinding coffee, which can help preserve the coffee’s flavor and aroma.

However, they are more expensive and are prone to cracking or chipping if mishandled.

Final Thoughts on The Best Coffee Grinder for French Press Coffee

Coffee drinkers will know just how important that first cup of coffee is. and true coffee lovers really appreciate perfect french press coffee. You can only get the best coffee using ingredients and methods.

You’ll need fresh coffee beans, the best french press grinder, and you’ve got the perfect french press recipe.

We loved all five coffee grinders we tested for this article, and choosing our top pick was difficult. All come with a range of grind settings and functions, so deciding which features are the most important for you is essential.

If you only use the coffee grinder for french press brewing, you’ll not need so many grind settings, for example. Hand grinders are also great for french presses because you only need to grind coffee briefly to get the right grind size.

Whichever machine you choose, whether you go for one of the electric grinders or a hand grinder, we’re sure you’ll appreciate how great the resulting coffee is!

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a French Press Coffee Grinder

Can You Use a Blade Grinder for French Press?

While a blade grinder can grind beans for the french press, there are better tools. Blade grinders work by chopping the beans into small pieces using spinning blades.

This results in an inconsistent grind size, with some pieces larger than others. An inconsistent grind can lead to an uneven extraction and a bitter or weak cup of coffee.

French press coffee requires a consistent, coarse grind to avoid bitterness and over-extraction. If you only have a blade grinder, you can achieve a more consistent grind by pulsing the electric grinder and shaking the coffee grounds between pulses.

French press coffee grinders are best with burrs.

Are There Cheaper Alternatives To Electric Burr Grinders?

Yes. there are a few options available. Firstly, manual burr coffee grinders are typically less expensive. These can be operated by hand and are a good choice for those on a budget.

They take more time and effort but produce an even and consistent grind.

Another option is to find a refurbished or second-hand grinder. This is an excellent way of getting a great product for a reasonable price.

If you’re prepared for a less uniform grind, go with a blade grinder.

What’s The Advantage Of Manual Coffee Grinders?

Manual coffee grinders have many advantages. Firstly, they are portable, which makes them easier to pack and take away with you.

Secondly, they are quieter. Many reviews on french press grinders highlight the noise, so if that bothers you, opt for a manual grinder instead. A manual coffee grinder has no motor, so it won’t be noisy.

Finally, buying a hand grinder is much more cost-effective than electric coffee grinders.

Can I Grind Coffee Beans in My Blender or Food Processor?

Grinding coffee in a blender or a food processor isn’t recommended, as these appliances are designed to be used differently. At best, you’re likely to have inconsistent ground coffee.

At worse, you might damage the machine. As such, using a good burr grinder for French press coffee is always recommended.

Can’t You Just Use Pre-Ground Coffee?

While using pre-ground coffee in your french press is possible, you won’t get the best results. For a truly delicious coffee, it really is best to grind your own coffee beans.

A french press requires a coarse grind and many packets of coffee grounds are simply too finely ground to yield great results. If the grounds are too fine, they’ll simply clog the filter, making it difficult to plunge.

If you are going to use pre-ground coffee, the finest you should choose is a medium grind.