Best Coffee Grinder for French Press: 2022 Reviews

If the French press is your favorite method of preparing coffee, then you’ll need to use freshly ground coffee to have a perfect cup of Joe. In other words, you need the right coarseness to brew a flavorful cup every time, and you can’t achieve that without the right coffee grinder.

That’s right.

Even the best coffee beans for French press can’t guarantee you a golden cup of coffee if you don’t grind them correctly.

The best coffee grinder for French press can be manual or electric. While electric grinders are easy to work with, they can be pricey.

That said:

If you can use some elbow grease to make a silky cup of coffee from home, you can still get a perfect grind from a manual coffee grinder.

So, let’s look at some of the best French press grinders worth considering:

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Quick Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For French Press Coffee Grinders

1. Baratza Virtuoso+

2. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

3. Baratza Encore Conical Grinder

4. Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Grinder

5. Rancilio Rocky Espresso Grinder

Summary: Best Coffee Grinder For French Press

What Is The Right Grind For French Press Coffee?

When it comes to brewing coffee and the grind size, one-size-fits-all doesn’t apply. 

There are at least seven great sizes for various brewing methods. 

You can use one particular grind size for a couple of brewing methods. All you have to do is slightly play with the water temperature, amount, etc.

That said, a coarse grind is widely considered the most appropriate grind size for the French press. For the avoidance of doubt, a coarse grind is the size of sea salt; each granule is sizable enough not to go through the filter.

It is the best size; a highly coarse grind destroys the coffee aroma and flavor because the plunging happens too fast. 

On the other hand, too fine or tiny grinds make plunging itself problematic. The result is bitter coffee and you’re likely to have some grounds in it too – cringe!

The flavor extraction from your coffee beans will be maximized the moment you start using a coarse grind.

Best Coffee Grinder for French Press: The Elite Eight

1. Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Grinder

Depending on the type of specialty coffee you’re making with your French press, you need to know the approximate time it takes to grind your beans. Timing is critical because if it’s inaccurate, you risk over-grinding your coffee and end up with an inferior drink.

Luckily, you don’t have to set your timer or use guesswork. 

The Baratza Virtuoso has a 40-second digital timer that you can adjust to the tenth of a second to ensure consistency and grinding accuracy.

There’s an LED grounds bin to provide a clear display of the timer during grinding—no more excuses for messing with the coarseness of your grounds.

Do you have other coffee makers aside from the French press?

No problem, as you don’t need to purchase more grinders for those.

The 40 grind settings on the Baratza Virtuoso+ make it possible to use it for other brewing methods, including Chemex, Aeropress, espresso makers, Hario V60, and more.

A coffee grinder is as powerful as its motor, and Baratza knows this fact well, which is why their grinder comes with a powerful DC motor along with 40mm hardened alloy steel burrs made in Liechtenstein, Europe. 

Not only do these features create a consistent grind, but they also add durability to the grinder.

The Virtuoso+ has a sculptured metal base and top that give it a modern look, highlighting your coffee corner at home or office.

What We Like

• Powerful motor
• Stylish
• 40 grind settings
• LED-backlit grounds bin
• Digital timer
• Hardened alloy steel burrs

What We Don’t like

• It’s bulky and requires a considerable counter space

Verdict

Looking for the best coffee grinder for a French press that adds consistency to your coffee quality and is durable? The Virtuoso+ is worth considering. 

Read our full review of the Baratza Virtuoso+.

2. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

Sleek and slim, JavaPresse is every coffee lover’s best coffee grinder for the French press. The grinder has at least 18 grinder settings, which gives you complete control over your grind’s coarseness.

Do you enjoy brewing a cup of coffee when traveling, hiking, or picnicking? The portability and compactness of this machine make it ideal for anyone who wants to grind on the go.

The grinder’s hand-crank operation is silent and smooth, making it the perfect choice for those early morning brews when you’re craving a great cup of coffee, but everyone is still asleep.

The ceramic burrs undergo testing to ensure their longevity is five times that of stainless steel.

As far as the capacity is concerned, this grinder is excellent for grinding meager amounts of coffee while traveling. But if you prefer grinding large quantities of coffee for groups, then you’ll want to look for a grinder with a larger capacity.

But that’s not all . . .

The grinder is easy to use: you don’t need batteries, long plastic cords, or power to run it.

What We Like

• Portable and compact
• Easy operation
• Virtually silent
• Relatively easy to clean up
• The built-in window gives you a view of the ground coffee

What We Don’t Like

• The plastic piece in the conical burr is susceptible to breaking

Verdict

If you’re looking for a user-friendly manual grinder that’s also friendly to your wallet, be sure to keep the JavaPresse in your kitchen

3. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

Are you just getting started with brewing coffee at home and want a grinder that helps you brew a fantastic cup? Go for black or white Baratza Encore.

Most coffee experts consider Encore the best entry-level grinder, mostly because it’s easy to use. It comes with a simple on/off switch that makes grinding fresh coffee a cakewalk. Additionally, there’s a convenient pulse button located in front.

The 40 grinder settings give you a wide variety regardless of your preferred method of brewing coffee.

The bean hopper contains a huge 8oz capacity, making it ideal for offices, large households, or regular coffee drinkers.

We tried to compare the Virtuoso+ to the Encore and discovered that the former has more stainless steel components than the latter, which has most parts made from durable plastic. The Encore is better suited for anyone that’s new to grinding their own beans.

Despite the difference, the Encore coffee grinder can be used in lieu of the Virtuoso+ if the latter is beyond your budget.

It has been rated the best coffee grinder by America’s Test Kitchen.

Read our full review of the Baratza Encore.

What We Like

• Bean hopper has a large capacity
• 40 grind settings that let you go from a coarse grind from your French press to a fine grind for espresso
• Burrs are made of hardened steel alloy for performance and longevity
• Easy to use with no learning curve

What We Don’t Like

• The grinder isn’t quiet

4. Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Grinder

Most people prefer manual coffee grinders for their portability. Porlex takes the concept to a new level with the Mini Grinder. 

Not only is the Mini lightweight, but it’s also only 5-inch tall, which makes it fit in a travel bag easily, making it ideal for those of us who can’t travel without coffee.

Have you used a grinder with a static and didn’t like the experience? Well, some grinders made from low-quality materials have that shortcoming, but the Mini has a steel chassis to give you a grind not marred by the static.

Porlex has also introduced a new model – Porlex Jp-30 Stainless Steel Grinder. Whether you go with the Mini or Jp-30, you’ll find a budget-friendly grinder that you can use both at home and on the road.

What We Like

• Stainless steel, static-free body
• Light enough for traveling
• Ceramic burrs provide a consistent grind
• Sturdy and user-friendly

What We Don’t Like

• The 7-year warranty is only valid if you bought the grinder directly from the manufacturer

Verdict

Porlex Mini lets you grind fresh coffee beans and enjoy a tasty cup of coffee while traveling. We highly recommend it!

5. Rancilio Rocky Espresso Grinder

While the Rancilio Rocky Grinder has been designed with espresso lovers in mind, it has all the essential features, making it the best coffee grinder for French press enthusiasts too.

The grinder has 50mm commercial-grade burrs that grind coffee directly into the portafilter for effortless operation. 

If you’re looking for consistently ground coffee every time, then this grinder will do the job.

This grinder operates quietly, thanks to the powerful 166-watt motor. It’s among those grinders with a broad bean hopper that can accommodate up to 10oz of beans.

Despite the generous capacity of the bean hopper, this grinder has a small footprint and won’t take up a lot of space on your kitchen counter.

As an added kicker, the Rocky Coffee Grinder has a fast but quiet operation. In fact, it’s one of the quieter electrical grinders on the market. 

Anyone in the house can operate the Rocky; the hopper has an easy twisting mechanism to change grind settings and simple controls to navigate.

As icing to the cake, this grinder comes with a 12-month warranty, giving you peace of mind after you make the investment.

What We Like

• Spacious bean hopper
• Tons of grind settings
• Small footprint
• Quiet operation
• Sleek appearance

What We Don’t Like

• Oily beans may get stuck and not fall down the burrs. You may need to shake or poke them first
• It’s expensive 

Verdict

Large households, home baristas, and offices full of coffee lovers will find the Rancilio Rocky Coffee Grinder a perfect choice.

6. OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Are you looking for an all-around coffee grinder? The OXO BREW has all the required features for producing an excellent cup of coffee.

This grinder has 40mm stainless steel burrs that produce uniform and consistent coffee grounds ideal for extracting maximum flavor in your French press coffee.

The 15 grind settings allow you to adjust your French press or a variety of individual preferences. Besides, there’s no need to work with controls, as this machine features a one-touch start timer to keep your settings.

Want to grind large batches of coffee for everyone at home or office? The big, 12oz bean hopper makes this possible.

The coffee grinder gives you consistent grounds every time, which means whether you’re brewing French press, AeroPress, or drip coffee it will ensure the best-tasting coffee.

Build quality is superior, and the stainless steel look along with the black color makes the OXO BREW an excellent addition to your kitchen counter.

What We Like

• 15 grind settings have extra micro-settings for added accuracy
• Generous sized bean hopper
• The durability and precision of stainless steel deliver uniform grounds
• Easy to clean
• Small footprint

What We Don’t Like

• The grounds container doesn’t lock well into position and can vibrate during grinding

Verdict

If you’re looking for the best coffee grinder for a French press that produces a consistent grind size, is easy to use, and can accomodate large amounts of beans, go for the OXO BREW.

7. Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder

The Infinity Burr Grinder is among the French press grinders with a wide grinding range. From the French press coarse to ultra-fine Turkish, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a setting that doesn’t work for your preferred brewing method.

The Infinity has a gear reduction motor that works slowly with little static build-up and less noise. 

Without the need for power, you get a reliable grinding tool that doesn’t create a hole in your pocket.

With an 8.8oz bean container and 4oz ground coffee container, this grinder is large enough for those who want to brew large amounts of coffee in one go.

It’s also easy to clean. You can easily access and remove the upper burr for cleaning.

The gear reduction motor minimizes friction and heat production, thus preserving maximum aroma and flavor in your coffee.

What We Like

• A wide range of grind settings
• Large hopper capacity
• Less noisy and static-free
• Cleaning is a piece of cake

What We Don’t Like

• It’s bulky

Verdict

The Infinity Conical Grinder has a wide grinding range, can grind large amounts of coffee, and is easy to clean. Not many grinders have all these boxes ticked. 

8. Secura Electric Burr Coffee Grinder

Secura grinder comes with 17 grind selections, allowing you to select from super fine (espresso) all the way to coarse (French press).

Preservation of the coffee beans’ natural aroma is something you won’t find in pre-ground coffee. But when you use the Secura Burr Grinder, the natural aroma will be preserved, thanks to the burr grinding system that grinds beans uniformly.

For most grinders, you can measure the amount of beans you need for your coffee. 

This grinder has a quantity control dial from 2 – 12 cups, allowing you to grind the exact quantity of beans for your needs.

The grinder has four non-slip tabs at the bottom to hold it in position when grinding. Also, a transparent lid lets you see the remaining beans when grinding.

Even if your kitchen isn’t spacious, you can still enjoy a cup of freshly ground coffee every day, thanks to the compact size of the Secura Electric Burr Coffee Grinder.

Besides, the grinder features an automatic shut off, so you don’t have to worry about switching it off every time.

What We Like

• Non-sliding tabs
• Preserves coffee’s natural aroma
• See-through lid
• 17 grind settings
• Compact size
• Automatically grinds the quantity of beans you want

What We Don’t Like

• Some users lament that the grinder stopped working after a short time

Verdict

Are you looking for a small, quiet, and efficient grinder? The Secura Coffee Grinder might be your solution.

What Type of Coffee Grinder Should You Buy For French Press?

Disc and Conical Burr Grinders 

Disc and conical burr grinders are the most precise and capable of grinding your coffee beans into uniform grounds. The grinder has two disc cones with grooves cut right into their surfaces. 

One of the discs rotates while the other remains immobile. In the process, the grooves slice the coffee beans.

Your coffee particles must maintain uniform sizes for a high-quality brew. It is our opinion that this consistency can only be well provided by disc and conical burr grinders.

Avoid Blade Grinders

Blade grinders are portable, and that is one of their selling points. They are also cheap and available in almost every appliance store worth its name, so you will not have trouble finding one.

But this is as far as it goes.

You should know that blade grinders are hard to control, and will take more of your time compared to burr grinders. 

By the way, there are only two options in the world when it comes to coffee grinders: the burr grinders or the blade grinders.

As we have already explained, the burr grinder is precise and consistent. A blade grinder is the exact opposite, so do not fall for it no matter how cheap because you are going to pay heavily in the long run if you aim to enjoy tasty coffee.

All blade grinders have the same design, which is primarily a blade spinning fast at the bottom chamber, slicing coffee beans that come its way. 

There is a button you press for the double-pronged blade to spin.

It is a chaotic grinding cycle; as the blade spins, the beans within its reach are torn into pieces of varying sizes. They shoot up then settle back to the bottom of the chamber to be blasted into yet another non-descript size.

The big grounds tend to remain at the top, where they are hardly struck by the blade. So it is the finer particles that get the beating over and over. You end up with grounds of all shapes, some beans only half-chopped while others crushed into powder.

You cannot control the sizes; we believe that is a serious drawback.

The blade spins too fast as well, generating heat that destroys the coffee flavor by drying the freshness in your grounds. 

Again, coffee grounds chopped into different sizes are going to brew at varying degrees, giving your taste buds a confused, unbalanced taste that a coffee expert would not want to sip more than once.

Manual Grinder

A manual grinder can produce same-sized grounds, meaning it guarantees you a delicious, balanced coffee, although you cannot micro-adjust the ground sizes because they come with limited setting options.

A manual grinder is also usually smaller than its electric counterpart so that you can hold it by one hand. If you are looking for a coffee grinder you can move around with and use anywhere, then we advise you go for a manual grinder.

It is convenient as far as portability goes. But that is not all: a manual grinder is also long-lasting, being a simple hand grinder with no complicated parts or electricity.

As tiny as it is, a manual coffee grinder is consistent in delivering fresh, uniform coffee grounds, and it’s good for your pocket.

The drawback with this grinder is that it has limited settings for grind size and it will take you a few minutes of physical work to grind your beans.

Electric Grinder

An excellently built electric grinder comes with sturdy gears that help grind your coffee fast. They are convenient and durable, with high levels of grinding consistency. Some are available with more than 40 grind settings, you can adjust the grind size to your precise liking.

Electric grinders are great, but only when they’re high-end models. If you choose a low-end model, you’ll encounter false burrs that will not produce uniform coffee grounds as expected. 

They also have flimsy parts and poor wiring. The old saying holds true, you get what you pay for. 

When using an electric coffee grinder, expect a lot of noise when grinding.

The right grinder for you is that which aligns with your goals. Choose a manual grinder if you want fresh grounds without spending much and won’t mind some elbow grease.

An electric grinder is ideal for you if you have some extra cash to put in and don’t want to put more effort than touching a few buttons into grinding. It’s not portable, so you have to make sure you’re comfortable not having your cup O’ Joe on the go.

Stainless Steel or Ceramic?

The best coffee grinders for French Press are made from either stainless steel or ceramic materials. To help you make the right choice of grinder, let’s look at the characteristics of each.

Stainless Steel Coffee Grinders

Stainless steel grinders are commonly used for commercial purposes. They’re corrosion-resistant since stainless steel has chromium. Owning a stainless steel grinder means that your device will serve you with much consistency, and the blades will also maintain their sharpness.

But you should know that steel conducts heat and will be affected if subjected to a hot environment. This will affect its lifespan.

Stainless steel grinders don’t produce fines, so your espresso will taste differently. All the same, having a stainless steel grinder ensures you get clean-tasting coffee and mouthfeel with every brewing method used.

Ceramic Coffee Grinders

Ceramic coffee grinders are ideal for home use and have a long lifespan free from blunting and warping. They’re built with high-strength, long-lasting blades that remain sharp for a long time. Since ceramic doesn’t conduct heat, your coffee oils will not be affected by temperature.

Ceramic doesn’t deteriorate or rust. It produces the traditional feel and taste of coffee at all times and will deliver coffee with an exceptional texture on your palate. It’s the most preferred for manual grinding since it handles espresso roasts very well.

Ceramic grinders are a bit costly and can break easily.

Can You Just Use Pre-Ground Coffee?

Whole coffee beans remain fresh and tasty for about three weeks after you roast them.

After grinding the coffee, it remains truly aromatic for 20-30 minutes, after which it starts to lose its taste and get stale. Therefore, you should grind your own coffee just before brewing to drink it when it is at its peak in terms of flavor.

It is for the sake of always drinking fresh, aromatic coffee that coffee lovers opt to own their grinders and whole coffee beans so that they can make their coffee when and how they want it. 

Once you have freshly ground coffee beans it’s hard to go back – granted there are times where ground coffee fits into your schedule best. They just don’t deliver anywhere near the flavor that freshly ground whole beans do. 

It is a beautiful feeling to grind your own coffee, with the aroma filling your home and awakening your senses. 

Unfortunately, if you buy a pre-ground coffee, you realize the flavor has diminished because the surface has been exposed to the air and elements for too long.

How long does it take to grind coffee? Approximately 5 minutes, it all depends on which grinder you’re using. Okay, that may be too long for some people, we understand, but it is worth the reward of fresh and flavorful coffee.

Coffee oil? Coffee has natural oils within the bean. Once the coffee is roasted, the oils move to the surface to take the place of the carbon dioxide that the coffee releases into the air. On the surface, the oil also reacts with the air, evaporating in the process.

Well, a large surface area to volume ratio will ensure that much of the essential oil is gone with the wind, leaving the pre-ground coffee deficient of one of the elements that should define it.

A coffee expert would tell you that these oils give the coffee its different, brighter, and lighter flavors that mesmerize your taste buds.

Oxidation and Decay

To be more blatant or technical, what really happens to the ground coffee is that the pieces start to decay as soon as they are ground, through a process known as oxidation.

The process is even swifter when the grounds are exposed to air. It means that once you open the bag of your ground coffee, it will be worth much less after an hour. 

The finer the grounds, the faster and more efficient the oxidation process.

The coffee may have been well sealed in the best of the packages technology can devise, but the moment you open it and oxygen gets in, the chain of chemical reactions that follows suck the life out of the coffee.

One of the best packages we have seen for ground coffee has a one-way valve that lets out carbon dioxide but never allows oxygen in. However, the moment the package is opened, oxygen flows in, and the decay will begin.

Finally, it is worth repeating that pre-ground coffee is typically too fine, yet the French press works best with coarse coffee, producing a vibrant, brighter flavor. 

Very fine coffee easily slips through the mesh filters. What remains is a repulsive residue.

Other Considerations for Buying the Best Coffee Grinder For French Press

Finding the best coffee grinder can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of the best device for your coffee needs. Below, we have detailed the essential things to focus on as you shop for your coffee grinder.

Consistency of the Grind

A French press requires a coarse coffee grind. So when shopping for a grinder, you should find one that is precise when it comes to consistency. This will help you attain excellent grinding results.

The quality of your brew will be determined by the consistent size of your coffee particles. A quality grinder will ensure the right consistency every time.

To find a grinder with the consistency you need, you should start by making note of what your favorite type of brew is and then seek out a grinder that can consistently achieve the ideal grind needed for it. 

Don’t go for models that have been deemed inconsistent in their grind no matter what type of brew is your favorite. 

Adjustable Grind Settings

Depending on the grind size level, you can adjust the grinding settings on your device to get different flavors of your favorite cup of coffee. 

As you look for the best coffee grinder, make sure to evaluate just how many grinding settings the machine has and their effectiveness in delivering evenly ground coffee.

Your coffee grinder should be able to grind coffee beans in various levels of fineness or coarseness to allow you to brew different coffee drinks as you prefer. 

Check its speed level, grinding accuracy, and overall convenience. Most electric models have up to 15 grind settings from which you can customize for a French press or any other brew.

An excellent coffee grinder for French press is that which allows you full flexibility and control over your grind. The more settings your grinder has, the easier it is for you to get the accurate coarseness to perfect your French press.

Hopper Capacity

Different models of coffee grinders come with varying capacities of the hopper. 

When looking for a good grinder, try to evaluate its hopper’s capacity to make sure it dispenses the right amount of coffee that will produce enough coffee to meet your consumption needs. 

This will save you from preparing numerous batches to satisfy your demands.

Most models indicate hopper capacity and that of the container holding the ground coffee.

Ease of Cleaning

The process of preparing coffee can leave a mess on the unit due to spills. The ground coffee may stick onto the crevices as you transfer the grounds. Regular cleaning is needed for you to maintain your brew’s flavor.

Find a coffee grinder that is manufactured with removable components that are easy to clean. 

Some have seals that secure your brew to prevent spillage. Others have a dispenser cup that provides convenience while eliminating spillage. A machine that you can disassemble parts and clean conveniently will save you a lot of time in the long run.

You don’t want to go for a model that will take you time to clean or make it an uphill struggle to keep it clean after use, especially if you plan on using it daily.

Final Word

Now that you have an idea of the best coffee grinders for French press in the market and how to go for the right machine, it’s high time you went out to get one for yourself. 

With the right device, you’ll manage to keep your grounds coarse and brew quality coffee with no complications or struggles.

Since the French press requires fresh, coarse coffee grounds, you have plenty of grinders to choose from. 

Whether manual or electric, you can get the right coffee grind size for the perfect cup of coffee. Always look for the best grinder that fits your personal needs. Happy grinding!