We have plenty more to talk about in our Top 3 of the Year series for 2024, and that continues here! Today we’re talking about a fun category that we know is popular every year: Coffee grinders! These aren’t your dedicated espresso grinders, instead these are the grinders you’d use for press, pour over, or an old-fashioned drip brew. Let’s get started with our Fan Favorite!
Fan Favorite - Baratza Virtuoso
The Baratza Virtuoso is a simple grinder with a lot of personality, and even more performance. This conical steel burr grinder features a digital timer for dosing, an easy to remove top burr that’s toolless for cleaning and maintenance, and over 40 stepped grind settings. This grinder even has a snazzy lit catch bin so you can watch your perfect grounds fall from the grind chute.
We gave the Virtuoso our fan favorite pick because it’s really the perfect option for someone who wants a fancy upgrade from a more entry level grinder. The timer is easy to use, the bin lighting is fun, and it's simple to adjust and find the right grind for your slow brew. There are other grinders on this list with more features, but we think the Baratza Virtuoso’s simple operation, rock-solid construction, and great looks will please many a slow brew coffee fan.
Top Features - Breville Dose Control
This entry is a bit of a different one for this list. You might initially be confused by the inclusion of a grinder that’s marketed for espresso here, but we promise, it’s for good reason! The Dose Control’s best feature is its versatility. With the Dose Control you can brew pour over, press, drip, and espresso all with the same grinder. Even better, the Dose Control is available at an incredible price. The simple twist adjustment, timed dosing, and included attachments make this grinder a breeze to get started with.
What’s really great about getting started with the Breville Dose Control is that you can use this grinder to test your own taste buds with a simple entry level espresso machine alongside your pour over gear. You may find that your upgrade path leans in the espresso direction, something you’d never know if you started with a simple slow brew only grinder instead!
Ultimate Pick - Fellow Ode Coffee Grinder Gen 2
Fellow’s original Ode model was one of our favorite recommendations for a high end pour over grinder, and the Gen 2 takes it up another notch. Fellow has always combined form and function to great results, and this new version of the Ode is no different. Much of what makes this grinder ticks is a holdover from that original model. This is a single dose grinder with stepped adjustmen, making it the perfect pick for pour over. The magnetic catch bin and integrated knocker help reduce mess, but the Ode’s anti-static technology and auto-stop grinding really help keep your countertop grounds freed. This grinder even has a PID controller that controls the RPMs of the motor, ensuring consistency and efficiency every time you grind.
The Gen 2’s biggest upgrade is its redesigned 64mm burrs. These burrs were designed and are produced in house by Fellow for maximum grind quality. These features combine to produce what really is the ultimate slow brew grinder, and make the Ode the ultimate upgrade for anyone who’s serious about their press, drip, and pour over.
Honorable Mention - Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Coffee Grinder
The KM5 is a nifty little grinder from one of our favorite drip coffee maker manufacturers. While this simple and efficient little grinder is hard to recommend to every single coffee drinker, it does offer some unique features that will make it an excellent choice for some users. The first and main thing is that this is the perfect companion to a Moccamaster drip brewer. This is because of the KM5’s dedicated “Moccamaster” grind range on its stepless grind adjustment dial. These settings will help you quickly dial in your coffee for a Moccamaster coffee maker, with some leeway to help you get the very best flavor out of your coffee.
Outside of this feature, the KM5 features custom 50mm flat steel burrs, a borosilicate glass catch bin to reduce static, and a 5 year warranty from Technivorm. While a stepless brew grinder may not be for everyone, we know we’d want to pair the KM5 with a Moccamaster machine!
Check out our video version of this list below!