Grinder · Updated 2026-08-14
The grinder is the single most important purchase in coffee — more than the machine. We tested eight burr grinders across electric and manual, espresso and filter.
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| Award | Model | Rating | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Value | Baratza Encore ESP | 4.8/5 | £159.95 | The single best first grinder for espresso and filter alike. |
| Best Design | Fellow Opus Gen 2 | 4.6/5 | £195 | Design-first kitchens that brew espresso and pour-over from one grinder. |
| Best for Filter | Fellow Ode Gen 2 | 4.7/5 | £345 | Pour-over lovers who care about grind uniformity above all. |
40-step fine adjustment and Baratza's 10-year parts promise. The best-value burr grinder we've tested — espresso-grade fine adjustments with the brand's legendary serviceability.
Why it's great
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
41 grind settings, redesigned anti-stall ring and an airflow cup. The redesigned Opus Gen 2 fixes the original's workflow frustrations and keeps the best-looking grinder crown.
Why it's great
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
64mm flat burrs and near-silent operation made for filter brewing. The definitive flat-burr grinder for pour-over and filter — fast, quiet and brutally consistent.
Why it's great
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
Electric wins on convenience; manual wins on value, silence and zero retention. The J-Ultra at £199 genuinely matches £250 electric grinders — you just pay in elbow grease.
Conical burrs are great all-rounders with sweet, chocolatey results. Flat burrs (Ode Gen 2) give cleaner, more complex filter coffee but cost more and need maintenance.
Single-dosers (Ode, Opus) mean zero stale grinds but you weigh each dose. Hopper grinders (Encore ESP) are set-and-forget but retain a little stale coffee between grinds.
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