Gear

Electric coffee grinders: which one to buy

For filter, the Baratza Encore is the safe buy. If you want espresso and filter from the same grinder, the Encore ESP. If you weigh every morning, the Melitta Calibra has a built-in scale.

Reviewed on 8 November 2026 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The quick pick

  1. My pick for filterBaratza EncoreSee price on Amazon
  2. Espresso and filterBaratza Encore ESPSee price on Amazon
  3. With a scaleMelitta CalibraSee price on Amazon
  4. Best for filterFellow Ode Gen 2See price on Amazon
Electric coffee grinder on a kitchen worktop in natural light
Illustrative image generated with AI.

An electric burr grinder makes sense if you make coffee for several people, every day, or don’t want to turn a crank. Cheap blade grinders aren’t on this list: they chop unevenly and the cup shows it.

What to check before buying

  • Espresso or filter. For espresso you need fine adjustments, and lots of them in the fine range. For filter, evenness in the medium range.
  • Noise and space. Check the dimensions: some are over 40 cm tall.
  • Dosing. By time (Sage), by weight (Calibra) or by hand (Encore, Ode).
  • Spare parts. Baratza says the Encore is built to last at least 10 years with parts available.

Baratza Encore

My pick for filter

For V60, Chemex, AeroPress and French press: the simple electric grinder that doesn’t let you down.

Settings40
Speed550 rpm; 1.3-2.2 g per second
Power70 W
Weight3.45 kg
  • Very simple: one button and one dial
  • Built to last, with spare parts
  • Not for real espresso (that’s what the ESP is for)

Baratza Encore ESP

Espresso and filter

For anyone with an espresso machine who also makes filter coffee.

Settings1-20 for espresso, 21-40 for filter
Burrs40 mm conical steel
Hopper225 g
Power70 W
  • Dual range: espresso-fine and filter-medium
  • Quick-change burrs
  • No timer or scale

Graef CM 800

For grinding on demand into the portafilter or a container.

Settings40
BurrStainless steel conical, 800-900 rpm
Hopper350 g
Power128 W
  • Grinds straight into the portafilter or the container
  • Aluminium housing
  • Large: almost 40 cm tall

Melitta Calibra

With a scale

For grinding by weight without a separate scale.

Settings39
ModesBy weight, by time or by cups
Hopper375 g
Power160 W
  • Built-in scale with tare
  • High outlet for portafilter or filter
  • Body with plastic parts

Sage Smart Grinder Pro

For Sage owners who want precise time-based dosing.

Settings60
DosingBy time, in 0.2 s steps
Hopper450 g
Power165 W
  • Display with setting, time and cups
  • Grinds into the portafilter or a container
  • 3.5 kg and 47 cm tall

Fellow Ode Gen 2

Best for filter

For filter-only brewers who want the best result and design.

Settings31
BurrsGen 2 flat, two-stage
Capacity100 g
Weight4.6 kg
  • Flat burrs for filter
  • Quiet and anti-static, according to the listing
  • Not for espresso
  • The most expensive on the list

My pick

The Baratza Encore is the one I’d buy for filter: it does what it needs to and it can be repaired. If you make espresso, the Encore ESP. If you’re torn between manual and electric, I explain it in hand or electric grinder.

Sources

I haven't tried all of these products in person. The data come from the manufacturer's website or, when I don't cite one, from the amazon.co.uk listing (each source says which). I write with the help of AI and check every figure against those sources. I don't publish prices because they change daily: the one that counts is the price you see on Amazon when you buy.

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