Making the jump from filter to espresso? First, let us tell you why you can’t simply turn your brew grinder to the finest setting. If you’re an experienced home espresso brewer and are looking to upgrade your grinder, you can jump to our picks!

In espresso, we’re always after the “goldilocks zone”. This is where everything comes together to create a full body and perceptible sweetness. 

And one of the most important factors to creating that perfect espresso shot is grind quality. Proper espresso grounds are finer than filter coffee, but they also need to be uniform and consistent between shots. When under the extremely high pressure of your espresso machine, this is what achieves even extraction and balanced flavours.

Without a proper espresso grinder, guaranteeing an even extraction with every shot will be almost impossible.

It’s now possible to find an incredible espresso grinder in almost any price bracket. If there is a downside, it’s that the endless options have become overwhelming.

The following guide will walk you through the best grinders for espresso. We’ll even break it down into entry-level, intermediate, and professional categories to help you find the perfect match. 

Our Criteria

We’ve selected these grinders for their ability to deliver the highest quality espresso grounds. Specific features and benefits that we’re looking for include: 

• Optimized burrs: bold, flavourful espresso shots.
• Micro-fine adjustments: 0.01mm can be the difference between “meh” and amazing espresso.
• Compatibility with portafilters: efficient, mess-free workflow.
• Thermal control: volatile aromatic compound (flavour) preservation.
• Retention control: better consistency and less wasted coffee.
• Overall design: because you should enjoy using your espresso grinder every day.

An Overview of Our Top Picks

Entry-Level ($160-$300)

• Timemore Chestnut C5 ESP PRO Hand Grinder
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• Fellow Opus All-Purpose Grinder
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• DF54 All-Purpose Grinder
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Intermediate ($400-$860)

• Millab M01 Hand Grinder
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• DF64 All-Purpose Grinder
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• Timemore Sculptor 064S All-Purpose Grinder
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Professional ($960-$2,240)

• Timemore 078S All-Purpose Grinder
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• CEADO E6C Chameleon Singe-Dose Grinder
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• ACAIA Orbit Single-Dose Grinder
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Grinder Reviews

Entry-Level

Timemore Chestnut C5 ESP PRO Hand Grinder

Why we love it:

Hand coffee grinders offer a lot of benefits; they’re transportable, easy to use, and provide good quality for their value. The C5 ESP PRO manual grinder offers all of the above, plus 260% more grind settings than earlier models. Perfect for calibrating your shot for the best-tasting results.

Simple, cost-effective, and user-friendly, the Timemore C5 ESP PRO is for beginners seeking a reliable hand grinder to get introduced to espresso. It is also great for enjoying your coffee while travelling or camping.

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The C5 ESP PRO features Timemore’s upgraded 42mm stainless-steel conical burrs, made to produce coffee grounds fine enough for true espresso.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The C5 ESP PRO has 50 clicks per rotation, with 0.015 (15 micron) increments per click on the internal adjustment dial.

• Compatibility with portafilters 
  The C5 ESP PRO features a 25g catch cup that can easily be screwed off and turned into your portafilter.

• Overall design 
  The C5 ESP PRO is lightweight, stylish, and built with user-friendly features (like a textured grip) to make manual grinding easy.

Fellow Opus All-Purpose Grinder

Why we love it:

The Fellow Opus is a conical espresso grinder with 41+ settings. You can also make additional micro adjustments using the inner ring, which gives you plenty of range for grinding espresso.

The Opus is an excellent first grinder for those looking to branch into specialty coffee. Its design is both elegant and user-friendly, making it easy to learn how to brew better espresso at home.

Note: since the Opus was my first all-purpose coffee grinder, I get to speak from experience! I still enjoy using it today.

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The Opus houses Fellow’s patented C6-40 Burly Burrs™ which are designed to grind for a true 9-bar shot of espresso.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  Using the Opus’ internal ring, you can easily make precision adjustments for espresso.

• Compatibility with portafilters 
  The Opus comes with a single-dosing cup that is designed to work with portafilters ranging from 54mm-58mm.

• Retention control 
  Anti-static technology and the Opus’ spouted catch cup effectively reduce mess and coffee ground retention.

• Overall design: 
  The Opus showcases Fellow's signature modernist design with user-friendly features, like a timed autostop and built-in recipe guide. Overall, The Opus will have you looking forward to pulling espresso shots every morning. 

DF54 All-Purpose Grinder

Why we love it:

The DF54 is often called one of the best single-dose grinders on the market for its price range; it features automatic retention control, stepless grind adjustments, and stainless-steel flat burrs. Every feature gives you a leg up in achieving an ideal grind size for espresso, shot after shot.

The DF54 Grinder is best for beginner to intermediate espresso enthusiasts looking to elevate their average home espresso. Just without breaking the bank.

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The DF54’s 54mm flat burrs can reach ultra-fine grind consistency without sacrificing uniformity.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The DF54 is one of few >$300 grinders to feature a stepless adjustment dial. This lets you choose between two grind settings, a huge benefit when you’re dealing with finicky espresso.

• Compatibility with portafilters 
  By removing the catch cup, The DF54 can grind directly into most 58mm portafilters.

• Retention control 
  Thanks to built-in anti-static features, coffee retention is kept to the bare minimum.

• Overall design: 
  Despite all its features, the DF54 has a compact and lightweight body that fits seamlessly into limited spaces. An added bellows also helps clear out any residual coffee fines.

Intermediate

Millab M01 Hand Grinder

Why we love it:

The Millab M01 manual grinder houses a newly designed “Pineapple” burr set and stepped adjustment ring. It also features 100 micro-adjustments per full rotation, including several settings dedicated for espresso alone.

The Millab M01 manual grinder is best for those seeking professional espresso quality with the ease and portability of manual grinders. The M01 can be used by any experience level, although beginners may need some time to get used to the M01's multiple settings.

Fun fact: with our staff allowance, the Millab M01 is one of the most frequently purchased grinders among the Eight Ounce team. One of us even keeps it at their desk to make pour-overs in the morning!

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The Millab M01’s Pineapple burrs are 10mm longer than standard conical burrs and feature a 50% taller grinding surface. They’re made to replicate flat burr sets, which deliver professional grind uniformity for rich, flavourful espresso.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The Millab M01 features an external adjustment ring for easy access to 100 micro adjustments (per full rotation). That gives you plenty of room to get precise with your espresso dial.

• Retention control 
  The Pineapple burrs’ elongated design spaces out coffee beans and reduces friction. This naturally eliminates retention without the need for electric anti-static technology.

• Overall design: 
  Winner of the 2024 Good Design Award, the Millab M01 sets the benchmark for luxury hand grinders. Thoughtful additions include a hefty aluminum build and textured body, helpful for assisting your grip while grinding.

DF64 All-Purpose Grinder

Why we love it:

The DF64 is the older sibling of the DF54 (see above), just slightly elevated. For the price difference, some added features include a metal catch cup, larger motor, and more settings on the dial.

The DF64 is best for intermediate espresso enthusiasts who plan to get a lot of use out of their grinder.

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The DF64 includes a flat burr set with DLC (Diamond-Like-Coating), which keeps the blades from dulling over time. This ensures fluffy, consistent espresso grounds even with a lifetime of daily use.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The stepless adjustment dial includes 90 grind settings with up to 20 for espresso alone.

• Retention control 
  The DF64’s DLC burrs are optimized to reduce static initially, while an internal plasma generator works as a second barrier to coffee retention.

• Compatibility with portafilters 
  The catch cup holder can be used to grind espresso directly into select portafilters for mess-free workflows, although some sizes may require slight modifications.

• Overall design: 
  The DF64 is larger than the DF54 due to a more powerful motor, but its upward design allows the grinder to take up minimal counter space. Its polished black exterior and wooden bellows add a professional touch.

Timemore Sculptor 064S All-Purpose Grinder

Why we love it:

The Timemore 064S is a powerful yet user-friendly espresso grinder, equipped with features that can easily get you into the realm of café-quality espresso.

The Timemore 064S is best for the modern home barista with a moderate to high experience level, valuing minimalist design and café-quality espresso. It is also the ideal grinder for small home coffee setups and limited countertops.

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The Sculptor 064S is equipped with a 64mm flat burr set, engineered by Timemore to deliver the best results even for powder-fine espresso. It also comes with a variable 800-1200 RPM.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The Sculptor 064S features an oversized, stepless dial, making it easy to find the perfect setting and remember where you left off.

• Retention control 
  The Sculptor 064S is built with a rotary knocker to remove stubborn espresso grounds.

• Thermal control 
  Heat buildup is controlled by vents placed at the back of the grinder.

• Overall design: 
  The Sculptor 064S is designed to make espresso grinding feel like an art, thanks to a simple and sophisticated exterior. User-friendly features include the prominent dial, easily accessible hopper, and a parallel build to fit in tight spices.

Professional

Timemore Sculptor 078S All-Purpose Grinder

Why we love it:

For all the reasons we love the Timemore 064S All-Purpose Grinder, and then some. The 078S houses every feature of the 064S in a larger, heavier body. It’s also equipped with a 200W motor (that’s more than twice as powerful) and an increased RPM of 800-1400.

The Sculptor 078 ensures a virtually 0% chance of the grinder stalling out even with dense light roasts. Therefore, the 078 is best for the light-roast lover, and the prolific home barista who pulls dozens of shots every day.

Some of the 064’s top features are repeated underneath:

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The Sculptor 078S’ 78mm burrs are best for producing uniform, consistent, and fluffy espresso grinds.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The Sculptor 078S features an oversized, stepless dial, making it easy to find the perfect setting and remember where you left off.

• Retention control 
  The 078S is built with a rotary knocker to remove stubborn fines and chaff.

• Thermal control 
  Heat buildup is controlled by vents placed at the back of the grinder.

• Overall design: 
  The Sculptor 078S’ clean, elegant design is identical to the 064S. Just in a larger format. Key external features include a prominent dial, easy-access hopper, and parallel build. Although bigger, the grinder’s slim body can still fit into most kitchen counters.

CEADO E6C Chameleon Single-Dose Grinder

Why we love it:

Like all CEADO grinders since 1952, the E6C is hand-made and tested in Italy. As a result, the E6C is engineered with the highest standards of craftsmanship, which we love for durability and reliable performance.

This single-dose grinder is made with 64mm Opalglide flat burrs, designed by CEADO specifically for the E6C. Not only are these burrs capable of fluffy espresso grounds, they use special geometry to minimize retention.

The E6C is for the experienced home barista seeking specialty espresso from the comfort of home. Pulling off an impressive range of super-fine grind settings (200-250 microns), the E6C lets you dial shots like a professional for the fullest spectrum of flavours.

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  CEADO’s Opalglide burrs for the E6C are made from the purest steel. With a smooth nano-coated surface, they excel at ground uniformity and particle size distribution. This is how you get more defined flavours in espresso.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The CEADO E6C includes a smooth turning, colourfully labeled collar with stepless adjustments. This makes it easy to navigate every setting including a wide range of espresso grounds.

• Retention control 
  The E6C’s burr geometry is optimized to minimize retention without an ionizer. When paired with its 30-degree angle and single-dose mode, fresh coffee is dispensed with each use.

• Thermal control 
  The E6C features CEADO’s Steady Lock Burr System to keep a fixed distance between burrs when grinding, which greatly mitigates heat buildup to keep every espresso shot full of flavour.

• Overall design: 
  The CEADO E6C’s design is simple, user-friendly, and made to expedite your workflow in every way possible. The colourful adjustment collar is a nice visual touch that also helps you quickly understand the settings. Overall, we love the E6C for its exceptional craftsmanship and intuitive features.

ACAIA Orbit Single-Dose Coffee Grinder

Why we love it:

The ACAIA Orbit is a sleek, single-dose grinder that doubles as a modern centrepiece to your coffee counter. Beyond looking like something out of the future, the Orbit has plenty of groundbreaking features. 

The ACAIA Orbit is one of the very few home espresso grinders with a grind-by-weight function, activated by pairing with an ACAIA Lunar scale. For this, the Orbit is best for the seasoned home barista looking for the highest level of precision in their espresso.

• Optimized burrs for espresso 
  The ACAIA Orbit can be purchased with two 64mm burr sets, each capable of espresso grinding: Mazzer and SSP Multi-Purpose.
  If you’re looking for bold, traditional espresso, we’d suggest Mazzer. If you’re looking for modern (specialty) espresso with lots of flavour nuance, you’ll probably want the SSP Multi-Purpose.

• Micro-fine adjustments 
  The ACAIA Orbit’s stepless adjustment dial provides easy control over its grind settings, which cover the full spectrum of espresso and filter coffee.

• Retention control 
  Anti-retention features include a knocking chute and automatic cleaning purge to clear out the last cycle's coffee grounds.

• Thermal control 
  The ACAIA Orbit’s RPM Stability Control technology prevents the RPM from increasing as coffee volume decreases. This mitigates heat generation while improving overall espresso quality.

• Compatibility with portafilters 
  The ACAIA Orbit’s catch cup can easily be used to dose coffee into most 54mm and 58mm portafilters.

• Overall design: 
  Available in Space Grey, Black, or White, the ACAIA Orbit’s polished, sleek design makes it one of the most attractive single-dose coffee grinders on the market. It’s also easy to use, with seamlessly integrated features like the front-facing adjustment dial and prominent hopper.

Conclusion

This list of best home espresso grinders was compiled our experience as dedicated coffee nerds and professionals.

We also know that there is no right way to enjoy your coffee. The perfect grinder for you will depend greatly on what you prefer… whether that is bold, intense flavours or the nuanced tasting notes of modern espresso.

If you have a question about what you’ve read, check out the FAQ section below. And if you’d like to follow up for a personalized recommendation, you may always reach out to our team. 

FAQs

• What is the main benefit of using a single-dose grinder over traditional espresso grinders?
  Hoppers that can hold a large volume of espresso beans are great for cafés or busy environments where shots are being pulled by the minute. However, they’re not designed to preserve beans.
  Storing coffee beans in an airtight container or in its bag, and only using what you need, keeps it as fresh as possible. Plus, when you weigh every batch, you get precise control over each dose.

• Can I just use an espresso machine with a built-in grinder?
  You absolutely can! But remember, keeping coffee beans inside the hopper will lead to them getting stale quickly.
  That is why we generally recommend single-dose grinders for home espresso setups (see above).

• What are the maintenance tips for single-dose espresso grinders?
  For home single-dose grinders, common maintenance includes daily cleaning (typically with a brush), frequent exchange of beans, and purging or tapping residual coffee grounds after each use.
  Generally, you should aim for deep cleaning –or disassembling the grinder to clean the burrs – every few months. It’s recommended that you always follow your grinder’s manufacturer instructions for step-by-step guidance.

• What is the warranty on Eight Ounce Coffee’s espresso grinders?
  All of the espresso grinders in this list are covered under a 1-year warranty.

• Where can I find repair services for my espresso grinder?
  Eight Ounce Coffee offers repair services for a wide range of coffee equipment, including residential espresso grinders. Check out the repairs webpage to learn more!

• Are there any other accessories I need to grind espresso at home? 
  Technically speaking, a good espresso machine and grinder will get you 90% off the way there. If your espresso machine didn’t come with one, you will need a tamper (pulling a shot with an un-tamped bed is like bench pressing with no weights on the bar).
  Tools that can take your espresso to the next level include a WDT distributor and automatic bean doser. Both assist with consistency and repeatability, shot after shot.

Glossary of Terms

• Crema: the foamy layer on top of an espresso shot, mainly composed of C02 gas.
• Extraction yield: how much (or little) of the coffee is pulled from the grounds into the final cup or shot.
• Flat burrs: burr sets that are made of two parallel disks, each with concentric rows of teeth, that rotate in opposite directions to slice coffee beans.
• Conical burrs: burr sets that feature a cone-shipped inner burr which rotates against a hollow outer burr, using gravity to shuffle beans downward.
• Retention: the amount of coffee grounds that remain trapped in the burrs after a cycle completes. Retention can contaminate fresh grounds if not cleared out or properly controlled.
• Fines: incredibly small coffee particles (smaller than a typical espresso grind of 200-250 microns). For espresso, a balanced amount of fines are necessary for proper extraction and controlling your flow rate.
• Espresso dial: a recipe, made up of variables like grind size, water temperature, and coffee ground input to get the best flavour output for a particular espresso roast. It is common to recalibrate the dial when you switch to new beans.
• Ross Droplet Technique (RDT): an anti-retention technique that involves lightly spritzing coffee beans with water before grinding.
• Weiss Distribution Technique (WDT): a method of espresso preparation that uses several fine pins to break up clumps and evenly distribute espresso grounds. WDT prevents uneven water flow and channeling.