Coffee Grinder Types Explained
Buying guide
Your grinder has as much influence on the coffee in your cup as your machine. The shape of the burrs, how the beans are loaded and how finely you can adjust the grind all change the flavour, the consistency and how easy the grinder is to live with. Here is how the main types of coffee grinder work, from burr shapes to grinding by time or weight, so you can choose the right one for the way you make coffee.
At a glance
Conical burr
A cone-shaped burr turns inside a ring burr.
Flat burr
Two flat, parallel burrs face each other.
Single dose
You weigh and grind just the beans for each coffee.
Hopper grinder
Beans sit in a hopper, ready to grind on demand.
Grind by time
Grinds for a set number of seconds for each dose.
Grind by weight
A built-in scale stops grinding at your target weight.
| Conical burr | Flat burr | Single dose | Hopper | Grind by time | Grind by weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it describes | Burr shape | Burr shape | How you load beans | How you load beans | How the dose is measured | How the dose is measured |
| How it grinds | Beans are crushed as they fall between a cone and an outer ring | Beans travel outwards between two flat discs | Grinds only the beans you weigh in | Grinds from beans stored in the hopper | Runs for a programmed number of seconds | Stops when a built-in scale reaches your target weight |
| Flavour | Fuller body and texture | Clearer, more distinct flavours | Depends on the burrs inside | Depends on the burrs inside | Depends on the burrs inside | Depends on the burrs inside |
| Ease of use | Forgiving and often quieter | Rewards careful dialling in | Weigh each dose, little waste | Quickest for everyday coffee | One touch for a single or double | One touch, no weighing needed |
| Dose consistency | Depends on dosing | Depends on dosing | Exact, you weigh it | Depends on dosing | Good, recheck when you change beans | Excellent, adjusts automatically |
| Best for | Espresso with milk, home baristas | Espresso and filter enthusiasts | Trying different beans | Busy households, one favourite bean | Most home espresso setups | Precision without the scales |
Start here
Burr grinders vs blade grinders
A blade grinder chops beans with a spinning blade, leaving a mix of fine dust and large chunks that extract unevenly and taste bitter and sour at the same time. A burr grinder crushes the beans between two burrs set a precise distance apart, so every particle comes out close to the same size. For espresso in particular, a burr grinder is essential, which is why every grinder we sell is a burr grinder.
Conical burr grinders
A cone-shaped inner burr turns inside a ring-shaped outer burr. Beans drop in from above and are crushed progressively finer as they fall towards the narrow gap at the bottom. Conical burrs can grind well at lower speeds, which keeps them cooler and often quieter.
Many coffee lovers find conical grinders more forgiving to dial in, and they tend to give espresso a rich, full-bodied texture that suits milk drinks.
The good
- Forgiving when dialling in
- Rich body that suits milk drinks
- Often quieter and cooler running
Keep in mind
- Slightly less uniform grind than flat burrs
- Burr size varies a lot between models
Best for: home baristas who mainly make milk-based espresso and want a grinder that is easy to dial in.
Flat burr grinders
Two flat, ring-shaped burrs face each other, one fixed and one spinning. Beans are fed into the centre and pushed outwards between the burrs, leaving only once they are small enough to pass through the gap. This produces a very even grind size.
Flat burrs are known for clarity, letting the distinct flavours of a coffee come through. Larger burrs grind faster and more consistently, which is why you will see burr sizes such as 55mm, 64mm and 83mm quoted on our product pages.
The good
- Very uniform particle size
- Clear, distinct flavours
- Excellent for both espresso and filter
Keep in mind
- Rewards careful dialling in
- Larger flat burr grinders take more bench space
Best for: enthusiasts who enjoy dialling in and want to taste the character of different coffees.
Single dose grinders
Instead of storing beans in a hopper, you weigh out the beans for each coffee and grind just those. The grinder is designed to hold back as little coffee as possible, so what you put in is what comes out.
Single dosing keeps your beans sealed and fresh until you need them, and makes it easy to switch between coffees, such as a dark blend for milk drinks and a light roast for black coffee.
The good
- Little to no grounds left in the grinder
- Switch between coffees easily
- Beans stay fresh in their bag
Keep in mind
- You weigh each dose
- A little slower each morning
Best for: coffee lovers who like to try different beans, or who make one or two coffees a day.
Popular single dose grinders
Hopper grinders
Beans are stored in a hopper on top of the grinder, ready to grind on demand. Many hopper grinders have a timer, so one press of a button grinds a single or double dose straight into your portafilter.
They are the quickest option for households that drink the same coffee every day. Only fill the hopper with what you will use in a few days, so the beans stay fresh.
The good
- Fast and convenient
- Programmable single and double doses
- Ideal for several coffees a day
Keep in mind
- Beans in the hopper go stale faster
- Changing coffees takes longer
Best for: busy households making several coffees a day with one favourite coffee.
Grind by time grinders
Most hopper grinders dose by time. You program how many seconds the grinder runs for a single and a double shot, and from then on one touch grinds the same amount straight into your portafilter. Many models have a touch screen or buttons for each dose, plus a manual mode.
Because the grinder measures time rather than weight, the dose can change slightly when you adjust the grind or switch to a different coffee. Weigh a dose every now and then, and tweak the time if it has drifted.
The good
- Fast, one-touch dosing
- Great value for everyday espresso
- Easy to set up and use
Keep in mind
- Dose can drift when you change beans or grind
- Check the weight from time to time
Best for: most home espresso setups, especially households making several coffees a day.
Popular grind by time grinders
Grind by weight grinders
A grind by weight grinder has a scale built in. You set your target dose, for example 18 grams, and the grinder weighs the coffee as it grinds and stops when it reaches that weight.
It automatically allows for changes in grind size and bean density, so you get the same dose every time without weighing it yourself. It is the easiest way to get consistent espresso, and costs a little more than grinding by time.
The good
- The same dose every time
- No separate scales needed
- Adjusts automatically when you change the grind
Keep in mind
- Higher price than timer grinders
- Scale needs occasional calibration
Best for: home baristas who want precise, repeatable shots with as little fuss as possible.
Grind by weight grinders
Hand grinders
A hand grinder uses quality burrs turned by a crank, with no motor at all. Good hand grinders produce a very consistent grind, are almost silent and fit in a bag, so they are popular for travel, camping and filter coffee at home.
The good
- No power needed
- Quiet and portable
- Great value for grind quality
Keep in mind
- Takes effort, especially for espresso
- Grinds one dose at a time
Best for: filter and pour-over at home, travel, and anyone who enjoys the ritual.
Popular hand grinders
Beyond the burrs
Other features that matter
You will see these terms on our product pages. Here is what they mean.
Burr size
Measured in millimetres. Larger burrs grind faster and more consistently, and stay cooler. Home espresso grinders typically use 50 to 65mm burrs.
Stepless or stepped adjustment
Stepless grinders let you make tiny adjustments to the grind size, which is ideal for dialling in espresso. Stepped grinders click between set positions, which is simpler and easier to repeat.
Portafilter holder
Most on-demand grinders have a fork or cradle that holds your portafilter, so you can grind straight into it hands-free. Check it suits your machine's portafilter size.
Motor speed
Lower speeds keep beans cooler and can change the flavour. Some grinders offer variable speed so you can tune the grind to the coffee.
Retention
The coffee that stays inside the grinder after grinding. Low retention means fresher coffee in every cup and less waste.
Espresso or filter range
Espresso needs very fine, precise adjustment, while filter and plunger need coarser grinds. Check the grinder covers the brewing methods you use.
Match your grinder to your machine
An espresso machine is only as good as the grinder feeding it. A capable grinder paired with a mid-range machine will make better coffee than an expensive machine with a basic grinder. Our machine and grinder bundles make it easy to get the right pairing from day one.
Shop bundles →Machine types explained →Keep your burrs in top shape
Coffee oils build up on the burrs over time and turn stale, affecting the taste of every cup. Clean your grinder regularly, and replace the burrs after heavy use. Our Torrensville workshop services the grinders we sell.
Cleaning products →Servicing and repairs →Quick guide
Which is right for me?
We make a few milk coffees every morning
A grind by time grinder gives you one-touch doses straight into the portafilter.
Home grinders →I want the same dose every time
A grind by weight grinder stops at your target weight, with no scales needed.
Grind by weight grinders →I like trying different coffees
A single dose grinder keeps every bag fresh and makes switching beans easy.
Single dose grinders →I mostly drink filter or travel a lot
A quality hand grinder gives a consistent grind with no power needed.
Hand grinders →I run a cafe or busy office
Commercial grinders are built for volume, with larger burrs and on-demand dosing.
Commercial grinders →Still not sure? Try them side by side
Visit our Torrensville showroom and taste the difference a grinder makes. Our team will grind and brew the same coffee on different grinders and help you choose the right one, with no pressure.
Book a demoCall (08) 8352 2022