Best Burr Coffee Grinder Under $100(ish) 2024

Ever wondered why your coffee sometimes tastes outstanding while other times it’s just meh? The secret lies in the grind. Yup, that’s right – the way you grind those beans can make or break your brew.

If you’re serious about enjoying a rich, flavorful cup every single time, investing in a burr coffee grinder is a game-changer. These nifty gadgets precisely grind your beans to a consistent uniform size, which aids in unlocking maximum flavor and aroma.

Over the years, I’ve learned that a quality grinder is the foundation of a truly exceptional cup. And guess what? When you just starting out, you don’t have to splurge on the fanciest model out there. There are plenty of affordable options that’ll take your brewing skills to new heights.

In this post, I’ll share my top picks for budget burr grinders for under $100 – because everyone deserves to brew awesome tasking coffee without breaking the bank.

Get ready to level up your morning ritual!

For Under $100, The Grinder Will Be Most Likely Be Manual

When your budget is under $100, you’ll quickly notice that most of the burr grinders on the market are manual models. But don’t let the idea of a little elbow grease scare you off! Making a truly exceptional cup of coffee requires some effort, and that’s all part of the fun.

Think about it: the main difference between electric and manual grinders lies in that handy little motor. Everything else – the quality burr mechanism that ensures a consistent, even grind – is the same. You’re just trading convenience for a more hands-on experience (and maybe burning a few extra calories in the process!).

Now, I get it: not everyone’s thrilled by the idea of cranking away first thing in the morning. That’s why I’ll also be sharing a couple of electric options that still deliver quality results without breaking the bank.

Models like the Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder and the Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill prove you can have your perfectly ground beans and enjoy them too – no vigorous arm workout required – both of those coffee grinders are listed below.

Best Cheap Burr Coffee Grinders For The Home (2024)

Now that we’re on the same page about why burr grinders are a must-have for true coffee enthusiasts, it’s time to dive into my top affordable picks for this year.

Whether you’re team manual or team electric, there’s a grinder out there to suit your needs (and budget!).

Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder

When it comes to electric burr grinders under $100, the Capresso Infinity is a true MVP. This unassuming little guy punches way above its weight class, delivering commercial-grade grinding prowess without the steep price tag.

For example, the Capresso features commercial-grade solid conical steel burrs that’ll slice through your beans with precision and consistency. Combined with 16 grind settings ranging from fine to coarse, you have full control over achieving your perfect grind texture.

The Capresso grinder also operates with very little noise. Sparing your ears (and your neighbors’) from that aggravating whirring noise, some pricier models subject you to.

However, the Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder isn’t without its drawbacks. If you’re grinding a lot of beans at one time, you’ll notice that the grinding chamber and chute become a magnet for the coffee grounds due to static buildup, which makes it a little harder to clean. But in my book, that’s a small price to pay for such an affordable yet mighty grinder.

Whether you’re a seasoned coffee nerd or just dipping your toes into the specialty brew scene, the Capresso Infinity deserves a top spot on your budget grinder shortlist. It’s proof that you can achieve grinding greatness without emptying your wallet.

Hario “Skerton Pro” Ceramic Burr Coffee Grinder

When it comes to manual coffee grinders, the Hario Skerton Pro is a fan favorite that doesn’t disappoint. This compact little beast was made for life on the go, seamlessly slipping into bags and suitcases for your crafted coffee fix wherever your adventures take you.

With just two components – the hopper with crank arm and glass grounds catcher – the Skerton Pro keeps things delightfully simple. But don’t let that minimalist design fool you. We’re talking ceramic burr action here, a rare find in the under $100 grinder scene. Ceramic burrs will not get hot as metal burrs often do, preventing any dreaded heat transference that can impact the taste of your coffee beans during grinding.

The original Hario burr grinder does have one flaw, in my opinion, and that is the top crank arm. I have found that this crank can become loose during prolonged grinding, but the newer pro model has definitely improved on this minor flaw, and I find it becomes loose less often, even during marathon grinding sessions.

At the end of the day, the Hario Skerton Pro offers unbeatable portability and solid ceramic burr performance at a price that won’t empty your wallet. Whether you’re a travel junkie or just value compact countertop convenience, this grinder has earned its cult following among coffee aficionados for a reason.

▶ Want to know more about this grinder? Take a look at my Hario Skerton Pro Review!

Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder

When it comes to brands that ooze style and quality, Bodum is a name that always delivers. Their Bistro electric burr grinder is no exception, marrying clever innovation with an attractive yet durable plastic, silicone, and borosilicate glass construction.

Let’s start with the piece de resistance – those 14 grind settings give you ultimate flexibility to achieve the perfect texture for your brew method of choice. From fine powder to chunky coarse, the Bistro has you covered. Well, almost. French press fanatics may be a tad disappointed that the coarsest setting still isn’t quite enough to slip through most mesh plungers. A minor gripe in an otherwise versatile package.

Speaking of gripes, I have to give Bodum props for their simple yet genius use of a glass grounds catcher. That one little tweak basically eliminates any static cling woes that plague so many plastic chamber grinders. Your freshly ground beans slide out effortlessly every time.

Despite the Bodum Bistro’s alluring price tag and modern, attractive design, it seems that some corners were cut to keep the cost low. The burrs are steel rather than ceramic, and those gears are plastic instead of hardier metal. But you know what? For the bargain price tag, I’m willing to let those minor details slide.

Whether you’re upgrading from a subpar blade grinder or just value sleek design as much as grind consistency, the Bodum Bistro deserves a top spot on your shortlist.

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

In my hunt for an affordable yet high-performing manual grinder, the JavaPresse has become a reliable workhorse in my daily brew routine. This unassuming little guy punches well above its weight class, delivering quality construction and grind consistency that puts pricier models to shame.

Let’s start with the build: we’re talking a sleek brushed aluminum exterior that’s as attractive as it is durable. But the real star is those ceramic burr mills tucked inside – a rare feat for a grinder hovering around the $40 mark. Combined with an impressive 18-grind settings, you’ve got full control over achieving the perfect grind for your favorite brew method.

The four-piece design is a beauty in its simplicity and functionality. From the glass-accented grounds catcher that lets you keep an eye on your dose to the dial-operated grind adjustment, every component serves a purpose.

And that hand crank? It’s satisfyingly smooth it’ll have you contemplating converting to team manual full-time.

Now, I won’t pretend the JavaPresse is without its small quirks. Extended grinding sessions can get a bit fatiguing on the arm muscles. And those ceramic burrs, while impressive for the price, can’t quite match the hardier ones found in top-tier grinders.

But at the end of the day, the JavaPresse delivers where it counts: grind quality, solid construction, and a wonderfully straightforward user experience – all without breaking the bank.
For the budget-minded coffee nerd, it’s an absolute no-brainer.

▶ Want to know more about this grinder? Take a look at my JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder Review

Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

When it comes to fuss-free electric grinding, the Cuisinart Supreme Grinder is a heavy-hitter that doesn’t disappoint. This solid brushed stainless steel beaut’ checks all the boxes for a quality burr grinder under $100 – and even throws in some cool convenience features to sweeten the deal.

Let’s start with the basics: 18 grind settings from fine to extra coarse, adjustable via an easy-to-use dial. Combined with a heavy-duty motor and sharp burr mechanism, you’ve got full control over achieving your perfect grind texture every single time. But where the Cuisinart really shines is its innovative “set it and forget it” capability.

That’s right, you can actually program this thing to dispense anywhere from 4 to 18 cups’ worth of grounds before automatically shutting off. Talk about a lifesaver for those agonizingly early morning brain fog situations!

Just dial in your dose and let the grinder do its thing while you shuffle around gathering your caffeination supplies.

As for maintenance, the removable components like the hopper, lid, and grind chamber make for easy cleaning access. And you can breathe easy knowing there’s a built-in safety mechanism that prevents operation when key parts are out of place.

With its sturdy construction and array of user-friendly features, the Cuisinart Supreme Burr Mill proves you don’t have to splurge for a quality electric burr grinder experience.

It’s the perfect marriage of grind precision and daily ease of use – a combo that’ll have you questioning why you ever settled for subpar grounds.

Kalita Coffee Mill Retro One

When it comes to trusted names in the coffee world, Kalita is a brand that carries some serious pour-over cred with their iconic Kalita Wave brewer. So, it’s no surprise they’ve tried their hand at an affordable manual grinder to complement their flagship product. Enter the Retro One burr mill.

For the asking price (around $85 at the time of writing), this little guy offers some decent bang for your buck. We’re talking surprisingly sturdy construction and an aesthetic that oozes vintage charm. But like any budget-friendly piece of gear, the Retro One isn’t without its quirks.

Let’s start with the good: despite being a manual crank model, the grind mechanism feels smooth and robust for the most part. It may not rival the precision of pricier electric grinders, but it’ll get the job done for your daily brew without too much-added elbow grease.

Now, the not-so-good. Those burrs could definitely use a sharpening, resulting in somewhat inconsistent grinds despite your vigorous cranking efforts. And then there’s the complete lack of a hopper lid – a surefire way to inadvertently shower your countertop in coffee beans if you’re not hyper-focused during the process.

At the end of the day, the Kalita Retro One is a decent budget buy if you can look past those minor flaws. It’s built to last and has enough quirky retro flair to earn a place on your coffee bar.

Just be prepared to put in a little extra grinding elbow grease and maybe invest in a decent hopper topper to contain those runaway beans!

Burr or Blade Grinder, Which is Best?

Ah, the age-old battle of burr versus blade grinders. It’s the coffee equivalent of David and Goliath: quality versus convenience. And make no mistake – when it comes to achieving consistent, flavorful grinds, the burr reigns supreme.

Let’s start with those old-school blade grinders your mom probably rocked back in the day. Sure, they’re affordable and get the job done in a pinch. But at what cost? These spinning blades don’t actually “grind” your beans – they smash them into an inconsistent medley of chunks and dust.

It’s grind roulette every single time.

Burr grinders, on the other hand, offer superb grind control. With two revolving abrasive burrs, your beans get precisely ground to a uniform size rather than haphazardly pulverized. That consistency is key for even extraction and eliminating brewing issues like clogging or over/under-extraction.

But the real flex of a burr grinder? You can actually customize your grind from ultra-fine to gloriously coarse based on your brew method. Espresso, pour over, French press – the burr has you covered with the perfect particle size every time.

Now, I won’t lie – there are a couple knocks against team burr. Cheaper models can suffer from static cling issues and excessive heat buildup from high-speed grinding. But those are easily mitigated by investing in a quality grinder or even spraying a bit of water (AKA the RDT coffee technique) over your beans prior to grinding.

At the end of the day, the consistent, customizable brilliance of a burr grinder is worth going the extra mile (and maybe dollar). Your taste buds will thank you for kicking those bitter, blade-grinding disappointments to the curb.

A Few Last Words On Budget Burr Coffee Grinders

There you have it, my top picks for affordable yet high-performing burr grinders to help elevate your daily coffee routine. From sturdy manual coffee grinding mills to convenient push-button electric models, from my testing, I found each grinder that made the list delivers consistent, customizable grinds that’ll help unlock every ounce of flavor hiding in your coffee beans.

Now, I get it – shelling out cash for a grinder can feel like an investment, especially when you’re just starting out in the specialty coffee world. But trust me, once you experience a coffee brewed with a uniform, consistent quality grind, you’ll wonder how you ever survived on those dusty, inconsistent, blade-grinding relics.

The beauty of the grinders featured here? They prove you don’t have to drain your checking account to achieve grind greatness. Whether you opt for a budget-friendly manual like the travel-ready Hario Skerton or splurge a little on the wildly convenient Cuisinart Supreme, you’re getting a serious bang for your buck.

So ditch those subpar grounds for good and invest in a grinder worthy of your favorite beans. Your morning brew (and your taste buds) deserve to experience all those delicious flavors you’ve been missing out on.

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Why Should You Trust Us

Mark has over 20 years of experience in the catering and hospitality sector. He takes his years of knowledge and expertise and applies it to critiquing coffee equipment and brewing gear.

Since the creation of the Bean Ground coffee blog in 2014, Mark Morphew and a small circle of coffee hobbyists have rigorously tested, reviewed, and researched coffee gear. In most cases, they have purchased the items themselves with the sole intention of rating and evaluating.

In that time, they have built up a list of quality points to look for and what makes specific equipment better than others. They cut through the noise and marketing hype that often surrounds products to give you their unbiased opinions so you can make clear decisions on your next purchase.