Best Coffee Grinder Under $100
Under $100 you can get a genuinely good burr grinder — especially for filter and French press, where consistency demands are lower than espresso. This guide separates the grinders that punch above their price from the ones that merely look cheap.
Our top pick
Baratza Encore (refurb)
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Editorial note: this guide reflects our home barista experience, manufacturer specifications, and aggregated owner feedback. We test gear at home, update recommendations regularly, and link to official manuals where relevant.
What $100 buys you in a grinder
At $50-100, you get a conical burr grinder (not blade). Blade grinders chop beans unevenly and produce inconsistent extraction. Conical burr grinders produce uniform particles. The Baratza Encore is the gold standard at $99 - it lasts for years and has 40 grind settings.
At this price, avoid: ceramic burrs that dull quickly, and grinders with plastic chutes that retain grounds. Look for: metal burrs, a wide range of settings (espresso to French press), and a doserless design. The Encore, Capresso Infinity, and Hario Mini Mill are the top three. Do not buy a blade grinder unless you only make French press.
The Baratza Encore has a 1-year warranty and replaceable burrs, making it a 5+ year appliance. The Capresso Infinity is quieter but has fewer settings. If you only make French press or drip, a $30 blade grinder works. If you make espresso or pour-over, the Encore is non-negotiable. Clean the grinder monthly with a grinder tablet.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Why we like it | |
|---|---|---|
| Baratza Encore (refurb) | View → | |
| 1Zpresso Q2 / C2 (hand) | View → |
- + Great consistency
- − Manual
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What $100 buys in a grinder
At under $100, you're choosing between a blade grinder and an entry-level burr grinder. The Capresso Infinity (around $80鈥?00) is the classic pick 鈥?conical steel burrs, 16 grind settings, and a small footprint. It won't do espresso but handles pour-over, drip, and French press well.
At this price point, expect compromises: smaller hopper (4鈥? oz), plastic body, and 1鈥? grams of coffee retention in the chamber. The burrs are smaller than the $200 class, so grinding a full pot takes 30鈥?5 seconds. This is normal.
Don't buy a blade grinder
$20 blade grinders look like a deal but produce uneven grounds 鈥?powder next to chunks. The result is sour, bitter, and inconsistent. If your budget is truly tight, save up another $40 for a Capresso Infinity rather than settling for a blade grinder.
Buying advice
Decide by brew method. For espresso under $100, a hand grinder (1Zpresso) beats any electric. For filter/French press, the Baratza Encore or OXO is plenty. Whatever you pick, insist on a burr grinder — blade grinders chop unevenly and ruin extraction.
FAQ
Will a $100 grinder make good espresso?
No. Budget burr grinders don't get fine enough for true espresso. They're great for drip, pour-over, and French press. For espresso, budget $250+.
How long do budget burrs last?
Steel burrs last 500鈥?00 lbs of coffee, about 3鈥? years for home use. Replacing burrs costs $30鈥?0 鈥?often more cost-effective than buying a new grinder.
Electric vs manual grinder?
A $100 electric burr grinder is more consistent and faster. A $50 manual grinder (like the 1Zpresso J-Ultra) produces better quality but takes 5鈥?0 minutes per dose. Choose based on patience and batch size.
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