Four grinders we chose, by job
These are not a ranking: each is here for a different job. Specs were read on the Baratza and Fellow pages and the 1Zpresso amazon.com listing on 2026-11-04; where a page does not state a spec, the card says so. Grinders for feeding a portafilter are on our best espresso grinder page, and electric single-dose grinders are in the single-dose grinder guide.
1Espresso and filter in one grinder
Baratza Encore ESP (ZCG495)
Why we chose it: Settings 1 to 20 are the maker's espresso range and 21 to 40 cover filter, French press and cold brew.
- Burrs
- 40 mm conical steel (M2)
- Grind settings
- 40: #1 to 20 espresso, #21 to 40 filter, press and cold brew
- Portafilter holder
- 54 mm, with a 58 mm adapter
- Hopper / bin
- 300 g hopper, 120 g grounds bin
Not for you if: Anyone who wants a single-dose workflow out of the box: that needs the maker's single-dose hopper accessory.
Specs read on the maker page, 2026-11-04. The button opens the amazon.com listing for this exact model (ASIN B0BW272XCV).
See on Amazon: Baratza Encore ESP (ZCG495)2Filter brewing, French press and pour-over
Baratza Encore (ZCG485)
Why we chose it: The maker describes it as a grinder for filter brewing with 40 settings from coarse to espresso fine.
- Burrs
- 40 mm conical steel (M3)
- Grind settings
- 40
- Hopper / bin
- 300 g hopper, 120 g grounds bin
- Power
- 70 W
Not for you if: Espresso: the maker makes the Encore ESP for that.
Specs read on the maker page, 2026-11-04.
See on Amazon: Baratza Encore (ZCG485)3Flat burrs for pour-over and drip, not espresso
Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2
Why we chose it: The maker designs it for brewed coffee (pour-over, drip, batch brew) with 64 mm flat burrs.
- Burrs
- 64 mm stainless steel flat burrs
- Grind settings
- 11 settings with 31 total steps
- Capacity
- 100 g
- Designed for
- Pour-over, drip and batch brew
Not for you if: Espresso: the maker describes it as a brew grinder.
Specs read on the maker page, 2026-11-04.
See on Amazon: Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 24Hand grinder, no power needed
1Zpresso J Manual Grinder
Why we chose it: A hand grinder with 48 mm steel conical burrs and a foldable handle.
- Burrs
- 48 mm stainless steel conical
- Adjustment
- 30 clicks per rotation, internal
- Handle
- Foldable
- Cleaning
- Tool-free dismantling
Not for you if: Anyone who wants to grind without cranking: it is manual.
Specs read on the amazon.com listing (ASIN B0C2YYBLC1), 2026-11-04.
See on Amazon: 1Zpresso J Manual GrinderWe chose these from the makers' pages and Amazon listings. Links with an ASIN open that exact listing; the rest open a search for the model, so check the model there. See how we choose. As an Amazon Associate, BaristaBetter earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
Side by side
| Product | Burrs | Key spec | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baratza Encore ESP (ZCG495) | Conical steel, 40 mm | 40 settings (1 to 20 espresso) | First espresso grinder |
| Baratza Encore (ZCG485) | Conical steel, 40 mm | 40 settings, 300 g hopper | Filter, press, pour-over |
| Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2 | Flat steel, 64 mm | 11 settings, 31 steps, 100 g | Pour-over and drip only |
| 1Zpresso J Manual Grinder | 48 mm conical, manual | 30 clicks per rotation | Small kitchens and travel |
How to choose a grinder
Start with the brewing method, because the same grinder rarely suits every method equally. The maker says the Encore ESP gives high-resolution settings 1 to 20 for espresso and 21 to 40 for filter, French press and cold brew; Fellow says the Ode is for brewed methods. Read the method before the brand.
| If you brew mostly... | Look for | From our picks |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Fine, small steps at the fine end; a holder that fits your portafilter | Encore ESP (54 mm holder, 58 mm adapter); more fine-step grinders on the espresso grinder page |
| Pour-over, drip, French press | A good coarse-to-medium range and a tidy bin | Encore, Ode Gen 2, 1Zpresso J |
| Several methods | Many settings and easy re-dialing | Encore ESP (40), 1Zpresso J (30 clicks per turn) |
| Pre-set doses | A timer or programmable dose | Timer grinders are on the espresso grinder page |
Then check the things that decide daily use: how many grind settings and how big the steps are, hopper and bin size, what the grinder can grind into (a portafilter, a container, a basket), cleaning access, and noise. Our hopper size guide and shared household guide cover two of those.
Burrs: what the words mean
A burr grinder crushes beans between two burr surfaces set a fixed distance apart; a blade grinder chops them with a spinning blade. The gap is why burr grinders give a more even particle size and let you repeat a setting. Read burr vs blade grinders for when a blade grinder is still reasonable.
Among burr grinders, conical and flat describe the burr shape. The Baratza picks use 40 mm conical steel burrs; the Fellow Ode uses 64 mm flat steel burrs, per the makers. We do not rank shapes: flat vs conical burrs explains what changes and what is hype, and ceramic vs steel burrs covers material. Single-dose designs, where you weigh the beans for each grind, are covered in the single-dose guide.
Set-up, grind size and care
A grinder is only useful if you dial it in. Start from the grind size chart by brew method, adjust one step at a time, and keep notes. If your grinder has a zero point, calibrate it so settings mean the same thing over time. Clean burrs and bin on a schedule: how to clean a coffee grinder follows the Baratza manuals we read. Beans matter too: how long do coffee beans last and how to store them.
Whatever you choose, weigh your dose. The coffee ratio calculator turns cups into grams, and the espresso ratio calculator turns a dose into a yield.
