The Best Coffee Grinders in Canada
We reviewed this buying guide in early 2023, and the Cuisinart DBM-8C Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is our pick for the best coffee grinder in Canada.
For this buying guide, we focused on selecting the best coffee grinders in Canada for a range of needs, including French press, pour-over and espresso drinks. Our reviews include manual, electric and portable models, as well as smart coffee grinders.
We’ve selected each coffee grinder based on how their features would fit each situation. For example, the ideal grinder for espresso may not be the same as the one for pour over coffee.
Our top picks
High-quality, well-roasted craft coffee differs significantly from a chain breakfast place cup of brew. Yet, not everyone knows that while good beans and the right technique make a difference, the whole secret to the best brew is in the grinder. Perhaps, if you have landed on this page, you already know enough about the importance of a proper coffee grinder and simply want to shop for the best options in Canada. However, if you just start wondering about the whole fuss around coffee making at home and want to equip your kitchen with the right appliances, but also understand how a coffee grinder can make a difference, keep on reading.
One of the reasons to stock your kitchen with one more item, a coffee grinder, is that it will provide you with a fresh, excellent taste every morning. A coffee grinder also allows you to control the grind size, which is a crucial key-feature to look for, especially if you like to switch between coffee making methods all the time. I myself drink French press one morning, and pour-over the next one.
If keeping beans’ flavour as long as possible was convincing enough to invest into a quality coffee grinder, then this guide should help you to navigate the market, and pick the right device for your lifestyle and budget.
READ MORE: The Best Coffee Makers in Canada
How to choose a coffee grinder
- Burr vs. Blades: The most important fact to consider when grinding coffee is how even and consistent the final result will be. A blade grinder is very similar to a food processor; it chops coffee into inconsistent size. Comparing to burr mills, it is much harder to achieve an even grind with blades. If beans were not ground evenly some of them may end up tasting bitterly over-extracting, and some under-extracting. Meanwhile, a burr grinder gives you better control over-extraction, which affects the whole taste of your drink. More than that, all burr grinders presented on this list were approved by coffee shop owners and baristas for the most consistent grinding process.
- Design/Size: A coffee grinder is a device that will occupy your countertop and will stay for as long as you drink coffee. Therefore, its design and size should be considered. If you live in a small studio apartment and make a cup of brew for yourself in the morning, then a compact (some people even prefer travel size manual) coffee grinder is all your need. However, if you are grinding coffee for a family breakfast, and the size of your kitchen allows another item on the counter, then go for a grinder of an appropriate size.
- Features: Some coffee grinders can only grind beans, while others can make a brew at the same time. Some models are programmable, and some you need to reset every morning. Besides that, depends on your drinks preferences some grinders have more features of adjustable grind size and some only a few. The reason we selected different coffee grinders for different types of coffee is that the finer the grind is the stronger the taste, which is perfect for Turkish coffee and espresso, while other grinders are better at making coarser grind that works ideal for French press, pour-over and drip coffee.
Best coffee grinder overall
Cuisinart DBM-8 supreme grind automatic burr mill
The Cuisinart Supreme grinder is a powerful yet affordable coffee grinder model that also holds enough coffee grind for 32 cups. Stainless steel burr mills boast up to 18 levels of grind from extra fine to coarse. Even grinding maximizes the flavours and aroma of the beans and keeps them fresh as long as possible. This is so simple to use, according to a satisfied customer. Just move a lever to the number of cups you want and press Start. It grinds exactly the amount you asked for and then automatically shuts off.
While some customers noted that you won’t get fine enough grind for strong espresso, with built-in features, you can grind beans for anything from light espresso drink to drip coffee.
The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is also our pick for the best coffee grinder under $100. However, if you want to go really cheap without hindering your coffee experience too much, we suggest the Bodum Bistro Electric Blade Grinder as the best cheap coffee grinder or the best coffee grinder under $30.
Pros
- Durable burr mill.
- 18 settings.
- Affordable price.
Cons
- Loud unit.
Cuisinart DBM-8C Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill Video Review
Best burr coffee grinder
Baratza Encore conical burr coffee grinder
The Baratza Encore was identified by baristas as the best burr coffee grinder that leaves you with evenly ground beans. It comes at an attractive price, and the durability of the machine promises years of hard work for your morning coffee. Thanks to the 40 grind settings, noted by one satisfied customer, you have plenty of room to properly dial in the grinder for the different beans out there. This grinder was selected as the top coffee grinder pick by the New York Times.
Encore grinder is a convenient compact machine that can be stored in a pantry or left on a countertop. It looks minimal enough not to interfere with the rest of the kitchen. The machine is known for long-lasting quality parts. For example, the burrs, the most important part, were manufactured in Europe with sturdiness in mind.
This Baratza grinder is best used for a coarser type of grind. While you can still achieve a fine enough grind for espresso, many professionals say that the even grind they receive from this machine works the best in cold-brew, pour-over, drip coffee and French press.
Pros
- Durable.
- 40 grind settings.
- Ideal entry-level grinder.
- Comes in two colours: black and white.
Cons
- Have to replace burr after a few years.
- Extremely loud.
- Not ideal for strong espresso.
- Really expensive compared to its competitors, such as the Cuisinart DBM-8C Supreme, which is considerably cheaper yet highly effective.
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder Video Review
Best manual coffee grinder
Henry Charles manual coffee grinder
The Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder is also our pick for the best portable coffee grinder.
Henry Charles manual coffee grinder is an elegant, brushed stainless steel device to have on your kitchen and in your backpack whenever you are on the road. With how compact the size of the grinder is, you can have your favourite coffee beans along and prepare a morning drink whether you are in a hotel, office or camping in the wilderness.
The grinder has a ceramic burr that ensures even coffee grind, whether it is for a coarser type for pour-over or a fine one for espresso. It does very nicely what it is supposed to do, and the coffee grinding can be adjusted exactly for your needs, according to a satisfied customer.
Pros
- Compact and easily portable.
- Fine, medium or thick coarseness levels.
- Elegant design.
Cons
- Takes a lot of time to grind a large amount of beans.
Best coffee maker with grinder
KRUPS Grind and Brew Auto-start coffee maker with built-in burr coffee grinder
This KRUPS grinder and coffee maker all-in-one is an ideal option if you have a big family to serve coffee to in the morning or if you do not want to clutter your space with two separate devices. The pot fits up to 10 standard cups. As for the grinder, it has five settings that can be used not only for a fresh brew but also for espresso, French press and pour-over coffee.
Some customers even say that they use the grinder for grinding spices like cumin seed, fennel seed and coriander seed. It works very well for those, making a fine powder in seconds.
Pros
- Convenience of two devices in one.
- Conical burr grinder.
- Five grinding settings.
- Three brewing settings.
Cons
- Loud grinder
- Hard to clean according to some users.
- You can’t remove the burrs.
Chefman Grind and Brew 4 cup coffee maker and grinder
Another combination of coffee maker and grinder; however, this Chefman model is more compact than the KRUPS one. It has a capacity for four cups at the same time, and might not be an ideal choice for a large group of people. Nevertheless, it is a perfect coffee maker for a smaller kitchen, office space or hotel room.
Features of this coffee maker, despite a miniature size, are very attractive. Grind before brewing feature allows you to savour every precious flavour and oil of your coffee beans. The coffee maker itself is customizable with different settings, so you could get a cup of a strong or mild drink you would like.
Another feature that deserves attention is a pause button. You can always stop brewing, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and continue brewing without making a mess or waiting until the whole pot is ready.
Pros
- Compact size.
- Convenience of two devices in one.
- Permanent coffee filter is included.
Cons
- Limited liquid capacity.
- Some customers found blade grinding not as even as expected.
Best coffee grinder for French press
OXO brew conical burr coffee grinder
If your drink choice mostly falls on drip or French press coffee, this OXO grinder is a recommendable option that is also more affordable than Baratza Encore. Durable stainless-steel burr provides an even grind that ensures to keep the delicious flavour of the beans without over-extracting them.
The grinder also has an attractive feature of a simple timer that keeps your last setting, so next time you grind, you do not have to adjust it. According to a customer who bought this for drip coffee (they use it on medium 9), he likes how every morning he can grind the same amount of coffee he needs to brew one cup. Besides coarser grind for drip and French press coffee, many customers noted that they were satisfied with a fine grinding setting that allowed them to make a decent light espresso.
Pros
- Durable burrs.
- 15 settings.
- One-touch start timer.
Cons
- Tends to make a bit of a mess around the containers.
Best quiet coffee grinder
Capresso 560 Infinity conical burr grinder, brushed silver
Capresso 560 Infinity is a coffee grinder that less likely to wake up your sleeping spouse if on Sunday morning you want a cup of pour-over at 6:00 AM. According to customers, and other buying guides, this machine, while still produces some noise, is much quieter than Baratza or OXO grinders.
As for features, this Capresso burr coffee grinder has 16 settings that allow you to prepare any drink of your choice, from fine grind for Turkish coffee to coarser grind for French press. The grinder also has a timer; however, some customers found that mechanical time count is inconvenient, you can’t stop grind in the midway, thus, it would be much better if it would be electronic.
Pros
- Quiet unit.
- 16 settings.
- Durable burrs.
Cons
- Tends to make a mess around the containers.
- Inconvenient mechanical timer.
Best coffee grinder for espresso
De’Longhi Dedica conical burr grinder with portafilter attachment
While you can use this grinder for any type of brew, it is best known for its ability to create extra fine grind for espresso. Burr mills promise evenly ground beans that create exceptional cups of espresso and other types of coffee. De’Longhi Dedica is a versatile coffee grinder that has 18 variable grind settings, and a digital LCD makes it easy to read how much coffee has been ground, at what size and number of cups.
Besides all those features that make De’Longhi Dedica an attractive coffee grinder, it has a convenient portafilter adapter that allows you to grind directly into the portafilter and make your espresso a few seconds later.
Pros
- 18 grind settings.
- Durable burr mill.
- LCD display.
- Portafilter adapter.
Cons
- Higher price points.
- Loud.
- Not widely available in Canada.
Best coffee grinder for pour over
Breville BREBCG820BSSXL smart grinder pro
The Breville BREBCG820BSSXL Smart Grinder Pro is also our pick for the best smart coffee grinder.
Breville espresso machines are well-known on the market. Therefore, when it comes to coffee it is a brand to trust when choosing a coffee grinder as well. The smart grinder is capable of grinding your beans for any type of caffeinated drink, yet it was approved by professionals for pour-over especially. It comes at a higher price, yet worth every penny. Conical burrs provide an even, consistent grind that directly affects the taste of your pour-over.
There are so many well-thought features on this grinder, according to a satisfied customer, it is hard to mention them all: from the magnetic catch tray, which allows you to easily dump off any stray grinds for a quick cleanup, to the easy to read, large LCD, to 60 grind settings.
To make the machine even more convenient, it has an LCD that shows grind size and number of cups or shots. The Breville grinder comes with two portafilter cradles and one container with a lid and sealing cup.
Pros
- 60 grind settings.
- Durable burr mill.
- LCD display.
- Included portafilter cradles.
Cons
- High price point.
Why trust us
We based our picks on thorough 15 hours of research, other trusted sources’ opinions, and customers’ reviews. It was important to us to select only coffee grinders that had at least four Amazon stars and were approved and tested by customers from Canada and all over the world. We made sure to analyze and compare what each coffee grinder can do so our list would meet a variety of preferences and budgets.
How we picked the top coffee grinder
While choosing the right item that will serve you, hopefully, with decades of well-ground coffee, we focused on models that have been approved by the majority of customers and professional baristas. We also picked those models of coffee grinders that are available to Canadian customers at the moment.
It was important to us to fill this guide with devices that come from trustworthy brands and that withstood the test of time.
Frequently asked questions about coffee grinders
How to grind coffee beans without a grinder?
While a coffee grinder is an ideal way to get evenly ground beans, there are a few different ways you can try to achieve coarse grind for cold brew or French press. You could try a blender or food processor; however, the process has to be watched closely and controlled precisely if you don’t want to end up with bitter-tasting coffee. Another way is to grind coffee in mortar and pestle. Yet, that way of grinding requires time and some physical strength. Finally, you can even use a kitchen hammer for a coarse grind. Nevertheless, with that method, it is hard to achieve even grind, and it is also time-consuming.
How to clean a coffee grinder?
The easiest way to clean your coffee grinder is to wash removable parts in warm soapy water and to brush off coffee particles by brushing them off the blades with a soft small brush.
What is the best coffee maker with a grinder?
It is hard to identify only one model for it depends on the preferred features, amount of produced coffee, burrs or blades quality. However, according to our research, almost 60 thousand Amazon reviews, 4.5 stars, KRUPS Grind and Brew Auto-start Coffee Maker with Built-in Burr Coffee Grinder is the best one on the market.
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Updated date
January 12th, 2024
About the author
Maria Kossman
Maria Kossman is an essayist, and content specialist at Rant-it.ca. Her writing appeared in a variety of fashion magazines. When she is not focused on reviewing and writing, she spends time exploring coffee shops, English literature and antique malls.
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