A burr grinder is the better choice for most people, because it crushes beans between two surfaces to a set size and gives you an even grind. A blade grinder chops beans with a spinning blade and gives a mix of dust and chunks. Even grounds extract evenly, which is why the cup tastes cleaner. A blade grinder is still a fair way to start if the budget is tight.
What is the difference between a burr and a blade grinder?
A burr grinder has two toothed surfaces. Beans fall between them and leave once they are small enough to pass. You pick the gap, so you pick the grind size, and you can return to it tomorrow.
A blade grinder works like a small blender. A blade spins and hits the beans at random. The longer it runs, the finer the result, but the pieces vary in size. Fine dust over-extracts and tastes bitter. Large chunks under-extract and taste sour. Both end up in the same cup. If that sounds familiar, our post on why coffee tastes bitter covers the other causes.
| Burr grinder | Blade grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| How it grinds | Crushes between two burrs | Chops with a spinning blade |
| Grind evenness | Much more even | Mix of dust and chunks |
| Setting the size | A dial or steps you can repeat | You guess with timing |
| Fine grinds (moka, espresso) | Can do it, depending on the model | Poor, because the dust is uneven |
| Cost | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Best for | Daily brewing, pour-over, moka, espresso | Occasional drip or French press |
When does a blade grinder still make sense?
If you brew a French press or a drip pot and want fresher grounds than a pre-ground bag gives you, a blade grinder is a real step up. Grind in pulses of a few seconds and shake the grinder between them, so the beans keep moving. Stop when the grounds look like coarse sand for drip, or a bit coarser for a French press.
Not sure whether to grind at home at all? We compared the two in whole bean vs ground coffee.
Which brew method needs a burr grinder most?
The finer you go, the more the unevenness costs you. Here is how that plays out, with the grind sizes we use as a starting point.
| Brew method | Grind | Blade grinder | Burr grinder |
|---|---|---|---|
| French press | Coarse | Workable, with some silt | Cleaner cup |
| Drip machine | Medium | Workable | Better |
| Pour-over | Medium-fine | Hard to repeat | Recommended |
| Moka pot | Fine | Not recommended | Recommended |
| Espresso | Fine | Not suitable | Required |
For a side by side of two of those methods, see drip machine vs pour-over and moka pot vs espresso machine.
Which of our coffees fits each grinder?
We sell whole bean or ground, so you can start either way. If you grind at home, these three show how the choice plays out on the bag.
| Coffee | Process | Roast | Notes | Brewing, per the roaster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Common Sense | Fully washed, solar dried | Medium | Cocoa, red apple, brown sugar | Drip or French press |
| No. 2 Good Sense | Natural, hand sorted, dried on raised beds | Medium-light | Milk chocolate, fruit, caramel | Pour-over |
| No. 3 Position | Wet-hulled (giling basah) | Not declared | Dark chocolate, dried fruit, earthy | Espresso or moka pot |
No. 1 Common Sense is the forgiving one. It is made for drip or French press, which is exactly where a blade grinder works best.
Our pick
No. 1 Common Sense
Huila and Medellin-Antioquia, Colombia · 1,300 to 1,500 m · Fully washed, solar dried · Castillo, Caturra, Colombia, Typica · Medium
Cocoa, red apple and brown sugar, the cup you make every morning without thinking about it.
No. 2 Good Sense is the one we would grind with a burr. The roaster suggests pour-over, and with a natural Ethiopia you are there to taste something, so an even grind helps. Drink it black.
Our pick
No. 2 Good Sense
Sidama, Ethiopia · 1,700 to 1,900 m · Natural, hand sorted, dried on raised beds · Indigenous heirloom cultivars · Medium-light
Milk chocolate, fruit and caramel, for the slow first cup.
No. 3 Position is for espresso and moka pot. Those need a fine, even grind, so this is the one where a blade grinder lets you down. If you do not own a burr grinder yet, order it ground.
Our pick
No. 3 Position
Aceh, Takengon, Indonesia · 1,100 to 1,600 m · Wet-hulled (giling basah) · Tim Tim, Typica, Ateng, Onan Ganjang, Jember
Dark chocolate, dried fruit and earthy notes that hold their shape under milk and under ice.
See all ten coffees, or start a subscription, which is 11% off with skip or cancel in one click. If you are new to pour-over, pour-over for beginners lists the gear in order of what matters.
How do you get more out of whichever grinder you own?
Grind right before you brew. Change one thing at a time, either the grind or the dose, and write down what worked. Clean the grinder every few weeks, since old coffee dust builds up on the burrs or the blade and can taste stale. Use the same amount of coffee by weight each morning, and the grinder becomes the only thing you are adjusting.
If the cup is sour, go finer. If it is bitter or dry, go coarser. A burr grinder lets you move one step and repeat it. A blade grinder makes you guess how many seconds that was.
What should you look for when buying a burr grinder?
Look for adjustable settings you can read and repeat, burrs rather than a blade, and a hopper that comes apart for cleaning. A hand grinder suits one or two cups a day. An electric one suits a full pot. We do not sell grinders, so we will not recommend a model. Ask yourself which brew method you use most and buy for that.
Questions people ask
Is a burr grinder worth it for drip coffee?
Usually yes. Drip is forgiving, but an uneven grind still shows up as a cup that is both thin and harsh. If you brew every day, an even grind is the cheapest upgrade to the taste of the pot.
Can you use a blade grinder for coffee?
Yes. Grind in short pulses, shake the grinder between pulses, and aim for a medium grind. It works for a French press or drip if you accept some dust and some chunks. It struggles with espresso and moka pots, which need a fine, even grind.
What grind size should I use for each brew method?
Roughly: coarse for French press, medium for drip, medium-fine for pour-over, fine for moka pot and espresso. Adjust one step at a time and taste before changing anything else.
Free printable
Keep the ratio chart on your fridge
One page with grams, level tablespoons and scoops for every cup size and for coffee makers from 2 to 14 cups. Leave your email and the download link appears right here.