The #1 Mistake You’re Making When Brewing Coffee at Home, and How to Fix It

For the longest time, I had been brewing my coffee wrong, yet hoped for coffee shop-level results. The pros are right—there is an ideal routine to extract the most flavor. While I knew that getting high-quality beans was important, I never took the step to grind them for each cup. The second I started doing that, my daily coffee changed for the better. 

When coffee beans are ground at a consistent size just before brewing, the heated water can extract the right amount of solids to help balance the bitterness and acidity in the beans, thus creating the most balanced result. It’s best to use a burr grinder for this because the blades crush your beans instead of slicing or cutting them. Crushing preserves the bean and its flavor composition and often yields a more even grind. If you’re still not convinced, take this advice from Lindsey Sozio, founder of Denver-based Lavender Coffee Boutique, from a previous EatingWell interview: “A good grinder is essential for consistent particle size, which significantly impacts extraction and flavor. While a good brewer is helpful, the grinder has a more significant impact on flavor because a poor grinder produces inconsistent particle sizes.” 

So even if you have delicious coffee beans and an excellent coffee maker, you’re doing it wrong. The good news is that there are so many incredible coffee grinders on the market for coffee beginners and experts alike. Shop some of our favorite options below for a daily brew that’s so tasty, you’ll never want to buy a $10 coffee again. 

The Perfect Coffee Grinder for Beginners 

Krups Precision Burr Coffee Grinder  

This is the coffee grinder I started with. I did a ton of research and found coffee grinders ranging from $20 to $350. This Krups burr grinder was recommended countless times by coworkers, and it only costs around $50—a fair price for a burr grinder that allows you to customize the grind size with more accuracy than a blade grinder. 

Before buying this grinder, I had only experimented with spice grinders. I noticed an immediate difference in my coffee when I started using it. Now, looking back, it did not produce the most consistent grind compared to other coffee grinders. But, that’s OK; it’s a great place to start implementing the process of grinding beans fresh. It also helps you learn how to grind beans to your preferred brewing method; for example, French press users need a coarser grind, while drip coffee makers, in comparison, need a finer grind. If you want to be more exact when brewing your perfect cup of coffee, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if this is how much you want to spend. 

A Crowd-Pleasing Coffee Grinder 

OXO Brew Burr Coffee Grinder 

I have heard countless praises for this OXO coffee grinder. Priced right around $100, it is a little more expensive than other grinders, but it provides  excellent value. (OXO does have a good track record of making our favorite salad spinner, after all.) The simple, easy-to-use design can achieve up to 43 different precise grind settings. It can grind evenly for optimal flavor extraction, and, like the Krups grinder, it has a built-in hopper to store your beans for fuss-free coffee each morning 

A Splurge-Worthy Coffee Grinder 

Fellow Opus Burr Grinder 

I currently use the Fellow Opus coffee grinder, and I won’t ever get a different one unless this breaks down on me—though I highly doubt it will, since I’ve been using it every day for over two years without issue, ever since I received a sample from the brand when it launched in February 2023 There are many reasons why I love it, but the two main ones are its precision and versatility. To the first point, I get the most consistent grind with this gadget. But what really sets this coffee grinder apart is its ability to break down beans for every type of coffee preparation, from espresso to French press. Once you buy this grinder, you won’t need another one again even if you change your brewing method. I love its sleek design, compact size and easy-to-use settings. The price is pretty fair, too—it’s an investment, but its performance merits the cost. 

Shop More Highly Recommended Coffee Grinders: 

Breville Smart Burr Grinder 

Fellow Gen 2 Ode Burr Grinder 

Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder 

OXO Burr Grinder with Scale 

Baratza Encore Burr Grinder