What’s the only thing better than a coffee?
A fresh coffee!
A coffee grinder helps you grind whole beans immediately before brewing. I love beginning my morning with grinding coffee beans, partly because of the beautiful aroma that delights my home.
The only issue?
The loud noise made me irritable, especially if I hadn’t slept well.
Finally, I decided to replace my old coffee grinder with one that is not only much more efficient but also pretty quiet.
If this has been an issue for you too, then you’re at the right place.
You’re going to learn everything I have discovered and also how you can pick the best quiet coffee grinder for your use.
Note: Are you a cold-coffee enthusiast? You might love my in-depth guide on helping you choose a silent mini-fridge.
1. Rancilio HSD-ROC-SD Rocky Espresso
Looking for a commercial-grade coffee grinder burr grinder that is also low-noise? Rancilio might have something in store for you.
The grinder uses a heavy-duty 166-watt direct-drive motor for its operation. Despite having such a powerful motor, the set is very quiet while grinding.
It uses 50 mm commercial grade grinding burrs. The bigger the burrs, generally the better the coffee grinder. This is a doserless model which means you can have grinds directly into the portafilter and can have complete control over the grinding process.
Cleaning is relatively easy. The grinder adjustment control lets you control the course of action easily. The adjustment of the grinds is stepped.
It weighs 18 pounds and has a sturdy, long-lasting construction. The European design on its body makes it very eye-catchy. The machine comes with a 10.5-oz hopper made from a blue-tinted plastic.
It has its downsides, too.
It is a doserless machine and hence, if you consume coffee frequently this might not be the best option.
Some users report that the grinder switch is slightly difficult to use though this is just nit-picking at best. The presence of a few notches let coffee beans stick to them.
If you are someone who can settle for nothing but the best, this might be the one to get.
Pros:
- Big burrs for better grinding
- Heavy-duty motor
- Does not heat while grinding
- Easy to clean
- Appealing looks
Cons:
- Difficult to use grinder switch
- Doserless model
2. Capresso 560.01 Infinity
If you’re looking for a budget conical burr grinder that makes a perfect grind, then this might be worth a look.
This conical burr grinder comes with 16 grind settings and hence, you can enjoy 16 kinds of brews. Also, the product has commercial-grade, solid steel conical burrs that produce a fine coffee powder.
The heavy-duty zinc die-cast housing makes the product long-lasting. A cleaning brush and measuring scoop are also included.
You can store about 7 to 8.5 ounces of coffee beans in the plastic container provided in the set. A 4-ounce ground coffee container. It has an extra edge over the other coffee grinders due to the fact that they come with a timer to notify the user whenever the grinding is complete.
The device makes use of a gear reduction motor that grinds slow to reduce the overall noise. This also helps to preserve the aroma since slow grinding generates minimum friction and heat.
Cleaning the grinder is hassle-free. All you need to do is remove the upper burr and clean the parts easily.
It doesn’t have an anti-static coating, though. You can solve it by dipping a spoon into water and then gently stirring the coffee beans to slightly wet them to prevent the mess. Also, the leftovers remain after grinding.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Heavy-duty construction
- Easy cleaning
- Gear reduction motor preserves aroma
Cons:
- No anti-static coating
- Leftovers remain after grinding
3. Baratza Virtuoso+
Are you in search of a silent coffee grinder with conical burrs and a digital display? The Baratza Virtuoso+ might be the one to get.
It comes with 40 different grind settings. With enhanced 40 mm commercial-grade conical burrs, you can enjoy a wide range of different brews. If you’re looking for something with even larger burrs, then you may check out Rancilio’s offering since it provides 50 mm commercial-grade grinding burrs.
The gear and electronic speed control allow the burrs to move at a calm 550 RPM which reduces noise, and makes it static while grinding.
With the availability of a 40-second digital timer, an LED-backlit grounds bin, and the pulse mode, you can get the perfect dose of coffee with this conical burr coffee grinder.
This is a small but durable coffee grinder. Cleaning is also very simple and can be done by just removing the top burr.
It might overheat at times which may hamper the aroma. It is also a little bulky for my liking. With so many settings offered, it’s easy to get drowned out in the sheer number of options. Hopefully, you can get used to it in some time.
Pros:
- Digital timer
- Reduced heat and noise during grinding
- 40 mm commercial-grade conical burrs
- Durable
- Easily cleanable
Cons:
- May overheat
- Slightly bulky
4. JavaPresse
Looking for a manual grinder with a conical ceramic burr? JavaPresse has you covered.
With respect to other manual grinders in the market, this is about 10-25% quieter than the rest.
In order to get the perfect grind setting, an adjustment knob is provided underneath the burrs. You can also control the coarseness with the help of 18 click settings.
In order to provide better consistency, it has got a dual plate system that holds one of the burrs stationary while the other spins with the crank.
The small, stainless steel body makes this grinder very long-lasting as well as portable. The hand crank is detachable which makes it easy to store.
The extremely affordable price tag comes at a price though.
You cannot grind a large amount of coffee at one go. Also, the detachable hand crank might slip off during grinding. Though this is something that you can manage by using it carefully while grinding.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable and versatile
- 18 click settings to control the coarseness of the coffee
- 10-25% quieter than many other manual grinders
Cons:
- cannot grind a large amount of coffee at one go
- Detachable hand crank might slip off during grinding
5. Khaw-Fee HG1B
Looking for a manual coffee grinder with a conical ceramic burr that is quiet as well as portable? Khaw-Fee HG1B might be worth a look.
With this manual coffee grinder, you get to enjoy different types of coffee due to its multiple grind settings. Also, it comes with a rubber top to help prevent the materials from popping out. Besides coffee beans, you can also grind spices and pepper with it.
With the help of a built-in adjustable grind selector, you can easily adjust in order to get from ultra-fine to coarse particles.
You can easily clean the grinder by separating the parts. The glass bowl is dishwasher safe. The silicone base can also be removed to facilitate cleaning.
A particular thing that I really liked about this is that it comes with a lifetime warranty.
It is also very travel-friendly not only because of their compact size but also because of the fact that it does not need batteries or any other power source for its operation.
It has been fabricated using stainless steel, glass, and ceramics, which makes it a very long-lasting product.
It isn’t without its downsides though.
You might have to spend a few extra minutes in order to grind the perfect coffee when compared to many other similar products.
The burr may wobble slightly while grinding due to the shaft being secured from the top. Hardly a deal-breaker, but some users might find it slightly annoying.
Pros:
- Multiple grind settings
- Long-lasting
- Travel-friendly
- Easily cleanable
- Can also be used for grinding spices
Cons:
- Slightly slow in operation
- The burr may wobble a bit while grinding
6. Saachi SA-1440
Hunting for a quiet blade-type stainless steel coffee grinder that’s also silent? Saachi SA-1440 might be worth looking into.
This quiet blade-type steel coffee grinder comes with a grinding capacity of 2.6 ounces which is sufficient for processing materials for 12 cups at a time. The unit does not come apart however can be cleaned with the help of a brush or paper towel.
It uses a powerful motor for its operation. It is pretty compact and hence storing it becomes easy.
There’s nothing popping out of the vessel since its safety device forbids using the device with a transparent lid.
This electric grinder is completely rust-free due to the stainless steel blades and housing. It is not just restricted to grinding coffee beans but can also be used to process dry spices, herbs, and nuts in seconds.
However, it does not come with a setting to adjust coarseness. If a built-in adjustable grind selector is of utmost importance to you, consider having a look at Khaw-Fee HG1B.
Secondly, since the unit does not come apart, cleaning may require some extra effort.
Pros:
- Rust-free
- Compact and easy to handle
- A safety device prevents popping of ingredients
- Large grinding capacity
- Powerful yet silent motor
Cons:
- No setting to adjust the coarseness
- Cleaning might seem a bit cumbersome
7. Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind
Looking for a durable blade-type coffee grinder whilst not wanting to burn a hole in your wallet?
This 4.5oz electric coffee grinder is large enough to serve 12 people at a time. It also comes with a storage area to keep the cord when not in use. The device is not just restricted to grinding coffee beans, you can also grind other things such as spices. The amount can be measured easily with the help of the markings on the cup.
It comes with durable stainless steel blades. The grinding chamber of this blade-type coffee grinder is easily removable which makes it very easy to clean.
It provides you with almost a hand-free operation with the help of the auto-shutoff feature.
Diphenylamine or DPA is harmful to the body which can severely damage your health. So it’s fortunate to learn that it doesn’t come with such contaminants.
Just like the Saachi’s offering, it does not come with a setting to adjust the coarseness. You may consider having a look at Khaw-Fee HG1B if that matters to you. The bin might be a bit hard to pull out. The cord seems a bit short, too.
Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- DPA free
- Large enough to serve 12 people at a time
- Cord storage area is provided
- Auto-shutoff
Cons:
- Coarse adjustment settings not present
- The bin is slightly difficult to pull
8. KitchenAid KCG0702OB
Looking for a high-quality burr grinder with an old-school look? This model from KitchenAid should do the trick.
The aroma of the coffee is retained very well due to the burrs which rotate at a speed of 450 RPM. This minimizes heat significantly which ultimately gives you the amazing flavor.
This burr coffee grinder provides excellent consistency with 15 grind settings. This is a high-performing grinder and is also very durable due to the stainless steel blades. The 15 levels of coarseness that it offers make it quite versatile.
It comes with 7 oz. glass bean hopper and grind jar. These can be easily stored in any part of the cabinet due to its sleek, streamlined design.
A handheld scoop and burr cleaning brush are also included in the package.
With respect to the budget, it is slightly on the higher end. Also, the lid of the hooper does not fit snuggly. The ergonomics of the grinding jar are average and hence it might be difficult to hold for longer periods.
Pros:
- Versatile and durable
- Can be stored easily
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a handheld scoop and burr cleaning brush
- Retains the flavor of the ingredients by minimizing heat
Cons:
- Bit pricey
- The lid of the hopper does not fit snuggly
- Ergonomics of the grinding jar needs improvement
The Buying Guide: Factors To Consider Before Buying
1. The Type of Coffee Grinder
Hand Grinder (Manual)
These grinders involve grinding the coffee with the help of the handle provided. The user needs to put effort and the machine takes the help of no battery or power source in order to grind. Hence, this is almost a traditional method of getting it done.
But the best part of these grinders is that in case you go on a trip and wish to enjoy some coffee where there is no power source, you will face absolutely no issues at all.
Manual grinders are known to produce a wide range of grinding settings. They are usually the most silent type of grinders.
They are also very portable. All you need to gauge is the capacity of the grinder. JavaPresse and Khaw-Fee HG1B are some really good manual coffee grinders.
Electric
If you detest manual grinders, you can go for electric grinders which are comparatively faster.
Burr
Burr grinders are well known for their ability to crush the materials into very fine particles of uniform sizes. The user gets the choice of modifying the settings to adjust the level of coarseness. They can be further classified into two types – direct drive, and gear reduced.
It is to be noted that the burr mills which make use of an electric motor to grind materials are always designed for a single purpose. They cannot be used to crush other food items like nuts, spices, seeds, and other such materials.
They are a traditional technique of grinding coffee and are of two major types on the basis of the grinders – conical burr and wheel burr.
Credit: http://buydontbuy.net/
Wheel – Flat or wheel burr grinders have two rings of burrs that sit horizontally to the ground. These two rings face in the opposite direction i.e. one faces upwards and the other faces downwards Because of their shape, flat burrs typically do retain more grounds than canonical ones.
These are comparatively slower and hence tend to produce more heat than the canonical burr grinders. They are also somewhat pricey.
Conical – With the help of conical grinders, you can get two types of grain size-large and small. These types of burr grinders make use of two sharp cone-like ridges to crush the coffee beans.
They are not competent for providing the perfect consistency but are comparatively much cheaper. Besides this, these grinders produce a lesser amount of heat which preserves the aroma of the coffee. Cleaning them is also hassle-free and they tend to produce less noise.
Doser
Almost all electric grinders come with dosers. These are present at the front of the grinder and are needed to store coffee and allow only a specific amount to pass every time.
This feature is useful for the ones who consume a lot of coffee every day. The coffee might also lose its aroma if it is kept in the doser for long.
If you are not in favor of doser, then you may like Rancilio HSD-ROC-SD Rocky Espresso.
2. Grind Adjustment
To get your perfect cup of coffee, adjusting the grinder is essential to get just the right amount of coarseness. Grinders can either be stepped or stepless on the basis of grind adjustment.
Stepped
Steeped grinders help you select the type of grind. They have preset notches, which enable you to easily switch between different grinds. This is good for those who like to prepare different types of coffee. If you need to have this feature, grinders like the Rancilio HSD-ROC-SD Rocky Espresso is a great choice.
Stepless
These grinders are often called the “infinite grinders” since they have no notches. Thus, the knob or screens do not offer any advice regarding the grinding to obtain a certain result.
They are ideal for people who prefer 1-2 types of brewing methods. Being devoid of any grinding settings, you get the complete control to adjust the entire process to get your perfect coffee.
3. Durability
For obvious reasons, you want your coffee grinder to be long-lasting. Hence, ensuring that it’s built from high-quality materials is essential.
Generally, grinders with stainless steel blades are very durable. The ones which are built with plastic and steel components are good but ceramic burrs last longer than stainless steel ones. Grinders with direct drive engines are also better than high-speed ones.
In this light, KitchenAid KCG0702OB and Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind are great choices.
4. Grind Variations and Components
With the help of a stepped grinder, you can easily adjust the settings to get the perfect type of coffee. The notches can help you easily get the desired output.
Some grinders tend to offer you more choices than the others and this is what creates the difference. The main components involved are the knobs and notches that help you adjust the level of grinding.
With regard to this, JavaPresse is pretty good and comes with 18 click settings to adjust the coarseness perfectly.
5. Budget
In case you do not want a huge amount of your cash to drain out because of a coffee grinder, then you must check out Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind which is the cheapest on my list.
If you want to get yourself a well-reputed coffee grinder and do not mind spending a few more dollars to get the best then you may like Rancilio HSD-ROC-SD Rocky Espresso.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Blade vs. Burr Grinder: Which is the Best?
Here are some things that should help you decide:
- Blade grinders use blades to grind the coffee beans whereas canonical or flat burr grinder crushes the beans much more slowly and produces even pieces.
- Blade grinders always provide partially coarse particles whereas burr grinders give uniform-sized particles.
- Blade grinder take comparatively more time than the burr grinders
Hence, it is completely a matter of choice since both are great in their own way.
2. Is a Burr Grinder Worth It?
Absolutely!
They are designed to give consistent size and shape to the ground particles. It makes use of two gears to grind the coffee.
It is also easy to adjust the space between the gears to get the perfect brew. Besides this, it gives a choice to the user to select between steeped and stepless grinders.
3. Why are Burr Grinders So Expensive?
Burr grinders are known to provide the perfect consistency. In order to achieve that it has special structural features that are listed below that add to the cost.
- uses metal instead of plastic
- high torque motors and gears
4. Are Manual Coffee Grinders Better than Electric?
It is completely a matter of choice. If you do not wish to spend extra dollars on an electric coffee grinder and enjoy freshly ground coffee then manual grinders are better though it may be a bit time-consuming.
But I personally prefer manual grinders because of a number of reasons:
- simple mechanics
- affordable
- portable
- durable
- easy to clean
- does not need electricity and hence travel-friendly
5. How to Muffle Noise from the Grinders?
Here are some tips:
- cover it with a kitchen towel and lift it off while you grind
- place some soft rubber material underneath it
- relocate it to increase the overall distance
- use a DIY sound-dampening box
The Bottom Line
After careful evaluation, I believe that the Rancilio HSD-ROC-SD Rocky Espresso is the best coffee grinder for most people. It is an excellent commercial-grade coffee grinder that prevents heat production during grinding and helps retain the wonderful aroma of freshly ground coffee.
Khaw-Fee HG1B is an ideal choice for the ones who prefer grinding coffee manually. It is portable and built to last. It has multiple grind settings and can be used to grind spices as well.
Capresso 560.01 Infinity is another great option if you’re looking for a conical burr grinder on a budget. This inexpensive coffee grinder comes with heavy-duty construction and 16-grind settings.