For the Freshest Tasting Coffee, You Need Freshly Ground Beans

We carefully reviewed this article in April 2023 and continue to stand by our picks.

Brewing your coffee at home can save money, and once you've perfected your coffee recipe at home, you can skip the costly coffee runs. Many factors affect the flavor of coffee, including the coffee maker itself, the temperature at which it's brewed and served, the type of coffee bean, the freshness of the beans and more. The coffee beans' freshness is among the most important aspects and grinding your beans right before brewing helps make the freshest coffee possible.

Grinding your own coffee beans also allows you to control the size of the grind which influences the taste of the coffee as well. Coffee makers with built-in grinders are a good option for those that want freshly ground beans for drip coffee makers, but a separate coffee grinder lets you use the same coffee for various machines that require differently sized grounds. You can also customize it for a medium grind size to use with any other coffee makers you may have at home, like a French press or cold brew maker.

What's the best coffee grinder? The best coffee grinder is the one that works best for your individual use. The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is our best overall as it produced even grounds, was consistent and could grind coffee for both espresso and cold brew. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, the Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder quickly and evenly grinds up to 9 tablespoons of coffee beans for a fraction of the price.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab recently tested 23 coffee grinders, including burr grinders, blade grinders and manual grinders. When we test coffee grinders, we evaluate the grind size accuracy, consistency of the grind and the noise level of each grinder. We also assess how easy it is to use. Our top picks for coffee grinders include top-performing machines from our latest test and ones we've previously tested in the Lab and at home.

Our top picks:

You can read more about how we evaluate coffee grinders in our Lab — plus everything you need to know to make your perfect cup of coffee — at the end of this guide. Looking for more great coffee products to add to your morning routine? Check out our guides for the best single-serve coffee makers, best espresso machines and best Nespresso machines.