The AeroPress is one of the most popular coffee makers available today, and having the right grinder to use with it is essential for the perfect cup of coffee.
The right grinder helps extract the most flavor and aroma from your beans and ensures that the grind size is perfect for your AeroPress. In this article, we review five of the best AeroPress grinders currently on the market.
Each has been carefully tested and rated, so you can make an informed decision when choosing the best grinder for your AeroPress.
We’ll discuss the features of each grinder and why it’s a great choice for AeroPress. So, if you’re looking for the perfect grinder for your AeroPress, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started!
Best Aeropress coffee grinders in the market today
Now that you know the characteristics and features to consider in an Aeropress coffee grinder, here are our product recommendations.
1Zpresso Q2
1Zpresso Q2 is the best coffee grinder for travelers because it can perfectly fit in the Aeropress for minimal space consumption during trips. This manual burr grinder has sharp steel burrs which can handle up to 20 grams of coffee beans in a single grind despite its small size. This is a great choice if you want an affordable, practical, portable grinder.
Pros
- Highly portable
- With super smooth bearings for less grinding effort
- Produces consistent grounds compared to blade grinders
- Capable of brewing in different methods ( French press and Aeropress)
- With improved handles and design compared to the 1Zpresso mini grinder
Cons
- Numbered dial requires mastery
- Small bean reservoir, cannot grind medium to strong coffee in one go.
Timemore C2
With its minimalist design and lack of visible logos, the Timemore C2 is the best model for you if you are looking for a stylish and sleek manual grinder. It also produced consistent grounds like the 1Zpresso Q2 grinder, with the edge of having a bigger capacity.
Pros
- Affordable
- Has bigger capacity compared to the 1Zpresso Q2
Cons
- Limited settings per rotation
- Does not fit inside the Aeropress
- Markings in the adjustment setting needs improvement
- Not fully made of aluminum, internal stabilization constructed from plastic
Baratza encore
If you prioritize performance, the Baratza Encore coffee grinder is a workhouse that can function quickly and silently. Its sturdy construction also has an easy-to-use interface due to its front-end pulse display button.
Pros
- Easy to use
- With great customer service offering parts replacement
- Adjustable grind size with 40 settings ranging from super-fine to coarse
Cons
- Expensive
- Does not include plastic brew basket
- Ground beans may get stuck in the surface due to lack of bean hopper
- Noise produced can be at par with electric burr grinders, thus, louder than a manual grinder
JavaPresse manual coffee grinder
With a 7.5″ height and 9.4-ounce weight, this manually operated JavaPresse is a good choice if you prioritize portability. It is also very affordable at only 24 dollars. It can grind silently, at about 90 percent quieter than its electric counterparts.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Excellent grind in espresso-size grounds
- Comes with a dial for selecting up to 18 grind settings
- Stylish design with a brushed durable stainless steel encasement
Cons
- Operated manually
- Can be difficult to clean
Porlex mini manual grinder
This 6 x 2.3 x 1.8″ grinder is so compact and small that it looks adorable. Despite its fragile-looking structure and tiny size, it is constructed from stainless steel, is highly versatile, and can produce a consistent grind. Its handle is also removable for added convenience during trips.
Pros
- Highly portable, can fit inside Aeropress
- Produces consistent grind with its stainless-steel constructed burrs
Cons
- Expensive
- Tiny and fragile
- The handle may stick out
How to choose the perfect Aeropress coffee grinder?
The perfect Aeropress coffee grinder is the one that suits your needs and lifestyle. What may be ideal to some may not be the best option for you, and what may be great for you may not be the best option for others. We compiled a list of characteristics to consider when choosing an Aeropress Coffee Grinder.
Mode of operation
This is your first and most important decision—whether your grinder is operated manually or via electricity.
Manual grinder
This is the best choice if you travel a lot and need a small grinder. Another edge for this type is that you can buy a good-quality manual grinder for a significantly lower price than electric grinders.
Electric grinder
If you are a frequent coffee drinker, you would want a grinder with a bigger capacity. In this case, electric grinders are more suited for you. These are also easy to use. For a mid-to-high price range, you can already get electric grinders with great grind quality.
Budget
Do not just opt for the lowest price. Some options may be very affordable and tempting, but they could cost you a lot in the long run due to consistent repairs and damages.
Spending a few bucks for a better quality could be your best choice rather than opting for the cheapest yet low-quality model. Some great models can be in the 30 to 50 dollar price range, or if you are willing to go higher than that, you can also purchase one from 50 to 100 dollars.
Durability and maintenance
You do not want your Aeropress to outlast your grinder for several years. You should choose a grinder that can be at par with the Aeropress’ durability. If you want a more durable grinder, choose ones constructed from aluminum and stainless steel. If these options are too expensive for your budget, you may opt for those made of hard plastic instead.
Maintenance can also contribute to your grinder’s longevity. Choose a coffee grinder that is easy to maintain and clean and offers a user-friendly assemble feature. Grinders with a cleaning brush for added efficiency and convenience are a plus.
Warranty and availability of parts
No matter how much you maintain your coffee grinder, it will need replacement parts in the future. It is important to check if the model’s manufacturer offers replacement parts for your grinder. Be wary of companies who do not replace the vital parts such as the burrs and crank handle; it’s just like throwing away money for a disposable one every time a component of your grinder breaks.
Hopper capacity, diameter, and height
Regarding capacity, going for the largest one is not a great choice. Do not be tempted with lesser refilling frequency. As a rule of thumb, choose a coffee grinder with a hopper capacity to grind enough beans for immediate use. You do not need to grind a lot and use it for a long time; doing so will only compromise your bean’s freshness.
Also, consider if that coffee grinder would perfectly fit your Aeropress and if it is easy to store. One way to do this is by looking at its diameter and height. For instance, the Porlex Mini grinder is 47 mm in diameter and 130 mm in height. Unfortunately, some coffee grinders only indicate the capacity and not its dimensions.
Grind size and adjustability
Its grind size or grind range is also an important consideration. The grind size you should opt for depends on the bean and coffee type you are aiming for. It is best to choose a coffee grinder that can grind on various sizes ranging from powder to French press to cater to many coffee types.
You can also choose an adjustable grind size, such as the Baivea Manual Coffee Grinder. You can turn the rotor clockwise to give you your desired size. This is extremely helpful if you use your grinder for various coffee types.
Method of grinding
Blade
This is similar to the spinning blades used in blenders. Technically, blades do not grind your coffee; they chop it instead. Aside from the inconsistent grinds you get, you also cannot adjust its grind size.
Burr
If you want a more consistent result, choose a coffee grinder with burrs instead. Unlike the blade types which chop it, the burr ones crush the beans like mills. You can adjust the grind size and get uniform and consistent sizes because the big ones are further crushed while the smaller ones pass through freely.
This is best for Aeropress as Aeropress needs consistently and uniformly-sized particles to produce the best flavor. Here are some other factors to look for when buying a burr coffee grinder:
Burr shape
You can choose between two shapes for the burr- conical and flat.
Conical burrs
Composed of two concentric circles, a hollow one and a solid one outside. These are more affordable than their flat counterparts with a slower rotation speed, thus, generally quieter. Coffee grinders with conical burrs are best for home use.
Flat burrs
Similar to horizontal plates pressed against each other, These produce more consistency in terms of ground size but at the expense of being noisier and more expensive. Coffee grinders with flat burrs are best for commercial use.
Burr material
Aside from the burr shape, you must also consider the material used for the burr. It can be constructed from steel or ceramic.
Steel
Burr made of steel is extremely sharp but becomes less sharp over time and is less durable than ceramic. It is cheaper than ceramic burrs, but its lack of consistency and durability makes it more expensive when considering the long-term cost. Burrs made of stainless steel are best for travel since they are lightweight and easy to clean.
Ceramic
Ceramic burrs, though not as sharp as their steel counterpart, retain their sharpness level over time. However, it is generally more expensive than steel burrs, but because of its durability, it becomes the cheaper option in the long run.
Tips when preparing the best-tasting coffee
Do not buy pre-ground coffee.
If you want the best taste, flavor, and freshness for your Aeropress coffee, buy whole-bean coffee instead of pre-ground coffee. Pre-ground coffee will lose its freshness and will go stale.
Once you start to ground it, its components will be exposed to air, risking more flavor evaporation and degradation. Even airtight and vacuum-sealed pre-ground coffee is not exempt from this loss of freshness and flavor. If you want the best flavor, use whole-bean coffee and grind it right before you brew it.
Buy a burr grinder instead of a blade grinder.
Though blade grinders are the cheaper option, burr grinders offer more consistency. Blade grinders work by crushing your coffee beans by rubbing the cone-shaped burrs.
If you settle with blade grinders that offer uneven extraction, you might have a bitter-tasting and overly acidic coffee. You may also risk altering the flavor of your beans if you use a blade grinder because of its heat generation.
Strike a balance between price and quality
You do not have to purchase the most expensive model. Choose one that fits your needs. If you are on a tight budget, you may choose a regular conical grinder; if not, you can go for the high-end ones. Aeropress offers the best of both worlds. It can grind your beans from medium to fine.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
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