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We Tested More Than 20 Coffee Makers With Grinders to Find the Best Options

Level up your morning cup

Several coffee makers with grinders displayed on a kitchen counter

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

If asked the best tip for brewing a delicious cup of coffee, many experts would offer the same advice: Use freshly ground beans. Coffee is richest, and truest to its natural flavor, when beans are brewed within minutes of grinding—that's why coffee makers with built-in grinders are such a luxury. While they are more expensive than standard coffee makers, purchasing one is often more cost-effective than buying a separate grinder. Plus, these two-in-one items save space in the kitchen.

What We Like
  • Includes a number of customizable settings

  • Easy-to-use interface

  • Tasteful aesthetic

  • Fresh, high-quality coffee

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Feels a little bulky

Out of the 20-plus coffee makers with grinders that we tested, the Breville Grind Control stood out as the best all-around device. Right away, you notice the small LCD screen on top, which is unique for a drip coffee maker and makes it easy to manage the item's many settings. The LCD screen also provides real-time feedback throughout the coffee-making process. Another unique and likable feature, especially for fans of Keurigs and Nespresso machines, is that the Breville Grind Control can brew one cup at a time.

In addition to its single-serve capabilities, this machine can make up to 12 cups of coffee in roughly six minutes, grinding included. It has eight strength settings and is fully programmable, so you can select a time in advance for the machine to grind the beans and brew a fresh pot. We were impressed by how fast the grinder works, as well as the fact that no grounds ended up in the pot. The bean hopper holds a half-pound of coffee beans, and it's easy to add or remove beans when you want to brew a different type. The machine also comes with a removable gold filter, eliminating the need to buy countless paper ones.

The item is easy to clean and take apart—an area that can occasionally be an issue for coffee makers with grinders. Two of the only downsides are the high price tag and that the machine feels a little bulky; otherwise, the Grind Control is a convenient machine that makes strong and consistent coffee.

Grinder: Burr | Bean Hopper: 8 ounces | Capacity: 12 cups (60 ounces) | Dimensions: 8.5 x 12.5 x 16.3 inches | Warranty: 1-year limited

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Fully programmable

  • Grinder and filter combined for easy cleaning

What We Don't Like
  • Blade grinder

  • Prone to leaking

The Black + Decker Mill and Brew delivers freshly ground coffee at an affordable price. One major reason it's cheaper than most coffee makers with grinders is because it has a blade grinder instead of a burr grinder. Experts widely prefer burr grinders because they are more consistent and produce less heat when grinding. But even though this Black + Decker model doesn't have the best grinder out there, we still found it suitable. Our main criticism is that it's fairly loud, rather than any larger issues like that the grounds come out uneven. Expect to lose a little flavor in comparison to higher-end models.

We found several other benefits that make this machine worth purchasing, one of which is its ease of use. Large, well-labeled buttons make it intuitive, while the removable filter and grinder are simple to clean in the sink, with no need to brush out grounds from difficult-to-reach places. The brew basket is top-rack dishwasher-safe. A clear window lets you see how much water is in the machine, so you’ll always be sure you have enough for the next brew. The grinder can be turned off easily if you want to use pre-ground beans, while the strength selector lets you choose from three different coffee strengths.

Grinder: Blade | Bean Hopper: Designed for one full carafe | Capacity: 12 cups (60 ounces) | Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 16 inches | Warranty: 2-year limited

What We Like
  • Burr grinder

  • Fully programmable

  • Adjustable grind size and coffee strength

  • Strong coffee

  • Quiet operation

What We Don't Like
  • Takes a bit longer

The best place to start a review of the Cuisinart Grind and Brew Thermal Coffeemaker is with a feature that helps users start their mornings: the 24-programmable function. You can program the machine in the evening and be greeted by a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, right when you wake up. The 10-cup carafe is thermal, so it can keep coffee at the ideal temperature even if you sleep in late.

The brewing device is equipped with a burr grinder, which is superior to the cheaper alternative of blade grinders. The grind size is adjustable, letting users tinker with flavor preferences from bolder to milder pots of joe. For those always in a hurry, there's a pause feature so you can pour your first cup before brewing is complete. The hopper holds a half-pound of beans, and it has a lid to keep the beans fresh before grinding. The machine comes with a permanent gold filter for the grounds and includes a water filter to remove impurities before brewing.

As far as taste goes, this maker produced a strong, classic cup of coffee—exactly what you picture when thinking of drip coffee. It took seven minutes and 13 seconds for the pot to finish brewing, which leans slightly toward the slower side but isn't too bad.

Grinder: Burr | Bean Hopper: 8 ounces | Capacity: 10 cups (50 ounces) | Dimensions: 8.27 x 11.61 x 16.34 inches | Warranty: 3-year limited

What We Like
  • High-quality espresso

  • Customizable settings

  • Reliable steam wand

  • Sleek design

What We Don't Like
  • Potential learning curve

The Breville Barista Express is versatile, long-lasting, and stylish. While there might be a small learning curve involved, it's easy to brew rich espresso shots with the café-worthy group head. A built-in steam wand allows for delicious lattes and cappuccinos. In fact, the wand is so advanced that you can even make microfoam designs on top of your drink like a real barista. "Microfoam is basically thousands or millions of very small bubbles that form through the steaming process," says Paulo Asi. "If you're trying to make microfoam at home, be sure to heat up the milk first, then run the milk frother. It won’t work if it’s not heated up."

The bean grinder uses conical burrs, so it's stronger and more consistent than a steel blade grinder. There's also an easy-to-use dial that lets you choose the coarseness of your grind, which you typically want on the finer side for espresso.

The Barista Express is fairly expensive, but the quality justifies the price. The machine made excellent espresso drinks with a rich crema every single time.

Grinder: Burr | Bean Hopper: 8 ounces | Dimensions: 12.8 x 12.2 x 13.1 inches | Warranty: 1-year limited

What We Like
  • Easy to use

  • Wide variety of drink options

  • Strong espresso

  • Grinder is quieter than average

What We Don't Like
  • Must empty drip tray often

  • Drip coffee is good not great

De'Longhi's Dinamica Plus is a one-stop shop for any type of coffee you could want. It has 24 drink options, ranging from a simple espresso shot to beloved milk-based drinks like a latte or cappuccino. The entire brewing process, including grinding and milk frothing, is automated. All you have to do is hit a button and the machine does all of the work for you.

We tested the Dinamica Plus for one week and gave it a stellar review. We found the espresso itself on par with shots pulled in a coffee shop. Any time we made a latte, flat white, or cortado, the milk was well-blended, whether it was whole milk or oat milk. Unfortunately, the drip coffee wasn't as strong and flavorful as that produced by a pour-over or actual drip machine but still good enough to enjoy every day. Aside from that, the overall drink quality is very high.

Another detail we appreciated—though, it's common among fully automatic espresso makers—is that the Dinamica Plus can save four drink profiles. While that only saves a couple extra touches of a button, it creates a more personalized user experience. As far as the burr grinder goes, it's one of the quietest we tested—something late-rising members of your household will cherish while you brew your morning cup.

Grinder: Burr | Bean Hopper: 10.5 ounces | Dimensions: 9.3 x 16.9 x 13.7 inches | Warranty: 2-3 years

  • Compatible with pods and whole bean coffee

  • Easy to use and clean

  • Great for beginners and longtime coffee drinkers

  • Blade grinder

  • Bulky design

The Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus is the best of both worlds. It has a 12-cup pot for when you want coffee around all day or for the whole family, and it takes coffee pods, including K-Cups, when you're in the mood for a single cup. That's not even mentioning the built-in grinder, which leads to a fresher taste and more flavor.

We encountered some drawbacks when testing the coffee maker but still recommend it overall. First, it uses a blade grinder instead of a burr grinder, which is less consistent and much louder than many alternatives we tested. The whole device feels a little bulky too, largely as a result of having the pod-compatible brewer on one side. It took about nine minutes to brew a full pot of coffee, which was one of the longest times out of more than 20 different coffee makers.

The pros outweigh the cons, though. The coffee is bold on both sides of the machine, and the full pot measured 188 degrees Fahrenheit when we poured the first cup, which was the hottest that we tested. It's also reasonably priced for a coffee maker with a grinder, let alone one that works with pods, too.

Grinder: Blade | Bean Hopper: 7 ounces | Capacity: 12 cups (60 ounces) | Dimensions: 10.75 x 11.73 x 15.93 inches | Warranty: 3-year limited

What We Like
  • Tasty, customizable drinks

  • Quiet burr grinder

  • Easy to use and clean

  • Powerful milk frothing

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

The Miele CM5310 Silence is an upgraded version of the Miele CM5300 Series, which we also recommended after testing. This time, we gave the Miele CM5310 Silence an even higher rating than the previous model, commending its design, performance, and ease of cleaning, all of which make it our top super-automatic coffee maker.

What does super-automatic mean? It denotes a device that handles every step of the coffee-making process for you, from grinding beans to brewing. They are generally expensive but have a variety of customizable features and can brew both coffee and espresso drinks. The Miele CM5310 Silence fits this description.

The high-end coffee maker offers more than 10 drink options and has the ability to brew 40 ounces of drip-style coffee. We found that the machine works fairly quickly, too, taking 22 seconds to brew an espresso shot, which is on the faster side of all espresso makers that we tested. Miele also accomplished its goal of making the CM5310 Silence quiet when grinding by adding excellent soundproofing around the burrs.

Even though the sleek, minimalist machine may look confusing, it's surprisingly straightforward and can save the coffee preferences of multiple users for quicker, easier selections. It's certainly a splurge pick but one that we recommend and that users can trust for years and years.

Grinder: Burr | Bean Hopper: 7 ounces | Dimensions: 9.5 x 14.25 x 18.125 inches | Warranty: 2-year limited

Final Verdict

The Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker has everything you could want in a drip machine with a built-in grinder. It's programmable and compact and has a burr grinder instead of a cheaper blade grinder. Those who are interested in a slightly more affordable option may prefer the Cuisinart DGB-850 Grind & Brew Coffeemaker

How We Tested Coffee Makers With Grinders

We purchased 24 top-rated coffee makers with grinders and tested them side by side in our Lab. This included 10 espresso machines and 14 drip coffee makers. From there, we whittled down the best options to present the list above, filled with products you can trust to brew fresh, consistent coffee.

We Observed

  • How well the grinder worked: We paid close attention to the built-in grinders for each machine. Did they lead to noticeably fresher coffee? Were they loud and/or messy? We also noted whether the grinders used blades or conical burrs.
  • What features and settings the brewers had: We tested every feature and setting that a machine was equipped with. That included different grind settings, "strong brew" settings, and drink options like espresso shots or lattes, if available. We were more likely to recommend a machine that had a variety of useful features rather than one with limited features.
  • The dimensions of each machine: We measured and weighed every coffee maker that we tested. We also observed small design details that affected an item's usability, like the size of the water tank, where the filter basket was placed, and more.

We Rated

  • Brew Quality: We taste-tested multiple cups of coffee using at least two kinds of coffee beans, then scored the overall brew quality on a one-to-five scale. While taste is subjective, we tried to create a standardized rating system by focusing on key details like body, aroma, clarity, and strength.
  • Ease of Use: After putting a coffee maker through its paces, we assessed its ease of use. Was it intuitive right out of the box, or did it require a lot of instruction-manual reading? Did the brewer need any hands-on effort, or could you touch a button and brew?
  • Value: We compared the price of every coffee maker to its performance. Some machines exceeded their low price tags, making them excellent value purchases. Others were over-priced in light of the coffee that they brewed. Drip coffee makers and espresso machines were graded on different scales, not necessarily in comparison to one another.

About Our Testers

  • Our Lab team has spent collective decades working in professional kitchens, developing recipes, and testing kitchen gear.
  • Cheyenne Elwell is a writer specializing in food and coffee. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Insider, MSN, and her own coffee blog BakedBrewedBeautiful.com. She tested the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Grind Control, both of which were later tested in our Lab.
  • Jason Horn has been a writer for The Spruce Eats since 2022, covering and testing pretty much anything and everything you can eat or drink, or use to make food and drinks. He reviewed the Breville Barista Express, which prompted us to test the espresso maker again in our Lab.
Coffee in a cup sitting on a base of a white coffee machine

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

Other Options We Tested

  • Gevi 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker with Grinder: This coffee maker is a solid, well-rounded option, but it doesn't stand out enough to include on the list. It's easy to use, and we enjoyed the coffee it brews; however, there are alternatives at a similar or even cheaper price that offer the same performance.
  • Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker: While the affordable price tag and compact design are appealing, this little brewer didn't perform well enough in our testing process to recommend it. It's hard to clean, and the blade grinder doesn't noticeably improve the flavor of the coffee.
  • Krups Grind and Brew KM785: We were disappointed by the taste of the coffee from this machine. On top of weak and watery coffee, it took almost 10 minutes to brew a full pot, which was one of the longest intervals we came across in the testing process.
tamping espresso

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

What to Look for in a Coffee Maker with Grinder

Burr vs. Blade

Coffee grinders will use either burrs or blades. Burrs are the far-superior option, as they offer a more even and consistent grind; they also don't produce as much heat, so the coffee's taste isn't altered when grinding. However, burr grinders are significantly more expensive. The decision may come down to your budget. Luckily, both burrs and blades make each pot of coffee a little fresher.

Coffee Style

There are usually two kinds of coffee makers with built-in grinders: espresso machines or drip coffee makers. Sometimes you can find a machine that brews both. Either way, this is an important consideration when picking out your brewing device. Do you prefer a timeless cup of joe? Or a quick shot of espresso, plus the option for a latte?

Features

Coffee makers with grinders can also come equipped with a variety of other features. Some have all kinds of bells and whistles, from automatic shut-offs to flavor strength and even temperature control. Other machines are simpler but still make delicious coffee. If you’re looking for convenience, be prepared to pay the price for advanced models.

Capacity

While larger-capacity coffee makers generally sound more appealing, a 14-cup carafe might not always be best for your coffee needs, especially if you only drink one or two cups a day. Consider the number of coffee drinkers in your home, as well as your own coffee intake. If you're primarily purchasing a drip machine for personal use, keep an eye out for items with 1- to 4-cup setting.

Person opening the top compartment of the Breville The Grind Control Coffee Maker

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

FAQs

Is it worth buying a coffee maker with a grinder?

Having access to a coffee grinder, whether it's a separate device or built into your coffee maker, will lead to fresher, tastier coffee than relying on pre-ground coffee all the time. So, as far as improving the quality of your coffee goes, a coffee maker with a grinder is certainly a worthwhile purchase. The downside is that they tend to be expensive, especially if they have a burr grinder. It doesn't mean all hope is lost if a coffee maker with a grinder is out of your budget, though. You can still brew good coffee with pre-ground beans, even if there's a gap in quality between it and whole bean coffee. You could also purchase a separate coffee grinder for an affordable price; this could be a worthwhile route for people who already have a coffee maker they like and don't want to buy a whole new brewing device.

What is the difference between a blade grinder and a burr grinder?

Coffee grinders fall into one of two categories: blade or burr. Blade grinders rely on a spinning metal blade to chop up coffee beans, almost like a blender. They are less consistent than burr grinders and are subsequently much cheaper. Blades can also create a lot of heat when in use, which may alter the flavor of your coffee beans. Burr grinders, on the other hand, are known as the more reliable and higher-quality option. In turn, they are significantly more expensive. There are two kinds of burr grinders, wheel and conical, both of which essentially crush coffee beans to your desired grind size. Conical burrs are considered superior because they are a little smoother, slower, and quieter than wheel burrs. There are great options for both blade and burr grinders, but try going with the latter if your budget permits.

What grind size should I use for my coffee maker?

Every coffee maker has its own ideal grind size, ranging from fine to coarse. Machines that work best with fine-ground coffee include Turkish coffee makers, espresso machines, and moka pots. Moving to a medium grind, we have drip coffee makers, pour overs, and the AeroPress. Chemex owners will want to use a medium-coarse grind. Finally, popular devices that use coarsely ground coffee include French presses, percolators, and cold brew makers.

If you're unsure what grind size you're using, Rachel Langer, the Director of Coffee at Red Rock Roasters, says one little tip when eyeballing it is that medium-ground coffee is about the consistency of table salt, while coarse-ground coffee is similar to kosher salt.

When is the best time to grind coffee beans?

For best results, grind coffee beans as close to the brewing process as possible. Rachel Langer echoed this sentiment, telling us: "I think grinding immediately before brewing is probably the most effective intervention a person can make in their at-home coffee quality."

If you purchased coffee beans that were recently roasted, however, it's worth waiting a few days to grind them. Using coffee beans too soon after they're roasted prevents them from releasing CO2, which alters flavor composition. "I like coffee to be a week [past roasting] before I drink it," Langer said. "I would say two weeks after roasting is really good too. That’s what you should aim for."

How much coffee should I use when brewing?

There's a general rule of thumb known as coffee’s Golden Ratio, which is measured in weight rather than volume. The ratio is 1 gram of coffee for every 15 to 18 grams of water. So, if you're using 100 grams of coffee, you'll want to use 1,500 to 1,800 grams of water. Rachel Langer also recommends using a roughly 1:15 ratio. This applies to a wide variety of brewing methods, except for espresso, which is best with a ratio of 1 gram of coffee for every 2 grams of water.

If you want to measure coffee in volume rather than weight, start with one scoop (2 tablespoons) of coffee for every 6 ounces of water; just know that there may be more variance in the coffee strength.

How do I clean a coffee grinder?

The process for cleaning a grinder that's built into a coffee maker is different from cleaning a separate grinder. Sometimes you can't access a grinder that's built into a machine. In those instances, consult the item's instruction manual beforehand. At the very least, you should be able to brush away loose grounds and coffee chaff from the top of the grinder.

If you are able to access or completely remove the grinder, the cleaning process will be more thorough. Blade grinders can be wiped with a damp towel, while burr grinders should be cleaned with a dry cloth. Make sure to remove as many loose grounds as possible to ensure better performance and flavor with your next brew.

For those who own a separate coffee grinder, the cleaning process once again depends on blade versus burr. One popular way to clean a blade grinder is to fill the device with one-fourth cup of rice and grind until the rice becomes a fine powder. Afterward, empty the rice, and wipe inside the grinder with a wet cloth. This is a handy trick, because rice soaks up leftover coffee oils and residue from previous brews. Burr grinders should be disassembled and scrubbed with a toothbrush or bottle brush. Avoid cleaning burrs with water unless otherwise specified.

The Krups Grind and Brew KM785 brewing espresso into a yellow mug

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He typically uses non-electric coffee makers at home, alternating between the Bialetti Moka Express and the Bodum Brazil French Press. For this piece, he researched the differences between blade and burr grinders. He also tested the Gevi 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker, which did not make the list.

Sources

Rachel Langer, the Director of Coffee for Red Rock Roasters, was interviewed for this piece. She has spent most of her life in and around the coffee industry. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Red Rock Roasters was founded in 1993 by Rachel's parents, Nancy and David Langer.

Paulo Asi is the Director of Training at the Seattle Barista Academy. He has worked in the coffee industry for more than 12 years. Founded in 2013, the Seattle Barista Academy is a multi-dimensional program that trains baristas who are committed to the professional preparation of espresso drinks.

Originally written by
Donna Currie
Donna Currie
Donna Currie is a food writer and blogger specializing in recipes and kitchen gadgets. She covers kitchen tools and gadgets for The Spruce Eats and is the author of Make Ahead Bread.
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  1. National Coffee Association. How to Brew Coffee.

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