Best Coffee Grinder For French Press (Top 11 Picks)

In a hurry? Our top choice is the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder!

Grinders are the single easiest way to improve your French Press brewing game.

But finding the right one can be tricky with all the options out there.

In this article, I’ll go over the best coffee grinder for French Press.

I’ll even include a quick buying guide to help you make the best decision.

Let’s get started!

11 Best Coffee Grinders for French Press

• Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder (Best Overall)
• Breville Smart Grinder Pro (Best for Finer Grinds)
• Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder (Best for All-Around Use)
• Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill (Best for Big French Presses)
• Capresso Infinity Electric Burr Coffee Grinder (Best for Timed Grinding)
• JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder (Best Budget Manual Grinder)
• Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder (Most Portable)
• OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Best Mid-Range Option)
• Mueller Ultra-Grind Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Best for Grinding Multiple Doses)
• Secura Electric Burr Grinder Coffee Mill (Best Budget Friendly)
• 1Z Presso Q2 Manual Conical Burr Mill (Best Hand Grinder)

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

There’s almost nothing bad to say about the Baratza Encore.

It truly is one of the best all-around grinders on the market today.

But does that mean it works as a French Press grinder too? Absolutely.

It has 40 unique grind size settings, which means you get plenty of grinding options for French Press. It also means that you can use this grinder for just about any other brewing method as well.

The 8 oz coffee bean hopper made from tinted plastic means you can actually store extra beans in the hopper when you’re not grinding.

Is it easy to use? Of course. There are only two buttons on the grinder: on/off and pulse grinding. That makes it almost foolproof to use.

It’s also easy to clean thanks to the removable hopper and top burrs. I’ve owned and used my Encore every day for the last three years, and trust me, cleaning never gets hard.

The only downside is that this really is a versatile grinder. If you plan on only using it for French Press, then there are cheaper options out there.

Pros

• 8 oz hopper means you can store extra beans in the hopper
• 40 grind size options give you a lot of control over how your French Press tastes
• It has a really simple interface, making using the grinder super easy
• The removable burrs and hopper make cleaning fast

Cons

• It has a wide range, so if you only need a French Press grinder, this is too much

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Breville Smart Grinder Pro

Looking at the Breville Smart Grinder Pro for the first time is intimidating. It looks like there’s a ton going on with the hopper, interface, and grounds container.

But trust me, it’s not that intense.

It has over 60 coffee grind size settings, so you have plenty of options for grinding for French Press. 

On top of that, though, it has pre-programmed grind settings. That means you can choose a pre-programmed setting without fiddling with the options.

The LCD display is really simple to understand and use. After all, it only has a handful of indicators. So even beginners can understand and use this grinder.

The conical burrs are great and super consistent. You don’t lose many grounds to the burrs when grinding.

The only downside is that this grinder is mostly an espresso grinder. So grinding for French Press isn’t ideal. If you mostly drink French Press and don’t usually drink espresso, I would say don’t buy this grinder.

Pros

• 60 grind size settings mean you can use it for more than just French Press
• Pre-programmed settings for optimizing grinds make choosing the right size easy
• A simple LCD display makes using the grinder simple
• It has conical burrs that are more consistent and retain fewer grounds than flat burrs

Cons

• Expensive for only grinding for French Press, it has a lot of bells and whistles you probably don’t need
• It’s mostly an espresso grinder, so using it for French Press isn’t ideal

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Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder

This is Baratza’s mid-range grinder. It’s an updated version of some of their other grinders. And it fits a nice niche in the market.

It has stainless steel plating, which makes it a super durable grinder. And it doesn’t sacrifice hopper space. It still has an 8 oz hopper that has plenty of room for extra beans.

Plus, it still has 40 grind size settings. So even if you have a huge French Press, the Virtuoso+ will be able to handle the dose.

The interface and buttons are still super easy. It only has a selector knob and a pulse grinding button. You have a ton of control over your grinding with this machine.

The selector knob is a speed control setting. Having that speed control means you don’t build up heat or static while grinding. Building up heat and static means your coffee beans lose some flavor and don’t extract as well.

If you’re looking for a French Press grinder and nothing else, this is too fancy, and you can better spend your money.

Pros

• The 8 oz hopper means you have plenty of room for extra coffee beans
• The 40 grind size settings mean you have a ton of control over the grind for your French Press
• The controls and interface are really simple, making it easy to use
• The separate speed control means you don’t get as much heat or static in your grind

Cons

• It’s on the expensive side if all you need it for is French Press

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Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

This is a really great little grinder that packs a punch.

It’s on the budget side of grinders as far as versatile grinders go, but it’s a great option for grinding French Press coffee.

It has 18 grind size settings, which isn’t a ton but is more than enough for French Press. Plus, it has an automatic off switch and timer, so you never have to worry about forgetting about your grind.

Trust me, it’s a nice feature for those mornings when you are really struggling.

It has 4-18 cup grind options. That pretty much means that even if you have a huge French Press, you can still grind for it.

In addition to the cup sizes, it has an 8 oz coffee bean hopper.

Really the only downside is that it has flat burrs instead of conical ones. That just means more grounds can get caught between the burrs, and you’ll have to clean them more.

Pros

• 18 grind size settings make it a perfect range for French Press
• An automatic off switch on a timer means you never need to worry about leaving the grinder on
• 4-18 cup grind options mean you can grind for any size French Press
• 8 oz coffee bean hopper means you have plenty of room for extra beans

Cons

• Grinds get caught easier in flat burrs, so you’ll spend more time cleaning
• It’s not made with sturdy materials, so it will break down quicker than other grinders

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Capresso Infinity Electric Burr Coffee Grinder

The Capresso Infinity is a handy little electric grinder that’s another great option for French Press coffee.

Why is it a great French Press grinder? Because it has 16 grind size settings, and all of them go well in a French Press.

Plus, the burrs are removable. That makes cleaning really easy.

The timed grind setting is a personal favorite. It means you can set it up and forget about your grind while you do other things. You never have to worry about your grinder running for too long without coffee beans.

The interface is also super easy to understand. There’s only one selector knob that matches the amount of time the grinder will grind. Honestly, it’s so easy anyone can use it.

The downsides are few on this grinder. It only has a 4 oz grounds capacity, which means that you might have to grind a few times if you have a big French Press.

The plastic on the hopper isn’t tinted, which means that it’s not a good spot to store extra beans before grinding.

Pros

• 16 grind size settings mean you have plenty of options for French Press coffee
• Easily removable burrs make cleaning a breeze
• Timed grinding from 5-60 seconds means you can set and forget without worrying about over grinding
• A simple interface makes grinding easy

Cons

• At only 4 oz, the grounds container is pretty small, so you might run out of space
• The see-through plastic on the hopper isn’t a good place to store extra coffee beans

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JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

Now we’re into the world of hand grinders. I really like hand grinders for traveling or going out camping.

It allows you to bring fresh coffee beans instead of pre-ground coffee. And hand grinders are much quieter than electric grinders.

This JavaPresse grinder is a great option for budget grinding. The materials are still pretty sturdy for the price, so you’ll get a long life.

It has ceramic burrs, which are more durable than steel burrs and will stay sharp for a while.

In such a small grinder, you actually still get 15 grind size settings. Which is plenty for grinding for French Press when out on the road.

There are only a few downsides. The biggest is that it doesn’t have a big bean capacity, meaning that you’ll have to grind a few times for bigger French Presses.

You also have to crank yourself with manual grinders. You can’t do other things to prepare your coffee.

Pros

• No batteries or cords means you can grind your coffee beans anywhere
• It has more than 15 grind settings, which gives you plenty of control over the coarseness
• The ceramic burrs are tough and durable, which means this grinder will last a long time
• Manual coffee grinders are much quieter than electric ones, so you don’t have to worry about waking up roommates

Cons

• It doesn’t have a huge capacity, so you can only grind a few doses at a time
• You have to crank it yourself, so you can’t do anything else while grinding

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Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

Porlex is an industry-standard when it comes to manual grinders.

The JP-30 is a solid hand grinder with a long lifespan and is made from durable materials.

It’s another hand grinder, but it still has a lot of grind size settings. And it has ceramic burrs, which are super durable.

The durability of this Porlex makes it a great option for traveling. It packs down really nicely, and the slim design means it fits in any bag.

I had a Porlex for a while backpacking and used it every morning. It worked like a charm, and I would totally buy it again.

It is also really quiet, so you don’t need to worry about the noise.

The only downside is the small 30-gram capacity. So you’re only really able to grind one dose at a time for smaller French Presses.

It’s also pretty difficult to change the grind setting. So I’d recommend finding the right setting and sticking with it.

Pros

• It has ceramic burrs, which are really durable and will last a long time
• The slim design means it packs down and travels really easily
• No electricity is needed, so you can take this anywhere
• It’s really quiet, so you don’t need to worry about the noise

Cons

• It only has a 30-gram capacity, meaning you’ll need to grind a few times for bigger French Presses
• It can be hard to adjust the grind size in a manual coffee grinder like this

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OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

This OXO grinder is a phenomenal mid-range grinder option.

Basically, if you’re looking for a grinder than does French Press really well, and a few other grinds pretty well, then you can’t go wrong.

It has 15 grind size settings. That means it has more than enough for a French Press and a few extra for pour-overs or other coffee brewing methods.

It also has an adjustable grinding time so you can set and forget the grind. It also means you have a grind setting for multiple doses of coffee.

The one-touch grind button actually saves your grind settings from the last time you changed them. That makes returning to brew the same recipe again super easy.

Honestly, this is the best mid-range you can find, and I highly recommend looking at it closely.

The only downside is that it has a funky design that isn’t my favorite. That’s not to say it’s bad, it’s just definitely not for everyone. But for the price and quality, it’s hard to beat.

Pros

• 15 grind size settings are plenty for French Press and beyond
• Adjustable grinding time means you can set and forget about your grind
• The conical burrs are better at getting more grinds into the container than flat burrs are
• The one-touch setting means you can set your grinder, and it remembers for the next time

Cons

• It has an odd design, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s not for everyone

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Mueller Ultra-Grind Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

There are a few things to really like about this grinder and a few things that I would rather them not have included.

But regardless, it’s a great grinder for French Press.

It has a dedicated grounds storage container, which is a really nice touch. That means you can grind a few batches at a time and leave them in storage.

Plus, it has a huge 32-cup capacity, meaning you can grind for a few batches at a time. Many grinders have large hoppers but not enough container space for the whole thing. This grinder solves that issue.

It also has removable burrs that make cleaning the grinder really easy.

And it has a one-touch system. That means that the settings you chose the last time will be saved and ready to use again.

The problem is that, for the price point, there are too many features. And that means the materials aren’t up to a high standard. 

So this grinder will start to wear out a lot faster than other grinders at the same price point.

Pros

• The dedicated grind container makes storage easy
• The large 32-cup capacity means you can grind for more than one batch at a time
• The removable burrs make cleaning and maintenance really easy
• It has a one-touch control, meaning settings are saved

Cons

• It’s cheap for all the features they added, so it won’t last as long as some other options at the same price point

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Secura Electric Burr Grinder Coffee Mill

This might be the funkiest-looking grinder on the list, but it’s still a great French Press grinder.

What makes it so good? The 17 grind size settings, for one.

That’s plenty of range for French Press and even a few other brewing methods.

And you can grind for up to 12 cups at a time. So even if you have a huge French Press, you’ll still be able to grind for a whole brew in one go.

While there are a few buttons on this grinder, the interface is still relatively simple and easy to understand. 

The hopper itself is recessed into the grinder. That’s why it looks a little funky. But it also means that it’s a good place to store extra coffee beans before grinding. And it means that this grinder fits into almost every kitchen.

The one downside is that this grinder is made from only okay materials, meaning it doesn’t have the lifespan of some other grinders.

Pros

• The 17 grind size settings mean you have plenty of options for French Press
• You can grind for up to 12 cups, meaning you can grind for even the biggest French Press
• The simple interface makes using this grinder easy
• Unobtrusive design means it fits in with any kitchen

Cons

• Cheap materials for the price, so it won’t last as long as other grinders

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1Z Presso Q2 Manual Conical Burr Mill

The 1ZPresso Q2 is one of the prettiest hand grinders I have ever come across.

It’s made with super durable and high-quality stainless steel and wood. So it has a long lifespan even with heavy use.

The wood grip makes handling and cranking the grinder really simple, so you never have to worry about being strong enough to grind.

The grinder is simply-built, so you can easily take apart the whole thing to clean and maintain your grinder. 

And it’s still a hand grinder, so it packs down and travels easily in any size bag.

I will admit, it’s pretty expensive for a hand grinder, but it’s worth it if you plan on traveling a ton or need a reliable and quiet grinder for your French Press.

It also has a tiny capacity of only 20 grams, which can be a problem if you’re trying to make more than one cup of French Press coffee.

Pros

• The build quality is unmatched, the steel is high-quality and will last a long time
• The wood grip makes handling and cranking really easy
• Removable pieces make cleaning this grinder a breeze
• Packs down in a case for easier traveling

Cons

• Only holds up to 20 grams of coffee beans, so you’ll have to grind a few times for bigger French Presses
• It’s expensive for a hand grinder, so you might want to look elsewhere if you need a budget hand grinder

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Buying Guide

When buying a grinder for French Press coffee, there are a few things you need to think about before pulling the trigger.

After all, French Presses are great for any kind of coffee. From regular brews to espresso.

In this section, I’ll break down the most important things to consider before buying a grinder.

And I’ll walk you through my thought process of how to choose.

What type of grinder should you look for?

There are really two main types of grinders: electric or manual.

Electric grinders are exactly what they sound like: grinders that use electricity to work.

Manual grinders are the same. You have to physically crank a manual grinder for the burrs to turn and your coffee to grind.

The benefits of an electric coffee grinder are that:

• You can do other things while your coffee is grinding
• They are more powerful and faster than manual grinders
• They are generally more consistent even as they age

But I would suggest a manual coffee bean grinder instead:

• If you travel a lot and want a grinder on the go
• If the noise of a grinder is a big concern (manual grinders are much quieter)
• You like the idea of grinding coffee yourself every morning

The big thing is portability and size. Manual grinders and much easier to bring with you on the go, but they can only do a small dose each time.

It’s a trade-off.

For French Press specifically, there isn’t much to separate them. They will both easily grind for French Press coffee.

IN A NUTSHELL
It’s a personal preference. Electric grinders are great for home use and convenience. Manual grinders are great for traveling or staying quiet.

Is consistency in the grind really that important?

The consistency of the grind is huge when considering a grinder for French Press.

Why is consistency so important? Because French Presses have metal filters that aren’t perfect.

When grinding for French Press, you have to grind coarser than for most other brewing methods. That’s because anything finer will get through the metal filter and find its way into your cup.

Inconsistent grinding refers to the number of fines that get into the container. Fines are tiny particles of coffee dust that get down into the brew. 

A more consistent grinder will allow fewer grinds to get into your French Press. And that means a cleaner cup without much grittiness.

Burr grinders make a more consistent coffee ground than blade grinders because they crush the coffee bean instead of chopping it.

YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR
A high-quality conical burr grinder instead of a blade grinder. Preferably ceramic burr grinder instead of steel burrs and conical instead of flat burrs.

What’s the benefit of adjustability?

Adjustability is nice if you like to dial in each specific coffee you try. Or if you like to brew using different methods.

Adjustability is determined by how easy it is to change grind size between grinds.

A more adjustable grinder will be easier to switch from, say, French Press to pour over or cold brew. A less adjustable grinder will mean you should stick with French Press for a while before switching to grinding for pour-over or cold brew coffee.

That said, the quality of a French Press brew is usually more about the quality of the coffee and the amount of time rather than grind size. So a less adjustable grinder is perfectly fine for French Press coffee.

However, if you want a versatile grinder for more than just French Press, then I’d recommend looking for a more adjustable grinder.

BOTTOM LINE
More adjustability means more versatility. But if you only ever drink French Press, then you don’t need to worry too much.

My Verdict

My top choice is still the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder. 

It has the most versatility and is the single best grinder available at its price point.

The simple interface makes it beginner-friendly. But the materials and burrs make it a powerful, professional-grade machine.

It has 40 grind size settings, which means it can do any French Press and just about every other brewing method.

The 8 oz hopper is perfect for even the biggest French Presses.

Really it’s just a great all-around grinder.