🥇 The 10 Best Coffee Grinders Under $50 (50 Dollars) for Coffee Lovers

How to Choose the Best Coffee Grinders Under $50: The Buying Guide

Our list aside, there are still many things you need to know before reaching a purchasing decision. We will guide you through some of the most important aspects.

Does grinding your own coffee beans make a difference?

Yes. If you grind your own coffee, you won’t lose the aroma compared to purchasing pre-ground coffee. Coffee grinders allow you to control your grind precisely how you want, with the consistency that you like. So the coffee that comes out not only tastes good but also fulfills your personal preferences as well.

The different types of coffee grinders

Coffee grinders have two main types, differing in how they grind coffee beans: with blades or burr.

Blade coffee grinders are cheaper and more inconsistent regarding the grind size, while burr coffee grinders usually feature conical or disc burrs for uniform grind.

Generally, blade coffee grinders are faster than burr counterparts, but the resulting coffee ground tends to be quite uneven. Burr grinders are slower but produce much more consistently, with the grind’s size being adjustable for more versatility.

Features to consider when buying coffee grinders

Manual vs. electric coffee grinders

This is one of the questions many home coffee brewers ask. No worries, we’re here to help you out. Let’s delve into how they differ.

Generally, in terms of size, manual coffee grinders tend to be much smaller than electric counterparts as they don’t contain electric parts. But due to its simplicity, they are more durable because their operating mechanism is so straightforward.

But manually grinding coffee can become tiring after a while. That’s why electric coffee grinders are another option that a lot consider. Electric grinders can do the job quickly and fantastically, with more grind size settings.

If you favor durability and lower price in return for reduced performance and a bit of labor on your part, manual coffee grinders are for you.

Size of bean hopper

The bean hopper is the container of the coffee beans that you intend to grind. Before shopping for a grinder, check if the grinder that you’re looking for can satisfy in this regard.

How often you grind and for how many must be taken into consideration. The answers to these questions will dictate how large the bean hopper is suitable for you.

Speed of electric vs. manual grinder

The grinding speed will differ between electric and manual grinders. With manual grinders, the grinding speed will depend on your own strength as well as the blade. If the manual grinder uses burrs, it will work slower but might churn out higher quality grinds.

Electric grinders are faster. They’re designed to deliver the utmost convenience and will have faster results.

Settings

Different grinders will feature different types of settings. There are grinders with dial-type settings for grind size, ranging from 15 up to around 40 settings.

On the other hand, manual grinders sometimes have internal nuts that can be turned for grind size adjustments.

Material

Coffee grinders are usually made of either ceramic or steel. Stainless steel blades are standard, while ceramic blades reduce heat and tend to be more durable, but on that end, they are also more expensive.

Easy to Clean

This is one of the most underrated aspects when people shop for coffee grinders. If you use the grinders a lot, that means that there’s more chance that ground coffee will stick to corners and parts. If they can’t be taken out to clean, they will leave an aroma.

That’s why you will want to get a grinder with detachable and removable parts. Grinders with cleaning and self-maintenance features will go a long way in making your usage more comfortable.

Noise levels

How noisy the coffee grinder is also a strong factor. You do not want your grinder to make a lot of noise every time you use it, especially if you use it frequently.

Manual coffee grinders tend to be quieter than their electric cousins, but they require a lot more effort and time. Ultimately, finding a middle ground that suits your needs and preferences will be crucial.

Design

These days, brands are competing against each other, not only in terms of quality but also in the aesthetic department. The better looking the coffee grinder, the more likely it will end up in someone’s kitchen.

That being said, this will depend a lot more on your personal style.  Many good-looking coffee grinders do their main job of grinding beans while also being a beautiful decorative piece for your home.

Warranty

If the grinder comes with a good warranty, you are guaranteed that your purchase is worthwhile. The warranty for coffee grinders can range from a matter of months or one year to a lifetime. If you grind your own coffee and use coffee grinders a lot, this is something you must take notice of.

FAQs

How to clean my coffee grinder effectively? 

There are different ways of cleaning a coffee grinder.

If you use a blade coffee grinder, you need to first add about a quarter of a cup of uncooked rice to the bean hopper. Then run the grinder till the rice seems like fine powder. Afterward, unplug and wipe the inside using a damp towel.

For burr coffee grinders, the process is a bit more simple. You should grind out any excess coffee in the chute then take the hopper off. Use a brush to clean.

Can budget coffee grinders be used on a regular basis? 

Absolutely. Many of the budget coffee grinders in the list we provided are some of the best coffee grinders out there, perfect for daily use.

What size should I grind my coffee?

There are different coarse for each brew, so this varies on a case to case basis. Typically, cold-brews use extra coarse grind, while expresso needs extra fine. French-press brew might be more suitable for coarse grind, while medium grind can be applied for most drip coffee makers.

Conclusion

We’ve provided a list of the ten best coffee grinders under $50 that are sure to make your money’s worth, along with an extensive buying guide as well as answers to some related questions.

Our recommendation is the 10oz Electric Coffee Grinder from Hamilton Beach. It checks all boxes and satisfies practically every aspect that constitutes a coffee grinder. It’s a trustworthy, reliable product that doesn’t have any significant flaws at all. You can grind anything with this high-quality product.

If still can not find one, you might like to have a look at Coffee Grinders for AeroPress here