Mavo PPC-01 Manual Coffee Grinder
A burr coffee grinder, a solid pick for dialling in espresso and filter coffee at home.
Coffee Grinder Buying Guide: How to Choose (UK 2026)
Choosing a coffee grinder comes down to burrs, grind range and how you brew, not marketing claims. This guide explains burr vs blade, conical vs flat, adjustment and dosing so you can buy the right one.
Quick answer
Buy a burr grinder, not a blade grinder, with a grind range and consistency suited to how you brew. For filter and cafetiere almost any good burr grinder works; for espresso you need fine, precise, repeatable adjustment. Then choose manual for best quality per pound or electric for convenience. Burrs and consistency matter far more than brand or extra features.
Burr vs blade
This is the most important choice. Burr grinders crush beans between two burrs to a uniform size, giving even extraction and better taste. Blade grinders chop randomly, producing dust and boulders that brew unevenly. For any real coffee enthusiast, a burr grinder is essential - even a cheap one beats an expensive blade grinder for the cup quality that actually matters.
Conical vs flat burrs
Both are good burr types. Conical burrs are common, efficient and quieter, found across price points and great all-rounders. Flat burrs can produce very uniform grinds and are popular in higher-end and espresso grinders, though often pricier and noisier. For most buyers the burr quality and consistency matter more than the shape - do not overthink conical vs flat.
Grind range and adjustment
Match the grinder to your brewing: espresso needs fine, precise, repeatable adjustment, while filter, cafetiere and AeroPress are more forgiving. Stepped adjustment clicks between settings (easy to repeat); stepless allows infinite fine-tuning (great for espresso, slightly fiddlier to return to a setting). Choose a range that covers all the methods you brew.
Manual or electric, and retention
- Manual: excellent burrs for the money, no power, great for travel and one or two cups.
- Electric: push-button convenience for daily and multiple cups.
- Retention: grounds left inside the grinder - low retention means fresher, more accurate dosing.
Decide on convenience versus value, and check retention if you weigh doses precisely.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a blade grinder and expecting even grounds.
- Getting an electric that cannot grind fine enough for espresso.
- Overthinking conical vs flat instead of burr quality.
- Ignoring adjustment type and ease of returning to a setting.
- Overlooking retention if you dose precisely.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Timemore C5 ESP Pro Manual Coffee Grinder
A stainless steel conical burr coffee grinder with 50 grind settings, a solid pick for dialling in espresso and filter coffee at home.
#3
Timemore C5 Pro Manual Coffee Grinder With Conical
A stainless steel conical burr coffee grinder with 48 grind settings, a solid pick for dialling in espresso and filter coffee at home.
#4 
Timemore Chestnut C3S Max Coffee Grinder Manual
A stainless steel conical burr coffee grinder with 36 grind settings, a solid pick for dialling in espresso and filter coffee at home.
#5 
Timemore Chestnut C3S Pro Manual Coffee Grinder
A stainless steel conical burr coffee grinder with 36 grind settings, a solid pick for dialling in espresso and filter coffee at home.
#6 
Sage Smart Grinder Pro
A burr coffee grinder with 60 grind settings, a solid pick for dialling in espresso and filter coffee at home.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when buying a coffee grinder?
A burr grinder (not blade), with a grind range and consistency suited to how you brew. Espresso needs fine, repeatable adjustment; filter and cafetiere are forgiving. Then choose manual for value or electric for convenience.
Are conical or flat burrs better?
Both are good. Conical burrs are common, efficient and quieter all-rounders; flat burrs can be very uniform and are popular in higher-end espresso grinders. Burr quality and consistency matter more than the shape for most buyers.
What does grinder retention mean?
Retention is the amount of ground coffee left inside the grinder after grinding. Low retention means fresher coffee and more accurate dosing, which matters most to espresso drinkers who weigh their doses precisely.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Mavo PPC-01 Manual Coffee Grinder (our score 9.5/10) - A burr coffee grinder, a solid pick for dialling in espresso and filter coffee at home..