Reddit Decides: The Best Coffee Grinders to Buy Right Now (2025 Edition)

The Context: Finding the perfect grinder is the most critical step in upgrading your home coffee setup. We analyzed hundreds of Reddit comments to find the "Holy Grail": a grinder under $900 that can handle both Espresso and Pour-Over perfectly.

🏆 The Heavyweights (Under $900)

For the enthusiast who wants one beautiful machine to do it all without compromise.

1. Timemore Sculptor 078S Editor's Choice

If there is a "winner" of the thread for the $900 budget, this is it. User @Bazookatier provided a detailed breakdown, calling it an excellent value proposition.

• ✓ Flavor Clarity: Users claim it offers the best flavor separation for espresso under $1,000.
• ✓ Sensory Experience: Remarkably quiet operation and premium "tank-like" build quality.
• ✓ Workflow: Features a magnetic catch cup and a satisfying "fines knocker."
• ✕ The Catch: The hopper is small, and the 78mm burrs are a unique size, limiting future upgrades.

2. Mazzer Philos

The runner-up for those who prioritize longevity. Described as "built like a tank," this is the grinder you buy if you want it to last for decades. It brings commercial reliability to the home counter.

💰 The Value Kings

Where high performance meets an unbeatable price point.

DF64 Gen 2 / DF54 Best Value

The DF series (Turin/MiiCoffee) are the community darlings for price-to-performance ratio.

• ✓ DF54 ($230-$250): Incredibly hard to beat for the money. Handles both espresso and pour-over competently.
• ✓ DF64 Gen 2: A massive improvement over the original, now featuring a plasma generator to reduce static. The standard for flat burrs on a budget.

Timemore Sculptor 064S

The smaller sibling to the 078S. A fantastic choice for espresso, though some users noted that customer support for repairs can involve a bit of back-and-forth.

🎓 The Entry-Level Hero

Baratza Encore ESP

If you are buying your first real burr grinder, this is the consensus #1 pick. It takes the legendary reliability of the standard Encore and adds the micro-adjustments needed for espresso.

"My espresso shots have never been more tame... It's a game-changer."

☕ The Filter Specialist

Fellow Ode Gen 2 Filter Only

Warning: Do not buy this for Espresso. However, if you only drink Pour-Over, Drip, or French Press, ignore everything else and get this.

The flavor clarity is described as "phenomenal," bringing out tasting notes that cheaper grinders muddy up. Just remember to use the RDT method (spraying beans with water) to manage static.

💡 The "MacGyver" Solution

Manual Hand Grinders

For those who prioritize grind quality over convenience. Reddit suggests high-end hand grinders like the 1Zpresso J-Max or Kingrinder K6.

Pro Tip: One user even suggested attaching a cordless drill to a hand grinder to save money on the motor while getting premium burr quality!