6 Best Espresso Grinders Under $300 of 2026

Unleash the full potential of your coffee beans with the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. This grinder is a true champion of versatility, offering a staggering 60 unique grind settings that make it suitable for everything from the finest espresso to the coars coarsest French press. Its programmable Dose IQ technology allows for incredibly precise adjustments in 0.2-second increments, putting you in complete control of your dose and eliminating the guesswork that often plagues home grinding. This grinder expertly tackles the pain point of needing multiple grinders for different brew methods, providing a single, capable solution.

In terms of performance, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro excels across a wide range of brewing methods. You can grind directly into a portafilter using the included cradles, or opt for the included airtight container for larger batches. The digital timer and LCD display provide clear feedback on your settings, making it easy to replicate your favorite results. While it handles espresso well, its true strength lies in its flexibility, performing consistently for drip, pour-over, and coarser grinds, though dedicated espresso-only grinders might offer slightly finer micro-adjustments at the very extreme end.

Compared to the Baratza Encore ESP, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro offers significantly more grind settings, making it the superior choice for users who frequently switch between espresso, filter, and immersion brewing. The Baratza Encore ESP is more focused on espresso precision with its dual-range system, but the Breville provides broader utility. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro positions itself as the versatile workhorse, offering a robust feature set and excellent flexibility, standing out for its sheer range of settings and ease of use across brew types.

The Baratza Encore ESP stands out as a highly recommended entry point into serious espresso grinding, building upon Baratza’s reputation for quality and consistency. Awarded by the Specialty Coffee Association, this grinder features an innovative dual-range adjustment system, offering 20 micro-steps specifically designed for high-resolution espresso dialing-in, alongside 20 macro-steps for filter methods. This targeted approach directly addresses the common frustration of struggling to fine-tune espresso grind size on less capable machines.

Performance is where the Baratza Encore ESP truly shines, especially for espresso. Its 40mm hardened alloy steel burrs, manufactured in Europe, produce a remarkably consistent grind profile crucial for even espresso extraction. The quick-release burr system is a game-changer for maintenance, allowing easy cleaning without full disassembly. While its macro settings handle filter brewing adequately, the precision engineering is clearly geared towards espresso, making it particularly effective for dialing in shots across different machines and bean types.

Positioned against the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, the Baratza Encore ESP prioritizes espresso precision with its dedicated micro-adjustment range, whereas the Breville offers broader versatility across 60 settings. For the espresso enthusiast on a budget who also enjoys occasional filter coffee, the Baratza Encore ESP offers a more focused and potentially more consistent grind at espresso fineness than many grinders in its price class, providing exceptional value for its targeted performance.

Discover exceptional value with the Zulay Kitchen Conical Espresso Burr Coffee Grinder, proving that capable grinding doesn’t require breaking the bank. This budget-friendly option boasts a modern touchscreen interface and an impressive 51 grind settings, offering surprising versatility for its price point. It tackles the common beginner problem of inconsistent pre-ground coffee by providing fresh, on-demand grinding tailored to various brewing methods from espresso to French press.

In terms of performance, the Zulay Kitchen grinder utilizes a low-speed conical burr to minimize heat and preserve bean oils, aiming for optimal flavor extraction. The precision electronic timer allows grinding by time in 0.1s increments or by cup count, offering useful control for a budget model. Its anti-static technology helps mitigate the messy ground coffee chamber issue often found in less expensive grinders. While it provides a wide range of settings, achieving the finest, most consistent espresso grind required for demanding machines might be less precise than higher-priced options.

Compared to the Baratza Encore ESP or Breville Smart Grinder Pro, the Zulay Kitchen grinder offers a touchscreen interface and a high number of settings at a significantly lower cost. While it may not match the grind consistency or build quality of the more expensive Baratza or Breville models, it provides a compelling feature set, including anti-static tech and portafilter cradles, making it an excellent entry-level grinder for those exploring fresh grinding without a large investment.

The AMZCHEF Coffee Grinder presents a straightforward and accessible option ideal for newcomers to home coffee grinding. Featuring a simple LED control panel with touch-sensitive switches, it makes selecting your grind size and dose incredibly intuitive. With 24 grind settings, including options for grinding by cups, time, or dedicated espresso shots, it simplifies the process of getting fresh grounds, directly addressing the potential intimidation factor for beginners.

Performance-wise, this grinder utilizes a 40mm stainless steel conical burr operating at a low 450rpm to reduce heat and static, aiming for uniform grinding and flavor preservation. It includes a portafilter holder compatible with 50mm baskets and a stainless steel cup, offering flexibility in collection. While its 24 settings provide enough range for common methods like espresso, drip, and French press, it offers less granularity for fine-tuning compared to grinders with more settings, particularly for dialing in espresso perfectly across different beans.

Relative to the Zulay Kitchen or SHARDOR grinders which offer over 50 settings and touchscreens, the AMZCHEF opts for a simpler interface and fewer settings, making it arguably more user-friendly for those just starting out. It provides essential features like anti-static design and portafilter support at a very competitive price point. For the beginner focused on basic espresso and filter coffee without needing extensive micro-adjustments, the AMZCHEF offers a solid, easy-to-use foundation at a lower barrier to entry.

Stepping up from basic budget models, the SHARDOR Conical Burr Espresso Coffee Grinder offers a compelling blend of features and performance at a mid-range price point. Its sleek touchscreen interface and generous 51 precise grind settings provide excellent control and flexibility for various brewing methods, from the demanding fineness of espresso to the coarseness needed for French press. This grinder capably addresses the need for both ease of use and sufficient control for the developing home barista.

Performance is a key strength for the SHARDOR grinder in its category. The premium 40mm stainless steel conical burr is designed to minimize grinding heat, protecting the delicate oils that contribute to coffee flavor. The precision electronic timer allows for dose adjustments in 0.1-second increments up to 60 seconds, ensuring repeatable results. Its anti-static technology is effective in keeping the grounds chamber clean, a significant plus for daily use. While it offers 51 settings, the consistency at the extreme ends of the spectrum, particularly the very finest for espresso, may not rival higher-end grinders like the Baratza Encore ESP.

Compared to the Zulay Kitchen or AMZCHEF, the SHARDOR offers a similar high number of settings (51 vs 51/24) and a touchscreen interface like the Zulay, positioning itself as a well-featured mid-range option. It provides more control and features than the basic AMZCHEF, and potentially better build quality or consistency than the most budget Zulay. The SHARDOR is a strong contender for those seeking a balance of features, control, and ease of use without investing in premium-tier models.

The Tuni G1 Conical Burr Coffee Grinder packs an impressive array of features into a compact and stylish package, making it a standout for users who prioritize functionality and convenience. With 48 precision grinding settings, a responsive LED touchscreen, and a precision electronic timer adjustable in 0.5s increments, it offers substantial control for dialing in everything from espresso to cold brew. This grinder effectively solves the problem of needing advanced features without occupying excessive counter space.

In terms of performance, the Tuni G1 utilizes a patented 40mm conical burr system operating at a low 450 RPM, specifically engineered to reduce static and heat buildup for consistent results. It includes a detachable portafilter holder compatible with common 54-58mm sizes and a separate dosing container, providing flexible workflow options. The anti-fingerprint stainless steel finish keeps it looking clean, and the integrated brush simplifies maintenance. While 48 settings offer excellent range, grinders like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro provide even more steps for minute adjustments across different brew methods.

Positioned against the SHARDOR or Zulay Kitchen which offer 51 settings, the Tuni G1 provides a slightly different feature set with its compact size, anti-fingerprint finish, and integrated cleaning brush, while still offering a robust 48 settings and touchscreen control. It competes strongly in the mid-range, offering premium features like the patented anti-static burr and flexible dosing options. The Tuni G1 distinguishes itself through its blend of advanced features, thoughtful design details, and compact form factor, providing significant value for its capabilities.