Why you’ll love it: The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder grinds slowly, but that in turn reduces static, noise, and inconsistencies in your grounds.
A burr grinder is a great tool to have if you can afford it, but lower-end grinders can be something of a let-down. Uneven grounds, static mess, and overheating are some of the regular issues with burr grinders in the sub-$100 category, but OXO nearly eliminates them all with a thriftiness you can’t help but appreciate — and respect.
OXO includes a grounding prong in the power plug, which grounds the stainless steel grounds bin and keeps static down. Other grinders with plastic bins produce just as much static, which, with plastic, there’s no eliminating.
This device also employs a much lower motor RPM, which comes with its own pros and cons. While you’ll have to wait for what feels like twice as long as you would with most burr grinders, this allows for a kind of precision most others in the price range won’t match. It also makes much less sound, which the rest of the household will surely appreciate. One Amazon reviewer recorded 74 decibels, reporting it to be less than a blender.
PC Verge is a big fan of the OXO Brew grinder, suggesting that at this price, you won’t find a better grinder. They do note that the machine doesn’t come with a scale, which might be upsetting for certain coffee drinkers, scales that come along at this price tend to be fraught with difficulties anyhow.
Amazon reviews are encouraging with a 4.3-star rating based on a list of nearly 200, many of which are from amateur testers who received the unit for free, but there are enough positive reviews verified buyers to suggest they’re not wrong.
Basically, if you want a burr grinder and don’t want to spend over $100 on it, this is your best bet for now. — Owen Burke
Pros: Thoroughly well-designed, consistent grounds, low noise level, minimal static
Cons: Slower than other burr grinders, no built-in scale
Buy the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder on Amazon for $79.99 (originally $99.95)