Coffee connoisseurs know that grinding whole-bean coffee is always the way to go for the best-tasting cup. Pre-ground coffee loses its freshness and flavor while sitting on a shelf. With coffee makers with built-in grinders, you donât have the hassle of a separate coffee grinder or the mess of transferring grounds from your grinder to your coffee maker â these machines are all-in-one.
Experts Say
Kathleen McCarthy, training manager at coffee giant Lavazza, says that some of the most important aspects to keep in mind when purchasing a coffee machine with a grinder are sharp, easy-to-clean burrs (the actual grinders) and âthe ability to adjust seamlessly between grind settings.â
Whether youâre a drip coffee fan or more of an espresso machine type, we removed the guesswork for you by testing 20 different coffee makers with grinders for grind consistency, brew time, coffee temperature, taste, ease of cleaning, and more.
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Produced smooth, consistent brews
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Helpful digital display
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Insulated carafe keeps coffee warm
In just six minutes, youâll have a full, freshly brewed pot of coffee with the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker. The brew came out smooth and consistent, with no grounds at the bottom of the cup.
The grinding and brewing processes worked well. Using this machine was easy and user-friendly, though some instructions on the water-to-bean ratio would have been nice. This machine is average-sized and a little bulky, but the carafe was insulated, which is a nice touch. It also comes with a stainless steel travel mug, making the morning commute a bit more pleasant.
Any regular coffee drinker knows how long the wait can feel for that first cup in the morning, so we appreciated the digital display on this machine, which indicates the grind time and when itâs preheating. The display shows you exactly how long it will take to brew a pot of coffee. This model also earned our top score for ease of cleaning â it was very simple to take apart and wash (the removable parts are dishwasher safe!).
Coffee Type: Drip | Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.5 x 16.3 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Grinder Type: Burr | Brew Capacity: 12 cups
Thereâs nothing like brewing cafe-quality coffee for a fraction of the price, which is exactly what youâll get with this money-saving single-serve machine. Without taking up much space in your kitchen, this Cuisinart model makes smooth, freshly ground cups of coffee, one at a time. And it only takes a minute and 23 seconds per cup.
We found that the coffee was smooth and silky, like a classic drip coffee. Another standout feature is its dual capability: It allows you to make a freshly ground cup from whole beans or coffee pods. This machine is not only easy to disassemble and clean, but it is also very functional without taking up too much real estate on your counter. While it doesnât produce a variety of drinks and there arenât adjustable grind settings, this machine is easy to use, easy to clean, and gets you out the door with a hot coffee fast.
Coffee Type: Drip | Dimensions: 11.02 x 7.28 x 12.67 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds | Grinder Type: Burr | Brew Capacity: 12 ounces
If youâre looking for an espresso machine rather than a drip coffee pot, consider this model. It produces shots that we believe rival the taste of freshly made espresso from a coffee shop. The espresso brews super-fast, and the machine has its own timer on the display.
The included milk frother is very easy to use and produces a nice cafe-quality foam, plus a frothing cup, which is an added convenience. The machine is easy to set up, but we did note that the tamp can get locked into the machine after use, so itâs hard to release it from the chamber.
The higher price reflects the quality of this machine and its excellent grinding and brewing capabilities. The Breville Barista Pro produces a custom grind, and the whole thing is very easy to use once you get the initial process down. Itâs easy to take apart and clean, too, which is always a plus.
Coffee Type: Drip, espresso | Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 13 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Grinder Type: Burr | Brew Capacity: 2 cups
This coffee machine was another crowd favorite in our testing. The grinding and brewing process is efficient and fast, though the grinder is very loud, so if the noise doesnât wake you up, the bold coffee will. The machine works quickly. It can brew up to 10 cups of coffee in just over four minutes. It also has a two-hour warming function to keep your coffee warm if the machine is not unplugged.
This no-frills model has a very straightforward design, but the instructions are not very clear. Itâs easy to clean, but itâs particular: Be sure you add the exact amount of water for your brewing needs. Despite those downsides, we found that this model brewed one of the best drip coffees we tried, and the price only adds to its value.
Coffee Type: Drip | Dimensions: 14.33 x 10 x 18.9 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Grinder Type: Burr | Brew Capacity: 10 cups
Thereâs just something about pouring a cup of coffee from a carafe that makes the Cuisinart Burr Grind and Brew Coffee Maker great for the nostalgic java drinker. We found favor with the easy setup process and easy-to-understand digital display, which made figuring out quantities and brewing functions pretty straightforward.
We were happy with how quietly this machine functioned, even when it was softly beeping to let us know the brewing process was complete. However, the brewing time from start to finish was a bit slow, though thatâs understandable due to the bigger vessel it has to fill as opposed to a single cup or shot.
This machine may have fewer bells and whistles and not be as attractive as some of its companions on this list, but itâs easy to set up and clean, so itâs handy for a family of coffee enthusiasts or someone who runs on several cups a day.
Coffee Type: Drip | Dimensions: 8.5 x 11.4 x 16.3 inches | Weight: 17.7 pounds | Grinder Type: Burr | Brew Capacity: 10 cups
What to Know About Coffee Makers with Grinders
Volume
It may sound like a no-brainer, but consider how many people in your household will be using the coffee maker (and how much each person drinks) when deciding between a model that brews a full pot, like the Gevi 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker, and one that makes single servings, like the Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus. Single-serve coffee makers with grinders will ultimately take a bit more time to brew, meaning you and your family or guests wonât be able to sit down and enjoy a warm cup of coffee at the same time.
Drip vs. Espresso
Our winning coffee makers with grinders either make drip coffee or espresso â not both. The triumphant drip machine was the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker, whereas our favorite espresso model was the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine. A coffee maker with a grinder is an investment to be used daily, so consider which type of coffee you like to drink most often.
Features
Typically, the higher the price, the more bells and whistles youâll find on a coffee maker with a grinder. Espresso, milk frother, and touchscreen selections for various types of drinks all tend to come with a higher price. Other features include the size of the cup and the strength of the brew the machine produces. Think about how often youâll use the machine and what sorts of beverages you plan to make on a regular basis to determine the value for your specific needs.
Cleaning
As part of our testing process, we took apart all of the coffee makers to find out how easy it was to wash the carafe and grinder and to remove and clean the interior parts of the machine. All the top products we tested were easy to clean, but our top winner, the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker, was the easiest to clean and maintain.Â
Refer to the manufacturerâs manual for cleaning guidance for your specific coffee maker with grinder. Some may require frequent descaling, and others may have replaceable filters that eliminate that cleaning step. Since the grinders in these coffee makers are built-in, cleaning is often limited to a simple brush or wipe with a cloth.
Behind the Scenes
We tested 20 coffee makers with grinders, including drip coffee makers and espresso machines, from Breville, Cuisinart, DeâLonghi, and more.
- Consistency: Our testers evaluated the built-in grinder in each coffee maker for consistency of the grounds, how long each machine took to grind the beans, and how loud the grinder was when operating.
- Performance and Taste: Coffee makers with grinders that brewed drip coffee were evaluated on the time it took to brew a pot (or a cup for single-serve machines), the temperature of the freshly brewed coffee, and the taste. For espresso, speed and temperature were also tested, along with the quality of the espresso shot and taste. Milk frothers were also evaluated when included with a coffee machine.
For each machine, design, ease of cleaning, and performance were all evaluated and scored to determine our winners.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it better to grind coffee coarse or fine?
You should grind your coffee beans according to the specific instructions for your coffee machine. For example, a medium to coarse grind works best if youâre using a French press or a drip coffee maker, while a fine grind is ideal when making coffee in siphon and espresso machines. âEssentially, finer grinding will slow down the brewing process, allowing the water to remain in contact with the coffee grinds for a longer time,â McCarthy states. This will, in turn, make the grounds somewhat stronger in both taste and acidity â a preference that is entirely up to the drinkers themselves.
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Does grinding coffee finer make it stronger?
Generally, yes, but coffee strength is also impacted by how itâs prepared. âThis will 100 percent depend on the consumerâs definition of âstrongerâ coffee,â says McCarthy. âFor some, strength is equivalent to intense taste or bitterness, while for others, strength is equivalent to a complex set of flavors or a heavy mouthfeel, or some combination of all of these.â
Espresso, for instance, is made with a low water-to-bean ratio and a high-pressure machine that forces water over finely ground, tightly packed coffee to make it strong. On the other hand, using finely ground beans in a drip coffee maker can give the coffee a bitter taste.
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Can you brew pre-ground coffee in a coffee maker with grinder?
According to McCarthy, the answer is a resounding no. âCoffee grinders are meant only to grind coffee from its whole bean form; coffee that has already been ground is very likely to clog and could even potentially break a grinder,â she says. If you prefer to use pre-ground coffee instead, then you should check the specifications for the device youâre considering to see if itâs possible to brew pre-ground coffee. For example, two of the coffee makers with grinders on our list â the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker and the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine â can be used with pre-ground beans.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer for PEOPLE who covers beauty, fashion, home, and lifestyle products. She has also written for InStyle, Shape, and Southern Living. For this piece, she compared the features, benefits, and uses of some of the marketâs most popular all-in-one coffee makers with grinders. She compared models based on their ease of use, brew time, brew quality, and more. For additional insight on some key aspects to remember when purchasing all-in-one coffee makers with grinders, Brascia interviewed coffee expert Kathleen McCarthy.
Freelance shopping writer Rennie Dyball is the original author of this article.
Our Expert Panel
Kathleen McCarthy is the corporate training manager for international coffee giant Lavazza.
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