WHAT IS THIS YEAR’S BEST COFFEE MAKER WITH GRINDER?

My quest for the best coffee maker with grinder narrows down to famous brands like Breville, Lelit and Cuisinart.

Fresh is undeniably best when it comes to coffee. Swapping pre-ground coffee for grinding your own beans is the quickest way to ramp up the flavor in your cup. But grinders can be expensive and bulky. If you want to save space, save cash, or make life more convenient, consider a coffee machine with a built-in grinder.

With so many moving parts, there’s a lot to think about when buying an all-in-one machine. That’s why I rigorously tested and reviewed every top-rated coffee maker with a built-in grinder on the market. Here are the 7 that passed with flying colors.

How I Tested These Grind And Brew Coffee Makers

Testing of these machines was comprehensive and time-consuming, since each is two pieces of gear in one. I broke it down into three categories.

• Grinder Testing: I tested each grinder using a light roast (to ensure it could handle denser beans without stalling) and an oily dark roast (to test for static and clogging issues).
  Grind consistency was evaluated with a medium roast using Kruve sifters to determine the percentage of fines and boulders. For grinders with various size options, I tested at the coarse and fine ends of the spectrum. Lastly, I used a decibel meter to compare the noise level of each machine.
• Brew Testing: Each model was used to brew coffee or espresso. I measured the heat-up and brewing time and evaluated the resulting coffee quality on body, taste, and aroma. I repeated the tests using light and dark roast coffees.
  For machines with coffee strength options, I brewed several pots to see if there was an appreciable difference between settings. Finally, I brewed half carafes to see if quality suffered when brewing smaller volumes.
• Overall Experience: This category was rated subjectively, using notes I made plus feedback from our home tester team and online reviews. We considered things like ease of use, cleaning and maintenance needs, build quality, and (to a lesser extent) aesthetics. 
  I factored value for money in here. Expectations were higher for more expensive machines.

The 7 Best Coffee Makers With Grinders

These are the grind and brew machines that performed best in grind consistency, build quality, and making delicious coffee or espresso. They offer varying features and price points, so you can get the best bang for your buck no matter your priorities.

I have a hard time arguing against Breville for reliably user-friendly home coffee gear. The brand knows what we want and gives it to us – simple as that (1).

The Breville Grind Control coffee maker is efficient, compact, and easy to use. I awarded it the best overall coffee maker with a built-in grinder because it delivers a solid grinder and an equally solid coffee maker. Too many products in this category excel at only one or the other.

First, it has six grind settings, with fairly small steps between them. Few manufacturers offer this level of control with a drip machine. Breville knows that specialty beans benefit from grind size precision. And in testing, I was really impressed with the grind consistency at each setting.

Then there are the eight coffee strength settings, a huge upgrade from the average coffee maker that might offer Regular and Bold. That said, in my experience, it’s almost overkill. The flavor changes between settings are quite minor; I usually jumped two at a time to taste the difference. I valued the “steep and release” system even more. It’s essentially just a bloom phase – in my opinion, a must for any high-end coffee maker – that improves extraction. 

I like the flexibility to brew between one cup and a 12-cup carafe. And I cannot say enough good things about coffee makers with thermal carafes. The flavor is miles better than letting your coffee sit on a hot plate. 

The Grind Control is fully programmable so you can brew on a timer and wake up to a fresh pot. The digital LED display makes setting the timer and other settings easy.

The Breville Barista Express has been my go-to recommendation for all-in-one espresso machines for years, but the recent release of the Breville Barista Pro has forced me to change my tune. It’s a better machine in nearly every respect and worth the modest price increase.

Most importantly, the Pro has 30 grind settings to the Express’s 18. The number of grind settings is vastly more important when dialing in an espresso shot than preparing a drip coffee. The grind quality was overall excellent. I noticed it was a bit inconsistent at the coarsest settings, but I found those irrelevant for espresso anyway.

The other substantial upgrade is the new ThermoJet heating system, which heats in just 3 seconds. Not only does this speed up your morning routine, but it means you can quickly switch between brewing and steaming milk. As a latte lover, this feature is a must for me.

A few other features espresso geeks will appreciate include single-wall filter baskets, PID temperature control, and programmable pre-infusion. Once I dialed in the grind size, amount of coffee, and tamp pressure, I could make cafe-quality espresso with this machine.

In case you’re still interested in Barista Express, watch our video review:

The Cuisinart Grind And Brew drip coffee machine is a satisfying all-in-one automatic coffee maker at a great price, with just a couple of quirks.

In some ways, this brewer compares very favorably with the more expensive Grind Control. I was impressed with the stainless steel build and pleasantly surprised by the thermal carafe. 

It has a powerful 1100 W heater, which makes it speedy – under 10 minutes to brew a full 12-cup carafe, in my experience. And it’s fully programmable, so if you can’t wait that long, you can have it start while you’re still in bed.

The Cuisinart offers three strength settings, which in my opinion, is plenty. However, it only has one grind setting, and this is an obvious place where quality is traded for cost. It produces a medium grind suitable for drip coffee brewing but gives you no room to tweak when you change beans or roast levels. On close inspection, the grind consistency was slightly poorer than more expensive models, though the flavor didn’t suffer noticeably.

I experienced a few clogging issues in the ground coffee chute, particularly when using very oily dark roast beans. In fairness to Cuisinart, even top-of-the-line grinders struggle with oily beans. I keep a little paintbrush handy to sweep them out, which does the job nicely.

A few other nice value-added touches with this affordable drip coffee maker with grinder include a reusable GoldTone filter and a charcoal water filter, both of which will save you even more money in the long run.

It’s rare to find a prosumer espresso machine with a built-in grinder, so it was with excitement and trepidation that I approached the Lelit Kate. I know Lelit machines make great espresso, but would the built-in grinder have the quality to keep up?

The short answer is yes. This wonderful machine is an easy way to break into the prosumer market without blowing up your bank account.

The Lelit Kate is the only machine on this list with a stepless grind adjustment, which equates to infinite grind size settings. So this is the only machine that can truly dial in a perfect espresso shot with any coffee.

This espresso machine is entry-level by prosumer standards but still a cut above the others on this list. The build quality is commercial grade, including a professional steam wand and a commercial-standard 58-mm portafilter. However, in my experience, the double shot basket only held about 15 grams of coffee, slightly lower than I prefer.

The “brain” of any Lelit machine is the Lelit Control System (LCC), a sleek LED screen where you can set the grind dose and brew temperature, enable a pre-infusion stage, and execute cleaning cycles. When you start a shot, it acts as a shot timer.

High-end machines like this use boilers rather than Thermoblocks, which means they take a little longer to heat up (think 5 to 10 minutes). But the trade-off is a much more stable brew temperature and superior steam wand performance – a worthy trade if cafe-quality drinks are your goal.

If you don’t have the budget for the Breville but want a bit more versatility than the bargain-priced machines, this 10-cup fully automatic coffee maker from Gevi is a great pick. Gevi is a relatively new brand, but I’ve been consistently impressed with the quality of their products. They regularly offer features beyond what their price might suggest, though their longevity remains untested.

The built-in conical burr grinder has eight fineness settings, even more than the Breville. And you can choose mild, medium, or strong coffee.

Everyone’s taste is different, but I found the mild setting yielded a very weak brew. I suggest sticking with medium or strong. Plus, the “cup” setting controls how much coffee is ground per brew, so you can play around with that to adjust strength further.

This a fully programmable coffee machine with the user-friendly features you expect. It’s fair to say this is the best filter coffee machine with grinder on the market. You can set it to brew up to 24 hours in advance, and after brewing, the hot plate keeps your pot of coffee warm for 2 hours before automatically shutting off.

Personally, I hate keeping coffee warm on a hot plate; it quickly tastes stale and burnt. This machine lets you choose to brew between 2 and 10 cups, and I’d suggest trying not to brew more than you plan to drink within the first half-hour.

Swiss brand Jura makes exclusively bean-to-cup coffee and espresso machines with a reputation for excellent quality and sleek good looks to match.

Swiss engineering doesn’t come cheap, but I think the D6 is the brand’s best-value model. It has the tech you need to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or milk-based drink with none of the cost-increasing extras. The main cost saving comes from the lack of a display screen, which doesn’t bother me at all. The rotary dial looks clean and is easy to use.

The D6 uses Jura’s Aroma G2 grinder with 12 grind settings. That’s not as many as I’d like for espresso, but Jura’s engineers have chosen them perfectly to span the range the machine needs. Even experimenting with light roasts, I found the right size for a perfect extraction.

The other key bits of technology are the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (fancy Jura talk for pre-infusion) and the Pulse Extraction Process. The pulsed extraction, in particular, is a clever feature that I think puts Jura ahead of the competition. I’m always impressed by the flavorful shots and rich cream layer.

The fact that you can increase the coffee dose to 16 grams is another perk I love. A Nespresso pod, for example, holds about 5 or 6 grams of coffee. Imagine the difference in the taste of the coffee! 

The D6 has three one-touch drink choices – espresso, cappuccino, and regular coffee – plus the option for milk foam or hot water. You can customize drink strength, temperature, and volume. The automatic frother is good but not great – clearly a place you’re saving money. It makes a wonderful airy froth for a cappuccino but can’t deliver the creamy microfoam of a latte.

There are very few single-serve coffee makers with built-in grinders on the market, and none of them are a homerun, in my opinion. But in testing, the DGB-2 Cuisinart was the best grind and brew coffee maker of the bunch. It only offers one preset grind setting, but the coffee grounds are impressively uniform, and the setting is well-tuned to the brewer.

I am not a fan of most K-Cup coffee, but undeniably, the main selling point of this machine is that it is compatible with coffee pods and freshly ground coffee beans. You can select three cup sizes – 8, 10, or 12 ounces.

Freshly ground coffee is dispensed into the included refillable pod, which you then insert into the brewing portion of the machine. So be warned that this isn’t a one-touch operation. I didn’t mind the extra labor but found the process a bit messy. I wish there were a better chute guiding the grounds into the pod.

You might wonder why you need a machine that can handle a K-Cup when a grinder is built in. Well, let me tell you something I learned during the recent holiday season. It is incredibly handy to have coffee capsules on hand to meet the needs of guests with tastes that aren’t your own. I used decaf pods, flavored pods, and even hot chocolate pods for the kids.

Are coffee makers with grinders worth it?

I’m not here to talk you into a product you don’t need. Let’s consider who should and shouldn’t buy a coffee maker and grinder. Before we start, take a look at this comparison table first:

Bean-to-cup machines are excellent options for novice baristas new to brewing at home. The intimidation factor of setting up a home coffee bar is gone. You get everything you need to brew amazing fresh coffee with one purchase. 

Convenience and ease of use are the biggest reasons to opt for a coffee machine with built-in grinder. You can often grind and brew coffee at the push of a button – and sometimes froth milk, too!

An all-in-one coffee maker with a grinder is a great choice for any coffee drinker with a small kitchen. It saves space compared to having a coffee machine and standalone coffee grinder on the counter.

If you already have a burr grinder, you might be more interested in this list of our favorite coffee makers.

Do you save money buying a coffee maker with a grinder?

Good question! Yes and no. If you buy a coffee maker with a grinder, you will save money versus buying an equivalent quality grinder and coffee brewer separately. 

But it’s not that simple, depending on your needs. For example, you could save money by pairing an espresso machine or coffee maker with a manual grinder. Or you could buy a higher-quality grinder and use an Aeropress or Hario V60 to brew coffee. And don’t forget that many dealers offer discounts to buy a grinder and brewer simultaneously anyway. 

So while you can save money by buying a coffee maker with a built-in grinder, it isn’t the primary reason to do it.

Is it better to have a separate coffee grinder?

A separate coffee grinder provides more flexibility, which can be crucial if you like to alter your brew methods. If you regularly make drip coffee, espresso, French press, or Aeropress, owning a separate grinder that can handle all of them makes sense.

Buying a separate grinder also means you have way more options. You can explore what’s available at different price ranges. You can research flat vs conical burrs and stepped vs stepless grinders. You might consider the pros and cons of a hopper vs single-dosing.

Finally, buying a separate grinder and coffee maker or espresso machine means you can easily update one without re-purchasing both. So consider if and when you might want to upgrade.

How To Choose The Best Coffee Maker With Built-in Grinder

A coffee maker with a grinder is a big purchase. You’re essentially buying two appliances at once, and even the cheapest are a few hundred dollars. So I want to make sure you get what you want! I put together this simple buyer’s guide with a few key things to consider.

What kind of coffee do you like?

You can divide your options in half by deciding if you prefer espresso or drip coffee.

An espresso machine with a grinder is a bigger financial investment. The espresso machine requires a high-pressure pump, and you need a better-quality grinder to get a decent cup. 

However, espresso makers are more versatile. Along with pulling shots, you can make an Americano or lungo, which are close to drip coffee. It’s impossible to get anything like espresso from a drip machine. Plus, most espresso machines include a steam wand or milk frother for cafe drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

On the other hand, drip coffee makers are ideal for serving a crowd or sipping your way through a full pot of coffee. They’ll even keep your leftover coffee hot for you. They cost less up-front, generally have lower maintenance needs, and are more compact. 

Prioritize the grinder quality

Drip brewing is more forgiving of grind size, so you can get away with a cheaper grinder – or at least fewer grind settings. But good grind consistency is still paramount for an even extraction. That’s why I rigorously sift-tested the grounds from every grinder on this list.

You’ll find some lower-priced drip machines with a built-in blade grinder, but I can’t recommend them in good conscience. Using pre-ground coffee remains a better alternative to blade grinding.

Espresso machines require a more consistent grind and more control over grind size, especially if you want to experiment with different types of coffee and roast levels (2). 

Dialing in the grind size is like finding the clearest frequency of a radio station. At the ideal setting, the brewed coffee is its most focused and balanced self. – Blue Bottle Coffee Lab

The burrs themselves can be steel or ceramic, flat or conical, but they need to be well-made and installed. So if you don’t go with one of my tried-and-tested picks from this list, choose a brand known for trustworthy engineering.

Which features do you value most?

How much do you want to customize your drink? How much do you value convenience versus hands-on control? What features are worth spending a little more for? These are all questions to ask yourself before you buy. 

Here are a few common functions to consider:

• Brew settings: Almost everyone wants at least some control over their drink. For coffee makers, that usually means adjustable brew strength, achieved by changing the coffee dose or extraction time. For espresso machines, you may be able to adjust brew size (usually single shot, double shot, or lungo). Adjustable brewing temperature is another key feature for optimizing extraction, though it usually comes at a premium.
• Programmable start: This is a standard option on all but the cheapest coffee makers, and it’s well worth it if you like to wake up to a fresh pot. For me, it’s not even about having the coffee waiting; it’s just waking up to that smell! Don’t expect to find this feature on an espresso machine.
• Auto-off: An auto shut-off switches the machine off after a period of inactivity. It saves electricity and provides an extra safety measure. With some drip machines, it also determines how long the coffee is kept warm on the hotplate.

The Verdict

The best coffee machine with grinder for you depends on whether you want drip or espresso. So I picked two favorites, both from longtime household favorite Breville. 

For drip coffee lovers, the Breville Grind Control offers just that – exceptional control. You can make your coffee quickly, easily, and just how you like it. Espresso fans will enjoy the same quality and convenience using the Breville Barista Pro, plus the ability to craft a cafe-quality latte!

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