Do you grind your own coffee beans? Coffee is a part of people’s morning routine all over the world. While a lot of people buy ground coffee, others will grind their coffee beans for a richer, fuller taste.

The one choice you’ll need to make is whether to buy a manual or automatic coffee grinder. For me, I prefer automatic coffee grinders simply because they’re easier. With an automatic grinder, the machine does all of the work for you, and you don’t have to worry about the grind being too coarse or too fine. It’s always the same – depending on the setting of course.

Automatic Coffee Grinder

Automatic grinders come in two main types: burr grinders and blade grinders. The major difference between the two is the following:

• Blade grinder: These models more or less shred the beans into uneven chunks.
• Burr grinder: These models produce a consistent grind, which is ideal for espresso or fine coffee.

When you choose automatic models, you’ll find a variety of grind levels so that you can ensure you have the perfect grind every time you brew a pot of coffee. For me, this is the easiest option.

Simply add the coffee beans, choose the right setting and let the machine do the rest.

The one downside? Anything that is automatic will be a little more expensive than a manual option.

Manual Coffee Grinder

Manual grinders, often called hand grinders, are more affordable and easier to transport. You can put your manual grinder in your bag or bring it to work, but it is more difficult to use. With these models, you’ll be cranking a knob to break down the beans.

Does it work? Of course, and there are a lot of great manual coffee grinders on the market. But they’re completely hands-on.

The one benefit to a manual model is that you never have to worry about excess heat. When lower-end automatic models operate, they will often become hot due to the high-powered motor. If these models get too hot, they actually degrade the flavor of the coffee beans. Manual models will never have this problem.

Don’t worry, I will always provide an in-depth look at heat production in my coffee grinder reviews.

What Should You Choose?

Ultimately, your choice will come down to two factors: budget and time. There are a lot of great manual grinders on the market, but they take more time to produce same final result. If you don’t expect the same grind level each time, a manual is a good option.

If you want to grind coffee beans quickly with the same, even grind, or at a variety of grind levels for regular, espresso or Turkish coffee, I highly recommend automatic coffee grinders. These models are more expensive, but they always produce a similar grind and take much less time to produce the perfect grind for your next brew.

Honestly, it’s a personal preference. For me, it’s worth the extra expense to buy an automatic model that produces the same results every time – at a much faster speed.