You do not need to spend £150 to grind fresh coffee at home. Below we compare the seven grinders we sell most often – all under £50, most under £30 – and tell you exactly which one to choose for your coffee. Not sure about the difference between a blade and a burr grinder? Read our burr vs blade guide first.
Quick answer
- Best overall for espresso: Shardor Conical Burr Grinder with 51 settings.
- Best value burr grinder: Shardor Burr Grinder with 25 settings and digital timer.
- Best for coffee + spices: COFFA or Shardor grinder with 2 removable bowls (one for coffee, one for spices).
- Cheapest way to start: Shardor 75g one-bowl blade grinder.
- No plug, no noise: COFFA manual burr grinder.
The 7 grinders compared
| Grinder | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shardor Conical Burr, 51 settings, timer, touchscreen | Conical burr | Espresso, moka pot, pour-over |
| Shardor Burr, 25 settings, digital timer | Flat burr | Filter, cafetière, everyday espresso |
| COFFA 200W, 70g, 2 bowls (wet & dry) | Blade | Coffee + spices, garlic, ginger |
| Shardor 70g, 2 removable bowls | Blade | Coffee + spices |
| Shardor 70g, 2 stainless cups | Blade | Coffee, nuts, seeds |
| Shardor 75g, 1 removable bowl | Blade | Filter coffee on a budget |
| COFFA manual, stainless burr | Manual burr | Travel, camping, 1–2 cups a day |
Which one should you buy?
You have an espresso machine
Choose a burr grinder. Espresso needs a fine, even grind, and only burrs give you that. The 51-setting conical Shardor lets you fine-tune each shot; the 25-setting model is enough if you also make filter coffee.
You drink filter or cafetière coffee
Any of the grinders will do. A blade grinder used in short pulses gives a good medium or coarse grind for a fraction of the price.
You also want to grind spices
Pick a model with two removable bowls – keep one for coffee and one for spices so your coffee never tastes of cumin. The COFFA 70g grinder also handles wet ingredients like garlic and ginger.
You want quiet mornings
The COFFA manual grinder makes almost no noise and fits in a bag.
Brand new, open-box or used?
Most of our grinders come in three conditions. Open-box and used units are checked and tested before they are listed, and they cost noticeably less. Every grade is explained in our condition grades guide, and every order has 30-day returns.
Shardor Conical Burr Grinder 51 Settings
Shardor Burr Grinder 25 Settings Timer
COFFA Coffee & Spice Grinder 2 Bowls
Shardor Grinder 2 Removable Bowls
Shardor Grinder 70g 2 Cups
Shardor Grinder 75g One Bowl
COFFA Manual Burr Grinder
Shop all coffee grinders → · All kitchen deals
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cheap coffee grinder in the UK?
For filter or cafetière coffee, a blade grinder with a removable bowl is the best value. For espresso, the cheapest grinder worth buying is an electric burr grinder with at least 25 settings.
How many grind settings do I need?
For filter and cafetière, 10–15 settings are plenty. For espresso, more settings (30–50+) let you dial in each shot.
Is a used coffee grinder worth buying?
Yes, if it has been cleaned and tested. Grinders have few parts that wear out, and our used units are tested before sale and come with 30-day returns.
