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Best grinders · Espresso · Breville Bambino

Best grinder for the Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus

Baratza Encore ESP ranks first for the Bambino. The Bambino comes with pressurized baskets, which forgive a coarse or uneven grind, and standard single-wall baskets, which don't. Almost any burr grinder that reaches espresso will do with the pressurized ones. To use the single-wall baskets, which is where the Bambino tastes best, you need a grinder that adjusts in fine steps at the espresso end. Every grinder below does.

The grinders

Built for espresso and priced under $200: so the grinder costs less than the machine. In the order our grinder finder ranks them.

  1. 01

    Baratza Encore ESP

    About $199

    Electric

    Buy it if you want one affordable electric grinder for starter espresso and filter; look elsewhere if you single dose or want clump-free shots.

    Espresso, start at15

    Check price — Amazon →Settings chart →
  2. 02

    KINGrinder K6

    About $99

    Hand grinder

    Buy it if you want big-burr hand grinding for both filter and espresso on a budget, and do not need a refined build or a travel-light grinder.

    Espresso, start at44 clicks

    Check price — Amazon →Settings chart →
  3. 03

    1Zpresso X-Ultra

    About $169

    Hand grinder

    Buy it if you want a well-finished hand grinder for pour-over and AeroPress with fine steps and occasional espresso; daily espresso drinkers should look higher.

    Espresso, start at57 clicks

    Check price — Amazon →Settings chart →
  4. 04

    1Zpresso J-Ultra

    About $199

    Hand grinder

    Buy it if you pull espresso and want the finest-stepped hand grinder 1Zpresso makes; if you mostly brew filter, a filter-leaning burr will serve you better.

    Espresso, start at139 clicks

    Check price — Amazon →Settings chart →
  5. 05

    Timemore Chestnut C5 ESP Pro

    About $115

    Hand grinder

    Buy it if you want a compact hand grinder that makes both espresso and pour-over and don't mind a slow espresso grind; if you pull espresso daily, an external-dial grinder will be quicker to use.

    Espresso, start at40 clicks

    Check price — Amazon →Settings chart →

Prices are approximate list prices from the maker or an authorised retailer; check today's price before you buy. As an Amazon Associate, BrewMark earns from qualifying purchases.

Every espresso grinder in that range, ranked →

How we picked

This is the BrewMark grinder finder’s espresso ranking, kept to grinders rated as built for espresso and priced under $200. The machine facts come from the maker’s own pages and manuals, linked beside each one. The grind ratings are editorial judgements drawn from makers’ specs and published reviews, listed in each buying guide. BrewMark has not tested these grinders or this machine.

Other machines: Gaggia Classic Pro E24, Rancilio Silvia, La Marzocco Linea Micra. Or answer five questions in the finder.