6 Best Coffee Makers With Grinders, Tested and Reviewed
Savor a cup of coffee from freshly ground coffee beans without the extra grinding.
Reviewed by Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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Coffee makers with a built-in grinder streamline the coffee-making process by eliminating the need to grind beans separately. Coffee makers with grinders automatically grind coffee and start brewing, making it perfect for those who want convenience without compromising the flavor of freshly ground coffee.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has dedicated hundreds of hours to testing more than 100 coffee and espresso makers, including those with built-in grinders. For each coffee maker, we evaluate factors such as performance and ease of use. A few factors we assess include measuring the brew temperature, grind size consistency, the intuitiveness of the controls and, of course, the taste of the coffee.
Pros
- Top-performing grinder
- Six grind settings
- Easy-to-read digital display
Cons
- Expensive
Coffee type: Drip | Brew capacity: 12-cup | Grinder type: Burr | Hopper capacity: 8 ounces | No. of grind settings: 6 | Carafe type: Thermal | Dimensions: 11" x 14.8" x 19.1" | Warranty: Limited 1-year
Breville’s coffee maker with grinder was a top performer in our tests. The digital display is very easy to read; it shows the number of cups to be brewed and the strength setting. One feature I found handy is the front-facing digital display that indicates how much water is in the tank, so I didn't need to lean over to the side to check the water level like with some other coffee makers.
The burr grinder has six grind-size settings to choose from so you can customize your coffee or change settings if you swap beans. You also won't need to refill your beans every time you brew coffee since the hopper can hold up to a half pound of beans.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I was impressed with the built-in grinder on this machine, as it was one of the few contenders that could produce fine, medium and coarse grinds that were consistent with what you would get from a high-quality standalone coffee grinder.
TASTE TEST: It produced one of the tastiest cups of coffee: smooth without a hint of bitterness.
TAKE NOTE: It's on the pricier side.
RELATED: Best Breville Espresso Machines, According to Testing
Pros
- Quietest built-in grinder
- Displays on screen how long it's been since the coffee brewed
- Produces consistent grinds
Cons
- No hopper to hold beans
Coffee type: Drip | Brew capacity: 12-cup | Grinder type: Blade | Hopper capacity: N/A | No. of grind settings: 1 | Carafe type: Glass | Dimensions: 10" x 13.5" x 15.5" | Warranty: Limited 2-year
For those who want the convenience of a built-in grinder without the high price tag, this machine from Black+Decker is for you. It has a unique setup with the grinder integrated into the brew basket, which I found easy to clean. Another advantage of this setup is that you don't have to worry about the grinder getting clogged.
I also liked the on-screen display that shows how long it's been since the coffee was brewed, so there's no guessing the time it's been sitting around.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The built-in grinder was one of the quietest I tested. Additionally, I found it produced a consistent grind, which is surprising for a blade grinder, even better than some of the more expensive machines.
TASTE TEST: In taste tests, it produced a flavorful cup of coffee with a pleasant aroma.
TAKE NOTE: The machine can use pre-ground coffee or whole beans; however, you need to add beans every time you make coffee since there's no hopper to hold extra beans.
Cuisinart Grind & Brew Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Pros
- Grinds whole coffee beans for a single cup of coffee
- Can use a reusable capsule or a K-cup
- Easy to use
Cons
- Grinding and brewing is a two-step process
Coffee type: Single-serve | Brew capacity: 8, 10 and 12 ounces | Grinder type: Burr | Hopper capacity: 3.5 ounces | No. of grind settings: 1 | Carafe type: N/A | Dimensions: 11" x 7.3" x 12.7" | Warranty: Limited 3-year
This Cuisinart coffee maker stands out with its built-in grinder for a single-serve reusable pod. It grinds just enough coffee for one mug's worth of coffee from whole beans. The machine grinds directly into a reusable capsule and loads into the capsule holder like a regular pod and brew.
For mornings when you're in a rush, it can use K-cups and offers size options of 8, 10 or 12 ounces. The 48-ounce water tank detaches, allowing for easy refilling.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I found this machine intuitive to use without having to read the instruction manual.
TASTE TEST: Overall, the coffee I brewed was entirely satisfying with a medium body and tasted much fresher than prepackaged pods.
TAKE NOTE: The catch is it's a two-step process, so you can't hit a button and walk away. However, this model simplifies the process by grinding the precise amount of whole beans directly into a reusable capsule.
RELATED: Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers for the Best-Tasting Cup
Pros
- Brews tasty coffee and espresso-style drinks
- Makes a 3-ounce concentrated coffee similar to espresso
- Six size options
Cons
- Bulky
- Higher price tag
Coffee type: Drip and espresso-like concentrate | Brew capacity: 3, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 ounces or 40 ounces | Grinder type: Burr | Hopper capacity: 8.8 ounces | No. of grind settings: 1 | Carafe type: N/A or thermal carafe option | Dimensions: 12" x 15.8" x 15" | Warranty: Limited 3-year
I was impressed with the De'Longhi TrueBrew Drip Coffee Maker for its convenience and versatility. This coffee maker offers six size options, ranging from 8 to 24 ounces. For those who want a full pot, there's a version that comes with a thermal carafe and can brew up a 40-ounce pot.
One distinctive feature of this machine: It can make a 3-ounce espresso-style concentrated coffee shot for days when you want an espresso-based drink like a latte. It has a built-in burr grinder and the hopper has a large opening to easily pour in coffee beans.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our Lab tests, I found the machine easy to use and brewed flavorful coffee quickly. I also appreciated the range of sizes and coffee types.
TASTE TEST: The coffee was tasty, and I was amazed that the "espresso" drink is strong enough that it won't taste diluted in an Americano or cappuccino.
TAKE NOTE: One thing to note is that the machine is not as compact as a few others on this list and carries a higher price tag.
Pros
- Coffee comes out piping hot at the right temperature
- Makes tasty coffee
- Thermal carafe keeps coffee warm
Cons
- Not a large difference between grind sizes
- Grind settings are not labeled
Coffee type: Drip | Brew capacity: 10-cup | Grinder type: Burr | Hopper capacity: 6 ounces | No. of grind settings: 5 | Carafe type: Thermal | Dimensions: 9" x 9.5" x 15.5" | Warranty: Limited 1-year
Those who love piping hot coffee will appreciate this Capresso machine, which excelled in our tests and brewed some of the hottest coffee while still maintaining the proper temperature. If you like to sip your coffee throughout the day, the thermal carafe (which can also be placed on the table) keeps the coffee warm.
The machine includes a conical burr grinder with five settings. I found the settings to be easy to change, but they were not labeled, so it's easy to miss. The hopper holds 6 ounces of whole beans, which is enough to make approximately 20 cups of coffee.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: One of the first things I noticed about this machine was the steaming hot coffee, and it had the highest temperature of the group we tested.
TASTE TEST: In addition to delivering very hot coffee, it was also one of the tastiest of the bunch.
TAKE NOTE: In our tests, I found there wasn't a significant size difference between the smallest and largest grind setting.
De'Longhi Magnifica Start Automatic Espresso Machine
Pros
- Brews coffee and espresso
- Easy to use
- Built-in milk frother
Cons
- Expensive
Coffee type: Espresso | Brew capacity: Espresso, coffee or Americano | Grinder type: Burr | Hopper capacity: 8.8 ounces | No. of grind settings: 13 | Carafe type: N/A | Dimensions: 14" x 17" x 9.25" | Warranty: Limited 3-year
If you want options for both coffee and espresso, then this De'Longhi machine is for you. Although this machine doesn't make traditional drip coffee, it still offers options for coffee, along with an Americano and espresso shot, all at the push of a button.
It features adjustable settings to control the intensity of the coffee and 13 grind sizes to fine-tune your coffee beans. Additionally, it has a built-in manual milk frother for those days when you want to create a cozy, coffee shop-quality drink.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I found this machine very easy to use, with a control panel that has icons and text. It brewed consistent coffee and espresso. In fact, we liked it so much that it earned a spot in our Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear, Coffee & Tea Awards.
TASTE TEST: This machine made delicious coffee and espresso. I found the default settings a tad weak for the coffee beans I was using, but after some adjusting, it was tasty.
TAKE NOTE: It’s on the expensive side, but for an automatic machine that also brews espresso and includes a built-in frother, it offers excellent value for the features you get.
RELATED: Best Espresso Machines With Grinders
Others we tested
- Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine: We’ve loved this machine for a long time, and it’s remained a top pick on our list of espresso makers, thanks to its rich, flavorful shots and smart features, including Intelligent Dosing technology and a built-in tamping lever that applies the perfect amount of pressure. However, some of our at-home testers have noted durability issues after a few years of use.
- Cuisinart Grind & Brew Plus: This model offers customization and convenience in one machine, allowing you to make fresh coffee from whole beans, pre-ground coffee or pods. This Cuisinart machine didn't have the highest score in our taste test, but it's a good choice for those who prioritize convenience and want the option to brew full pots of coffee or pods.
- De'Longhi Dinamica Plus Fully Automatic Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine: This De'Longhi coffee and espresso machine has been a longtime favorite among our Lab experts, thanks to its ease of use, which handles all the work for you by grinding, brewing and milk frothing. We still love it and continue to use this De'Longhi, but we swapped it out for the De'Longhi TrueBrew Drip Coffee Maker, which focuses on making drip-style coffee.
- Spinn Coffee & Espresso Maker: The Spinn coffee maker has options for a variety of flavorful coffees to choose from including espresso, cold brew and even nitro-like coffee. Our pros were impressed by this machine, but it isn't in stock anymore. We're looking forward to testing their new model, Spinn 2, which is currently sold out, but you can sign up for the waitlist on the brand's site.
How we test coffee makers with built-in grinders
To determine the best coffee makers with built-in grinders, we collected and analyzed over 270 data points.
- We first test the models exactly as we test drip coffee makers: We brew at least two full pots of coffee in each drip machine and record the brew time, brew temperature and how well the coffee stays warm over a two-hour period. We also pay attention to consistency, as we do when we test espresso machines and single-serve coffee makers.
- As part of our brew tests, we conduct a sensory test and get as many people as we can to sample each coffee and share their tasting notes.
- In addition to performance, we assess ease of use by scoring several factors, including whether the user guide is straightforward to follow and how easy it is to operate the controls, access the water tank and brew basket, read the markings on the tank and carafe, clean the carafe and more.
- After fully testing each coffee maker’s brewing capabilities, we then evaluate the built-in grinder. We assess how easily the hopper can be filled, record the loudness of the grinding process using a decibel meter and note the variety of grind sizes available.
- Finally, we analyze grind size accuracy, grind uniformity and grind consistency using a Kruve Sifter to determine the ground coffee particle sizes down to the micrometer.
What to know when shopping
✔️ Grinder type: Coffee makers with built-in grinders have either blade or burr grinders. Blade grinders work like food processors, in which the blades spin to chop the coffee beans. Burr grinders are similar to pepper mills, so two metal or plastic grinding surfaces mill the coffee into ground pieces. Blade grinders tend to be less expensive than burr grinders, but this often comes with the trade-off of having only one grind size setting. If you like to adjust your grind settings, the pricier built-in burr grinders often have more settings to choose from.
✔️ Hopper capacity: Hoppers can hold different amounts of beans; consider a larger hopper, such as eight ounces or larger, if you don't want to refill often. Also, note that if the machine does not have a hopper, you’ll need to fill the coffee maker with beans each time you brew.
✔️ Number of grind settings: If you like to fine-tune the grind size of the coffee, look for machines that have multiple grind settings. The size of the grind affects the taste of the coffee, which can bring out different flavors in the coffee beans or affect the strength of the brew.
✔️ Carafe type: Glass and thermal carafes each have their pros and cons. Glass carafes tend to be less expensive, lightweight and easy to clean as they are often dishwasher-safe. Thermal carafes are typically more expensive but can keep coffee hot for hours without the need for a warming plate, which means you don't have to worry about whether you've shut the coffee maker off. You can bring the carafe directly to the table. They are also usually hand-wash only.
✔️ Customization and convenience: Beyond grind-size settings, coffee makers with grinders may also have customization options such as coffee-cup size and strength. More advanced machines can produce coffeehouse-style drinks, like lattes, with the push of a button, eliminating the need for manual tamping or frothing. However, you'll often pay much more for this amenity. A general rule of thumb: The more convenient and hands-off the coffee machine, the higher the price. Be sure to pay attention to which features are worth the extra money to fit your lifestyle.
Is it better to have a separate coffee grinder?
Having a separate coffee grinder may be better for some people, but not for others. Coffee enthusiasts may prefer a stand-alone grinder to make various coffee types beyond drip coffee, such as pour-over or French press, because it offers more grind settings. The downside is that it's an extra step to making coffee, which is not as streamlined as a coffee maker with a built-in grinder, and it's also an added purchase.
Coffee makers with built-in grinders offer the convenience of grinding the beans and often automatically starting the brewing process. It's ideal for those who want to save time and effort by having freshly ground beans and coffee at the push of a button. Just note that if the machine or grinder breaks down over time, you'll need to replace the entire machine. Plus, switching beans is more challenging since you'll need to wait until the hopper is completely empty before adding new beans.
Does coffee taste better with a grinder?
Whether you choose to purchase a separate coffee grinder or a coffee maker with a built-in grinder, grinding beans just before brewing results in a fresher, more flavorful cup of coffee. Pre-ground coffee loses its flavor more quickly because the increased surface area exposed to air causes the coffee to degrade faster.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Ueda's first job at the Good Housekeeping Institute was testing a variety of consumer products, and one of her first tests was drip coffee makers. Since then, she has tested and written about many kitchen-related and cooking tools, especially drip coffee and espresso makers as well as coffee accessories. She has a passion for coffee and has completed rigorous coffee courses from the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) in coffee brewing, barista skills and sensory tasting. She is regularly a judge for our annual Kitchen Gear and Coffee Awards.
More top-tested coffee machines and appliances
Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
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