Looking for the best coffee grinder?
Then look no further.
We have collated a list of the best coffee grinders NZ has to offer along with a buyers guide to help you make the best buying decision.
Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents:
1. Types of Coffee Grinders
2. Things to consider before you buy
3. ★Best Coffee Grinders in NZ★
Types of Coffee Grinders
Coffee grinders come in three types; each has its own advantages and downsides.
Manual Burr Grinder
A manual burr grinder works in a way similar to pepper mills. It’s considered to be the simplest and most affordable way to grind coffee.
This machine grinds coffee beans between two burrs that are typically made of ceramic. It isn’t automatic, so the coffee’s texture will entirely depend on the time you spend turning the crank.
If you don’t mind a bit of elbow grease to grind espresso beans, you’ll be rewarded with the excellent coffee consistency this machine brings.
Pros
- You don’t have to worry about wearing its internal parts since it operates at low speeds
- Cheaper than its electric counterparts
- Portable and doesn’t require electricity to work
- Silent operation
- Easy to clean
Cons
- You’ll need to refill it several times if you plan on making several cups of coffee
- Requires extra effort
- Time-consuming
Electric Burr Grinders
Just like its manual predecessor, electric burr grinders feature two revolving abrasive surfaces that grind a few beans at a time.
Burr grinders have the ability to grind repeatedly and fine-tune the settings to your liking, which is a feature only found in electric burrs. This results in evenly ground coffee, regardless of bean size.
Pros
- Electric burr grinders offer unmatched accuracy
- Expertly maintains flavour as the grinding process doesn’t overheat coffee beans
- Electric burr grinders work at a relatively constant speed, which makes them excellently reliable every time
Cons
- Some electric burr grinders are quite expensive
- Can sometimes be a bit difficult to clean
- Louder than manual coffee grinders
- Isn’t as fast as blade grinders
Electric Blade Grinders
Electric Blade Grinders operate similarly to food processors and blenders. It uses sharp metal blades to chop and grind coffee beans. The only way to control the fineness of the coffee bean is to use the ‘pulse’ button on the machine until you reach your desired texture.
However, this process doesn’t always guarantee accuracy. The blade itself oftentimes heats quickly. This heats the coffee’s oils to evaporation, which, in turn, impacts the taste.
Nevertheless, blade grinders still achieve a better taste than what you’d find in commercially ground coffee.
Pros
- Fast operation
- Inexpensive coffee machines
- The multi-purpose design allows you to use the machine for grinding herbs and spices
Cons
- The grinding isn’t always accurate
- May burn coffee beans
- The loudest of all coffee grinders
Factors to Consider When Buying a Coffee Grinder
When buying a coffee grinder, you’ll want to consider the following:
Usage
Ask yourself these questions when choosing a coffee grinder:
- Are you looking to buy a premium coffee maker; the best money can buy? Or do you want a regular grinder?
- Will you use it daily or occasionally?
- Are you a passionate coffee drinker who wants to preserve the taste, smell, and flavour of the coffee beans, regardless of the cost? Or do you want to make good-tasting coffee as quickly as possible?
Noise Level
Any coffee grinder makes noise. The real question is, how loud is it going to be?
Manual coffee grinders make the least noise, as you’re the one who’s controlling the crank. Electric grinders are quite loud, but you can find some models that generate acceptable noise.
Before buying a machine, make sure you choose something that isn’t extremely loud when you’re grinding coffee.
Grinding Consistency
Grinding Consistency 
A consistent grind results in a better-tasting coffee. Regardless of the type you choose, you’ll need to make sure that the machine grinds evenly.
Look for a coffee grinder that allows for smooth, consistent grinding. This way, you’ll get to enjoy a fuller taste, a vibrant aroma, and a delicious coat-your-tongue texture.
Ease of Use
Some coffee grinders are completely manual, while others come fully automatic with an LCD screen.
Choose a model that you believe will best suit your needs and make your coffee-grinding experience more enjoyable.
Ease of Cleaning
Although not as important as the previous factors, it’s certainly convenient to have a grinder that needs minimal cleaning.
What are the Best Coffee Grinders NZ has to offer? Our top 12 picks.
While it’s certainly more convenient to buy a pack of pre-ground coffee from the supermarket, grinding your own coffee opens a whole new world of delicious flavours and exquisite aromas.
Here are 12 of the best coffee grinders for home use in NZ!
1. Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder – Best Overall
The Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder is a unit that coffee enthusiasts across New Zealand adore. It’s compact, reliable, and easy-to-use. Thanks to the premium build, it grinds coffee beans with utmost precision!
It features an impressive 40 grind setting, which is greatly helpful if you’re primarily working with manual and drip brewing. It also comes with a digital timer that allows you to set a repeatable dose and adjust the settings to your liking.
Being sleek and stylish, this high-quality machine comes with a metal top and case. The DC motor runs 40mm steel burrs to deliver excellent consistency and durability. Most customers said they didn’t have to look for replacement parts even after years of regular use.
What We Like
- Professional-grade coffee grinder
- Sturdy build
- Easy to use
- Has a wide range of settings
What We Don’t
- Fairly noisy
- Expensive compared to the rest of the grinders on this list
2. Sunbeam Cafe Series – Burr Coffee Grinder – Runner-Up
The Sunbeam Burr is a champion of a coffee grinder. It has everything you need when grinding coffee: consistency, adjustable grind settings, and decent hopper capacity.
Designed to compliment Sunbeam’s espresso coffee machines, this coffee grinder is made with a rigid die-cast body, powerful motor, and Italian-made burrs.
Being coupled with 25 variable grind settings, this machine can produce a great grind quality for any coffee style. Whether you want the coarse texture of French press coffee, or the fine powdery grind of Turkish coffee, the Sunbeam Burr won’t disappoint.
Its bean hopper supports up to 250 grams of ground coffee, making it ideal when serving more than one person.
What We Like
- Good capacity
- Premium build
- Great consistency
- Easy operation
- Comes with a preparation mat that catches loose coffee
- The cord-wrap feature keeps your benchtop clean
- Has a dual-mode and slow speed setting that gives excellent grind control
What We Don’t
- Cleanup is a bit difficult
- Vibrates a bit too much when grinding
3. Zelkova Milco Hand Coffee Grinder – Best Manual Coffee Grinder
Being handmade from Japanese Zelkova timber, this elegant ceramic burr grinder is built to grind with remarkable durability and precision.
The handle found on this manual machine can be removed and placed inside the ceramic grinder, which makes it portable enough for camping trips or vacations.
Because it’s made to grind a single cup of coffee, you never have to worry about grinding more than you need.
If you don’t fancy the golden colour of Zelkova timber, Milko made another version made with dark-brown Japanese walnut.
What We Like
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Great build quality
- Perfect for grinding beans on the go
- Resilient ceramic burrs allows for consistent grinding
What We Don’t
- Grinds one cup at a time
4. Breville the Coffee And Spice Precise Grinder – Best Multipurpose Coffee Grinder
Whether you have coffee beans, nuts, or spices, this Grinder from Breville allows you to unlock the purest flavour of anything it grinds.
With its 5 grind settings and 12-cup capacity, this versatile blade grinder makes coffee grinding easy and convenient. And its removable stainless steel canister makes cleanup a piece of cake! No one likes a chilli-flavoured coffee, so that’s certainly a plus.
The Breville Grinder is an ideal choice for precisely grinding coarse ingredients to finer particles.
What We Like
- Easy-to-clean design
- Has a decent milling capacity of 12 cups and a grinding capacity of 4 cups
- Durable stainless-steel construction that guarantees lasting performance.
- Multipurpose design allows you to grind coffee, nuts, spices, and herbs
What We Don’t
- Doesn’t have enough settings compared to other models
- Doesn’t feature a conical burr
5.Savannah Classic Bowl Coffee Grinder – Most Aesthetically Pleasing
The vintage design of the Savannah Classic Coffee Grinder is something you can’t find in any other manual machine. So if you’re looking for a more ‘old-school’ coffee grinder, this one’s worth looking at.
The Savannah Classic Coffee Grinder features a wood body with a cast-iron steel plate. On the top, there’s a metal crank with a large, ergonomic handle. And while its exterior has an air of nostalgia, the steer burrs inside are modern and effective, providing consistent grounds for filter coffee brewing.
Slippage won’t be an issue with this machine thanks to the rubber inserts placed at the bottom. This will keep it firmly secure to the counter while you work.
What We Like
- Beautiful design
- Backed by a massive 5-year quality guarantee
- Strong, steel construction ensures a long lifespan
- Good grinding consistency
What We Don’t
- Not suitable for espresso machines
6. Westmark Coffee Grinder Brasilia Negro – Best Classic Manual Coffee Grinder
Looking to make yourself a classic filter coffee, espresso, or even a French press while travelling? Then the Westmark Coffee Grinder is for you!
It has a super simple pour-and-crank design. The indicators printed on the glass makes it easy to know how many cups of coffee it produces (2 to 8 cups). This way, you won’t have to worry about grinding too many beans anymore.
This will save anyone the inconvenience of having a surplus of pre-ground coffee that may turn stale if not immediately used.
Moreover, the base of this coffee grinder features a slip-proof rubber base to keep it from slipping and shaking during use.
What We Like
- Cup quantity indicator
- The slip-proof rubber base ensures good stability on smooth surfaces
- The glass container is dishwasher-safe
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t grind smoothly, especially when compared to other manual grinders
7. Leaf & Bean Electric Coffee Grinder – Best Blade Grinder
If you’re looking for something affordable with overall good quality, you may want to look at the Leaf & Bean Electric Coffee Grinder. In fact, we chose this particular model because of the value it offers.
With the touch of a button, this powerful machine can effortlessly grind up to 50 grams of coffee beans to your preferred coarseness in just under 30 seconds! Its transparent lid allows you to check the grind level as you go.
Conveniently, the stainless steel wing-blades can also grind dried herbs and spices, which adds a lot to the already-great value.
What We Like
- Good capacity
- Premium silver construction
- Multipurpose blades
- Great price
What We Don’t
- Doesn’t have multiple grind settings
8.Sunbeam Conical Burr Coffee Grinder – Best for Beginners
The Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is another product from the reputable brand Sunbeam. This machine is a great option for beginner coffee lovers looking to step foot in the world of coffee grinders.
It’s fully capable of delivering great results at a fairly decent price-point. You can make coffee in varying textures through its 25 grind settings. This gives you complete control over the coffee particle size you desire.
The durable conical burrs featured in this machine allows you to retain the quality of the coffee beans and deliver a consistent blend that suits every coffee lover’s taste. Thanks to its 250-gram capacity, it’ll be perfect for those looking to prepare multiple cups of coffee in one go.
What We Like
- Has a good grind consistency
- Extremely easy to operate, clean, and maintain
- Great value for money
What We Don’t
- The plastic construction doesn’t feel as premium as other coffee makers
- Not that durable
9. KitchenAid Coffee Grinder – Budget Pick
KitchenAid is a company that many people associate exclusively with coffee. And while this specific model isn’t KitchenAid’s most “premium” coffee grinder, this machine’s quality, build, and consistency certainly makes it one of their best.
This unit’s blade grinders work just like that of a blender; they bash and chop coffee beans randomly. Because of the whirlpool effect that the spinning blades create, some beans won’t touch the blades.
Nonetheless, this coffee grinder will still provide you with well-ground coffee that isn’t compromised by heat. You’ll just have to use the “pulse” method to transform your coffee’s consistency from coarse to fine.
Being placed within a medium-budget range, this grinder is a great all-round option for entry-level grinders.
What We Like
- 12 cup capacity
- Stainless steel look that fits well in any kitchen
- The blade is made of heavy-duty stainless steel
- Quiet operation
What We Don’t
- Doesn’t always grind consistently
10. Flight Coffee Chemex Brew Kit w/ Hand Grinder – Best Coffee Grinder Kit
The Flight Coffee Chemex Brew Kit provides you with everything you need to start brewing. It comes with a Chemex glass that’s made of non-porous Borosilicate, 100 pieces of large paper filters, 250 grams of bomber beans, and, the star of the show, a Rhino Compact Hand Grinder.
Let’s closely look at what the Rhino Compact brings to the table.
This compact hand grinder is made from high-quality, durable stainless steel. It comes with ceramic conical burrs that will remain sharp for years. Their design is quite suitable for hand-grinding coffee for all methods
This machine is precise, consistent, and simple to adjust using the knob located beneath the burrs.
It has a grinding capacity of 25 grams, which is sufficient for making 2 cups of coffee. Overall, even without the extra products that come with the Flight Coffee Chemex Kit, the hand grinder alone is one of the best manual coffee grinders out there.
What We Like
- Made of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic
- Light and slim build makes it the perfect travel companion
- Grinds coffee evenly
What We Don’t
- Doesn’t have a great capacity
11.Savannah Smart Coffee Bean Grinder – Best Value
We love the Savannah Coffee Grinder because of its simple, yet premium build. Thanks to its ceramic conical burrs and aluminium unibody, this grinder goes through medium roasted beans like a knife through butter.
What makes this grinder different from other manual grinders is that it has 16 grinding options, which is more than what the regular models have. Overall, its build quality, size, consistency, and price are what make this product phenomenal.
What We Like
- Easy to use once you learn how to adjust the grinding options
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Consistent grind
What We Don’t
- There’s a slight learning curve when it comes to the grind adjustment
12.Maxim Electric Coffee Bean Grinder – The Most Affordable
The Maxim Coffee Grinder is a great option for those who’re not fully committed to buying an expensive coffee grinder since it’s the cheapest on our list. But make no mistake; despite its price, it’s still a great piece of equipment.
Although its grind consistency isn’t always 100%, it’ll grind well enough for many brew styles. It’s simple, classic, and easily maintainable.
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Suitable for grinding herbs, spices, coffee and nuts
- Has a fairly powerful motor (130W)
What We Don’t
- Doesn’t always grind consistently
- Isn’t the best for grinding fine coffee beans
Conclusion
Once you’ve had a cup of coffee made from freshly grounded beans, it’s hard to go back. So why not treat yourself whenever you drink a cup of coffee?
All the products above are considered to be the best coffee grinders available to buy in New Zealand.
Our recommended choice is the Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder because of all the features it offers. It grinds beans consistently with a wide range of settings to play with!