The 7 Best Coffee Makers with Grinders of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Our Favorite

When it comes to making the perfect cup of coffee, the fresher the grind, the better the flavor. Coffee makers with burr grinders, like the Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe, are great for consistency and control. They crush the beans uniformly for delicious-tasting coffee. If you're looking for an investment, the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine is a splurge-worthy option for endless café-quality possibilities.

How We Tested Coffee Makers with Grinders

In our test kitchen, we performed side-by-side testing on 20 coffee makers with built-in grinders. First, we performed a grinding test, where we set each grinder to the finest setting. For each setting, we used 55 grams of coffee and a Kruve sifter system to sort and analyze the grinds. We then recorded the consistency of the grinds, looking at uniformity and how fine the grinders were.

After we ground our beans, we performed a drip test on the drip coffee makers. We set the machines to brew a full pot. We first recorded drip speed to see how long it takes to brew a full pot. When brewed, we took the temperature of the freshly brewed coffee. We then tasted the coffee, asking ourselves the following questions: Is it smooth, or is there sediment? How is the mouthfeel (e.g., does the coffee feel rich, like cream, or thinner, like skim milk)? Can you adjust the amount of coffee water so you get a brew that’s as strong as you want it?

For the machines with espresso capabilities, we recorded how long it takes to pull a shot (is it within the ideal 23 to 29 seconds)? We again took note of the temperature of the coffee when it was freshly brewed. We then tasted the coffee, noting any flavor differences between the brewers, and again asked ourselves the same questions on the brew quality as mentioned above. If the machine has a built-in milk frother, use this to create a “latte” foam and taste. We took note of the quality of the frother, if it was easy to clean, or any other notes. Finally, we washed each carafe and grinder according to the manufacturer's instructions. We recorded if it was easy or hard to clean thoroughly.

When finished, we rated each machine based on their performance during the grinding and brewing processes, design quality in terms of looks and functionality, and ease of cleaning.

Factors to Consider

Functions

Bean-to-cup coffeemakers can be as simple as one-button operations for a limited number of options, to a full at-home barista experience with the ability to add in milk and customize each cup. Thinking about how many functions you need will help you narrow your choices in this ever-growing field of options. If you only want to make your simple espresso, double espresso, and americano without the need to froth milk or create specialty coffees, you will be able to get a machine that is practically plug-and-play, with operations that are simple enough for a child to perform. If you want the ability to create a large number of coffee drinks or to pre-set and customize things like brew strength or temperature, you will need to research which of those capabilities are most important to you and let that guide your final choice.

Burr Type

The type of grinder can also be a consideration. In general, coffee makers with grinders will either feature a flat or conical grinder. A flat grinder features two flat plates that rotate against each other to grind the beans. The gap between the two plates determines the grind size, and they are known for consistent and uniform grind sizes. They do tend, however, to be more expensive and can be loud. On the other hand, conical burr grinders have cone-shaped burrs that come together at a point. While quieter and more affordable, they aren't as consistent in grind size as flat burr grinders and can therefore produce an inconsistent extraction.

Capacity

Whether it is the size of the water reservoir or the bean capacity, some units will require filling much more often than others. The strongest recommendation is to think about the number of cups you might need all at once and let that be the place you start. If you have a family of five and everyone wants a large morning cup, or if you and your spouse or partner both need that wake-up cup and the ability to fill a large travel mug to head to the office, you don't want to have to refill water or beans halfway through your morning routine. Same if you entertain a lot and want to be able to offer coffee after meals. If it is just you, or your household tends to only need a quick single espresso each to start your day, you might not need a large capacity machine.

Cleaning

From emptying spent grounds to cleaning reservoirs to descaling the interior of the machine, some machines are a bit more complicated than others to keep clean. If you are concerned about cleaning, look for a machine that comes with a filter to prevent deposits or models that have simple cleaning procedures. Many units have specialty cleansers or tablets for cleaning, and you might want to explore whether using those products is required or just recommended. Certain cleaning techniques, like putting pieces of the machine through the dishwasher, can invalidate the warranty unless the parts are specifically labeled safe for the dishwasher. The frequency of cleaning can also be a factor to consider, some might only need cleaning after a certain number of cups, and some are recommended after a certain number of weeks.

RELATED: How to Clean and Descale Your Coffee Maker, According to Experts

Other Coffee Makers with Grinders We Tested

Strong Contenders

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine ($1,099 at Williams Sonoma)

This coffee machine has a quick setup and a nice, large, colorful digital display. We liked that it shows you on display if there is an error, why it happened, and that it will automatically correct itself. However, the tamper locks in tightly and is a little difficult to release.

Calphalon Espresso Machine with Coffee Grinder ($418 at Amazon)

We found the instructions aren't for novice espresso makers, although they are fairly clear if you are familiar with the process. We liked the multiple grind settings and found it easy to clean. However, the milk frother doesn't come with a carafe, it is extremely noisy, and it takes two hands to operate function.

De'Longhi Dinamica Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine ($800 at Amazon)

This machine's grinder is quiet and has a rinse cycle setting to clean on its own. That said, there are many steps and buttons, so prior knowledge of espresso making is required. While the initial setup was difficult, once completed, you don't have to tamp down the grind (it automatically does it), so this machine would be best for those who don't care about doing the espresso process.

Terra Kaffe TK-01 Super Automatic Espresso Machine ($825 at Terra Kaffe)

We really liked the sleek, modern design with a large, detailed digital display, which gives you full details on each drink option. We found it easy to use since everything is automatic and hidden within the machine. We found it a tad loud, but the noise doesn't last for very long. It is also very long in size, so a large countertop is required.

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine ($307 at Amazon)

This quick-setup machine has a manual grind setting instead of an automatic grind setting. The pressure gauge works well, and the tamper has its own section, so you don't lose it. However, we found the espresso was not tasty unless milk was added.

Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus ($230 at Williams Sonoma)

This one is easy to use as it brews and grinds automatically. It produced a nice cup of coffee and wasn't too complicated to clean. But we did find the grinder to be very loud.

What Didn't Make the List

Although we liked (and would recommend!) plenty of the models we tested, a few fell short during testing. Among some of the brands we tested were Capresso, BLACK+DECKER, Philips, KRUPS, and more. Some machines proved to be overly complicated to use, had problems with functionality, created a messy workstation, were too difficult to clean, or simply produced less-than-good-tasting coffee, whether coffee that was too weak or strong or bitter and acidic.

Our Expertise

Alissa Fitzgerald is a chef, recipe developer, and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the food industry. For this piece, she used testers' insights and data, market research, and her own expertise to curate this list.