Normally, low-budget products come with more problems than benefits. But it is not the case for the best coffee grinder under 50. Why is that? And is it really true?
Yes, it is, and I have found 5 of them that are worth recommending. If you were looking for portable, affordable, durable, and easily cleanable products, you would have to go through my reviews thoroughly.
Among the products, you will find both manual and electric models that you can rely on. After setting the requirements, have a quick look at the product’s table, and go for my researched descriptions below.
Best Coffee Grinder Under 50: My Honest Review
While reading the reviews, you may need to decide between manual and electric grinder. Unless you have already made a decision, you can take the help of my buying guide. Now, let’s get started.
1. Best Manual : JavaPresse Manual
Things We Like:
- Conical burr mill for even ground
- Hand crank mechanism that produces very little noise
- Easily adjustable settings for different coarseness
- Long handle for mechanical advantages
JavaPresse is not only the most popular but also the best coffee grinder under 50 bucks for its unsurpassed quality and features. With over 18 clicks of grind levels, you can precisely control the coarseness of the ground.
Lots of people choose ceramic burr grinders over stainless-steel blades because of some benefits. In a detailed comparison of both types, you would know that only ceramic ones can ensure uniformity. Also, there are adjustable settings for a variety of sizes that are not present in the automatic ones below.
Now, let’s get back to the features and specs of the product. It has 18-click settings; 13-18 means medium-coarse and 1-3 means extra-fine coarse. Do some experiments after you get your hands on the device, and you would soon know the right settings for a perfect cup of coffee.
After getting done with the grinding, you can simply wash it. It is recommended for preventing the mixing of residue and fresh grounds which can affect the flavor of the brew.
With the help of this tool, you won’t have to sacrifice the aroma and essential oils of coffee beans. This manual grinder allows you to use the fresh ground within a minute.
Specifications
- Grind Settings: 18
- Capacity: Approximately 40g
- Grinder Material: Ceramic Burr
- Speed: Manual
- Wattage: Not Applicable
Pros
- Highly portable
- Easy to change the grind size
- Solid metal construction
- Sleek and stylish design
- Affordable and easy to use
Cons
- Takes longer for a finer grind
Summary: JavaPresse is simply the best coffee grinder under $50 for its compact size, durability, hassle-free operability, and the capability of making precise grinds. Order now if you can’t go anywhere without having freshly ground coffee.
2. Best Electric: KRUPS GX336D50
Things We Like:
- Versatile usability that includes spice and dry herbs grinding
- Easily controllable 2-speed settings
- Provides enough ground for 12 cups of coffee within 15 seconds
- Innovative technology keeps the noise at a minimum level
In case you don’t like a manual grinder, you can consider a good-quality electric one. And KRUPS GX336D50 is the best budget coffee grinder with the features that would certainly impress you.
The only reason I have put this in the second position is the steel blade design which is common among the electric models. Despite the claims of the manufacturers, it is not possible to get evenly ground coffee from these devices.
However, there are countless other benefits of this one from Krups. With the help of its Vortex spin technology, you can effectively crush not only coffee beans but also spice and dry herbs. What so special about that patent-pending technology is that it pulls the ingredients into the blades leaving no large chunks.
The dual-speed motor can ensure only one size or coarseness but you can control it by varying the time. Running the grinder for longer, it is possible to get finer ground which is necessary for espresso shots.
Due to a convenient design, you can easily remove the bowl and store the fresh grounds closing its lid. Again, it is safe to clean in the dishwashers saving some maintenance time.
Specifications
- Grind Settings: 1
- Capacity: Approximately 90g
- Grinder Material: Steel Blade
- Speed: 2
- Wattage: 200 Watts
Pros
- Easy to use
- Precise grinding every time
- Fast and Quiet
- Versatile usability
Cons
- Grounds get stuck behind the blades
Summary: Those who want freshly ground coffee with an automatic grinding mechanism should give KRUPS GX336D50 a try. Also, its capability of grinding different materials can be useful to cooking.
3. Most Affordable Manual: Zolay Manual
Things We Like:
- Over 18 clicks grind settings
- Glass jar with silicone lids
- Removable parts and easy cleaning
- Less noise due to the hand crank mechanism
As this manual coffee grinder from Zolay offers more than 18 options of coarseness, you would easily be able to make different types of drinks. Whether you are using a pour-over, drip, Chemex, cold brew, French press, percolator, aero-press, Turkish, or espresso, this one can handle anything.
Despite having an extra jar in the package and easy cleaning characteristics, I could not select it as the best coffee grinder under 50. The reasons are its questionable strength, durability, and not-so-sleek design. You can’t use it as a portable model like my top pick.
However, there are plenty of other reasons to like it. The first one is the ability to disassemble the whole grinder quickly, then clean it, and assemble without much hassle.
Its convenient design with a long handlebar makes grinding manually not so tiring. Comparing to the steel-constructed body of JavaPresse, its glass jars are more susceptible to damage. Spending under 20 bucks, it is amazing to get all those features and benefits.
Specifications
- Grind Settings: 18
- Capacity: Approximately 35g
- Grinder Material: Ceramic Burr
- Speed: Manual
- Wattage: Not Applicable
Pros
- Long handle for efficient grinding
- Extra glass jar
- Easy to assemble and operate
- Different coarse settings
- Creates very little noise
Cons
- Not consistent grinds
- Takes longer to grind
Summary: Those who don’t need to carry their cheap coffee grinder everywhere can get this one. I like it for the fact that you can grind more coffee beans than you need for the time being and store them in the extra jar.
4. Most Affordable Electric: Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind
Things We Like:
- Smooth plastic finish with stain resistance
- A removable grinding chamber that allows dishwashing
- Holds 9 tablespoons of beans at once
- Hidden cord storage make it look stylish
Usually, electric models are slightly more expensive than manual ones. But you will be amazed while checking out this model from Hamilton Beach on Amazon. Spending under $20, you can get a fully-functional coffee grinder that can provide you enough ground for 12 cups in a short time.
So, no more waiting like the manual models. The stainless-steel blades are very durable and strong to grind the toughest beans. Moreover, it is capable of grinding other items such as dry herbs, spices, and more.
Regarding the capacity, it can hold up to 4.5 ounces of ground which is enough for such grinders. However, the 9 tablespoons of bean capacity may seem insufficient to a lot of coffee lovers.
The review would be biased if I only talk about the good sides of this product. Regarding the downsides, there are quite a few of this model. The plastic body and overall construction feel a bit flimsy.
Also, the hidden cord on the base doesn’t have enough length. Finally, a less powerful 125W motor has managed to earn it fourth place on the list of the best coffee grinder under 50.
Specifications
- Grind Settings: 1
- Capacity: Approximately 120g
- Grinder Material: Steel Blade
- Speed: 2
- Wattage: 125 Watts
Pros
- Large capacity
- Lucrative price
- Fast and low level of noise
- hidden cord storage
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- Can’t grind evenly
- Short cord length
Summary: I can’t resist the nice and stylish outer look of Hamilton Beach Electric Coffee Grinder. Due to the easy one-touch operation, easy cleaning features, and affordable you can get this one.
5. Most Powerful: HadinEEon Electric
Things We Like:
- 300W powerful motor driving 4 stainless steel blades
- 2 automatic and 1 manual speed control
- Rubber suction feet for more stability
- Stainless steel bowl with 100g capacity
Get ready for the most powerful model on the list that also has a large capacity and a powerful motor like the runner-up. The specialty of this one is the 300W motor, 2 different speed settings with a manual control option, easy cleaning, and a stable foot design.
Regarding speed, 1 and 2 indicate low and high-speed settings. The one marked ‘P’ on the left of the 0-position allows you to precisely control the coarseness. Its 4 stainless steel blades can reach up to 23000 RPM speed ensuring the finest grind.
Another thing I love about this electric burr grinder under 50 is the cleaning brush that comes with the package. As a result, you will be able to clean the stuck ground behind the blades easily. Overall, the cleaning can take longer than usual but it is good for your own interest.
With great power comes great responsibility. That is why the manufacturer has ensured a proper heat distribution channel and overheat protection in the circuits. If it was not for the steel blades, I could have chosen it as the best coffee grinder under 50.
Specifications
- Grind Settings: 1
- Capacity: Approximately 100g
- Grinder Material: Steel Blade
- Speed: 2
- Wattage: 300 Watts
Pros
- Stable design with rubber feet
- Powerful motor with proper ventilation
- Large capacity
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Cleaning up takes more time
Summary: Coffee lovers who are looking for electric models with versatile settings and capabilities must get this one. Within a reasonable price, no other brand can beat this one under the $50 category.
Other Considerations
Despite having some praise-worthy features, the following products couldn’t meet my standards. That is why I had to list them as other considerations. Read the reviews and you would know why I can’t recommend them with full confidence.
6. KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder
Despite having enough capacity to grind coffee for 12 cups, strong housing, and one-touch control settings, I couldn’t place it on the top 5 list. The reasons include a loose fit of the lid, low-quality finish, tiny power cord, and lots of powdery stuff getting stuck behind the blades.
In case you don’t mind those issues, you can order one as there are plenty of useful features of it. KitchenAid is a popular manufacturer of different consumer electronics. This coffee grinder in their product line is designed to ensure simplicity.
Operating the grinder is a no-brainer as one needs to push down the cover to start the motor and release it to stop it. On the other hand, the removable steel bowl has measurement marks so that you would know the right amount of grind for 4, 8, 10, or 12 cups of coffee. Furthermore, the package includes accessory kits for grinding spice.
7. Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Coffee Grinder
For the price, I thought that this must be a wonderful manual grinder for coffee beans. But I was wrong seeing lots of customers complaining about how hard it is to use regularly. Despite all of its good features and construction quality, I couldn’t place it on top for that con.
The grinder needs a lot of force to turn because of the poor burr design. Yet, you can use it to prepare a fresh cup of tea, coffee, or other drinks. Due to the use of ceramic, it doesn’t react with the seeds or alters the taste of the ground.
With the help of its non-slip base, you can confidently grind the beans ranging from fine to coarse. On the bottom of the grinder, there is a glass jar that can hold up to 100 grams of fresh ground and you can wash it in the dishwashers. So, Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Coffee Grinder can be a considerable addition to your kitchen.
What to Consider While Buying the Best Coffee Grinder Under 50?
Before start researching and choosing the best coffee grinder for French press under 50, I had to keep my expectations low. Well, don’t misunderstand me because the grinders can grind the coffee beans for espresso, drip over, or other coffee machines too. Let’s see which factors to keep in mind while making the final decision.
Electric or Manual
The main difference between a burr and blade grinder is the uniformity of the ground. Ceramic burr can produce fine and evenly ground coffee for the perfect taste. On the other hand, stainless-steel blades are like propellers that can’t guarantee uniformity.
By the way, are you confused about which one is electric and which one is manual?
Electric grinders have motors with stainless steel blades. Some have a 2-blade design and some have 4 blades. These are low-cost models with a faster grinding process. However, the blades don’t stay sharp as long as the ceramic burrs.
You can now guess the other one. Manual or mechanical grinders have ceramic burrs. This is the most reliable type which is preferred by coffee lovers who can’t compromise the taste. But the disadvantages are the higher cost and slow grinding process.
Both have merits and demerits. That is why the decision depends on your requirements completely.
Capacity
The difference in the capacity of the products varies a lot even though they all cost under 50 bucks. The 2 manual models on the list have approximately 40 grams of capacity where the electric ones can store over 100 grams of freshly ground coffee.
Once you have chosen to go with the manual one, you wouldn’t be able to get a larger capacity model. However, buying the manual grinder from Kyocera, which has a 100g capacity. I have reviewed it as the least favorite model due to some lacking.
Operability
Operating a manual grinder is no big deal. Put the beans in the bowl, close the lid, and use your muscle power to turn the handle. Those who can’t ensure enough force should avoid this type.
On the other hand, the other type uses a motor to turn the blades. It only requires pressing a button. The process is faster than mechanical ones and these devices can grind different ingredients besides coffee beans.
Durability
Considering blade durability, both types last almost the same. But the durability of the motors can’t be guaranteed. Such low-budget models don’t come with high-end motors for obvious reasons. So, keep that in mind while making a final decision.
Cleaning
Finally, cleaning is important because having residues can get mixed with the fresh ground and alter the taste. Mechanical grinders have a modular design so that you can clean them easily. In recent years, the design of the electric ones has also been improved making them dishwasher safe. So, you don’t need to worry about any of the grinder’s cleaning or maintenance.
FAQs
Conclusion
Which one do you think is the best coffee grinder under 50? If you ask me, I will recommend the most popular and reliable JavaPresse model. Because it has a compact design, satisfactory grinding capability, and lightweight construction. Whether you are at home or going out for a vacation, the grinder is easier to carry around and clean without much hassle.
In case of not liking a manual model, I can suggest you an electric model that is both powerful, portable, and stylish with versatile usability. Check out HadinEEon and read the customer reviews. I’m sure that it has almost everything that you would need. Happy brewing!