Best Quiet Coffee Grinders 2023: Reviews and Buying Guide
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From coffee-fueled college days to working part-time as a barista during my grad years, coffee has always been something that brought me endless energy and joy.
As a self-proclaimed “coffee expert”, I believe that freshly ground coffee can make a whole lot of difference to your morning cup of joe.
Grinding my favorite coffee beans in the morning to make a nice cup of coffee has always been a favorite part of my morning routine.
However, my roommate is a night owl who likes to sleep in and did not like the sound of a grinder every morning.
I’ve researched, tried, and tested many different coffee grinders. In this guide, I will list down 5 of the best quiet coffee grinders.
I will also discuss the factors that make a good quiet coffee grinder, what features I liked the most, the things I disliked in each of the grinders and finally giving you a verdict on what is the best quiet coffee grinder that I found so far.
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Types of Coffee Grinders
Before we dive into the products, it is good to have a quick look at all the different types of coffee grinders that you can see in the market.
There are two different types, but the second type (electric grinder) has two sub-types worth checking out.
Depending on the coffee grinder you like, you will have to find a grinder that allows you to grind your coffee consistently at the desired setting. Even though any grinder will do the job – not every grinder will do the job the same way or at the same quality level.
Therefore, here are two main types and its sub-types:
1. Manual Grinders (Also known as hand grinders)
2. Electric Grinders
- Burr Grinders
- Blade Grinders
Manual Grinders
Manual Grinders are usually the most silent type of grinders out there.
However, grinding coffee beans manually takes a lot of time when compared to using an electric grinder, and it does not often give the smoothest and the most consistent grind as well – since you will be doing all the work.
On the bright side, manual grinders are one of the cheapest grinders you can get, so if you’re on a very tight budget – that’s a good way to start. Also, people who care about the old-fashioned style of making coffee will still pick manual grinders over an electric grinder.
But another reason why people who like making coffee old fashioned way using manual grinder is that manual grinders are known to produce a wide range of grinding settings.
Manual grinders are a lot smaller than electric grinders so they’re quite versatile and portable. Therefore, they make a great choice for camping and trips since you can still grind your coffee without having to rely on electricity.
Electric Grinders
Electric grinders are exactly what they stand for. Instead of doing the handwork yourself, electric grinders provide a wide range of performance.
What’s important to know is that electric grinders come in two different types – either known as burr grinder or a blade grinder.
Even though both types are powered with the help of electricity, the main difference is in the type of grinder.
Burr Grinders
Burr grinders come in two different types – Direct drive, and Gear Reduced.
The level of noise that each of these grinders makes are different from each other.
Burr Grinders tend to be slightly more expensive than the Blade Grinders, but they tend to give you a smoother grind and make relatively less noise.
The main difference between these two grinders is that burr grinders use a flat plate to grind the coffee beans while Blade Grinders use a flat blade that actually cuts the coffee.
Therefore, you can easily notice the difference between burr and blade grinders in the texture of the coffee. Burr grinders are a bit smoother, providing a consistent and uniform texture.
Blade Grinders
Blade grinders are the second sub-type of electrical grinders and this type of grinders actually uses a blade to cut the coffee – while burr grinders use a plate that crushes the coffee.
This provides a bit more uneven and coarse coffee texture which is slightly better than using a manual grinder, yet it’s not as good as using a burr electrical grinder.
Price-wise, blade grinders are just slightly bit more expensive than manual grinders, but they’re also a lot cheaper than burr grinders due to the grinding quality.
Other Features To Pay Attention To
By now, you understand how grinders are built and how they work – so it’s most likely that you already know which type will fit your needs and budget.
But there are quite a couple of more features to look out for when purchasing a coffee grinder. The reason we are mentioning these features is not only to help you make a better purchase, but also because these features can affect the noise levels of your future grinder.
We are talking about the following features:
- Dosers
- On Demand
- Stepped Grind Adjustment
- Stepless Grind Adjustment
Dosers
Doser is a feature that almost every electric grinder has. It’s often located at the front of the grinder, offering users to choose a specific amount of coffee to deliver every single time.
Therefore, you won’t have to refill your grinder as often – since you will basically store your coffee in the doser. While this might be a good option for someone making plenty of coffee on a daily basis, it might end up as a messy add-on for someone who doesn’t make high volumes of coffee.
It might be an unnecessary feature for someone who doesn’t make their coffee regularly because the coffee in the doser can lose its quality as it just sits there – just like with any other type of coffee storage.
On Demand
On demand grinders are perfect for people who don’t make high volumes of coffee on a daily basis (ideal for home use or even smaller coffee shops) yet would want the speed and consistency from a grinder.
They grind directly into a portafilter basket, they come with a timer setting and even a choice of a single or double dose. Therefore, they’re quite convenient for a coffee lover who rushes to work in the morning and yet likes a personal cup of joe.
Stepped Grind Adjustment
No matter which grinder you’ve purchased, you will always have the ability to adjust the type of grind you would prefer.
With electric grinders, the choice is between stepped or stepless grind adjustment.
Stepped grind adjustment is a bit more common, offering a “collar” that can be moved left or right and be set in a range of positions.
It’s fairly simple to use, however, it could make a bit more additional noise which depends on the type of a grind maker brand.
Stepless Grind Adjustment
Stepless grind adjustment has no set positions, but it can move in both directions (right and left) to provide a different type of grind.
Therefore, stepless grind adjustment offers more precision since you get to change grind settings in very small increments.
On the down side, they’re a bit more expensive and probably won’t be worth everyone’s investment. However, if you want the highest precision when making coffee – every dollar spent on a stepless grinder will be worth it.
What to expect from a good quiet coffee grinder?
Grinders are noisy – there is no doubt. But what’s one thing you should be looking out for if you like your quiet time?
First and foremost, grinders that make as little noise as possible when operating is among the top things that we expect from a quiet coffee grinder. Also, we believe that’s something you’re interested in – especially if you’re reading this post.
Even though we’ve explained types of grinders so you know what to expect when shopping for a grinder – following are some other factors that I consider when selecting a coffee grinder.
After all, the purpose of purchasing a coffee grinder is ultimately getting the finest possible freshly ground coffee. Finding a quality yet quiet grinder can be quite tricky, but here are tips that can help you out:
This might seem like a lot of information, especially if you’re looking to purchase your first grinder. However, I like to keep things simple and make the process easy & simple for our readers.
Therefore, down below, you can find some of the best yet quietest grinders you can purchase – even if you don’t feel confident in choosing your own grinder.
Best Quiet Coffee Grinders 2021
This is a simple and manual coffee grinder which comes in a stainless steel body that is light, sturdy and durable. It has ceramic conical burrs which can give you a range of grinds from french press to a fine powder.
It's small in size and quite portable with a weight of only 8 ounces. It has a capacity of 20 grams / 0.7 ounces that is ideal for individual use.
The product gives a consistent and fine grind which you can adjust and easily control according to your preference.
The price of this manual grinder is slightly higher than a regular blade grinder out there, yet lower and rather affordable price when compared to burr grinders.
It will give you the quietest possible operation. However, you need to put a lot of manual effort for the best results.
The time it takes to grind a 20g of coffee entirely depend on the force you put and the fineness of the grind you go for.
While a rather coarse French press grind could be achieved in a minute, a fine espresso grind may take you a few minutes along with needing some good manual labor as well - which may not be a favorite feature for some!
This is a popular burr grinder from Breville and is the quietest of their collection. The product is made of stainless steel and consists of conical burrs with a design that minimizes the heat produced during operation.
It has 60 different grind settings from the French grind to espresso, scoring high on our best quiet grinders test.
You can use its electronic timer to preciously time your grind in 0.2-second increments that will give you a consistently ground dose every time.
You can easily remove the parts of the product for easier cleaning and storage. The grind goes directly into a portafilter, making sure your morning fresh coffee ground is smooth, mess-free and clean.
The dark bean oil residue that is difficult to clean is a negative point for this product that previous users have experienced.
The positive features of the product on a more practical perspective include the texture and the flavor of the coffee being consistent (which is very important for those who are, like me, thorough on the details!), having no clogging problems due to the downward dispensing design, easy to change grind sizes and the base insert that makes it easier to clean any excess grind that fall to the bottom of the product.
If you like your homemade coffee to be just as fine quality as what you get from Starbucks, Baratza's Virtuoso Coffee Grinder will surely be a good match for you.
It is a commercial grade higher end product that comes with a plenty of features which will make it worth the price you pay.
The product comes with 40mm conical burrs and provides a powerful yet quiet operation.
The high-level particle size uniformity of the device gives you a consistent grind regardless of the size you are going for - from the coarsest to the finest.
Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder manages to keep this smooth and consistent grind with the built-in DC motor that keeps the coffee beans cool even if you grind it for extended periods of time.
Researching the experiences of previous users of the product, some have experienced problems with durability and difficulties in cleaning up since it tends to make a mess after every grind.
The positive features include consistency that does not waver with time, the powerful motor that does a fine and fast job, the dry grinds that make for an aromatic and flavorful coffee along with the attractive design that makes quite a statement on the kitchen counter as well.
This is a lower/mid-range burr grinder that gets the job done. It gives you 16 different grinds from Turkish fine to French Press. The coffee bean container holds up to 8 ounces - with the grounds holder giving you 4 ounces at a time.
It is quite heavy duty, which means you do not have to be too careful when handling it. Easy to use, quiet operation, gives a consistent grind and is very durable.
It comes with a gear reduction motor that reduces the heat when grinding, which preserves the aroma and the flavor of the grind perfectly.
If you are looking for a simple everyday burr grinder that is easy to maintain, this is surely the grinder for you.
The slow speed of the grind, however, may not appeal to the users who want a quick grind in the morning. It can also be slow when adjusting to different grind settings as well.
The grind is perfect with medium roast beans and can have some higher retention with others.
The positive features include being easy to clean and store, consistent grind, reduced heat and the easy to pour container that makes the waste minimal.
Last but not least, this classic manual grinder by Hario surely makes the top five when it comes to quiet coffee makers.
It has an impressive capacity of 120g, easy to use, clean and maintain and gives you the good old fashioned fresh coffee ground enough for your entire family.
According to many previous users, they have experienced that using this product has given their coffee a richer flavor, delicate taste, and a greater aroma.
The product has a rubber coaster attached to the bottom, so it would stand steady when you use it. You get a pleasurably resistant rotating action which would make consistent grind.
As with any manual device, it might wobble until you grasp the way to hold it properly from the top. You need to press down from the lid and hold steady when you rotate the handle for more efficient operation.
Switching between the grind settings takes work in a manual machine, but once you put the initial work, it will give you a smooth and consistent grind regardless of the setting.
For the espresso or Turkish grind, however, you need to put a lot of work and time until you get a fine grind that you would get relatively a lot faster in an electric grinder.
On the Quietest Coffee Grinders
| Product (Click to see more) | Bean Hopper Capacity | Product Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder | 0.7 ounces | 6 x 2.3 x 1.8 inches |
| (Breville - The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder | 18 ounces | 8.5 x 6.2 x 15.2 inches |
| Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Grinder | 8 ounces | 5.9 x 2.6 x 5.3 inches |
| Capresso 560.01 Infinity Conical Burr | 8-1/2 ounces | 14.6 x 9.6 x 7.8 inches |
| Hario Ceramic "Canister" Coffee Mill Manual Grinder | 4.2 ounces | 4.4 x 7.4 x 4.3 inches |
From all the products listed and discussed above, my personal favorite is the Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder.
It is a burr grinder that has a quiet, non-heat operation along with plenty of grind settings that can be switched within seconds. It is the product that checks almost all the qualities that I listed at the beginning which makes a good quiet coffee grinder.
Hope this guide helps you in choosing your next coffee grinder. Enjoy!
