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Coffee makers with built-in grinders eliminate the two-step process of grinding beans and then add them to a separate coffee maker, making them a convenient machine to have for those who prefer freshly ground beans without the hassle. These machines store beans in a hopper and then grind, brew and dispense freshly made coffee into a pot or mug—simply by pushing a button or two.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab takes coffee very seriously and has dedicated hundreds of hours testing more than 100 coffee and espresso makers, including those with built-in grinders. We test performance based on factors such as time, temperature and of course taste of the coffee. We also evaluate the grinder's ability to make consistent-size grinds and overall ease of use.
1
Best Overall
Breville The Grind Control Coffee Maker
Pros
Top-performing grinder
Six grind settings
Easy-to-read digital display
Cons
Expensive
Breville’s coffee maker with grinder was a top performer in our tests. Though on the pricey side, 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.
It has a burr grinder with six grind-size settings to choose from so you can customize your coffee or change settings if you swap beans. Because the hopper can hold a half pound of beans, you don’t need to refill it every time you brew coffee.
We also found the digital display very easy to read; it shows the number of cups to be brewed and the strength setting. As an added bonus, the front-facing digital display indicates how much water is in the tank, so you don’t need to lean over to the side to check your water level like with some other coffee makers. It also produced one of the tastiest cups of coffee: smooth without a hint of bitterness.
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 inches | Warranty: Limited 1-year
RELATED: 5 Best Breville Espresso Machines, According to Testing
2
Best Value
Black+Decker Mill and Brew Coffeemaker
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
For those who don't want to start their morning to the sound of obnoxiously loud coffee grinding, this machine from Black and Decker is for you.
The built-in grinder was one of the quietest we tested and in our taste test found it produced a flavorful cup of coffee with a pleasant aroma. Plus, our pros found it produced a consistent grind, even better than some of the more expensive machines.
Our experts appreciated the unique setup with the grinder integrated into the brew basket, making it easy to clean both at the same time. 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. We 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.
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 inches | Warranty: Limited 2-year
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3
Best Single-Serve
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 2-step process
This Cuisinart coffee maker stands out with its built-in grinder for a single-serve reusable pod. Unlike other machines that use pre-packaged pods, this machine grinds enough for one mug's worth of coffee from whole beans.
The catch is it's a two-step process, so you can't hit a button and walk away. However, it simplifies the process by grinding the precise amount of whole beans directly into a reusable capsule. Then simply load it 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 eight, 10 or 12 ounces.
Our pros found this machine intuitive to use without having to read the instruction manual. The 48-ounce water tank detaches so you can easily refill. Overall, we found the coffee we brewed was entirely satisfying with a medium body.
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 inches | Warranty: Limited 3-year
RELATED: 7 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers for the Best-Tasting Cup
4
Most Versatile
De'Longhi TrueBrew Drip Coffee Maker
Pros
Brews tasty coffee and espresso style drinks
Makes a 3-ounce concentrated coffee similar to espresso
Five size options
Cons
Bulky
Higher price tag
Our experts were impressed with the De'Longhi TrueBrew Drip Coffee Maker, which stands out for its convenience and versatility. This coffee maker offers five 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 unique feature of this machine, it can make a 3-ounce espresso-style concentrated shot of coffee for days when you want an espresso-based drink like a latte. In our lab, we found that the machine brews flavorful coffee quickly, and the “espresso” drink is strong enough that it won’t taste diluted in an americano or cappuccino.
It has a built-in burr grinder and the hopper has a large opening to easily pour in coffee beans. One thing to note is that the machine is not as compact as a few others on this list carries a higher price tag.
Coffee Type: Drip and espresso-like concentrate | Brew Capacity: 3, 8, 12, 16 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 15.75 x 15 inches | Warranty: Limited 3-year
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5
Best for Extra-Hot Coffee
Capresso CoffeeTeam TS
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
If you love piping hot coffee, you'll love this Capresso machine which aced our tests and brewed coffee at the proper temperature. In addition to delivering very hot coffee, it also was one of the tastiest of the bunch. In case you like to sip your coffee throughout the day, the thermal carafe keeps the coffee warm, which can be placed on the table as well.
The machine comes with a conical burr grinder with five settings. We found the settings were easy to change, but not labeled so it's easy to miss. In our tests, our pros found there wasn't a large size difference between the smallest and largest grind setting. The hopper holds six ounces of whole beans which is enough to make approximately 20 cups of coffee.
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 inches | Warranty: Limited 1-year
Pros
Easy to use
Fast brew time
Can also use pre-ground coffee
Cons
Glass carafe doesn't keep the coffee warm
Only has one grind size setting
Our pros gave this machine high marks because it was one of the easiest to use coffee makers with a built-in grinder and had one of the quickest brew times, making it great for those who want a fuss-free fast coffee-making experience.
Even if you haven't read the instruction manual (and are uncaffeinated), navigating the control panel is a breeze. Another nice perk is that you won't have to refill the hopper as often since it holds a half pound of whole beans, though we didn't love that it only has one grind setting. Using pre-ground beans is an option too.
The coffee basket swings forward, so there's no worrying about it hitting low cabinets. The coffee is poured into a glass carafe, but we loved the thermal carafe model that keeps the coffee warm, it's currently unavailable.
Coffee Type: Drip | Brew Capacity: 12-cup | Grinder type: Burr | Hopper capacity: 8 ounces | No. of grind settings: 1 | Carafe type: Glass or thermal | Dimensions: 8.3 x 11.6 x 16.3 inches | Warranty: Limited 3-year
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7
Best for Espresso
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine
Pros
Intelligent dosing ensures the correct amount of grinds
Built-in lever makes consistent tamping easy
Makes excellent espresso
Cons
Expensive
While this machine doesn't make traditional drip coffee, it pulls excellent espresso shots that can be used for Americanos which closely resemble drip coffee. The Intelligent Dosing technology detects the amount of ground beans and indicates whether you need more or less so you get the perfect amount every time. The built-in tamping lever is easy to use and assists in applying the right amount of pressure to the grounds for a consistent espresso shot every time. Our lab analyst was impressed by how easy it is to make an delicious espresso, which is why it earned an award in our 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Awards.
Our pros found it made tasty, rich shots of espresso with a thick layer of crema. The milk frother also performed well producing silky froth and steamed milk. One of our home testers has been using this espresso machine for over a year and it's still making excellent espresso.
Coffee Type: Espresso | Brew Capacity: Single or double espresso | Grinder type: Burr | Hopper capacity: 8.8 ounces | No. of grind settings: 25 | Carafe type: N/A | Dimensions: 12.9 x 14.9 x 16.1 inches | Warranty: Limited 3-year
RELATED: 10 Best Espresso Machines, Tested by Coffee Experts
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 them exactly how we test drip coffee makers: We brew at least two full pots of coffee in each drip machine and record the brew time, the brew temperature and how well the coffee stays warm over a two-hour time span. 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 a number of factors including whether the user guide is straightforward to follow and how painless it is to operate the controls, access the water tank and brew basket, read the markings on the tank and carafe and clean the carafe and more.
After fully testing each coffee maker’s brewing abilities, we then appraise the built-in grinder. We evaluate how easy it is to fill the hopper, record the loudness of the grinding process using a decibel meter, and note how many different grind sizes are available. Finally, we then analyze grind-size accuracy, grind uniformity and grind consistency using a Kruve Sifter to determine the ground coffee particle sizes down to the micrometer.
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What to know when shopping
✔️ Grinder type: Coffee makers with built-in blade grinders are 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 that 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: the finer the grind, the stronger the coffee.
✔️ 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 using a warming plate, which means you don't have to worry about whether you shut the coffee maker off and can bring the carafe directly to the table.
✔️ 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 make coffeehouse-style drinks, like lattes, at the push of a button without 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 like having a stand-alone grinder to make different coffee types beyond drip coffee, such as pour-over or French press, because there are 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 best for those who want to save time and effort by having freshly ground beans and coffee at the push of a button or two. Just note, if the machine or grinder breaks over time, you'll have to replace the entire machine. Plus, switching beans is harder since you'll have to wait until the hopper is completely empty before adding new beans.
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8
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 faster because the increased surface area exposed to air causes the coffee to degrade more quickly.
9
Others We Tested
Cuisinart Grind & Brew Plus
The Cuisinart Grind & Brew Plus offers customization and convenience in one machine, allowing you to make fresh coffee from whole beans, pre-ground coffee or pods. This didn't have the highest score in our taste test, but it's a good choice for those who want to brew full pots of coffee and pods.
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. This machine isn't in stock anymore, but we're looking forward to testing their new model, Spinn 2, which is available for preorder and shipping mid 2025 according to the brand.
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 with the ease of choosing a beverage and doing 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 to feature the De'Longhi TrueBrew Drip Coffee Maker that focuses on making drip-style coffee.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Kim's first job at 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
- Drip coffee machines
- Espresso makers
- Single-serve coffee makers
- Nespresso machines
- French presses
- Milk frothers
Jamie Ueda
Contributing Writer and Analyst
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.