Coffee Grinders: 775 Models, Price by Burr Type
Grinders decide shot quality more than the machine does. Of 775 models, 678 were checked
against the product’s own specification section; burr type is only claimed for those.
Flat vs conical, with distributions
| Burr type | Models | Median | P25 | P75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| conical | 138 | $395 | $179 | $1,595 |
| flat | 321 | $835 | $449 | $1,499 |
Flat-burr models sit roughly twice as high as conical in the median. The ranges overlap — there are cheap flat
grinders and expensive conical ones — but the centre of each group is clearly separated.
Burr diameter and price
| Burr diameter | Models | Median price |
|---|---|---|
| 38 mm | 20 | $424 |
| 40 mm | 9 | $352 |
| 48 mm | 9 | $250 |
| 50 mm | 28 | $339 |
| 54 mm | 30 | $513 |
| 55 mm | 36 | $574 |
| 58 mm | 25 | $659 |
| 60 mm | 7 | $799 |
| 63 mm | 6 | $2,074 |
| 64 mm | 43 | $899 |
| 65 mm | 66 | $899 |
| 71 mm | 17 | $2,750 |
| 75 mm | 34 | $1,660 |
| 80 mm | 14 | $1,749 |
| 83 mm | 31 | $1,650 |
| 98 mm | 10 | $4,400 |
Diameter is the better predictor than burr geometry: larger burrs cost more and are sold to buyers chasing
consistency at volume. A 64 mm flat and a 64 mm conical are closer in price than a 64 mm and a 38 mm of the same shape.
Brand positioning (5+ models)
| Brand | Models | Median price |
|---|---|---|
| La Marzocco | 5 | $12,995 |
| Carimali | 7 | $5,999 |
| Rocket | 6 | $4,849 |
| Mahlkonig | 40 | $2,694 |
| Victoria Arduino | 12 | $1,999 |
| Mahlkönig | 11 | $1,750 |
| Anfim | 11 | $1,650 |
| Australia – Di Pacci | 12 | $1,637 |
| Mazzer | 55 | $1,545 |
| DIP | 18 | $1,375 |
Single dosing is now a real segment
Of 678 spec-verified grinders, 402 are described as single-dose and
11 as on-demand. Single dosing is not a spec you can measure from a listing — it describes a
workflow — but the label is now common enough to segment on.
What the price actually buys
- Burr size and material. Bigger steel burrs cost more and hold alignment better.
- Adjustment. Stepless adjustment matters more than the number of settings.
- Retention. How much coffee stays inside between doses; single-dose designs minimise it.
- Parts support. Replacement burrs should be stocked where you live.
What the listing usually hides
Three things decide whether a grinder is worth its price and rarely appear in the spec table: alignment from the
factory, the retention figure, and whether replacement burrs are stocked locally. A 64 mm grinder with poor alignment
performs below a well-built 48 mm one, which is why diameter alone is a weak buying signal once you are past the entry
tier.
FAQ
Is flat always better than conical?
No. Flat burrs are associated with light-roast espresso and clarity; conical with body and single dosing. The price
gap reflects positioning, not a measured quality difference.
How much should I spend on a grinder relative to the machine?
A common ratio in enthusiast circles is 1:1 to 1:2 (grinder to machine). The data cannot validate that rule, but it
does show that grinder prices span $50 to several thousand — the range is as wide as the machine market.
Why are only 678 of 775 grinders in the spec table?
Because burr type is claimed only where the specification section states it. Free-text extraction was excluded after
it proved unreliable for machines.