Burr Grinder vs. Blade Grinder

I always had challenges with the quality of the coffee I ground. I thought I was using the wrong types of beans, roast level, and concentration when making coffee. But after making all the changes regarding the issues, my coffee quality was still not good. I then discovered that my coffee grinder was the issue. I began to search for a better coffee grinder, and I finally landed on two coffee grinders. It was hard to decide which one to pick. The two were Burr Grinder and Blade Grinder. I conducted extensive research to find out which to pick, and this post will explain the differences between Burr Grinder and Blade Grinder and assist you in deciding which is the best option for your coffee brewing needs.

Table of Contents

What is the difference between Burr Grinder and vs. Blade Grinder

Feature	Burr Grinder	Blade Grinder
Flat Burrs	Consistent grind size	Inconsistent grind size
Hopper	Can hold more beans	Smaller capacity
Operation motor	Slower and quieter	Faster and noisier
Grind settings	More options and precision	Limited options and less precision
Dosing chamber	Allows for measured doses	No dosing chamber or measurement features
Body	Typically made of higher quality materials	Typically made of lower-quality materials
Capacity	Larger capacity options are available	Limited capacity options
Power	Generally higher wattage for more consistent grinding	Lower wattage for less consistent grinding
Voltage	May require a higher voltage for optimal performance	Requires lower voltage
Weight	Heavier and more stable on the countertop	Lighter and may move around during operation
Dimensions	May take up more counter space	Smaller and more compact
Cost	More expensive	More affordable
Durability	More durable and built to last longer	Less durable and may require more frequent replacement
Warranty	Comes with longer warranty periods	May come with limited or no warranty

Burr Grinder vs. Blade Grinder – How They Compare.

Flat Burrs

Burr grinders use two Burrs to grind the coffee beans. The two Burrs ensure that the resulting coffee has a uniform texture or particle size. A consistent particle size contributes to the quality and overall flavor of the coffee. On the other side, Blade grinders use a single rotating Burr. The Burr produces uneven-sized coffee particles. It produces both large and small pieces.

The winner, in this case, is the Burr grinders because they have two Burrs that produce even particles. Even coffee particles positively impact the quality and flavor of the coffee.

Hopper

The hopper of a Burr grinder is bigger than that of a Blade grinder and hence can hold more coffee beans. Its hopper is also detachable, and hence it is easier to clean compared to that of the Blade grinder.

The winner in this category is the Burr grinder because its hopper can hold more coffee beans and because it is easier to clean since it is detachable.

Operation motor

The Burr motors are more powerful because they are designed to rotate two Burrs to grind the coffee beans into a consistent coffee. The motors are also long-lasting. On the other hand, Blade grinders have motors that are less powerful because they only rotate a single Blade. The motors are also less durable.

The winner is the Burr motors because they are more powerful and durable. As a result, they grind more consistent particles.

Grind settings

Burr grinders offer a wide range of grind settings which makes them more customizable. Due to more grind settings, one can adjust the coarseness or fineness of the coffee outcome. On the other hand, Blade grinders have fewer grind settings and provide fewer options to adjust the resulting particle sizes.

The Burr grinder wins because it has more grind settings, allowing the user to have more options to control the particle sizes.

Dosing chamber

The Burr grinder has a dosing chamber that can be adjusted to dispense specific amounts of ground coffee and thus allows for more precise and consistent dosing. On the other hand, Blade grinders lack a dosing chamber and only rely on the user to annually measure the desired amount of coffee.

The winner is the Burr grinder because it has a dosing chamber that allows more precise and consistent dosing as opposed to a Blade grinder which does not have a dosing chamber.

Body

The body of a Burr grinder is usually made of metal, making it strong and more durable. On the other side, the body of the Blade grinder is made of plastic, which is weak and less durable compared to metal.

The winner is the Burr grinder because its metal body is long-lasting and strong, unlike Blade Grinders that are made of plastic which is prone to breakage.

Capacity

The Burr grinder has several large capacity options, the capacity of the grinder is about 8 to 16 ounces. On the other hand, Blade grinders have smaller capacity options, and the sizes are smaller. Their sizes range from 4 to 12 ounces.

The Burr grinder is the winner in this category because they have more options for larger capacity.

Power

Burr grinders have a powerful motor that requires more power to rotate and produce consistent grinding. It, therefore, uses more power to grind coffee. Blade motor is less powerful and does not require a lot of power to run.

The Blade grinder is the winner because it uses less power, making the process of coffee grinding less costly.

Voltage

The Burr grinder uses a more powerful motor that uses more power and hence is high voltage. The grinding process needs high power to run the motor. On the other side, the Blade motor requires less voltage because its motor demands less power.

The winner in this category is the Blade grinder because it has less voltage and hence has low operation costs.

Weight

Burr grinders are heavier than Blade grinders due to their more complex design, larger size, and the materials that make them. Their body is made of metal which contributes to their weight. The Blade grinders have a lower weight mainly because of one Blade and the plastic material that makes up most of their body.

The Blade grinder wins because of its low weight, which makes them more portable. You can carry them as you go camping.

Dimensions

Burr grinders tend to be larger than Blade grinders due to their more complex internal mechanisms, which consist of two rotating Burrs. Although dimensions vary with model and brand, most have dimensions around 6-8 inches in height, 4-6 inches in width, and 8-10 inches in depth. However, larger commercial-grade burr grinders can have dimensions up to 18 inches in height and 14 inches in width. Blade grinders, on the other hand, are smaller and simpler in design because they use a spinning Blade. The dimensions of an average blade grinder are around 7-9 inches in height, 4-5 inches in width, and 4-5 inches in depth.

The Blade grinder is better when it comes to dimensions because it is smaller. A smaller grinder is advantageous in that it is more portable.

Cost

Burr grinders can range from $50 to upwards of $500 for high-end models, while Blade grinders can range from as low as $10 to as high as $100. Therefore, Burr grinders are more expensive compared to Blade grinders.

Based on cost, Blade grinders are the winners because they are much more affordable.

Durability

The durability of the two grinders depends on the quality of the motor and the material that makes them. The Burr grinder is more durable, and the body is mainly made of metal, making it long-lasting. On the other hand, the Blade motor is weaker, and the body is made of plastic, making it less durable.

The Burr grinder wins because it is durable, saving you the cost of regular replacement or repairs.

Warranty

Burr grinders have a longer warranty than Blade grinders. Burr grinders come with a warranty period of 1 to 2 years. Blade grinders have a warranty period of 6 to 12 months. This is because Burr grinders have fewer moving parts and are generally more durable than Blade grinders, which are prone to wear and tear due to the high speed of their Blades.

The Burr grinders win because they have more warranty periods. You get your grinder replaced or repaired within a longer period.

Burr Grinder Vs. Blade Grinder: A comparison overview

Burr grinders overview

Burr grinders ensure you get the best quality of coffee because they produce consistent particle sizes. Such is crucial when determining the quality of coffee and contributes to better flavor. They are durable because they are mainly made of metal. There are many manufacturers of burr grinders, and popular brands include Baratza, Breville, Capresso, Cuisinart, and KitchenAid, among others. The most common colors include black, silver, stainless steel, and red. They are a popular brand among coffee lovers who love consistently ground coffee.

What we liked

They produce fine coffee with consistent particle sizes.
They are durable
They have a larger capacity
They have a dosing chamber

What we did not like

They are expensive
They need high power to run

Customer Review(What are people saying)

Love my burr grinder! Consistent grind amazing coffee. -Philip
A well-made, durable burr grinder. Precise control. -Sarah
Invested in a burr grinder, and it was worth it. Improved coffee flavor. -Mark
Easy to use burr grinder. Intuitive settings, adaptable grind. -Henry
Noisy but worth it. Quality grind, flavorful coffee. -Jasmine

Blade Grinders Overview

Burr Grinder vs. Blade Grinder — Blade Grinders. Image source: Amazon

Blade grinders are simple and easy to use. They are mostly made of plastic, making them right and portable. There are many manufacturers of blade grinders, and some popular brands include KRUPS, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and Black+Decker. They come in neutral colors like black, white, or stainless steel. They are popular among coffee drinkers who are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use option for use at home.

What we liked

They are affordable
They have a low power usage
They are right portable

What we did not like

They produce uneven-sized coffee particles
They are less durable

Customer Review(What are people saying)

Great little grinder! Easy to use and clean. – Hannah
Very affordable and efficient grinder. Not the best quality, but it does the job. – Chris
Honestly, I was disappointed with this grinder. The grind was extremely inconsistent. – Maria
It’s compact, easy to store, and grinds coffee beans well. – Josh
It’s not the most powerful grinder, but it’s a good budget option. – Jessica

Final verdict: So, which is better Burr Grinder or Blade Grinder

Although the Blade grinder is affordable, portable, and has low power usage, Burr grinders are better because they are durable, produce finer coffee, have a larger capacity, have a dosing chamber, and have better warranty terms.

FAQs

Which grinder produces more noise while grinding between Burr Grinder and Blade Grinder?

Blade grinders produce more noise than Burr grinders. This is because they use a fast-spinning Blade to chop the coffee beans into small pieces, which generates a lot of noise due to the high-speed rotation of the Blade.

Is Burr Grinder better for espresso than Blade Grinder?

Yes, a Burr grinder is generally considered better for making espresso than a Blade grinder because it produces finer coffee.

Which grinder is easier to clean between Burr Grinder and Blade Grinder?

Burr grinders are easier to clean than Blade grinders, have a simpler design with fewer moving parts, and have a detachable hopper.

Is Burr Grinder more affordable than Blade Grinder?

No, Blade grinders are more affordable than Burr grinders. The price for Blade grinders ranges from $10 to $100, while that of Burr grinders ranges from $50 to $500.