How We Research
Every guide on MerryKettle starts with one question: will this product work for the person who is shopping for it? For our burr coffee grinder guides, that means how you brew, how much counter space you have and how much cleaning you're up for.
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with how you brew
Drip, pour over, French press and espresso each need a different grind range. A grinder that stops at medium may not reach a fine espresso grind.
We check the grind range and the number of settings the maker lists, and which brew methods each model is made for. When your brew method limits the choice, we say what to look for.
2. We compare specs and features
We look at burr type (conical or flat), burr size, number of grind settings, hopper and grounds bin size, timers or dose controls, and how easy the parts are to reach for cleaning.
Baratza, OXO, Fellow and Breville describe their burrs, motors and settings in their own words, so we name the brand for every claim. We also note the warranty terms the maker lists.
3. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a grinder. We look for patterns, like clogs, static, loud motors, settings that drift or parts that are hard to clean.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
4. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A product that's great for one brew method may score lower in a guide written for another.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
5. We keep pages up to date
Products change, and some disappear from stores. Many grinders come in several colors or bundles with similar names, so we check each model name and code, and we only link new units.
When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have used every grinder we cover.
Grinders run on mains power and have sharp burrs. Unplug a grinder before you clean it, never put the motor base in water, and follow the maker's manual for care and repairs.
We make no health claims about coffee, and when a maker makes a claim, we label it as the maker's claim.