Due to its great taste and fancy appearance, the French press is one of the most popular ways to brew a fresh cup of java.
In order to achieve the perfect cup, you will want to use coarsely ground coffee beans made with the best coffee grinder for French press.
To make it easier for you to find the grinder best suited to your goals and needs, we did some research and compiled this list of the 5 best coffee grinders for French press coffee.
What Is French Press?
Coffee is clearly a favorite beverage throughout many cultures and communities across the globe. With its widespread popularity, coffee can be consumed in a multitude of ways.
From black coffee to espresso and hot coffee to cold, the ways to enjoy a cup of joe seem endless.
Before we dive into the best grinders for a French press, let’s define what a French press even is.
French press is essentially a manual method of making coffee. Check out this Youtube video if you’ve never seen a French press in action before.
Instead of using a coffee filter to absorb the remains from the coffee beans like you do for a typical drip coffee maker, the French press steeps the coffee, leaving the result more flavorful and fully saturated.
How to Make Coffee Using a French Press
- Freshly grind your coffee using a coffee grinder. Typically, you want to aim for a coarse, sea salt-like textured coffee bean.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, and then pour it into the French press.
- Wait about 5 minutes for the French press to steep the coffee.
- Once the coffee is steeped, press down on the plunger.
- Enjoy your freshly brewed cup!
Now that we know what a French press is, we can see that having a grinder is necessary for the perfect result. Read on to find the best coffee grinder for French press!
Our Top 5 French Press Coffee Grinder Picks
When it comes to choosing the best coffee grinder for French press, we’ve taken into account that different people have different preferences, expectations, and goals when it comes to the grinder’s look, feel, settings, and capabilities.
With that in mind, here are the 5 best overall options if you’re in the market for a great coffee grinder!
1. Sboly Electric Coffee Grinder
If you will be using a French press coffee maker on a daily basis, we highly recommend purchasing an electric grinder to save you the hassle of manually grinding your coffee every morning.
That is why we are starting off the list with Sboly’s Electric Coffee Grinder.
With 18 different grind settings (that are clearly marked), this machine is sure to provide you with a consistent grind every time. Additionally, you can grind anywhere for 2 to 12 cups at a time!
Measuring only 11 x 8 x 6 inches, this machine is powerful yet compact to accommodate kitchens with limited counter space.
Additionally, this machine is equipped with a stainless steel burr that retains the lovely aroma and flavor of the coffee, making for a better cup of java.
The burr, upper chamber, and bottom container are all removable, making this machine very easy to clean. It also comes with a cleaning brush that is perfect for getting the residue from grinding coffee beans off the burr grinder.
A helpful tip from Sboly and previous users is to ensure that the lid to the upper chamber is locked, or else the machine will not run as well. They also recommend letting the machine cool for about 3 minutes in between batches to prevent overheating.
Some users have complained about the machine being messy due to a design flaw with the container that blocks it from catching all of the powder and debris.
When it comes to the evenness of the machine’s grind sizes, there is contradicting information from past buyers in many reviews. Some say that for its affordable price, it grinds surprisingly well, while other users criticize it for its inconsistent grind.
However, it’s important to note that if your machine starts providing uneven grinds, you may simply need to clean it.
Finally, this machine has been highly rated for how quiet it is. This allows you to make fresh coffee in the morning without waking up the whole house!
Pros
- 11 x 8 x 6 inches
- Quiet machine
- 18 grinding settings
- Stainless steel burr grinder
- Grinds up to 12 cups at a time
Cons
- Sometimes provides an inconsistent grind
- Easily overheats if making more than one batch in a row
2. Paracity Manual Coffee Mill
- PARACITY manual coffee grinder comes with two clear glass jars, convenient to keep powders or beans during outdoors. Silicone lid is soft to touch and convenient to add beans. Nonslip silicone base keeps the coffee mill in place during grinding.
- The coffee grinder has a ceramic burr which ensures a precise, uniform grinding, avoid over heating of the coffee beans, maintain the flavor of coffee to a great extent, making this hand coffee mill the best choice of coffee lovers.
- PARACITY manual coffee grinder with adjustable control help you get fine or coarse coffee powder,ensures you have precision and control the coarseness of coffee beans when making French Press, Drip Coffee, Espresso,Turkish Brew etc.
- Lengthen stainless steel handle save your effort when grinding beans. With no battery, no electric needed, the hand coffee grinder helps you enjoy quiet mornings without any noise.The grinder is removable and assembles easily, which means all parts are washable. Please clean the grinder thoroughly after each use to make the coffee of fresh and flavor.
- Package include: 1* Manual Coffee Grinder, 1*Glass Jar . PARACITY wants to give our customers happy purchase experience. If you have any issues using our products, please contact us, we will try our best to serve you.
Including 2 glass containers to store your ground coffee, the manual grinder from Paracity is great for those who prefer to do the grinding themselves.
The free glass jars include silicone lids that are easy to put on and take off when adding or removing beans. The mill itself also has silicone around its base to prevent the coffee mill from moving while grinding.
Designed with a ceramic burr, this grinder provides precise, even grinding while maintaining the natural flavors of the coffee beans.
Made of hard plastic, this manual coffee grinder is only 7.55 x 7.55 x 3.77 inches and very easy to clean. Paracity recommends cleaning the grinder after each use to ensure fresh flavor in your coffee.
Created with multiple settings, you can adjust the grinder to provide the grind size you desire, including a coarse grind like you will want for your French press. This manual grinder is more suitable for those who only make a cup or two at a time.
Due to its manual process, grinding a large batch of beans will be time-consuming. Luckily, the handle length is also adjustable, making for a comfortable, ergonomic grip while grinding.
Pros
- 7.55 x 7.55 x 3.77 inches
- Includes two glass containers for storage
- Adjustable grind settings and handle length
- Silicone base and lids
- Ceramic burr grinder
Cons
Users actually had nothing bad to say about this product! Instead, watch the Paracity Manual Coffee Grinder in action in this short video so you can make up your own mind about it.
3. Busy Bee Manual Coffee Grinder
- SLEEK, LIGHTWEIGHT, AND PORTABLE – Our both easy to use and clean manual coffee grinders, are small and compact; perfect for brewing fresh coffee while on road trips or while, hiking, camping, and for daily use at home to grind sustainably. Its smooth and sleek elegant design make it the perfect gift for Coffee Lovers.
- SELF ADJUSTABLE GRIND SELECTOR – Built-in adjustable grind selector settings allows for 100% precision control over the coarseness of your coffee bean grind for pour over, drip, cold brew, French press, percolator, espresso, every time; while helping preserve and maintain coffee freshness to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
- DURABLE LONG LASTING RELIABILITY – Built with 100% top-quality food grade stainless steel, our manual grinder is built to last, and is even the only coffee grinder to be drop tested for quality control. The hands crank comes finished with stainless steel, and includes a premium conical burr grinder for grinding the perfect coffee roast.
- NOISE REDUCING AND ECO-FRIENDLY – Contains a convenient removable hand crank mechanism which promotes a quiet atmosphere by consistently eliminating over 90% of the noise that other electric grinders produce. You will no longer have to worry about waking your loved ones as no batteries, power source, or long plastic cords are needed to operate.
- INCLUDES A LIFETIME WARRANTY AND FREE BAGSEALER-SCOOPER – Each box comes with a very useful tool! A dual coffee scooper and bag sealer to preserve your unground coffee and assist with filling the grinder and preventing spills. In addition, at Busy Bee we believe in our products quality so much, that we offer LIFETIME WARRANTIES to ensure you always have a reliable and functioning product. Simply email our support with proof of purchase to redeem.
Also boasting 18 different grind settings, Busy Bee’s Manual Coffee Grinder is perfect for those who are always on the go or big into camping.
This is because of its small size, which is only 1.8 x 1.8 x 7.5 inches. As a bonus, this grinder includes a free dual coffee scoop and bag sealer.
After scooping the right amount of coffee, simply use the bag sealer function to preserve the flavor and aroma of any unground coffee beans.
Another bonus of this product is the lifetime warranty that comes with it.
Customers rave about the sleek design of this manual coffee grinder. The outside body is made of 100% food-grade stainless steel and is equipped with a conical burr that is made of ceramic.
The ceramic burr tends to provide the best grind regardless of the grind setting being used.
Just like the manual grinder from Paracity, this grinder from Busy Bee is better for individuals who like to make one cup at a time. If you need to make large batches, it will take a while to grind the entire batch using the manual grinder.
Pros
- 1.8 x 1.8 x 7.5 inches
- Includes a free dual coffee scoop and bag sealer
- Made of 100% food-grade stainless steel
- Conical, ceramic burr grinder
Cons
People using this highly-rated manual coffee grinder don’t have many negative things to say about it. Instead, if you’re looking for ways to improve your morning coffee, check out this video with 10 tips to make better coffee using a French press.
4. Vevok Manual Coffee Grinder
Next up, we have another manual coffee grinder from Vevok.
This grinder has 6 adjustable grind settings including fine, medium, and coarse so that you can select the grind that works best for you.
For French press, Vevok recommends using 4-5 grade for the perfect grind.
The grinder itself is made of 420-grade stainless steel, making it more effective than a ceramic burr. The stainless steel burr can grind up to 20 grams of coffee beans in about 45 seconds, which equals about one cup of coffee.
Coming in a sleek case and weighing less than 1 pound, this grinder is conveniently portable for traveling, camping, and hiking. It measures only 7.5 inches and is available in 2 colors (black and silver).
For added comfort while grinding, the crank handle is made of beechwood. The handle is also removable, another perk for travel. However, users complained that because the rest of the grinder does not come apart, it can be hard to clean, even with a cleaning brush.
On the contrary, users applauded Vevok for its excellent customer service and 2-year warranty, as well as its quiet volume level.
Some people noted a design flaw that allows the grinder to change grind settings while it is in use, so just keep an eye on it.
It’s also important to note that the manufacturer discourages leaving the grinder wet for long, as this can cause mold and bacteria to grow.
Pros
- Only 7.5 inches
- Sleek carrying case
- Available in 2 colors
- 420-grade stainless steel burr grinder
Cons
- Hard to clean without a brush cleaner
- The loose adjuster allows grind settings to change while it is in use
- May break easily if dropped
5. Normcore Hand Coffee Grinder
- A NEW COFFEE EXPERIENCE: The NORMCORE burr grinder helps you to redesign the entire coffee-making process. Slowly grind coffee beans while the water is boiling, so you can enjoy a relaxing habit designed to show you that life can be lived differently. Using a manual coffee grinder each morning ensures a rich and smooth coffee taste that you won’t be able to let go of.
- ADJUSTABLE COARSENESS: Each of us prefer coffee in a particular way. That is why our conical burr grinder has a built-in grind selector with 24 levels. This allows you to adjust the coarseness of your coffee so you can enjoy the perfect cup of espresso or French-press coffee every morning.
- HEAVY-DUTY DESIGN MADE TO LAST: Our manual burr coffee grinder has an upgraded burr that is larger and more durable. They are coated with stainless steel, making them more resilient and corrosion-resistant. Unlike ceramic burrs, our steel ones are a lot sharper and sturdy, managing to grind coffee beans quickly and efficiently.
- PORTABLE, DESIGN, AND DESIRABILITY: The NORMCORE portable coffee burr grinder is compact, lightweight, and easy to carry. Also available with two color options – including a timeless matte black, and stunning silver. NORMCORE is a beautiful and well-designed piece of equipment that makes brewing coffee enjoyable and a lot more flavorsome.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Our manual coffee grinders have a special arc design at the inner bottom of the powder cup which makes it easy to clean and prevents residual powder from getting stuck in the right-angle gap. This manual coffee grinder burr can be dissembled and cleaned with a brush for more practicality.
Last but not least, we have the second most expensive grinder on our list: the manual hand grinder from Normcore.
Naturally, though, the higher price also comes with extra features! This hand grinder has 24 levels of grinder settings, meaning you should be able to find the perfect grind size for your specific needs.
With its larger burr (38 mm) coated with stainless steel, this grinder is corrosion-resistant and extremely durable.
Normcore offers this grinder in 2 colors: black and silver.
Created with a one-of-a-kind arc design to the powder cup, this grinder is easy to clean and prevents coffee powder from building up in the container.
It is also ergonomically designed with a curved handle, which makes it easier for the user to rotate with less fatigue.
As one of the smallest grinders on the list, this grinder measures only 6 ¼ x 2 inches. It is adorned with anti-slip silicone leather and a dual-bearing shaft for stability.
Applauded for its stunning aesthetic design and easy-to-clean elements, this grinder is also quiet while quickly grinding the beans.
One negative is that users warn against overfilling the burr grinder, as this can jam it.
Lastly, the manufacturer recommends wiping the grinder clean after every use with a soft cloth and the complimentary cleaning brush to help it last longer.
Pros
- Only 6 ¼ x 2 inches
- 24 grinder settings
- Available in 2 colors
- Sleek, ergonomic design
Cons
- Needs to be cleaned after every use
- Easily jams if overfilled
Buying Guide: Best Coffee Grinder for French Press
Since the majority of the grinders on this list are manual grinders, the best electric grinder option is naturally from Sboly.
However, please keep in mind that many users stated the electric grinder is better for finely-ground coffee than it is for the coarse coffee you would use for a French press.
If you are on a tight budget, opt for a bargain coffee grinder from Paracity or Busy Bee.
Both are great grinders for the price; the main difference is that the Busy Bee grinder has 18 customizable grinder settings, while Paracity’s version includes two glass jars you can use for storing the coffee grounds.
Meanwhile, if your wallet allows you to spend a little more for a nicer, aesthetically pleasing grinder, we highly recommend Normcore’s CNC machined grinder or Vevok’s stainless burr grinder.
As the most expensive manual grinders on the list, these are also the most appealing and durable hand grinders on the market.
Conclusion
There you have it! Any one of those 5 options would be appropriately named the best coffee grinder for French press.
Remember though, when it comes to a French press coffee maker, you’ll want to procure coarse coffee grounds. For the best coarsely-ground coffee, most French press lovers should go with Vevok’s Manual Coffee Grinder.
Tell us which coffee grinder for French press is your favorite and why in the comments!
