Baratza Researched
Encore ESP
The grinder most people should buy first — it does espresso and filter, and Baratza will fix it forever.
First grinderEspresso + filter
$200Read review →
Timemore Researched
Chestnut C2
The budget hero — steel burrs and a clean filter grind for the price of a few bags of beans.
Best cheap grinderFilter on a budget
8.1
BrewSift Score
Excellent
$75
Approximate — verify the latest price
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Should you buy it?
Buy it if
- Best cheap grinder
- Filter on a budget
- Excellent value
- Consistent filter grind
Skip it if
- Espresso is a stretch
- Slower fine grinds
- Numberless adjustment
Not for you? Consider the Baratza Encore ESP — or see all coffee grinders .
The verdict
Stainless conical burrs in a grippy aluminium body deliver a surprisingly consistent filter grind for around $70. It can manage espresso in a pinch but shines for pour-over and French press — the best entry into grinding fresh.
BrewSift Score breakdown
Scored across the dimensions that matter for grinders. The overall is a weighted average — see the formula.
Grind consistency8.0
Espresso range7.0
Brew range8.4
Low retention8.6
Quiet operation10.0
Workflow6.4
Value9.2
Pros & cons
What we like
- Excellent value
- Consistent filter grind
- Portable & silent
Watch-outs
- Espresso is a stretch
- Slower fine grinds
- Numberless adjustment
Specifications
- Burrs
- Stainless conical
- Type
- Manual
- Best for
- Filter / French press
Complete your setup
The gear that pairs with the Chestnut C2 to make a complete, working setup.
Add a scale
Timemore
Black Mirror Basic 2
Weighing your dose and yield is what makes a good cup repeatable, shot after shot.
$55Buy
Keep beans fresh
Fellow
Atmos Vacuum Canister
An airtight, opaque canister protects the beans you just bought from going flat within days.
$40Buy
Add a kettle
Bonavita
Variable Temperature Gooseneck
A variable-temperature gooseneck gives the controlled pour and exact water temperature that pour-over and manual brewing need.
$100Buy
Alternatives to consider
All coffee grindersFellowOpus
8.0Fellow Researched
Opus
Fellow's all-rounder: a wide espresso-to-cold-brew range and a design that earns its counter space.
Looks + rangeAll brew methods
$180Read review →
Fellow Researched
Ode Gen 2
The best filter-only grinder: 64mm flat burrs, near-zero retention, and an exceptionally clean cup.
Filter coffee onlyClean cup
$400Read review →