The Best Single Dose Grinder Options For Your Home

If you are a coffee enthusiast, you probably know about the single-dose grinding technique. From professional baristas to home coffee consumers, many people opt for this method to brew precisely measured and fresh coffee.

However, you can’t enjoy the benefits of this technique with basic coffee grinders. Instead, you will need a single-dosing espresso grinder specifically made for this technique. With so many options in the market, I understand that finding the best coffee grinders for single dosing can become a tedious task.

If you ask me, my top pick is the Mii Coffee Single Dosing Grinder. But the question is, are there any other options? I’ll tell you!

In this post, I am jotting down a list of the top 7 best single-dose grinder options and a detailed guide to answer all your questions. I am reviewing after testing each option myself, so you can rest assured about their quality and functionality.

But before diving into the reviews, let’s take a brief look at what a single-dose grinder does. Read on!

What Is A Single Dose Grinder?

As the name tells, a single-dose espresso grinder is used for the single-dosing coffee beans weighing technique. A single-dosing espresso grinder helps you weigh the exact amount of coffee beans needed for one single brew. After measuring, you put those coffee beans into a single-dose grinder to turn them into coffee grounds.

For example, if you want 25 grams of ground coffee, weigh 25 grams of coffee beans, and grind them for your brew. A single-dose coffee grinder is what helps you perfectly achieve this technique. This brewing method is extremely popular nowadays. It helps you keep the ground coffee in air-tight jars instead of a hopper.

Moreover, single-dosing helps you preserve the freshness of your beans by only grinding the amount of coffee you need. It also helps you rotate and switch between different flavors and grind sizes and gives the perfect taste and consistency.

So, have you made up your mind to purchase a single-dosing grinder? Let’s look at my top 7 recommendations available in the market!

1. MiiCoffee Single Dosing Coffee Grinder

The MiiCoffee DF64 Single-dosing grinder was launched in 2021, and it has become the talk of the town ever since then. This affordable and compact coffee grinder weighs only 15 lbs, and the build is super sturdy and durable. It also features 64 mm flat burrs to grind coffee beans for flavorful espresso.

Moreover, this machine comes with a 58 mm dosing cup made with food-safe and recyclable materials. One of the main selling points of this single-dosing grinder is that it offers zero grind retention. All in all, I found this product a great option if you are looking for single-dosing grinders. The best part, it won’t be much heavy on your pockets either.

Our Verdict

The DF64 is a precise and powerful grinder for single-dosing. This prosumer coffee grinder requires minimal clumping. However, keep in mind that this grinder is a bit noisy.

2. Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder

Breville is a well-known name in the world of coffee products. From coffee makers to grinders, this manufacturer has given tons of remarkable products, just like this Smart Single-Dose Grinder! This conical burr grinder offers 60 configuration options to give you complete control over your brew. Also, the top burr is adjustable.

Moreover, it has a 16 oz coffee bean capacity, which is more than sufficient for single-dosing. The best part about this grinder is that it features an LCD display to monitor the grind size, time, and shots. This Breville coffee bean grinder also comes with a removable grind catcher pan and a Breville Assist Plus. Honestly, this product will become a perfect companion to your espresso machine.

Our Verdict

This metal single-dose coffee grinder by Breville is an easy-to-use machine with great consistency. However, this product may not be the right pick for french press coffee.

3. CAFEMASY Single Dose Hopper Coffee Grinder

This product by Cafemasy is not a coffee grinder. Instead, it is a single-dose hopper compatible with the Eureka Mignon Coffee Grinder. You can conveniently attach this hopper to the machine and enjoy the single-dosing experience. This hopper is made of high-quality silicone for proven durability and longevity.

This single-dose hopper is super easy to use. All you need to do is turn on your Eureka coffee machine, attach the hopper to it, and adjust the grind settings. Since it is made of silicone material, you conveniently clean the hopper for the next grinding round. Not to forget, this single0dose hopper is super sturdy and compresses easily.

Our Verdict

The Cafemasy single-dose hopper is excellent if you have Eureka coffee grinders. However, keep in mind that it is not compatible with other grinders.

4. KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder

If you are looking for a compact grinder with blades for single-dosing, then the Krups Silent Vortex Electric Grinder is what you need! Apart from being a single-dose model, this affordable grinder can also grind 12 cups of coffee at one time.

It also features a stainless steel bowl on top to store your ground coffee, just in case you don’t need it right now. This electric single-dose grinder is dishwasher safe, so its cleaning and maintenance are a piece of cake. Moreover, it offers a super quiet operation.

Our Verdict

This compact and sleek Krups Vortex Electric Grinder is super affordable, functional, and operates quietly. This product is great for people tight on budget. However, it does not have any extra features.

5. Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder

The Baratza Sette 30 is a great coffee grinder for non-pressurized portafilters and espresso. It has a burr size of 40 mm to give you the perfect grind. Moreover, it offers 30 grind fineness custom settings. Great, isn’t it? It also takes 5 seconds to grind 18 grams of coffee, which is ideal.

The hopper of this grinder can keep 350 grams of beans. Also, it is equipped with an auto shut-off feature for spillage and stray grounds. Not to forget, the whole unit is super easy to clean. The best part is that its hopper has bellows – you can easily blow out the leftover coffee from the grinding chamber.

Our Verdict

The Baratza Sette 30 is a powerful and efficient single-dosing grinder equipped with functional features. However, its motor is very loud and annoying.

6. Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker

Next on the list is not a coffee grinder but a Grind Control Coffee Maker by Breville. This is a 2-in-1 machine that offers the benefits of both a brewer and a grinder. Its grind control feature is perfect for the single-dosing technique. It also features an LCD screen to monitor your brewing and grinding sessions.

The built-in grinder of this machine features stainless steel flat burrs. Also, the grinder offers six grinder settings to give you complete control of the grinding session. The hopper is also removable and super easy to clean.

Our Verdict

The Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker is an excellent 2-in-1 option with great functionality and features. It is expensive but worth every penny. However, this model is only suitable for people who don’t already have a separate coffee maker.

7. Eureka Mignon Specialita Espresso Grinder

The Eureka Mignon Specialita is an Italian single-dose espresso grinder with 55mm flat steel burrs and more than 20 color options to choose from. It grinds excellent quality coffee, too, with a very silent operation. Like most prosumer espresso grinders, this model is also super quick.

Moreover, the Eureka Mignon is also equipped with an anti-clumps and electrostaticity system, so your coffee grounds don’t contain any clumps. It also offers high-sensitivity adjustment, no matter what the grind size is.

Our Verdict

The Eureka Mignon Specialta Espresso grinder is a perfect combination of sleek design, tech features, and quality. However, I didn’t find the hopper very durable.

Why Use A Single Dose Espresso Grinder?

If you are still unsure about using a single-dosing espresso grinder, here are a few benefits to help make up your mind:

1. Maintains the Freshness of Coffee Beans

We all know that air can make the coffee grounds stale, right? This is the main problem we face after we grind coffee more than the required amount. However, single-dosing grinders can help you save from this inconvenience.

In single-dose grinding, you only grind the amount of coffee beans you need for one brew. This way, you can keep the rest of the beans in an airtight jar or container to maintain their freshness. If your beans are fresh, your espresso shots will also be more consistent and rich in texture.

2. Try Varieties of Coffee

Since single-dosing means only brewing small quantities, you can try and experiment with different types of coffee flavors. For example, you can start your day by making a nutty coffee in your espresso machine. Then, you can have a fruity blend in the afternoon and a lighter blend in the evening.

3. Consistently Good Espresso Every Time

One of the great confusions that every person goes through is how much coffee to grind. Sometimes they grind too much or too less, making the espresso taste bad. However, single-dose espresso grinders can save you from this hassle. Since this technique requires you to properly weigh the beans before grinding, your espresso will turn out great every time.

Who Is Single Dosing Better Suited For?

Though the single-dosing technique is quite popular, it may not be the perfect choice for everyone. It is only suitable for people living alone or a household that only consumes two to three cups of coffee per day. Moreover, single-dosing is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who like sampling and experimenting with different coffee flavors.

However, single-dosing can become a nightmare for people who consume too much coffee in a day or brew more than 3 cups at one time. In this scenario, a full hopper would be the ideal option for you. It works faster and will brew large batches. Still, try to weigh the amount of coffee using a full hopper for perfect taste and consistency.

Things To Consider Before Buying Single Dose Espresso Grinders?

Now that we have gone through the best single-dose grinder options, it’s time to look at some essential considerations you need to keep in mind while making the purchase. These factors and considerations will ensure that you are buying the right espresso grinder according to your requirements and preferences.

So, are you curious to know more about those important factors? Keep reading!

1. Grind Settings and Grind Quality

The most important factor to consider while looking for single-dosing grinders is that they offer excellent grind quality and grind settings. All the products on this list will help you achieve the perfect grind size, no matter what type of coffee you are brewing.

Moreover, they will offer plenty of customisable settings and single-dosing options to give you a pleasant brewing experience.

2. Size

Single-dose grinders come in plenty of sizes; some are small, while others take more space. Now, you need to consider your space first and then figure out what size will work perfectly for you. For example, does your countertop has enough space to fit a large grinder? If not, then opt for a compact and portable option.

We added different size options to this list. If the unit size is not a problem, pick any product you like from the list.

3. Types of Burrs You Decide to Purchase

if you use a poor-quality burr, it will do nothing but ruin your precious grinder. This is why you should always know what type of burr to buy. Many types are made of different materials, which may not suit your coffee grinder. So, make sure to do thorough research before making the purchase.

4. The Burr Material

Burrs are made of different strong materials. However, what material to buy depends on your coffee grinder. In fact, the lifespan of your grinder depends on the material of the burr. If you have a professional and high-end coffee grinder, you should consider buying hardened steel burrs. The other type is ceramic burrs, and they are mostly suitable for low-end coffee grinders.

There are a few other material types for burrs which are made of stronger materials that retain the quality of your grind and are compatible with most espresso grinders. They are mainly constructed with titanium of nitrogen-cooled metal.

5. The Different Shapes of Burrs

Coffee grinder burrs come in two different shapes; conical or flat. There has always been a debate between conical and flat burrs that which one is the better option.

Flat burr grinders are a more common type of burr shape used by people. They are easy to set up and have a simple design. A significant problem with flat burrs is that they are stacked on top of each other, so they tend to overheat. However, this problem is only faced by espresso machines in public coffee shops during rush hours when the burrs are spinning nonstop.

Conical burrs are actually quieter than flat burrs and both have no difference in the quality of the final grind. However, the drawback with conical burrs is that they have a slower rpm which makes it harder to keep the coffee grinds fresh.

6. Brewing Methods

The brewing methods you use and what type of coffee you drink also play a key role in deciding what types of single-dosing grinders you should purchase. Considering this factor will help you purchase the product that specializes in that grind size.

All the products on this list are perfect for either espresso, french press, or drip coffee. Similarly, single-dose grinders for the Moka drink are different.

However, that doesn’t mean one grinder is perfect for the french press brew method but not for espresso. It’s just that if you buy a grinder specifically for espresso, it will show better results than others.

7. Price

Again, you will find single-dose grinders in different price ranges. Most grinders are on the affordable side, but some high-end ones can be very heavy on your pockets. Now, what price range to opt for totally depends on your personal choices and preferences.

You will be getting what you are paying for. If you want more features and functionality, the high-end ones will work for you. But if you are tight on budget, compromise on extra features and opt for budget-friendly features.

Expert Tips for Single Dose Grinding

Now that we have gone through the main information, it’s time for a treat. I am sharing some additional tips for single-dose grinding below. These tips will ensure that you make the most out of your single-dosing experience.

Tip # 1

Honestly, there is no such thing as zero grind retention. No matter how expensive or high-quality your single-dose grinder is, there will be some retention. To minimize the retention, you should opt for a grinder with an accessible and straightforward grinding chamber and burrs.

Tip # 2

If you want your single-dose grinder to serve you for years, then regular cleaning and maintenance are a must. You should regularly clean the entire unit and burrs to eliminate fine grounds and excessive oil.

Tip # 3

The coffee quality also plays an important role in how pleasant your single-dosing experience will turn out. Therefore, always use high-quality coffee beans from reliable brands.

Are Single Dose Grinders Worth It?

Single-dose grinders have undoubtedly gained a lot of popularity over the past few years. I personally don’t find anything wrong with these machines. The answer to if you should buy a single-dose grinder or not depends on your needs and requirements.

If you only drink two to three cups of coffee in a day and like to try different coffee beans, then single-dose grinders are the perfect option. However, if you brew plenty of coffee in a day, then full hoppers will be a better option.

FAQs

Single dose grinder vs hopper: What is the difference?

A single-dose grinder helps you weigh the exact amounts of beans you need for one brew. While on the other hand, a hopper gives steady pressure to the beans inside the burrs. It eliminates the popcorning of the beans and produces a fine and even grind.

Is single dosing better for filter or espresso?

Single-dosing is great for both filter and espresso. However, this may change as per the situation. If you consume too much espresso in a day, then single-dosing will become a hassle.