If you're a total coffee nerd like me, you might already own a single dose grinder. However, if you're just starting out on your specialty coffee journey, you might not know anything about this type of coffee grinder.
If you’re a total coffee nerd like me, you might already own a single dose grinder. However, if you’re just starting out on your specialty coffee journey, you might not know anything about this type of coffee grinder.
As it happens, single dosing grinders are all the rage right now, and for good reason. When it comes to achieving true precision and consistency for any brewing method, a single dose grinder is pretty much where it’s at.
With all that in mind, I’ve decided it’s high time I created a guide to the best single dose grinders out there. You’ll find my top 5 list below, as well as some valuable information to help you choose the right grinder for your needs.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- What Is a Single Dose Grinder?
- How to ChoosePriceSize and DesignVersatilityGrind RetentionSound Levels
- 5 Best Single Dose GrindersEureka Mignon Zero1Zpresso J-MaxFellow Gen 2 OdeMiiCoffee DF64 II Single Dose Coffee Grinder: Best Value for MoneyFellow Opus: Best Affordable Single Dose Espresso GrinderComparison Chart
- Decision Time
Best Single Dose Espresso Grinders at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the single dose grinders I’ll be reviewing today:
Eureka Mignon Zero
Extremely quiet
Stepless grind adjustment
Handmade in Italy
1Zpresso J-Max
Rugged and stylish
Staggering number of grind settings
Ideal for espresso
Fellow Gen 2 Ode
High-quality build
Gorgeous design
Ideal for manual brewing methods
What Is a Single Dose Grinder?
In the ever-evolving world of specialty coffee, there’s nothing quite as on-trend right now as the single dose grinder. However, when you think about it, you could pick any model from my best burr coffee grinder guide and use it for single dosing, right?
Well, yes. Especially if it’s a manual coffee grinder, which is usually always a single-doser because of its compact size.
Still, specialized single dosing grinders are a little different from traditional grinders with large bean hoppers and grounds bins. For starters, they’re designed with more attention to detail in terms of grinding speed and consistency.
What’s more, the bean hopper will be of limited size seeing as you aren’t going to be storing coffee in there. Plus, you’ll often see features such as bellows-style hoppers that blow out every gram of coffee from the system.
Using a single dose grinder involves measuring out your desired amount of coffee beans using a coffee scale. You can then grind directly into your espresso machine portafilter or a special dosing cup.
This type of coffee grinder is growing in popularity for a number of reasons, including:
Quality control – coffee enthusiasts can really geek out over their brewing methods and fine-tune their grind settings.
Efficiency – single dosing cuts down on waste, seeing as you only grind what you need each time.
Versatility – a single dose grinder allows you to seamlessly switch between different coffee beans.
Precision and consistency – single dose grinders are super precise and consistent seeing as they grind a specific amount of coffee each time with no retention.
How to Choose a Single Dose Espresso Grinder
Having established what sets a single dose grinder apart, let’s look at the factors you should take into consideration as you’re narrowing down your options.
Price
One of the first things to take into account before buying anything is whether or not you can afford it. As tempting as it may be to pull out your credit card and throw caution to the wind, may I gently remind you not to live beyond your means!
As it happens, none of the single dose grinders on my list are crazy expensive. Still, spending $400 on a coffee grinder might seem insane to some folks. And I get it – that is a lot of money. But remember that compared to prosumer espresso grinders, it’s not much at all.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider buying a manual coffee grinder. Hand grinders have come a long way recently, and you can pick up a versatile and effective model for a fraction of what you’d pay for an electric grinder.
Size and Design
Another good reason to buy a manual coffee grinder is that it won’t take up much room in your kitchen. And you can throw it in your backpack when you’re hitting the road.
As far as electric single dose grinders go, one of the real bonuses comes from the fact that you won’t be contending with an oversized bean hopper. That means most single dosers are much more compact than traditional models.
In terms of aesthetics, I happen to think that any of the grinders on my list would enhance the vibe of your kitchen. Still, everyone has different tastes, so look for a single dose grinder that’ll float your boat. After all, you’ll be the one looking at it every day!
Versatility
One of the best things about single dosing grinders is their versatility. I mean, you can easily switch between different coffee beans, and each time you make a grind adjustment you can feel confident that you won’t need to purge the grinder.
Speaking of grind settings, you should look for a single dose grinder that’ll be suitable for your preferred brewing method(s). For example, if you’re going to be focusing on espresso preparation, you’ll want a model that’s calibrated more toward the finer end of things.
Alternatively, if you like to mix it up by brewing espresso, drip coffee and French press, look for a grinder that’s known as an all-rounder in terms of grind quality.
Grind Retention
Thus far, I’ve touched on the idea of grind retention a couple of times. Here’s the skinny: Pretty much the whole point of single dosing is to eliminate grind retention inside the unit. That’s how these things achieve the consistency and precision they’re known for.
With that in mind, the best single dose flat burr grinders have enhanced dispensing funnels to eliminate all the coffee grinds. Even better, some models include a bellows hopper, which literally blows all the ground coffee from inside the grinder.
Sound Levels
While the completely silent coffee grinder is yet to be invented, manufacturers have made great strides in terms of soundproofing lately. When it comes to single dosing, you aren’t going to have to put up with grinder noise for more than 20-30 seconds at a time.
Still, early morning screeching as you’re grinding coffee probably isn’t going to go down well if you live with others. Fortunately, all the grinders listed below are impressively quiet. And that goes double for the manual grinder on my list.
The 5 Best Single Dose Grinders
Eureka Mignon Zero Single Dose Coffee Grinder: Best Overall
PROS
- Great value
- Very quiet in operation
- Handmade in Italy
- Stepless grind adjustments
- Zero grind retention
CONS
- Can be finicky when dialing in
Choosing the best single dosing coffee grinder for this guide was easy – I didn’t have to think twice about awarding the title to the Eureka Mignon Zero. Sure, there are more powerful and sophisticated grinders out there, but for $449.00, the Eureka Mignon Zero wins out in terms of its price-performance ratio.
Thanks to its 55mm flat burrs, the Zero produces exceptionally fluffy and uniform grounds that will aid you in pulling consistent and sumptuous espresso shots. What’s more, the 45-gram bellows hopper is plenty big enough for other preparation methods, too.
Oh, and as you might have guessed from the name, the Mignon Zero offers close to no grind retention whatsoever.
Not only is the Eureka Mignon compact enough to fit into just about any kitchen, it’s also extremely quiet in operation. Thanks to the Italian manufacturer’s special silencing technology, the Zero won’t wake the entire household as you’re prepping your early morning espresso shot.
See Also: Eureka Mignon Zero Review
1Zpresso J-Max: Best Single Dose Coffee Grinder for Travel
PROS
- Very fast grinding
- High-quality build
- Ridiculous amount of grind settings
- Very affordable
CONS
- Rather inconsistent at coarser settings
If you happen to have read my recent review of the 1Zpresso J-Max, you’ll know how highly I rate this manual coffee grinder. Seriously, I was stunned by how well this thing performs and it’s since become a mainstay in my kitchen.
Designed specifically to excel at the finer end of the grind spectrum, the 1Zpresso J Max offers a breathtaking amount of adjustment settings. Plus, each click represents just 8.8 microns of burr movement.
Add in the fact that the 48mm titanium-coated stainless steel conical burrs are incredibly precise, and you’ve got an outstanding single dose grinder for any brew method in your hand.
The 1Zpresso J-Max costs just $199.00, which is all the more reasonable when you consider its capabilities as an espresso grinder. Best of all, you can take the J-Max anywhere, making it an ideal travel companion for those who never leave home without a portable espresso maker!
See Also: 1Zpresso J-Max Review
Fellow Gen 2 Ode: Best Single Dose Grinder for Pour-Over
PROS
- Beautiful design
- Premium materials
- Superb stainless steel flat burrs
- Unbeatable grind performance for pour-over
- Easy to use
CONS
- Not suitable for espresso
- Rather expensive
While the majority of single dose coffee grinders are designed with espresso preparation in mind, the Fellow Gen 2 Ode is meant for manual brewing methods like Chemex and French press.
Originally released in 2020, the first iteration of this grinder didn’t live up to expectations. However, having tested out the Gen 2 Ode, I can tell you it’s worth every penny of its $345.00 asking price.
Featuring Fellow’s trademark attention to detail and stunning design aesthetic, the Ode Gen 2 grinder is remarkably well-built from premium materials. Up top there’s a 100-gram bean hopper with a cool grind size chart to help you dial in. What’s more, it’s rocking 64mm interlocking flat burrs that produce exceptionally consistent grounds.
Oh and the cherry on top? The Fellow Ode is extremely fast and quiet when grinding. Ultimately, it’s a dream come true for pour-over aficionados.
See Also: Fellow Gen 2 Ode Review
MiiCoffee DF64 II Single Dose Coffee Grinder: Best Value for Money
PROS
- Exceptional value
- Attractive design
- Burrs can be upgraded
- Bellows hopper
- Built like a tank
CONS
- Can produce some clumping at finest settings
Seeing as the infamous Niche Zero grinder isn’t readily available in the United States, it’s unsurprising that the MiiCoffee DF64 has garnered so much hype on this side of the Atlantic. Still, earlier versions of this popular single dose espresso grinder left a lot of folks feeling disappointed.
Fortunately, the Chinese manufacturer has made tons of improvements to the MiiCoffee DF64 II. Costing just $399.00, the DF64 II represents superb value for money, especially given how well it performs.
Armed with 64mm stainless steel flat burrs, the MiiCoffee DF64 II features a bellows-style single dose hopper that promises close to zero grind retention in the chute. Plus, the metal adjustment ring allows you to steplessly adjust the grind size to accurately dial in your espresso shots.
What’s especially cool is that you can seamlessly upgrade to fancy SSP burrs, which many serious baristas swear by. In essence, these burrs will elevate your espresso experience, providing unparalleled levels of clarity, depth and sweetness.
See Also: DF64 Grinder Review
Fellow Opus: Best Affordable Single Dose Espresso Grinder
PROS
- Suitable for all preparation methods
- Very inexpensive for what you get
- Lightweight and compact grinder
- Beautiful
CONS
- Complicated system for dialing in espresso
- Too much plastic
Fellow almost broke the coffee-loving corners of the Internet when it announced the imminent launch of its new grinder in early 2023. The Fellow Opus was touted as a true all-rounder, capable of grinding accurately and precisely for any brewing method.
Oh, and it would cost just $195.00!
So, does the Fellow Opus conical burr grinder live up to the hype? Having tested it out, I can confidently recommend this awesome and affordable single dose grinder. As you’d expect, the Fellow Opus looks amazing, although its plastic housing isn’t doesn’t exactly feel premium. But its stainless steel conical burr set keeps the cost low and really shines across the grind size spectrum.
While it can be a little frustrating to dial in the Opus for espresso preparation, it is more than capable of delivering the goods. And the grinder comes with a handy dosing cup for adding coffee to a portafilter. Finally, the Fellow Opus excels as a grinder for manual brewing methods, especially pour-over and AeroPress.
See Also: Fellow Opus Review
Best Single Dose Grinder Comparison Chart
Eureka Mignon Zero | 1Zpresso J-Max | Fellow Gen 2 Ode Grinder | MiiCoffee DF64 | Fellow Opus Grinder | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer | Eureka | 1Zpresso | Fellow | MiiCoffee | Fellow |
Name | Mignon Zero Single Dose Espresso Grinder | J-Max S Manual Coffee Grinder | Gen 2 Ode Brew Grinder | DF64 II | Opus Conical Burr Grinder |
Type | Electric coffee grinder | Manual coffee grinder | Electric coffee grinder | Electric coffee grinder | Electric coffee grinder |
Grinder | 55 mm stainless steel flat burrs | 48mm stainless steel conical | 64 mm stainless steel flat burrs | 64 mm stainless steel flat burrs | 40 mm stainless steel conical burrs |
Grind levels | Stepless | 400+ | 31 | Stepless | 41+ |
Power | 310 watt | N/A | 140 watt | 250 watt | 140 watt |
Voltage | 110 volt | N/A | 120 volt | 120 volt | 120 volt |
Weight | 12.5 lb / 5.7 kg | 1.7 lb / 771.1 g | 10.1 lb / 4.6 kg | 15.0 lb / 6.8 kg | 4.0 lb / 1.8 kg |
Dimensions | 13.6 x 4.8. 5.5 in / 34.5 x 12.2 x 14.0 cm | Height: 7.7 in / 19.6 cm | 9.4 x 9.5 x 5.7 in / 24.8 x 24.0 x 10.5 cm | 12.0 x 5.2 x 10.0 in / 30.5 x 13.2 x 25.4 cm | 10.6 x 5.1 x 8.3 in / 27.0 x 13.0 x 21.0 cm |
Suitable for | All preparation methods | All preparation methods | Pour-over, Chemex, drip machines, French press, cold brew | All preparation methods | All preparation methods |
Accessories | Bellows hopper, dosing cup | Air blower, rubber band grip, carry case, cleaning brush | User manual, catch cup, cleaning brush | Bellows hopper, dosing cup, portafilter cradle | User manual, catch cup, cleaning brush, portafilter dosing funnel |
Current price on Amazon | $449.00 | $199.00 | $345.00 | $399.00 | $195.00 |
Decision Time
While some folks will tell you that single dose coffee grinders are just a passing trend, I have to disagree.
After all, single dose grinding just makes so much sense. I mean, if you’re serious about your coffee preparation parameters, why wouldn’t you want a versatile grinder that won’t keep you guessing? And is it really a big hassle to weigh out your coffee beans for each brew then grind them to order? I think not.
Sure not everyone takes things as seriously, and that’s fine. But the growing legion of home coffee enthusiasts is encouraging manufacturers to keep innovating, and the exciting products keep coming. I, for one, hope that train just keeps on rolling!
Do you own a single dose grinder? Is there a specific model you feel like I should have included? Tell me all about it in the comments section!
A single dose coffee grinder grinds a precise amount of coffee beans intended for a single coffee serving. Since ground coffee quickly loses its flavor due to oxidation, grinding coffee beans a single dose at a time ensures maximum freshness for each cup of coffee you make.Â
Grinding coffee twice can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. Grounds that are too fine tend to lead to over extraction which can result in a bitter coffee taste, especially if you’re making espresso. If you aren’t sure what coffee grind size you should go for, check out this coffee grind size chart I prepared.Â
Single dose grinders give you more control over your grind size which makes them great for trying out different brewing methods. Traditional grinders are more convenient if you’re making multiple cups at a time. Ultimately, it comes down to your own preference and needs.Â