The Caffeinated Gear Team
You’re already ahead of the curve by searching for a coffee maker with a built-in grinder. We’ve spent countless hours testing these machines in our coffee lab, and we’re thrilled to share what makes them special. Fresh grinding is the secret weapon of brilliant coffee, yet surprisingly few coffee lovers have discovered this game-changing approach.
Most coffee drinkers don’t realise they’re missing out on incredible flavours by using pre-ground coffee in basic machines. The good news? Switching to a coffee maker with an integrated grinder is both simpler and more affordable than you might think.
As professional baristas and coffee experts, we’ve identified several compelling reasons to grind your beans just before brewing:
Greater Coffee Selection: When you grind your own beans, you’ll discover a vast world of coffee options. Speciality roasters and direct-trade suppliers typically offer a much wider range of whole beans compared to pre-ground options or coffee pods.
Superior Quality: Many of the finest coffees, particularly those with high SCA scores and specialty certification, are exclusively available as whole beans.
Fewer Unwanted Extras: It’s worth noting that pre-ground coffee can contain ground-up cockroaches. Large storage facilities can face insect infestations, making it impossible to completely remove them during commercial processing. By grinding your own beans, you maintain control over what goes into your cup.
Enhanced Flavour Profile: Coffee begins losing its vibrant qualities almost immediately after grinding. When beans are ground, their increased surface area exposure to air triggers oxidation, quickly diminishing both aroma and taste.
Fine-Tuning Perfection: The ability to adjust your grind size – known as ‘dialling in’ – gives you remarkable control over your coffee’s taste. While brewing temperature and other factors play their part, grind size remains the most crucial variable in extraction quality.
We wholeheartedly support your journey towards better coffee. Our team has thoroughly tested numerous machines to help you find the perfect coffee maker with grinder for your specific needs.
Remember, there’s no universal solution – your ideal machine depends on your preferred coffee style, budget and individual requirements. We’ll guide you through the options to help you make an informed choice.
Ready to explore some amazing coffee possibilities? These guides will help you understand what you can create with your new machine:
When choosing coffee makers with built-in grinders, we categorise them into four main types:
Drip coffee makers, fully automatic coffee makers, super automatic coffee makers, and semi-automatic espresso machines.
Common misconceptions often lead to purchasing the wrong type of coffee maker. Through our customer support channels, we frequently hear from people struggling with their new machines. Usually, it’s because they’ve confused drip coffee with Americano, leading them to buy a fully automatic machine when they actually prefer drip coffee.
For more detailed information about drip coffee makers, see our comprehensive guide:
While Americano (espresso mixed with hot water) might seem similar to drip coffee, they’re quite different in character. Drip coffee offers a cleaner, lighter profile thanks to its filtered brewing process, setting it apart from both French Press and Americano preparations.
For drip coffee enthusiasts, an integrated grinder drip coffee maker is the way to go. Though less common than super-automatic machines, we’ve identified some outstanding options:
This popular choice combines affordability with functionality. The brewing system offers standard features: 60-ounce glass carafe, permanent mesh filter, and programmable brewing timer.
The blade grinder, while better than no grinder, has limitations compared to burr grinders. During our testing, we found the main drawback is grind consistency. There’s fascinating history here – burr grinders were actually invented by Thomas Bruff, a Maryland dentist who treated Thomas Jefferson. His design mimicked teeth chewing, creating uniform grounds – a principle still used in professional burr grinders today.
We should note that some budget “burr” grinders (Melitta Molino, Krups Expert, DeLonghi KG79) use flat grinding wheels rather than true burrs, producing results more similar to blade grinders.
While blade grinders offer less control over grind size compared to burr grinders’ adjustable settings, they’re still a significant upgrade from pre-ground coffee.
The Gevi differentiates itself with a proper burr grinder, offering eight grind settings for precise brewing control. While its 50-ounce capacity is smaller than the Black & Decker, the grinding quality is notably superior.
Our testing revealed that the burr grinder produces consistently sized grounds, crucial for even extraction. The adjustable settings allow for fine-tuning, though we found that appreciating these subtle differences in drip coffee requires a well-developed palate.
An unexpected premium feature at this price point is the bloom option, typically found on specialty coffee equipment. While the warranty details remain frustratingly unclear, the brewing capabilities impressed our team.
This premium offering from Cuisinart boasts the largest capacity we’ve tested in grind-and-brew machines. The clear three-year warranty provides peace of mind, though we noticed one significant omission: grind size control.
Despite marketing claims about the sealed bean hopper maintaining freshness, our experience suggests otherwise. While the rubber gasket helps dampen grinding noise, it’s not an ideal storage solution. We strongly recommend using a vacuum-sealed container for bean storage instead.
For best results, we suggest adding only the beans needed for immediate brewing. Any unused beans should return to proper storage immediately.
Moving beyond drip coffee makers, super-automatic (or fully automatic) espresso machines offer a different approach to fresh-ground coffee. Instead of traditional portafilters and groups, these machines use integrated grinding and brewing units to produce espresso at the touch of a button. Some models, known as “one-touch” machines, even handle milk frothing automatically for perfect cappuccinos and lattes.
After extensive testing, we found the Philips 3200 to be a remarkably capable automatic espresso machine. What caught our attention was its ceramic burr grinder system – a feature that sets Philips and Gaggia machines apart from the competition.
Speaking of Gaggia, it’s worth noting that Philips has owned this prestigious brand since 2009. While ceramic burrs are quite common in standalone coffee grinders, they’re relatively rare in automatic espresso machines outside these two brands, with most competitors using stainless steel burrs instead.
In our professional opinion, the choice between ceramic and stainless steel burrs makes minimal difference in machines of this calibre. While Philips maintains that ceramic burrs prevent heat transfer during grinding, we’ve found this advantage negligible given that the burrs operate within an already warm machine.
This particular model features a Panarello steam wand – essentially a sleeve with air intake holes that fits over the steam pipe. For those new to milk frothing, it’s brilliantly simple to use, though it does limit your control over the final texture. Pro tip: You can remove the Panarello sleeve and use the bare steam pipe like a professional wand – it takes practice, but you’ll eventually achieve that silky microfoam perfect for flat whites.
The machine offers one-touch options for straight espresso drinks and Americano, while milk-based beverages require manual steaming. The interface features four pre-set buttons for espresso, lungo, americano, and ‘coffee’. While the more affordable model below has fewer buttons, it can still craft all these drinks – you’ll just need to adjust the settings manually.
In our side-by-side testing, we discovered the 1200 series is essentially the 3200’s sibling with subtle differences. The most noticeable changes are aesthetic – a plastic drip tray cover replaces the 3200’s stainless steel version, and the interface sports fewer pre-set options. While the 3200 boasts four dedicated buttons, the 1200 simplifies to just espresso and coffee. Don’t let this fool you though – you can still craft lungo and americano, you’ll just need to adjust the settings manually. The only other distinction we noticed was in temperature adjustment: the 3200 uses a dedicated button, while the 1200 requires a specific sequence of button presses.
During our testing of the Magnifica range, we found the Start model to be a fascinating entry point, distinguished mainly by its modernised interface compared to the Magnifica S.
When comparing it with the similarly-priced Gaggia Brera, we noticed some interesting contrasts. While both machines produce comparable espresso quality, the Brera offers more precise control over dosing. A particular quirk of the Magnifica is its interpretation of a double shot – rather than doubling the ground coffee, it simply increases the volume slightly. The Brera, meanwhile, delivers a proper double shot with twice the coffee.
In terms of value, these machines are neck-and-neck when priced similarly. However, we’ve noticed the Brera typically comes with a more attractive price tag in America, making it particularly compelling for budget-conscious buyers.
Through our extensive testing, we’ve found the Gaggia Brera to be a standout performer in Europe’s entry-level automatic espresso machine market. Interestingly, it hasn’t gained quite the same traction in America as DeLonghi’s Magnifica range, despite often being more affordably priced.
What particularly impressed us was the Brera’s precise dosing system. The one-bean setting delivers 7 grams, two beans give you 9 grams, and three beans provide 11 grams. This precision, combined with easily programmable shot volumes, makes it wonderfully simple to achieve specific recipes. For instance, if you’re aiming for a 36ml shot from 18g of coffee, you can simply adjust the single shot volume and press twice with the two-bean setting.
We should address a common concern about Gaggia machines struggling with very dark, oily beans. In our experience, this isn’t unique to Gaggia – it’s a limitation of all super-automatics due to their integrated grinders being difficult to clean thoroughly. Our professional advice: Stick to medium or medium-dark roasts with any super-automatic machine. For dark roast lovers, we recommend exploring Breville’s range, particularly the Oracle series, as their removable burrs make cleaning much more manageable.
Many coffee enthusiasts seek dark roasts to replicate their favourite coffee shop flavours, particularly Starbucks. However, we’ve found that the distinctive taste often comes from the Arabica-Robusta blend rather than the roast level. Ask your local roaster for a medium-dark roasted Italian-style blend – you’ll get the intensity you’re after without compromising your machine’s performance.
In our testing, we’ve found it crucial to clarify what ‘semi-automatic’ means in this context. These machines use an electric pump for pressure, unlike manual machines that rely on a lever-operated piston system.
We often see confusion about machines with built-in grinders being categorised as fully automatic. Let’s be clear: while these machines have integrated grinders, they’re still semi-automatic as they require manual operation of the portafilter and group head. True super-automatics handle the entire brewing process internally.
We’ve noticed that integrated-grinder machines typically offer fewer adjustment settings than standalone grinders. There’s also the challenge of temperature and humidity fluctuations affecting the grinder’s performance, as it’s housed within the warm espresso machine. This can make precise shot adjustment, or ‘dialing in’, more challenging.
In our extensive testing at Caffeinated Gear, we’ve found the Breville Barista Express to be nothing short of revolutionary. Our research indicates it’s been a consistent bestseller since its launch, and for good reason. This pioneering machine was the first to successfully integrate a grinder with a manual espresso maker, setting a standard that others have tried to match.
What’s particularly interesting is how well this machine has stood the test of time. Despite newer models like the Barista Pro being available, we’ve observed that the Express continues to dominate sales. The secret? Its brilliant simplicity. During our testing sessions, we’ve found it perfectly suited for those starting their home barista journey, particularly when working with traditional espresso roasts.
However, we should mention a common misunderstanding we’ve encountered. Many buyers expect a fully automatic experience, when in reality, this is a manual machine with integrated grinding. It’s important to understand this distinction before purchase.
The grinder offers 18 settings, which some might consider limited. We’ve noticed that out of the box, these settings tend to run coarse. But here’s where Breville’s clever engineering shines through – you can adjust the internal top burr setting, effectively shifting the entire range finer. This feature sets it apart from competing brands who’ve tried to copy this design.
While more grind settings would be welcome, we’ve found that 18 settings work well for beginners who aren’t yet focused on ultra-precise dialling in. It’s a thoughtful balance between usability and capability.
During our recent testing for Caffeinated Gear’s YouTube channel, we’ve become quite familiar with this latest iteration of the Barista Express. In our professional opinion, Breville has successfully transformed their classic machine into what many consumers always hoped it would be.
The key difference? This isn’t just another espresso machine with a built-in grinder – it’s a sophisticated system that actually assists with the trickiest parts of espresso making. We’ve found the combination of precise dosing and tamping assistance makes a remarkable difference in consistency.
When comparing it to similar machines like the DeLonghi La Specialista range, we’ve noticed significant advantages. The Impress offers 26 grind settings (plus those 10 internal adjustments) compared to DeLonghi’s 8, and crucially, the burrs are removable for proper cleaning. But what truly sets it apart is the intelligent dosing system working in harmony with the assisted tamping.
Our testing has confirmed that this dual assistance creates notably more consistent results. For coffee enthusiasts who want authentic espresso without the steep learning curve, we believe this machine hits the sweet spot.
For more detailed insights, see our complete guide
Through our hands-on testing at Caffeinated Gear, we’ve discovered that DeLonghi’s approach to the entry-level market shows promise but comes with notable limitations. The machine certainly impresses visually, and we particularly appreciate the thoughtful inclusion of a complete home barista kit, including matching tamper, portafilter stand, and tamper mat.
However, our testing revealed a significant disconnect between the machine’s professional appearance and its practical capabilities. The main issue lies with the grinder’s 8 settings, which we found surprisingly restrictive. More concerning was the unusual behaviour of the grind adjustment mechanism – changes remained barely noticeable until reaching the finest settings, where we encountered an unusually large jump between settings 2 and 1.
We’ve also identified two structural limitations: the non-removable hopper and inaccessible burrs. This design choice particularly concerns us when considering darker, oilier beans, as proper burr cleaning becomes impossible.
While we admire DeLonghi’s effort to enter this market segment, and there’s much to praise about the machine’s build quality and accessories, these limitations significantly impact its versatility.
Our extensive testing at Caffeinated Gear has revealed the Barista Pro to be an interesting evolution of the Express, bringing both improvements and trade-offs. The upgrades include the modern ThermoJet heating system, a four-hole steam tip, expanded grind settings (30 plus 10 internal), and a useful LCD display with shot timer. Notably absent is the Express’s pressure gauge.
These changes create a mixed experience. We’re particularly impressed with the increased grind settings and the practical shot timer. The faster steam readiness is another welcome improvement. However, the reduced warm-up time (3 seconds versus under a minute) proved less significant in practice, as both machines still require similar effort to bring all components to temperature.
Through our testing, we’ve noticed some interesting thermal behaviour differences. The Pro’s compact ThermoJet cools quickly between uses, while the Express’s larger thermocoil maintains ambient heat better. This affects subsequent shots – the Express typically requires less effort to maintain temperature consistency.
We’ve also observed that the Pro can be more challenging to keep dialled in compared to the Express. We suspect this relates to the ThermoJet’s more rapid temperature fluctuations affecting grind consistency.
The LCD interface stands out as a genuine improvement, making temperature adjustments and shot programming notably more intuitive than the Express’s button combinations.
After extensive testing at Caffeinated Gear, we’re convinced the Breville Dual Boiler represents exceptional value in the prosumer espresso market. This machine consistently delivers performance that rivals units costing two to three times more.
The dual boiler design enables simultaneous brewing and steaming, but it’s the temperature stability that truly impresses. The heated group head communicates with the brew boiler via PID control, maintaining precise temperatures throughout the extraction process. Combined with the heat exchanger design, this creates professional-grade temperature consistency.
What sets this machine apart is its sophisticated pump control system. Our testing has shown that the adjustable preinfusion time and pressure make this an excellent choice for flow profiling – a technique typically reserved for much pricier machines like the Decent, Slayer, or La Marzocco GS3.
Regarding the Dynamic Duo package, which includes the Smart Grinder Pro, we’ve found it offers good initial value. While the grinder performs well for multiple brewing methods, serious espresso enthusiasts might eventually want to upgrade to something like the Baratza Sette 270 or Eureka Mignon Specialita to fully exploit the Dual Boiler’s capabilities.
During our extensive testing period, we’ve discovered that The Oracle represents a significant advancement in home espresso brewing. Think of it as the Dual Boiler’s more automated sibling—much like how the Express Impress builds upon the Barista Express platform.
What truly sets this machine apart is its ability to deliver professional-quality results without requiring years of barista experience. Our team particularly appreciates how it democratises excellent espresso making, bringing café-quality drinks within reach of coffee enthusiasts at any skill level.
The automation doesn’t compromise quality—quite the opposite. While it might not offer the microscopic adjustments that hardcore enthusiasts crave, we’ve found it consistently produces outstanding espresso that would satisfy most discerning coffee lovers.
The milk steaming capability genuinely impressed our testing team. Even with our years of coffee experience, we must admit The Oracle’s automated system produces remarkably consistent microfoam. It achieves a level of consistency that many home baristas struggle to match, especially those who don’t steam milk daily.
For manual steaming enthusiasts, the option remains available, though we noted the wand’s chunky design takes some getting used to if you’re familiar with traditional slimmer wands.
In our hands-on testing, we’ve found The Oracle Touch takes automation to the next level. While the touch screen might seem like a simple upgrade, it fundamentally transforms the user experience, offering sophisticated drink customisation options that weren’t possible with the standard Oracle.
This machine brilliantly bridges the gap between professional-grade coffee equipment and user-friendly kitchen appliances. Its interface allows anyone to create their perfect drink with just a few taps, while maintaining the superior quality we expect from high-end espresso machines.
We particularly value the customisation features. During our testing period, we created numerous personalised drink profiles, each saving specific parameters for different coffee preferences. It’s brilliant for households where everyone enjoys their coffee slightly differently.
However, as coffee professionals, we should note that the touch screen interface might feel unnecessary for experienced baristas who prefer traditional controls. But that’s not really the point—this machine is designed for coffee lovers who want exceptional drinks without the learning curve of traditional espresso making.
Based on our extensive testing experience, we can confidently say that separate grinders offer superior control for those seeking perfection in their espresso. The key advantage lies in their more precise adjustment capabilities, allowing for microscopic tweaks to dial in your perfect shot.
Without question, yes. Through our laboratory testing and daily brewing experience, we’ve confirmed that coffee begins deteriorating significantly faster once ground. Fresh grinding preserves the complex flavours and aromas that make great coffee truly special.
Our testing reveals a clear hierarchy in grinding methods. While proper burr grinders lead the pack with their precision cutting action, we’ve found that even basic flat burr grinders outperform blade grinders. However, any fresh grinding typically yields better results than pre-ground coffee.
Professional burr grinders use precisely engineered burr sets that cut beans into uniformly sized particles—crucial for even extraction. Basic grinders like the Krups Expert, DeLonghi KG79, and Melitta Molino use simpler grinding discs that produce less consistent results, but still offer more control than blade grinders.
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