Best Burr Grinder for Pour-Over: 5 Picks Compared by Burrs, Settings, and Workflow
By the Steam Wand Studio team ·
If your pour-over tastes different every morning even though you use the same beans, the same kettle, and the same recipe, the grinder is often the variable. Pour-over relies on water flowing evenly through a bed of grounds. When particle sizes vary widely, the fine bits and the coarse bits extract at different rates.
That’s why pour-over guides commonly point you toward a burr grinder: two burrs crush beans to a set size, rather than spinning blades chopping them at random. OXO, for example, says its stainless steel conical burrs “create uniform grounds.” The National Coffee Association also recommends grinding right before brewing, so a grinder at home helps with freshness too.
This guide compares five burr grinders suited to pour-over, from an entry-level conical grinder to a dedicated flat-burr brew grinder.
How we put this list together: we compared manufacturer specifications, product pages, spec sheets, and manuals. We have not tested these grinders ourselves. Prices change often, so check the current price on each listing.
Heads up: maker links below are not affiliate-tagged. A Breville Bambino BES450BSS Amazon link, if this guide includes one, is a paid link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick comparison
| Grinder | Burrs (per manufacturer) | Grind adjustment | Capacity | Espresso capable? | Notable features | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (8717000) | 40 mm stainless steel conical* | 15 settings + micro-settings | 12 oz hopper | OXO lists settings 1–5 for espresso | 0–30 s timer dial, UV-blocking hopper | Check price at OXO at OXO |
| Baratza Encore (ZCG485) | 40 mm conical | 40 settings (250–1,200 microns) | 225 g hopper / 142 g grounds bin | Baratza suggests setting 8 for espresso | Simple on/off + pulse, tool-free burr removal | Check price at Baratza at Baratza |
| Baratza Virtuoso+ | 40 mm conical | 40 settings | 225 g hopper / 142 g grounds bin | Yes (per Baratza) | Digital timer adjustable to 0.1 s | Check price at Baratza at Baratza |
| Fellow Opus 2 | 48 mm stainless steel conical | Stepless side dial | 100 g single-dose | Yes, designed for espresso | Auto-stop, ionizer, two catch cups | Check price at Fellow at Fellow |
| Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2 | 64 mm stainless steel flat | 11 settings, 31 total steps | 100 g single-dose | No. Fellow says Ode is not for espresso | Auto-stop, anti-static, built-in knocker | Check price at Fellow at Fellow |
*OXO’s product page says “stainless steel conical burrs.” The 40 mm size appears in retailer listings rather than on OXO’s page.
What grind size does pour-over need?
Pour-over usually sits in the medium range. Fellow’s Stagg kettle brew guide describes a pour-over grind as “medium coarseness – the consistency of coarse sand.” OXO’s grinding guide compares espresso to “fine table salt” and French press to “coarse Kosher salt,” with drip methods in between.
Manufacturers’ suggested starting points:
- OXO Brew Conical: settings 6–10 for pour-over/drip.
- Baratza Encore: setting 15 for a Hario V60, 20 for Chemex, 12 for AeroPress.
Treat these as starting points. Both OXO and Baratza note that roast level, freshness, and bean type all shift the ideal setting.
The picks
1. OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: best value starter grinder
OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder at OXO
What the manufacturer lists:
- Stainless steel conical burrs
- 15 grind size settings plus micro-settings, from fine for espresso to coarse for French press and cold brew
- One-touch start; the timer dial (0–30 seconds) remembers your last setting
- Hopper holds up to 12 oz (¾ lb) of beans, with a UV-blocking tint
- Trap door keeps beans contained when you remove the hopper
- Stainless steel grounds container to reduce static
- DC motor
- Dimensions 6.8” × 11.8” × 14.8”; 5.6 lb
Why it stands out for pour-over: OXO’s own grind chart puts pour-over and drip at settings 6–10, so you have a range to fine-tune in. The timed grind lets you get roughly the same dose each morning once you’ve weighed it.
Keep in mind:
- OXO’s manual says to adjust grind size while the motor is running if beans are in the hopper, to prevent jamming.
- The manual notes that dark, oily beans can clog the chute.
- For precise doses, OXO recommends weighing your grounds with a scale.
2. Baratza Encore: best classic all-rounder for filter coffee
What the manufacturer lists:
- 40 mm conical burrs
- 40 settings with a grind range of 250 to 1,200 microns
- Suggested starting settings: Espresso 8, AeroPress 12, Hario V60 15, automatic brewer 18, Chemex 20, French press 28
- DC motor with gear reduction to 550 RPM, which Baratza says reduces heat, noise, and static
- 225 g bean hopper; 142 g grounds bin
- Tool-free burr removal for cleaning; user-calibratable
- 1-year warranty (per Baratza)
Why it stands out for pour-over: Baratza describes the Encore as aimed at “your filter brew journey.” Its published starting settings for V60 and Chemex give beginners a concrete place to start. Simple controls (an on/off switch and a pulse button) keep the routine quick.
Keep in mind:
- There’s no timer. You grind until you’ve got your dose, or weigh beans first.
- Baratza notes the motor has a thermal cutoff and the grinder is designed to grind “a dose at a time for home use.”
3. Baratza Virtuoso+: best for timed, repeatable doses
What the manufacturer lists:
- 40 mm conical burrs, manufactured in Europe
- 40 grind settings from fine for espresso to coarse for French press; Baratza’s spec sheet gives a range up to 1,200 microns
- 40-second digital timer adjustable to the tenth of a second, plus a pulse option
- Grinds at 1.5 to 2.4 g/sec depending on setting
- 225 g bean hopper; 142 g grounds bin; LED-backlit grounds bin
Why it stands out for pour-over: It’s a similar platform to the Encore with a digital timer added. Once you find the time that gives you, say, your usual dose, you can repeat it with one press.
Keep in mind:
- A timer gives consistent time, not consistent weight. Grind speed varies with setting and beans, so a scale is still the most precise check.
4. Fellow Opus 2: best if you also brew espresso
Fellow Opus 2 at Fellow What the manufacturer lists:
- 48 mm stainless steel conical burrs
- Stepless side adjustment dial with grind guidance printed on the load-bin lid
- Designed for espresso, pour-over, electric coffee makers, French press, AeroPress, and cold brew
- Single-dose load bin: 100 g; standard catch cup: 100 g; espresso catch cup: 30 g (fits 54 mm and 58 mm portafilters)
- Automatic stop; integrated ionizer to reduce static; tool-free burr access
- Dimensions 206 × 130 × 267 mm; 2.3 kg; 300 W
- 2-year standard warranty with option to extend
Why it stands out: If one household wants cappuccinos in the morning and pour-over in the afternoon, Fellow positions the Opus 2 as the grinder for “every brew method.” The stepless dial means you aren’t locked into fixed steps.
Keep in mind:
- Availability: at the time of writing, Fellow’s page showed some colorways on pre-order with later ship dates. Check the current listing.
- Single-dose design means you weigh and load beans each time rather than keeping a full hopper.
- If you only brew filter coffee, Fellow itself suggests the Ode Gen 2 as the dedicated brew option.
5. Fellow Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2: best dedicated pour-over grinder
Fellow Ode Gen 2 at Fellow What the manufacturer lists:
- 64 mm stainless steel flat burrs (Gen 2 Brew Burrs); also offered with pre-installed SSP MP Red Speed burrs
- 11 settings with 31 total steps
- Grind capacity 100 g (single-dose loading)
- Designed for brewed methods only: AeroPress, pour-over, electric coffee makers, French press, and cold brew. Fellow states Ode “is not intended for espresso.”
- Automatic stop; anti-static technology; magnetically aligned catch cup; built-in knocker
- Dimensions 239 × 105 × 248.3 mm; 4.6 kg; 140 W
- 2-year standard warranty with option to extend
Why it stands out for pour-over: It’s the only grinder on this list built exclusively for brewed coffee, and the only one with flat burrs. Fellow says the Gen 2 burrs use “a two-stage grinding geometry” designed for “consistency, and clarity across brewed coffee.”
Keep in mind:
- It can’t grind for espresso, so it’s not the right pick if you plan to add an espresso machine later.
- It’s the heaviest grinder here (4.6 kg) and typically one of the pricier ones. Check the current price.
Conical vs. flat burrs: does it matter for pour-over?
Both types can produce excellent pour-over. On this list:
- Conical burrs: OXO, Baratza Encore, Virtuoso+, Fellow Opus 2. These are versatile, and most can handle espresso too.
- Flat burrs: Fellow Ode Gen 2. Fellow designs it specifically for brewed coffee and describes its Gen 2 burrs as tuned for clarity.
Rather than choosing by burr shape alone, start with the bigger question: do you need espresso capability? If yes, choose a conical all-rounder. If you’ll only ever brew filter coffee, a dedicated brew grinder like the Ode is an option.
How to choose a pour-over grinder
Hopper or single-dose?
- Hopper grinders (OXO, Encore, Virtuoso+) hold a supply of beans. They’re convenient, but beans sit in the hopper. OXO’s UV-blocking tint is designed to help with this.
- Single-dose grinders (Opus 2, Ode Gen 2) grind exactly what you load. This fits the NCA’s advice to keep beans in an airtight container until you use them.
Timer, auto-stop, or manual?
- Timer: OXO (0–30 s dial), Virtuoso+ (0.1 s increments).
- Auto-stop when empty: Fellow Opus 2 and Ode Gen 2.
- Manual on/off: Baratza Encore.
Counter space
Check height under your cabinets. OXO lists 14.8” tall, and Baratza says it designed the Encore to “fit nicely under most kitchen cabinets.”
Pair it with a scale
Whatever grinder you choose, weighing your dose helps make pour-over repeatable. See our guide to coffee scales with timers.
FAQ
Is a burr grinder really necessary for pour-over? Pour-over depends on even extraction, and burr grinders are designed to produce uniform grounds (OXO’s wording), which is why they’re the usual recommendation.
What setting should I use for a V60? Baratza suggests starting at setting 15 on the Encore. OXO suggests the 6–10 range on its conical grinder. Adjust finer if your coffee tastes weak and coarser if it tastes bitter. OXO’s manual gives the same rule of thumb.
Can I use a pour-over grinder for espresso? It depends on the model. Baratza and OXO list espresso settings for their grinders, and Fellow’s Opus 2 is designed for espresso. Fellow’s Ode Gen 2 is not.
Should I grind right before brewing? Yes. The National Coffee Association recommends grinding just before brewing for the freshest flavor.
Related guides
- Best Burr Grinder for Espresso Beginners
- Best Coffee Scales With a Timer for Pour-Over and Espresso
- Best Gooseneck Kettles for Pour-Over
Sources
- OXO, Conical Burr Coffee Grinder product page (settings, hopper, dimensions, features): https://www.oxo.com/conical-burr-coffee-grinder.html
- OXO, Conical Burr Coffee Grinder instructions (grind chart, timer, jamming and oily-bean notes): https://www.oxo.com/media/wysiwyg/PDF_Files/BL_On_8717000_Booklet_Temp.pdf
- OXO blog, “How to Use the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder” (grind-size descriptions): https://www.oxo.com/blog/coffee-and-beverages/how-to-use-the-oxo-brew-conical-burr-grinder
- Everything Kitchens, OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder listing (40 mm burr size): https://www.everythingkitchens.com/oxo-stainless-steel-conical-burr-coffee-grinder-8717000.html
- Baratza, Encore product page (US): https://www.baratza.com/en-us/product/zcg485
- Baratza, Encore spec sheet (burrs, 40 settings, 250–1,200 µm, capacities, RPM): https://ep-shopify.s3.amazonaws.com/related-documents/baratza/encore/baratza-encore-specs.pdf
- Baratza, Encore owner’s manual via Williams Sonoma (suggested settings by brew method): https://www.williams-sonoma.com/netstorage/pdf/Baratza-Encore-Coffee-Grinder-Models-ZCG484WT1AUC1A-ZGC485BLK1AUCA1A.pdf
- Baratza, Virtuoso+ product page (US): https://www.baratza.com/en-us/product/virtuoso-zcg587
- Baratza, Virtuoso+ spec sheet (burrs, timer, grind speed, capacities): https://ep-shopify.s3.amazonaws.com/related-documents/baratza/virtuoso/baratza-virtuoso-specs.pdf
- Fellow, Opus 2 Conical Burr Grinder product page: https://fellowproducts.com/products/opus-2-conical-burr-grinder
- Fellow, Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2 product page: https://fellowproducts.com/products/ode-brew-grinder-gen-2
- Fellow, Stagg stovetop kettle instructions (pour-over grind description): https://ep-shopify.s3.amazonaws.com/related-documents/fellow/fellow-stagg-pour-over-kettle-manual.pdf
- National Coffee Association, “Storage and shelf life” (grind right before brewing): https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/How-to-Store-Coffee
Specs can change between model revisions. Confirm on the retailer’s listing and check current price before buying.
