If you want your morning (or afternoon) cup to be as rich-tasting as the one sold in your favorite coffee shop, you've got to have one of the best grind and brew coffee makers.
These machines give you the convenience of not grinding your beans separately using a blender or a food processor.
Just pour in the beans, and the coffee maker will get the work done.
Whether you're looking for a single-serve machine or one that can make a big batch at once, we'll introduce you to our top five coffee makers with built-in grinders.
Comparison Chart
Breville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker
Cuisinart DGB-2 Conical Burr Grind & Brew Single-Serve Coffeemaker
Cuisinart SS-GB1 Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus
Cuisinart DGB-550BKP1 Grind & Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
Best Grind and Brew Coffee Makers: A Review
1. Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
This premium coffee maker has advanced features and technologies that make it stand out.
Review
Let’s take a look at the major features of the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker.
- Build Quality
At first look, you will be assured that the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker is built to last.
It boasts of a brushed stainless steel body that gives it a high-quality look and feel.
Unfortunately, it's pretty big and heavy, requiring a big space on your countertop.
- Performance
A major selling point of the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker is the adjustable burr grinder located at the top of the machine.
It’s also made of stainless steel, so it’s pretty sturdy.
To adjust the grind size, simply turn the dial left or right.
Depending on your preferred brewing method, you can choose from coarse to super-fine settings.
However, if you choose to use pre-ground coffee, that's okay.
This machine lets you make coffee using both whole beans and pre-ground coffee.
Moreover, the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker offers room for further customizations.
Aside from the grind size, you can select the brew strength, brewing method, and serving size.
Speaking of the serving size, the coffee maker can brew up to 12 cups at a time, but you can always brew for one cup.
In addition, there are eight strengths settings to choose from so you can brew your coffee just the way you want.
You can also replace the carafe with your favorite mug or travel mug, so the coffee drips directly to your chosen container.
- Ease of Use
Despite having so many features and functionalities, the Breville coffee maker is extremely easy to use.
There's an LCD that shows you the grind setting, grind time, and the number of cups you have selected.
The hopper takes about half a pound of coffee beans, so you won't have to refill each time you brew.
However, we recommend storing your leftover beans in a separate airtight container to retain their freshness.
Also, since the Breville coffee maker is fully programmable, you can set the machine ahead of time.
For instance, you can set it the night before to have a freshly brewed coffee first thing in the morning.
It's a great feature, especially if you're always in a hurry to get ready for work.
However, because of how all the parts work together, some areas can be hard to clean.
If you aren't detailed about cleaning the nooks and crannies of the machine, the coffee oils and residue may eventually lead to clogging.
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CONS
2. Cuisinart DGB-2 Conical Burr Grind & Brew Single-Serve Coffeemaker
Cuisinart makes different types of coffee makers and burr mills.
If you're looking for a coffee maker that will brew a single cup, the DGB-2 is right for you.
Review
Here are the features of this appliance:
- Build Quality
This coffee maker from Cuisinart measures 20.3 x 25.4 x 3.2 cm and weighs a little less than 10 pounds.
While it's a little heavy, the size is compact and can fit discreetly into any kitchen.
Thus, it doesn't matter if you're living in a small apartment as you won't have an issue finding room for it.
Even though most of its parts are made of BPA-free plastic materials, the machine is pretty sturdy.
By the way, this coffee maker is backed with three years of warranty which is great compared to most brewers in the market.
- Performance
The Cuisinart DGB-2 delivers a true bean-to-cup experience with a push of a button.
The bean hopper can handle up to six scoops of whole beans or about a hundred grams, while the water reservoir can take up to 16 ounces.
That said, this machine can give you a big cup of delicious coffee each time.
Inside the coffee maker is a conical burr mill, which is better than blades.
This burr type has a cone-shaped center and outer serrated burr that breaks down coffee beans in relatively uniform sizes.
- Ease of Use
This coffee maker from Cuisinart lacks advanced features, making it extremely easy to use.
There are only two buttons: one that lets you brew pre-ground coffee and another that lets you grind and brew beans.
Cleaning the machine is relatively easy too. The grinder can be removed effortlessly and simply needs to be wiped down.
The filter is also removable and only needs a rinse.
All the other parts can be tossed into the dishwasher, saving you even more time.
Furthermore, the machine comes with a 48-ounce removable water reservoir, a charcoal filter, and a removable drip tray for convenience of use.
The easy-view water window lets you know if you've got enough water for your brewing needs.
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CONS
3. Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus
The Grind & Brew Plus is another single-serve coffee maker from Cuisinart.
This model, however, is fully programmable and features a 24-hour advance brew start.
Review
Here's what the Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus has to offer:
- Build Quality
The SS-GB1 is made of a stainless steel body with heavy-duty plastic and glass parts.
The unit comes with a drip-free pour spout, knuckle guard for protection, a carafe lid, and a stainless steel handle.
It also comes with a durable gold-tone filter and a built-in charcoal water filter that ensures you've got the freshest flavor of coffee flowing through your cup.
Given its build, this coffee maker is built to last.
- Ease of Use
As mentioned earlier, this coffee maker is fully programmable.
For instance, you can set it to brew 24 hours in advance. That means you won't have to wait in the morning to get your cup.
The machine will automatically grind and brew coffee beans at the time you've set.
The machine also has an auto-off function.
Another highlight of the Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus is it allows both single-serve and big-batch brewing.
The machine comes with a glass carafe that holds up to 12 cups of coffee, but you have an option to brew in three sizes: 8, 10, and 12 ounces.
Meanwhile, the single-serve section lets you enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate on demand.
It is also compatible with most single-serve coffee capsules.
In addition, it fits most travel mugs, so you can have your cup of joe on the go.
- Performance
In terms of performance, the Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus meets the standards of a premium coffee maker.
It grinds beans well and produces uniformly sized particles.
However, the grinder gets a lot of condensation, causing the coffee grind to stick to the inside surfaces of the chamber.
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CONS
4. Cuisinart DGB-550BKP1 Grind & Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker
The third coffee maker from Cuisinart that made it to our list of the best grind and brew coffee makers is the DGB-550BKP.
It offers more sophisticated features and functionality, including 24-hour programmability.
Review
Here's what you can expect from this appliance:
- Build Quality
The DGB-550 is made of metal parts. Even though it isn't as sturdy as stainless steel, metal is good enough to last for a long time.
The coffee maker features an ergonomic comfort grip handle and a knuckle guard for added protection.
According to Cuisinart, the DGB-550 was built to meet and exceed the North American Electrical Standards.
- Performance
The Cuisinart DGB-550 Grind & Brew features a 24-hour advance brew start and an auto shut-off from zero to four hours.
It also has the patented Cuisinart Brew Pause feature that lets you enjoy a cup of coffee even though the brewing cycle hasn't finished yet.
You will find six buttons and an LCD that shows your desired settings on the front panel.
The glass carafe is big enough to hold up to 12 cups of freshly brewed coffee, and its ergonomic grip handle makes pouring to individual cups a breeze.
Moreover, the appliance is preset for a medium grind which is a sweet spot for various brewing methods, including drip and espresso.
- Ease of Use
Like all Cuisinart coffee makers, the DGB-550 Grind & Brew is very easy to use.
Simply add beans and water, set the number of cups and flavor control, and you're good to go.
The reservoir cover flips back for easy filling and is removable for easy cleaning.
There's also a safety interlock system that prevents the machine from starting if the reservoir cover is open.
The unit comes with a measuring scoop and brush, basket filters, and a charcoal water filter that takes tap water's bad taste and odor.
Furthermore, the machine features the Steep and Release technology that lets you brew your coffee into a large carafe or a tall cup or travel mug.
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CONS
5. Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
Breville is known for making some of the toughest coffee makers.
The Breville Barista Express is another powerful machine that boasts a brushed stainless steel body, an espresso maker, dose-control grinder, and manual microfoam milk texturing feature.
Review
Here's a detailed look at the appliance's features:
- Quality Build
The Breville Barista Express features a fully stainless steel body, stainless chassis, and a hefty steel portafilter and handle attachment.
Given this build, you know that this coffee maker is built to last.
The major drawback is that it's very heavy, weighing 23 pounds.
The machine also measures 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches, which will occupy a big space in your kitchen.
- Performance
If you're an espresso lover, you'll find the Breville Barista Express a good investment.
It's a mid-priced espresso machine that is unrivaled in its category.
Aside from the stainless steel chassis and portafilters, the machine comes with a large bean hopper, a companion burr grinder, and a pressure gauge that will enable you to make a seriously good-tasting espresso.
On the front of the machine is the control panel, along with the circular dial that displays whether the internal pump has the optimal pressure range.
This feature is something you won't find in cheaper espresso machines.
To the left and right of the dial are large buttons that let you customize the brew according to your liking.
For example, you can choose to brew a single or a double espresso shot and produce it automatically for either single or double-sized espresso filters.
Furthermore, this machine has a milk frothing feature which means you can make cappuccinos at home.
Lastly, a grind dial lets you adjust the grinding size no matter what type of bean you're using.
- Ease of Use
At first, you'd find the Breville Barista Express a bit intimidating to use, but you will find that it's actually very user-friendly with a few tries.
In addition, the stainless 360-degree wand makes it easy to find the right angle for your steaming pitcher.
The machine also comes with an easy-to-clean drip tray and a water tank with a handle.
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Our Top Recommendation
The Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker is the best grind and brew coffee maker because it lets you customize your coffee drinks in several ways.
The adjustable burr grinder means you can use your coffee maker for various brewing methods and strengths.
On top of these, the coffee maker is extremely easy to use and is built to last for a long time.
However, if you’re looking for a budget coffee maker, the Cuisinart DGB-2 Conical Burr Grind & Brew is a great choice.
It's sleek and compact and lets you brew for one cup at a time.