Best Coffee Grinder for French Press: 5 Picks That Actually Deliver Coarse Grinds

TL;DR: The Capresso Infinity Plus is our top pick—even coarse grinds, quiet operation, solid value. For manual grinding, grab the Timemore C3S Pro.

French press needs coarse, uniform grinds—too fine and you get bitter mud. Here are 5 grinders that actually deliver, based on Reddit discussions and Amazon reviews.

Best For Your Situation

Quick Picks

Why French Press Needs a Different Grinder

Quick note: French press is all about coarse, uniform grinds. Too fine = over-extraction, bitter taste, sludge at the bottom. The grinders below were picked specifically for their coarse grind performance. Looking for espresso-capable grinders? Check our best burr coffee grinders guide instead.

Coarse Grind Consistency Analysis

Ratings based on common feedback patterns from Amazon reviews and r/Coffee discussions.

1. Capresso Infinity Plus – Best Overall

The Capresso Infinity Plus hits the sweet spot for French press brewing. Not the cheapest, not the fanciest—just solid at what French press needs.

Why it works:

• Commercial-grade conical burrs produce uniform coarse grinds
• Gear reduction motor runs at 450 RPM (slower = less heat = better flavor)
• 16 grind settings with 4 dedicated to coarse/French press
• Surprisingly quiet for an electric grinder—won't wake the house at 6AM

The catch: Static. The grounds container attracts coffee dust like a magnet—your countertop becomes a crime scene every morning. A quick tap solves it, but it's annoying. Some users do RDT (a few drops of water on beans before grinding) to tame the static.

Reddit users on r/Coffee keep praising its coarse grind consistency. One user put it simply: "Finally, no more mud in my French press. The coarse setting actually produces coarse grinds."

Who should skip this: Espresso drinkers. The Capresso does coarse-to-medium well but can't go fine enough for a proper shot. If you want one grinder for everything, look elsewhere.

Best For: Daily French press brewers who want set-it-and-forget-it convenience.

Best Overall

Capresso Infinity Plus

Check Latest Price

2. Timemore C3S Pro – Best Manual

The Timemore C3S Pro delivers grind quality that rivals electric grinders costing twice as much. The trade-off? Your arm does the work.

Here's what you get:

• S2C steel burrs (same geometry as high-end grinders)
• 36 clicks of adjustment—overkill for French press, but nice to have
• Grinds 20g in about 30 seconds at coarse settings
• Dual-bearing stabilization eliminates wobble

Minor gripe: The adjustment dial sits at the bottom. You'll need to flip it over to change settings—your fingers might get sore after dialing in a new coffee. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.

The r/JamesHoffmann community loves this grinder. Multiple threads praise its coarse grind uniformity: "The C3S Pro at coarse settings produces cleaner French press than my old Baratza Encore."

Who should skip this: Anyone grinding for more than 2 people daily. Your arm will hate you after a week. Also skip if the morning ritual of hand grinding sounds like torture—get the Capresso instead.

Best For: Coffee folks who appreciate the ritual and want maximum grind quality per dollar.

Best Manual

Timemore C3S Pro

Check Latest Price

3. KINGrinder K6 – Best Value

The KINGrinder K6 punches way above its weight. External adjustment and 48mm burrs—features usually found in grinders costing twice as much.

What you're getting:

• External stepless adjustment (no disassembly to change grind size)
• 48mm steel burrs grind faster than smaller burrs
• Magnetic catch cup for easy transfer
• Grinds 20g in about 25 seconds at coarse

Fair warning: The aluminum body gets slippery—especially with oily hands after handling beans. A silicone grip band helps, but it's not included. Would it have killed them to throw one in the box?

Amazon reviewers keep highlighting the grind speed: "Fastest manual grinder I've owned. Coarse grinds for French press take no effort."

Who should skip this: Noise-sensitive folks. The Timemore is smoother and quieter. The K6's burrs have a slightly more aggressive sound that some find annoying at 6AM.

Best For: Value-hunters who want premium features without the premium price.

Best Value

KINGrinder K6

Check Latest Price

4. JavaPresse Manual Grinder – Best Budget

The JavaPresse is the entry point into burr grinding. Not fancy, but it works—and cheap enough to be a no-brainer upgrade from blade grinders.

The basics:

• Ceramic conical burrs (won't rust, stay sharp longer)
• 18 click settings cover French press range
• Compact enough for travel

The honest truth: Grinding is slow. Like, really slow. Expect 2+ minutes for a French press dose—your arm will feel it. The handle also feels flimsy compared to premium manual grinders, with a slight wobble that gets annoying after a few weeks.

With 25,000+ Amazon reviews, the JavaPresse has proven itself as a reliable budget option. Common praise: "Perfect starter grinder. My French press finally tastes like coffee shop quality."

Who should skip this: Anyone who values their time. If you're grinding daily, spend more on a faster grinder. The JavaPresse is best for occasional use, travel, or testing whether manual grinding fits your routine before investing more.

Best For: Beginners testing whether manual grinding fits their routine.

Best Budget

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

Check Latest Price

5. SHARDOR Professional Conical Burr – Best Electric Budget

The SHARDOR proves you don't need to spend a fortune for decent electric grinding. Cheapest electric burr grinder that actually produces even coarse grinds.

What works:

• Conical burrs (not blade) for uniform particle size
• 35 grind settings including dedicated coarse range
• Large 12oz bean hopper
• One-touch grinding with adjustable dose

Real talk: Build quality is plastic-heavy. It works, but don't expect it to last a decade—the adjustment mechanism feels like it'll wear out eventually. The motor is also louder than premium grinders—you'll hear a high-pitched whine that might wake light sleepers.

Amazon reviews highlight the value: "For the price, the grind consistency is impressive. My French press has zero sludge now."

Who should skip this: Anyone buying for the long haul. If you're serious about coffee and plan to grind daily for years, invest in the Capresso. The SHARDOR is a starter grinder—great for testing whether you like fresh-ground coffee, but you'll probably upgrade within 2 years.

Best For: Budget-conscious buyers who want electric convenience without blade grinder compromises.

Best Electric Budget

SHARDOR Professional Conical Burr Grinder

Check Latest Price

French Press Grind Settings Cheat Sheet

Pro tip: Start at the middle of the range and adjust based on taste. If your coffee tastes bitter and muddy, go coarser. If it's weak and sour, go finer. Most people end up "dialing in" over 3-4 brews.

Related Guides:

• Pour Over Coffee Guide – Complete guide to pour over brewing technique and equipment
• Best Burr Coffee Grinders – For all brew methods
• Best Flat Burr Coffee Grinders – For espresso enthusiasts