Coffee grinders come in many different shapes and sizes. Here is a simple guide to three of the most common types of coffee grinders you may come across. 1. Single Dose Grinders The original grinder type, with roots stretching back to the 19th century, single-dose grinders are manually operated and grind each shot at single-dose intervals. This type of grinder requires users to weigh each dose of coffee beans before pouring them into the hopper. The main advantage of single-dose grinders is their extremely low retention and versatility in grinding various types of coffee beans (e.g., dark roast, medium roast, etc.). With an inclined design and accessories such as silicone bellows, single-dose grinders allow users to purge the retained coffee beans of each shot more comprehensively than other grinder types. This not only aids in the consistency of your brews but also ensures freshness, as old coffee grounds will be purged from the grinder chamber. Furthermore, single-dose grinders allow users to store their coffee beans in airtight containers, keeping them fresher for longer periods of time. New single-dose grinders like Mahlkönig's EK Omnia are equipped with variable RPM technology, allowing users to choose their desired grinding speed, further enhancing the versatility of single-dose grinders (e.g., slower grinding speeds are generally thought to be better for lighter roast coffee as grinding at a slower speed reduces the heat within the grinding chamber and helps preserve the delicate aroma of lighter roasted coffee beans). Shop Ultimate Coffee's collection of Single-Dose Coffee Grinders. 2. Grind-by-Weight As the name suggests, Grind-by-Weight grinders, or GbW in short, have a built-in scale that weighs your coffee grounds in real time. These grinders are extremely accurate and convenient to use, as users can easily set their shot weight (e.g., 17 grams) and the grinder will automatically weigh and dispense the desired amount at the press of a button. Those who value convenience and accuracy will love built in weighing function of a grind-by-weight grinder. Shop Ultimate Coffee's collection of Grind by Weight Coffee Grinders. 2. Grind-by-Time The most common grinder type, grind-by-time grinders, use a pre-set timer for each dose. To calibrate these grinders, users must use a scale to find the time and weight correlation of the coffee grinder. For example, if your target dose is 17 grams, and you find that after grinding for 5 seconds, you only get 14 grams, this means you need to add a little more time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) to achieve your 17-gram target. While they are technically less accurate than single-dose and grind-by-weight grinders, by foregoing weighing, grind-by-time coffee grinders are often faster and more consistent than other grinder types. Some new grind-by-time grinders like the Eureka Specialita Smart integrate innovative technologies like Burr disc distance detection and real-time digital grind size indication, simplifying grind size calibration and thereby reducing trial and error and enhancing workflow. Shop Ultimate Coffee's collection of Grind by Time Coffee Grinders. © 2026 Ultimate Coffee. All Rights Reserved