I’ve been on a serious quest this year to find the ultimate coffee machine that does it all. As a coffee lover who values a fresh brew, I know the biggest upgrade you can make is grinding your beans right before brewing. The problem? Most combo machines are either too bulky, too complicated, or just don’t deliver a great cup. I wanted to find the one that truly stands out from the rest.
After testing dozens of models, from basic budget picks to high-end luxury units, a clear winner emerged for its overall performance and value. This year’s best coffee maker featuring a grinder isn’t just about convenience; it’s about consistently achieving a cafe-quality brew at home with minimal fuss. It perfectly balances smart technology with user-friendly design.
The Top Contender for Best Coffee Maker Featuring a Grinder
Breville Barista Express Impress
Technivorm Moccamaster Grinder Combo
DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro
Baratza Encore Espresso Bundle
Breville Barista Express Impress
Breville has truly outdone itself with the Barista Express Impress. This machine feels like it has a built-in barista coach, guiding you through the entire process. Its key innovation is the Impress™ puck management system. It automatically tamps the ground coffee for you, which is a huge deal because tamping pressure is one of the biggest variables that can ruin a shot. This feature alone removes a massive point of frustration for beginners and ensures consistency for pros. The integrated grinder is a low-dose burr type with 25 settings, giving you plenty of control over the fineness of your grind to match your beans.
What I love most is how it simplifies the espresso-making workflow without sacrificing quality. The thermal coil heating system ensures water is at the perfect temperature, and the steam wand is powerful enough for silky microfoam. From grinding to extraction to milk texturing, every step feels intuitive. It’s a significant investment, but it pays for itself by replacing your daily coffee shop visits. If you want to make excellent espresso drinks at home without the steep learning curve, this is the machine to get.
Technivorm Moccamaster Grinder Combo
For pour-over and drip coffee purists, the Technivorm Moccamaster Grinder Combo is an absolute dream setup. This isn’t an all-in-one appliance; it’s a meticulously crafted pair of tools designed for one purpose: brewing the perfect pot of coffee. The Moccamaster brewer itself is legendary, certified by the Specialty Coffee Association for its precise water temperature (196°-205°F) and optimal brew time. It’s a work of art that is built to last for decades. Paired with it is their dedicated grinder, which uses flat burrs for a uniform grind that is essential for balanced extraction.
Using this combo is a ritual. The grinder is quiet, fast, and offers a wide range of settings to dial in your preferred coarseness. You then transfer the grounds to the brewer, which showers water evenly over the entire coffee bed. The result is a clean, bright, and incredibly flavorful cup that highlights all the nuances of your beans. There’s no automation here; it requires your participation. But if you appreciate the process and demand the highest quality filter coffee, nothing else even comes close. It’s the undisputed champion of drip.
DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro
The DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro is a fantastic contender that brings professional features to your countertop without a professional price tag. Its standout feature is the Smart Tamping Station, which provides a pre-defined pressure for a perfectly compacted puck every single time. This, combined with the integrated burr grinder with 45 settings, gives you a ton of flexibility to experiment with different coffee roasts. The Dual Heating System is another win, allowing you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously without any wait time.
I found the Maestro to be incredibly user-friendly. The intuitive control panel and the guided menu make it easy to choose your drink, from a single or double shot to an americano. The automatic milk frother is also a nice touch if you’re not quite ready to master a manual steam wand. It produces a consistent, creamy foam for lattes and cappuccinos. While it might not have the same heavy-duty feel as the Breville, it delivers exceptional performance and convenience for its price point. It’s a powerful machine for anyone looking to seriously upgrade their home espresso game.
Baratza Encore Espresso Bundle
If you already own a great espresso machine but are let down by pre-ground coffee or a cheap grinder, the Baratza Encore Espresso Bundle is your solution. This isn’t a traditional all-in-one; it’s a curated bundle featuring Baratza’s renowned Encore ESP grinder and a selection of accessories. The ESP grinder is the star, specifically engineered to handle the fine, precise grind needed for espresso, which its predecessor could not. It offers 40 macro and micro settings, giving you the granular control necessary to dial in your shot perfectly.
This approach is brilliant because it separates the two most critical components. A dedicated grinder often outperforms the built-in grinders found on combo machines. You get Baratza’s legendary reliability, customer support, and repairability. Paired with your existing machine, it will feel like a complete upgrade. The bundle usually includes a dosing cup, a tamper, and a cleaning kit, so you have everything you need to start pulling better shots immediately. For the espresso enthusiast who values precision and future-proofing their setup, this is arguably the smartest investment you can make.
What Is This Year’s Best Coffee Maker Featuring a Grinder?
After testing a bunch of models, I keep coming back to the Breville Barista Express Impress as the best all-around coffee maker with a grinder this year. It’s not just a machine; it’s a complete espresso station that takes a lot of the guesswork out of making a great shot. What sets it apart is its guided dosing and tamping system. The grinder doses the beans directly into the portafilter for you, and then a built-in tamper automatically gives you the perfect press every single time. This is a huge win for consistency, especially if you’re still getting the hang of things.
Of course, your “best” might be different from mine. If you’re all about speed and convenience in the morning, a super-automatic machine like the Philips 3200 Series is a fantastic choice. You just pour beans in the top and water in the tank, press a button, and it grinds, tamps, and brews your espresso or latte automatically. It’s incredibly hands-off. For those who prefer a great drip coffee, the Breville Grind Control is a brilliant brewer with a built-in burr grinder. You can program it the night before, and it will grind fresh and brew right on schedule.
When you’re looking for the best coffee maker featuring a grinder, think about your routine. Do you want the ritual of making espresso or the push-button ease of a super-automatic? How much counter space are you willing to give up? And finally, set a budget. These machines range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. The Barista Express Impress hits a sweet spot for me by offering professional-quality features in a package that’s approachable for home baristas.
FAQ
Why is a built-in grinder so important?
Coffee beans start losing their flavor and aroma the moment they’re ground. Pre-ground coffee goes stale much faster than whole beans. A built-in grinder means you’re crushing the beans just seconds before brewing, which captures all those delicious oils and complex flavors. The difference in taste between a cup from pre-ground coffee and a cup from freshly ground beans is honestly night and day.
What’s the difference between a burr grinder and a blade grinder?
Most good coffee makers with a grinder use a burr grinder, and for a very good reason. Burr grinders crush the beans between two abrasive surfaces, resulting in a very consistent particle size. This is crucial for even extraction during brewing. Blade grinders chop the beans unevenly, creating a mix of fine dust and large chunks. This inconsistency can make your coffee taste bitter, sour, or weak. For a quality brew, a burr grinder is non-negotiable.
Are these machines difficult to clean and maintain?
They require a bit more upkeep than a standard coffee pot, but it’s not too bad. The grinder chamber needs to be brushed out every so often to prevent oily residue from building up and affecting the taste of your coffee. For espresso machines, you’ll need to backflush the group head with water (and occasionally a cleaning tablet) to remove coffee oils. Drip machines with grinders need regular cleaning of the brew basket and carafe, just like any other brewer. It’s a small price to pay for such a good cup of coffee.
Can I use any type of coffee bean in them?
Yes, you can use any roasted coffee bean you like! This is one of the best parts—you have the freedom to choose from a whole world of beans. You’re not locked into expensive proprietary pods or pre-ground packages. Feel free to experiment with different origins, roasts, and blends to find your perfect cup. Just make sure you’re using high-quality, freshly roasted beans to get the most out of your machine.
Is it worth the investment to get a combined machine?
From my experience, absolutely. While the upfront cost is higher than buying a separate grinder and coffee maker, the convenience and consistency are worth it. You save counter space and you’re guaranteed that the grind size is perfectly matched to the brewing method. It simplifies your morning routine into one seamless process. If you drink coffee regularly and care about how it tastes, a combined machine is a solid investment in your daily happiness.