Best Espresso Grinder Under £200 UK (2026)

Spending under £200 on an espresso grinder doesn't mean compromising on quality. This price range includes genuinely capable grinders that will serve you for years. The choice comes down to whether you value convenience or value for money, because manual and electric grinders at this budget offer different trade-offs.

The electric option: Baratza Encore ESP

The Baratza Encore ESP is the entry point for electric grinders that actually work for espresso. *(Price when reviewed: ~£150 | Check price)* Unlike the standard Encore designed for filter coffee, the ESP version has 40 adjustment steps specifically in the espresso range. When you grind finer, shots slow down. When you grind coarser, they speed up. This responsiveness is what makes dialling in possible.

The 40mm conical burrs produce consistent particles at espresso fineness. You won't get the same precision as a £400 grinder, but the difference in your cup is smaller than you'd expect. Baratza's customer support is excellent, and parts are readily available if anything needs replacing years down the line.

The main limitation is retention. Some grounds stay in the chute between doses, which means old coffee mixes with fresh. For most home users making one or two drinks daily, this isn't noticeable. For single-dosing purists who switch beans frequently, it's worth considering manual alternatives.

The value option: Timemore C3 ESP PRO

The Timemore C3 ESP PRO delivers grind quality that matches electric grinders costing twice as much. *(Price when reviewed: ~£100 | Check price)* This isn't marketing. Hand-powered grinders can be manufactured to tighter tolerances because there's no motor, no electronics, no complex gearing. The engineering is simpler, which means better burrs at lower cost.

The S2C burrs produce consistent particle sizes across the espresso range. The adjustment is stepless, giving you precise control over grind size. Zero retention means what goes in comes out, making it ideal for switching between different beans.

The trade-off is effort. Each dose takes 30-45 seconds of hand grinding. Some people find this meditative, a ritual that marks the start of the coffee-making process. Others find it annoying, especially before their first coffee of the day. Only you know which camp you're in.

The C3 ESP PRO is also travel-friendly. No electricity needed, compact size, quiet operation. If you want good espresso in a holiday rental or office, manual grinders are the only practical option.

The premium manual option: Timemore C3S Pro

The Timemore C3S Pro refines everything about the C3. *(Price when reviewed: ~£150 | Check price)* Better burrs produce even more consistent particles. The grinding action is smoother, requiring less effort per rotation. Build quality is noticeably more premium.

If you're committed to manual grinding and want the best experience under £200, this is it. The extra £50 over the C3 ESP PRO buys meaningful improvements in daily use. But if you're unsure whether manual grinding suits you, start with the cheaper option first.

Why cheaper options don't work

Below £100, grind quality drops significantly. Budget electric grinders use smaller burrs, coarser adjustment steps, and less precise engineering. They often can't grind fine enough for espresso, or the adjustment jumps from too coarse to too fine with nothing usable in between.

Cheap hand grinders suffer from similar problems plus physical discomfort. Poor bearing quality makes grinding harder than it needs to be. Inconsistent burrs produce uneven particles. You'll fight the equipment instead of learning technique.

The £100-150 threshold is where espresso capability genuinely begins. Spend less and you're likely to upgrade within months anyway, wasting the initial purchase.

Manual versus electric at this budget

At under £200, both approaches are viable. Manual grinders offer better grind quality per pound spent because the engineering is simpler. Electric grinders offer convenience at the cost of some quality and higher price.

For most people making one or two drinks daily, the convenience of electric grinding is worth the premium. Press a button, grounds appear, move on with your morning. For people who enjoy the process, want to travel with their grinder, or prioritise value, manual grinding makes more sense.

Neither choice is wrong. They're optimised for different priorities.

My recommendation

If you want convenience, the Baratza Encore ESP will serve you well for years. *(Price when reviewed: ~£150 | Check price)* It's the benchmark entry-level electric espresso grinder for good reason.

If you want the best value and don't mind 30-45 seconds of morning grinding, the Timemore C3 ESP PRO punches well above its price. *(Price when reviewed: ~£100 | Check price)* The grind quality matches electric grinders costing significantly more.

Common questions about budget espresso grinders

Can I actually get a good espresso grinder for under £200?

Yes. The grinders in this range produce genuinely good espresso. You're not compromising on cup quality in any meaningful way. What you're missing compared to £400+ grinders is convenience features like larger hoppers, faster grinding, and less retention, plus marginal improvements in consistency that most home users won't notice.

Is a hand grinder really as good as an electric?

At the same price point, hand grinders typically produce better grind quality because the engineering is simpler. A £100 hand grinder matches a £200 electric grinder for particle consistency. The trade-off is time and effort, not quality.

What's the minimum I should spend on an espresso grinder?

Around £100 for a capable manual grinder or £150 for a capable electric grinder. Below these thresholds, you're buying equipment that will frustrate you and limit your espresso quality regardless of your machine or technique.

Will I need to upgrade if I start with a budget grinder?

Eventually, maybe. As your palate develops, you might want better grind consistency or different flavour characteristics from flat burrs. But a Baratza Encore ESP or Timemore C3 ESP PRO can genuinely satisfy you for years. Many home baristas never upgrade because these grinders do everything they need.

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