OXO Grinder: A Complete Guide to OXO's Coffee Grinder Lineup

OXO makes two primary coffee grinders: the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder and the OXO Brew 8710200 Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Integrated Scale. The standard conical burr model runs about $100 and is one of the best grinders at that price for drip coffee and pour-over. The scale-integrated version costs around $150 and adds weight-based dosing. Both use 40mm stainless steel conical burrs and cover a range from medium-fine to coarse grinding.

I have used the standard OXO Brew Conical Burr grinder for about a year as my daily drip and pour-over grinder. It replaced a Baratza Encore that died after five years, and I have been pleasantly surprised by how well OXO translated their kitchen tool design philosophy into a coffee grinder. Simple interface, reliable performance, easy to clean. It is not an espresso grinder and does not pretend to be. But for anyone brewing drip, pour-over, French press, or cold brew, OXO makes a strong case for itself.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

This is the grinder most people are looking at when they search for an OXO grinder. It sits in the $80 to $110 price range, competing directly with the Baratza Encore and the Capresso Infinity.

Design and Build

The OXO grinder has a clean, minimalist look. Stainless steel and black plastic construction, compact footprint (about 6 inches wide by 8 inches deep by 15 inches tall), and a hopper that holds approximately 340 grams of beans. It weighs about 5 pounds.

The standout design feature is the one-touch start timer. You turn a dial to select your number of cups (2 through 12), press the start button, and the grinder runs for a preset time calibrated to that cup count. It is a simpler approach than the programmable timers on Breville or Eureka grinders, and it works well for people who brew the same amount every morning.

Grind Settings

The OXO offers 15 grind settings via a hopper-twist mechanism. You rotate the hopper itself to change the grind size. The settings range from fine (not espresso-fine, but close to pour-over-fine) through coarse (suitable for French press and cold brew).

Within each of the 15 main settings, there is a micro-adjustment option that gives you a bit more granularity. In practice, this gives you about 38 to 40 usable positions, which is enough for filter brewing but not precise enough for espresso.

Grind Quality

For drip and pour-over coffee, the OXO performs very well. The 40mm conical burrs produce a reasonably consistent grind with minimal fines. I have compared it to my Baratza Encore, and the results are similar in the medium to medium-coarse range. The OXO does produce slightly more fines at the finest settings, which can make V60 brews a bit slower to draw down.

For French press, the coarse settings work fine. Grounds are uniform enough to avoid excessive silt in the cup. Cold brew grounds are also good, though the coarsest setting could be a touch coarser for optimal extraction.

What It Does Not Do

The OXO Brew Conical Burr grinder is not an espresso grinder. The finest setting is not fine enough for pressurized espresso, and the 15 stepped settings do not provide the resolution needed to dial in shots. If espresso is on your radar at all, look elsewhere.

OXO Brew with Integrated Scale

The upgraded OXO model adds a built-in scale to the grounds container. Instead of dosing by time, you set a target weight in grams, and the grinder runs until it hits that weight. This is a meaningful upgrade for consistency.

Why Weight-Based Dosing Matters

Time-based dosing (grinding for a set number of seconds) produces different amounts of coffee depending on bean density, roast level, and how full the hopper is. A 10-second grind might yield 28 grams one day and 31 grams the next if you switch beans. Weight-based dosing eliminates that variable.

The scale on the OXO model is accurate to about 0.5 grams in my testing. That is not laboratory precision, but it is consistent enough for drip and pour-over where you are dosing 20 to 40 grams at a time.

Is the Scale Version Worth $50 More?

If you do not already own a kitchen scale, yes. The convenience of set-and-forget dosing by weight is worth the upgrade. If you already have a good scale and do not mind weighing your coffee separately, save the $50 and get the standard model.

How OXO Compares to Competitors

OXO vs. Baratza Encore

The Baratza Encore is the default recommendation in the $100 grinder category, and for good reason. It has been refined over many years and has excellent customer support with available replacement parts. The OXO matches it on grind quality for most settings and beats it on ease of use (the one-touch timer is simpler than the Encore's basic on/off switch). The Baratza wins on long-term repairability since parts are readily available and the grinder is designed to be user-serviceable.

If you want a grinder you can repair and keep for a decade, Baratza is the safer bet. If you want something that works well out of the box with minimal thought, OXO is equally good.

OXO vs. Capresso Infinity

The Capresso Infinity is slightly cheaper (around $70 to $80) and also uses conical burrs. It grinds quieter than the OXO and has a commercial-style grounds container. The grind quality is a step below both the OXO and Baratza at medium settings, though the difference is subtle. The Infinity is a good budget pick, but the OXO is worth the extra $20 to $30 for more consistent output.

OXO vs. Breville Smart Grinder Pro

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro costs about $70 to $100 more than the OXO and offers 60 grind settings, a digital timer, and an espresso-capable fine range. If you need espresso grinding capability, the Breville wins by default. If you only brew filter coffee, the OXO does the same job for less money.

For a wider comparison of grinders at every price point, our best coffee grinder guide covers the full range.

Cleaning and Maintenance

OXO designed this grinder to be easy to maintain, which is one of its underappreciated strengths.

Weekly Cleaning

Remove the hopper (it lifts off after twisting to the coarsest setting), brush out the burr chamber with the included brush, and wipe down the grounds container. Takes about 2 minutes.

Monthly Deep Clean

Run a small dose of grinder cleaning tablets (like Urnex Grindz) through the machine. Grind 15 to 20 grams of tablets, then grind 20 grams of cheap beans to flush any residue. This removes built-up coffee oils that can go rancid and affect flavor.

Burr Replacement

The 40mm conical burrs should last several years of home use. OXO does not sell replacement burrs directly as readily as Baratza does, which is the main long-term durability concern. If your burrs wear out after 3 to 5 years, you may end up replacing the whole grinder rather than just the burrs.

Tips for Better Results with Your OXO Grinder

Adjust the cup timer after switching beans. The one-touch timer is calibrated for average density beans. If you switch from a light roast to a dark roast (which is less dense), the same timer setting will produce less coffee by weight. Check your dose with a scale when switching beans.

Do not leave beans in the hopper for more than 2 to 3 days. Oxygen and light degrade beans, and the clear hopper offers no UV protection. Grind from a sealed bag or container and only load what you need.

Use the medium settings for drip. Settings 7 through 10 on the OXO produce the best results for automatic drip coffee makers. Finer than 7 can cause over-extraction and bitter coffee. Coarser than 10 may produce weak, under-extracted cups.

Run it on a flat surface. The OXO is lighter than many competitors, and it can vibrate across the counter during grinding. A shelf liner or rubber mat underneath keeps it stable.

For more options in the mid-range grinder category, see our top coffee grinder roundup.

FAQ

Does OXO make a grinder for espresso?

No. Both OXO coffee grinders are designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew. The finest settings are not fine enough for unpressurized espresso baskets, and the stepped adjustment does not offer the precision espresso requires.

How loud is the OXO grinder?

It runs at about 70 to 75 decibels during grinding, which is comparable to the Baratza Encore and louder than premium grinders with sound insulation. It is not obnoxiously loud, but you will hear it in the next room.

Can I grind directly into a portafilter with the OXO?

The OXO is not designed for this. The grounds exit into a container, not a chute. You would need to grind into the container and then transfer to a portafilter. This is another reason it is not suitable for espresso workflows.

How long does the OXO grinder last?

With normal home use (grinding 20 to 40 grams per day), expect 3 to 5 years of reliable performance. The motor and electronics are solid. Burr wear is the main longevity concern, and since replacement burrs are not as readily available as Baratza's, budget for replacing the grinder when burrs eventually dull.

Final Thoughts

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a well-designed, easy-to-use grinder that does exactly what it promises for drip and pour-over brewing. The one-touch timer simplifies the morning routine, and the grind quality matches or beats competitors at the $100 price point. It is not for espresso, and it is not as repairable as a Baratza. But if you want a clean, simple grinder that makes great filter coffee without demanding attention, the OXO is a smart buy. Get the scale version if you care about dose consistency. Get the standard version if you just want to press a button and go.