Best Single-Dose Coffee Grinders Under $300 in 2026

Single-dose grinders accept only enough beans for one brew, eliminating the retention and staling problems of hopper-fed grinders. The category has exploded with excellent options under $300.

What Makes Single-Dose Different?

Traditional grinders hold 8-12oz of beans in a hopper. Beans go stale faster once exposed to air, and 1-3g of ground coffee stays trapped inside the grinder (retention), mixing old grounds into your next cup. Single-dose grinders minimize both issues by design.

Top Picks

Eureka Mignon Single Dose ($279)

Burr set: 55mm flat steel Retention: Under 0.3g Best for: Espresso and filter switching

Eureka adapted their popular Mignon platform for single-dose use. The stepless grind adjustment handles espresso-fine through pour-over coarse. Build quality is excellent — full metal construction, quiet operation, and the timed dosing works well once calibrated.

Fellow Opus ($195)

Burr set: 40mm conical Retention: Under 0.5g Best for: Filter coffee and occasional espresso

The Opus is the best value in single-dose grinding. The 40mm conical burr set produces clean, consistent grinds for pour-over and French press. Espresso performance is acceptable but not competitive with flat burr options at this price. The magnetic catch cup and load bin make the workflow seamless.

Timemore Sculptor 064S ($249)

Burr set: 64mm flat Retention: Under 0.2g Best for: Espresso enthusiasts on a budget

64mm flat burrs at $249 is remarkable value. The Sculptor produces the clarity and definition in espresso that previously required $500+ grinders. Retention is best-in-class. The catch cup design and workflow are well-thought-out.

DF64 Gen 2 ($299)

Burr set: 64mm flat (SSP-compatible) Retention: Under 0.2g Best for: Enthusiasts who want SSP burr upgrade path

The DF64 is the modder's choice. Stock burrs are good; swap in SSP multipurpose burrs ($100) and you have a grinder that competes with $800+ options. The Gen 2 fixes most complaints from the original (better motor, reduced noise, improved declumping).

Recommendation

Filter coffee primary: Fellow Opus ($195) Espresso primary, tight budget: Timemore Sculptor 064S ($249) Espresso + upgrade path: DF64 Gen 2 ($299)