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OXO BREW Conical Burr Review

Though it's messy and noisy, this machine grinds quite consistently without breaking the bank
OXO BREW Conical Burr
Credit: OXO
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Price:   $105 List | $102.00 at Amazon
Pros:  Above-average grind consistency, easy to use, relatively inexpensive
Cons:  Can be messy, noisy
Manufacturer:   OXO
By Max Mutter and Michelle Powell  ⋅  Aug 9, 2021
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55
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#9 of 14
  • Grind Consistency - 35% 6
  • Cleanliness - 25% 4
  • User Friendliness - 25% 7
  • Noise - 15% 4

Our Verdict

A pared-down, less expensive version of its flashier sibling, we think the OXO BREW Conical Burr is slightly more compelling than the higher-priced offerings from this brand. It provides good grind consistency and a reasonably intuitive interface, plus its habit of spilling grinds and making somewhat jarring noises feels less offensive when you haven't spent multiple hundreds of dollars. That being said, we've found other models in the same price range that do a slightly better job overall, so we would only recommend the BREW Conical Burr if you find it on sale.

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
OXO BREW Conical Burr
This Product
OXO BREW Conical Burr
Awards  Best Buy Award    
Price $105 List
$102.00 at Amazon		$100 List
$89.95 at Amazon		$25 List
$20.95 at Amazon		Check Price at Amazon$40 List
$39.87 at Amazon
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Pros Above-average grind consistency, easy to use, relatively inexpensiveGood grind consistency, relatively inexpensiveRelatively clean and easy to use, quieter than most blade modelsInexpensive, small footprintCheaper than a burr model, very little spillage
Cons Can be messy, noisySomewhat loud, can make a messProduces inconsistent grindsInconsistant grind-sizes, heavy staticMore expensive than many other blade models, inconsistent grinds
Bottom Line Though it's messy and noisy, this machine grinds quite consistently without breaking the bankExcellent performance and one of the best values on the market make this a great choiceOne of the better blade models on the market, but definitely don't expect it to produce consistent grindsA basic burr grinder one-step above a blade grinder, providing mediocre grind consistencyA standard blade model that may be a bit more expensive than many are hoping
Rating Categories OXO BREW Conical Burr Bodum Bistro Mr. Coffee 12 Cup E... Krups GX500050 KitchenAid Blade
Grind Consistency (35%)
6.0
7.0
4.0
6.0
3.0
Cleanliness (25%)
4.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
6.0
User Friendliness (25%)
7.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Noise (15%)
4.0
3.0
6.0
4.0
5.0
Specs OXO BREW Conical Burr Bodum Bistro Mr. Coffee 12 Cup E... Krups GX500050 KitchenAid Blade
Grinding Mechanism Conical burr Conical burr Blade Flat burr Blade
Burr/Blade Material Stainless steel Stainless steel Stainless steel Metallic Stainless steel
Dosing Mechanism Timer Timer Timer Timer Manual
Best Brew Application Pour over, french press Pour over, french press Pour over, french press Pour over, french press Pour over, french press
Dimensions 7.4" x 5.25" x 11.75" 7.6" x 7.1" x 12.5" 5" x 5" x 9" 4.29" x 7.24" x 10.4" 7.1" x 4.1" x 3.7"
Weight 4.5 lbs 3.2 lbs 1.7 lbs 3.2 lbs 2.6 lbs
Cup Material Metal Plastic Plastic, metal Plastic Metal

Our Analysis and Test Results

The OXO BREW Conical Burr offers the quality of a burr grinder at a fairly reasonable price. It isn't our absolute favorite burr grinder in this price range, but we don't think it will disappoint anyone either.

Performance Comparison


There are pros and cons to this well-priced burr grinder.
There are pros and cons to this well-priced burr grinder.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Likes


The most compelling aspect of the BREW Conical Burr is the fact that it provides above-average grind consistency. In our testing, it managed to keep more than half of its grinds in the ideal size range — a feat that is probably more impressive than it sounds. It also kept fine coffee dust to a relative minimum when grinding at a coarse French press setting and produced fairly consistent dose sizes. All this indicates that this machine will give your coffee a better chance of reaching its full potential than most models on the market.

The grind consistency is better than average, but not amongst the...
The grind consistency is better than average, but not amongst the best that burr models have to offer.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

While the grind consistency on the BREW Conical Burr is good, we'd like to point out that it wasn't the best we observed in this price range. While we don't think many people will be disappointed with its grind consistency, those looking to really maximize their quality-per-dollar will be able to find slightly better options at the same price point.

This model produces a fairly consistent grind, but we've seen better...
This model produces a fairly consistent grind, but we've seen better performances in the same price range.
Credit: Michelle Powell

We also like this machine's simple interface. Just turn a single dial to select the number of seconds you'd like your machine to grind, press the button in the center of that dial to start grinding, and you're good to go. Sure, this model forces you to do some experimenting to figure out exactly how many seconds it takes to grind your ideal amount of coffee, but this process costs way less than getting a fancier grinder with a scale to do the work for you. We also found the machine to be relatively easy to take apart for deep cleaning.

We like the simple, intuitive interface.
We like the simple, intuitive interface.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Dislikes


Grinding is an inherently messy business, but the BREW Conical Burr does very little to minimize that mess. Unlike other OXO models we've tested, it doesn't spit grinds out while grinding. However, many of those grinds stay stuck in the chute, so you often get a little coffee cascade onto the counter when you remove the grind cup. The grind cup itself hangs onto some static, and in turn, hangs onto some grinds, which can result in a mess when trying to pour those grinds into your coffee maker.

This machine tends to spill a lot of grounds.
This machine tends to spill a lot of grounds.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Grinding is also inherently noisy, but again the BREW Conical Burr fails to dampen that noisiness in any way. It actually isn't particularly loud, as we measured it at an average of 88 decibels. However, it manages to imbue each of those decibels with maximum annoyingness, as the sound is very high-pitched and quite grating.

Value


The BREW Conical Burr sells for a mid-tier price and actually delivers a fair amount of grind consistency for that price. However, we've seen other models in the same price range that can grind slightly better. Additionally, the messiness and unpleasant noise are things that can get annoying after a while, degrading the machine's long-term value a bit.

Conclusion


The OXO BREW Conical Burr is a compelling option for those looking for a good coffee grinder on a budget. Though we think you can get a bit more for your money elsewhere, we don't think this machine will be a disappointment.

— Max Mutter and Michelle Powell