Best Cuisinart Coffee Maker With Grinder: Buying Guide
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Find the right Cuisinart Grind and Brew: the best Cuisinart coffee maker with grinder for pots, single cups or both, compared plainly.
The best Cuisinart coffee maker with grinder depends on how you brew: a full pot ground fresh every morning, a single cup from whole beans, or a machine that does both. Cuisinart's Grind and Brew range covers all three, with burr or blade grinders, glass or thermal carafes and single-serve models that also take pods. This guide compares the current Cuisinart grind-and-brew machines sold new on Amazon US, with clear notes on the grinder type, serving sizes and the cleaning a built-in grinder adds.
If you already know whether you want a carafe or single cups, go straight to the quick picks. If you are unsure whether a built-in grinder is worth it, the buying section covers the trade-offs first.
Quick Picks for Cuisinart Coffee Maker With Grinder
Every pick is a Cuisinart machine with a grinder built in, which is the rule for this list. Read them as matches for different routines rather than as a strict ranking.
- Cuisinart DGB-400NAS Grind and Brew: the main pick and the value pick for a fresh pot, grinding with a blade into a 12-cup glass carafe for around $120.
- Cuisinart DGB-2 Single-Serve + Grinder: the simplest dosing, grinding beans straight into a reusable filter cup for one 8 to 12 oz serving.
- Cuisinart Espresso Bar Fully Automatic (EM-550): the pick for useful adjustment, with a conical burr grinder, single and double shots, Americanos, cold extracted espresso and a steam wand.
- Cuisinart 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer (Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus): the pick when you need both a 12-cup carafe and single-serve pods.
The principal trade-off is grind quality and convenience against cleaning and price. Burr models grind more evenly but cost more, while blade models are cheaper. Every built-in grinder adds a little daily care. Details for each are in the recommended options below.
Compare the Qualifying Options
Prices are rounded and change often, so confirm the live price in the product table above.
| Model | Role | Grinder | Serving capacity | Defining feature | Main limitation | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DGB-400NAS | Main pick and value | Blade, grind-off option | 12-cup glass carafe, 1 to 4 cup setting | Brew Pause and charcoal water filter | Blade grind is less even | Around $120 |
| DGB-2 (DGB-2SS) | Simpler dosing | Conical burr | 8, 10 or 12 oz single serve | Grinds into a reusable filter cup; takes pods | One cup at a time | Around $190 |
| Espresso Bar EM-550 | Useful adjustment | Stainless steel conical burr | Single or double shots, Americanos | Hot or cold espresso, steam wand | Espresso drinks, not a pot of drip | Around $500 |
| 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer | Carafe plus pods | Grinds for the carafe, grind-off option | 12-cup carafe; 8, 10, 12 oz pods | Two brewers in one machine | Large and pricier | Around $275 |
Cuisinart cups are about 5 oz each, so a 10-cup carafe fills roughly five 10 oz mugs. Check the footprint and height on each listing, since hoppers add height under cabinets.
How We Selected the Shortlist
Every machine had to be a current Cuisinart coffee maker with a built-in grinder, sold new on Amazon US under a US model code. We left out bundles padded with extras, listings with Canadian model codes, and the older DGB-800, which is no longer offered new here. The burr DGB-850 and the single-serve DGB-30 were left out too, because neither was available new from a reliable seller when this guide was updated.
We then compared the listings, Cuisinart's feature descriptions and package contents, and read buyer feedback in aggregate for recurring praise and complaints, especially about grinder noise, clogging and cleanup. Three questions shaped each role: how the grinder works and what you can adjust, what serving format and size the machine brews, and how much daily cleaning the grind path needs. To pick the best Cuisinart coffee maker with grinder for each routine, we relied on specifications, listings and owner feedback rather than brewing trials of our own.
Recommended Options
Cuisinart DGB-400NAS Grind and Brew: Best matched brewing-and-grinding workflow and value
The DGB-400NAS is the Cuisinart grind-and-brew to start with for households that drink a pot every morning, and also the lowest cost way into one with a full-size carafe. Its blade grinder automatically grinds whole beans right before brewing into a 12-cup glass carafe. A grind-off option lets you skip the grinder and brew pre-ground coffee, which is handy for decaf or a gifted bag.
Two features keep the workflow and cleanup manageable. Brew Pause lets you pour a cup before the cycle finishes, and the 1 to 4 cup setting adjusts brewing for small batches. The permanent gold-tone filter means no paper filters to buy, and the built-in charcoal water filter helps with off flavors from tap water.
The limitation is the grinder type. A blade grinder chops rather than grinds, so particle size is less even than from a burr mill, and you cannot fine-tune the grind. Skip it if you are particular about grind consistency or want a thermal carafe. For around $120, it is a sensible entry point for anyone who wants whole-bean coffee without buying a separate grinder.
Cuisinart DGB-2 Single-Serve + Grinder: Best for simpler dosing
The DGB-2 suits one coffee drinker who wants fresh grounds without measuring. Its conical burr grinder automatically grinds whole beans directly into the HomeBarista Reusable Filter Cup, then the machine brews an 8, 10 or 12 oz serving. The hopper has a sealed lid to keep beans fresh.
Daily workflow and cleanup are simpler than with a carafe model. There is no pot to wash: you empty the filter cup and rinse it. The 48 oz removable water reservoir has an easy-view window and a charcoal water filter, and the drip tray removes to fit travel mugs. On busy days, you can skip the grinder and brew any brand of single-cup pod, including Keurig K-Cup pods.
The limitation is volume: it brews one serving at a time, so two people will wait for back-to-back cycles. Buyer feedback is mixed, with some owners noting more upkeep than a pod-only brewer. Skip it if you need a full pot. Cuisinart backs it with a limited 3-year warranty, and around $190 is fair for a burr grinder and brewer in one.
Cuisinart Espresso Bar Fully Automatic: Best for useful adjustment
The Espresso Bar Fully Automatic (EM-550) is the Cuisinart pick for people who want espresso drinks rather than a pot of drip coffee, with the grinder built in. Its stainless steel conical burr grinder automatically grinds the right amount of beans for each drink, and one-touch controls cover single shots, double shots and Americanos.
The adjustment comes from the drink options. You can pull shots hot, or make cold extracted espresso without heat, and a frothing wand steams dairy or non-dairy milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The base and brew head adjust for different mug sizes, including travel mugs, so a tall iced drink or a small cup both fit.
The limitation is the format and the price: at around $500 it is the most expensive machine here, it makes espresso-based drinks one at a time rather than a carafe, and milk drinks still need you to steam by hand. It is also a newer listing with relatively few buyer reviews so far. Skip it if you mainly want plain drip coffee for several people, where the DGB-400NAS or the 2-in-1 is the better fit.
Cuisinart 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer: Best for the required serving format
The 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer, sold as the Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus (SS-GB1), is for households that need both a pot and single cups. One side grinds whole beans right before brewing a 12-cup glass carafe, with a grind-off option for pre-ground blends. The other side is a single-serve brewer with 8, 10 or 12 oz sizes that accepts any brand of single-cup pod, including Keurig K-Cup pods.
Two details make the serving format practical. The single-serve side has a 40 oz removable water reservoir and an adjustable drip tray for travel mugs. The carafe has a drip-free pour spout and a knuckle guard, and the SS-GB1 listing describes 24 hour advance brewing with strength and batch size selection.
The limitation is size and price: at around $275 it is the most expensive pick here and takes a lot of counter space. Buyer feedback is mixed, and the HomeBarista pod filter for using your own grounds in the single side is sold separately. Skip it if only one person drinks coffee in your home.
What to Look for Before Buying
Integrated Grinder and Fresh-Bean Workflow
Start with the grinder mechanism. Burr grinders, found on the DGB-2 and the Espresso Bar, crush beans between two surfaces for a more even grind. Blade grinders, found on the DGB-400NAS and DGB-450NAS, chop beans with a spinning blade, which is cheaper but less consistent.
Next, check what you can adjust. Some models let you set the number of cups to grind, strength or grind control; others grind a set amount with few options. A grind-off or bypass setting is useful for pre-ground decaf. Dose control on these drip machines is about batch size and strength, not the fine adjustments of an espresso grinder.
Keep the categories separate, too. A drip grind-and-brew grinds into a filter basket. An espresso machine with a grinder, like Cuisinart's Espresso Bar, grinds for shots and steams milk, which is a different routine.
Finally, look at hopper access and the grind path. A sealed hopper keeps beans fresh, but chutes and burrs need brushing to prevent clogs, and a separate grinder such as the Cuisinart DBM-8P1 burr grinder with 18 settings is easier to clean.
Coffee Format and Serving Needs
Decide on carafe or single cup first. Carafe models brew 10 to 12 Cuisinart cups, which equals about five or six 10 oz mugs. Single-serve models brew one mug at a time, from 8 to 24 oz depending on the model.
Check whether the machine also takes pods. The DGB-2 and the 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer accept any brand of single-cup pod, which helps when someone in the house prefers K-Cups. The DGB-400NAS brews from beans or pre-ground coffee, and the Espresso Bar works from whole beans for espresso drinks.
Think about how long coffee will sit. A thermal carafe keeps coffee warm without a hot plate, while glass carafes like those on the DGB-400NAS and 2-in-1 rely on a warming plate, which can make coffee taste flat after a while. If you brew once and sip all morning, thermal is the better fit.
Daily Workflow and Cleanup
Count the steps. For a carafe grind-and-brew: fill the reservoir, top up the hopper, set the cup count and press brew or program it. Afterward, empty the filter, rinse the carafe and brush loose grounds from the grinder area. Single-serve models add emptying the filter cup after every serving.
Separate daily cleaning from maintenance. Daily, empty grounds and rinse removable parts. Weekly, brush the grinder chute and lid, where oily grounds collect. Periodically, descale with a product your manual approves and replace charcoal water filters.
Also consider noise and timing. A built-in grinder runs right before brewing, so a programmed early brew will wake light sleepers. Make sure the hopper lid opens fully under your cabinets, and that the reservoir is easy to reach.
Which Option Fits Your Routine?
Your Must-Have Function
A fresh pot ground on demand points to the DGB-400NAS. A single fresh cup points to the DGB-2, and espresso drinks point to the Espresso Bar. If you need a carafe and pods in one machine, the 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer is the only fit.
Your Preparation and Cleanup Tolerance
If you want the least daily care, a carafe model like the DGB-400NAS means one cleanup per pot. Single-serve grinders need a quick cleanup after every cup, and blade models need occasional brushing.
Your Complete Budget
Count beans, charcoal filters and descaler. Built-in filters save on paper, while pods on the single-serve models raise the cost per cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a built-in grinder mean fully automatic coffee?
Mostly, but not completely. A grind-and-brew machine grinds beans and brews coffee in one cycle, and carafe models can be programmed ahead. You still fill water and beans, empty grounds and clean the grind path. It is not the same as a super automatic espresso machine, which grinds, tamps and steams milk.
Can I use preground coffee?
Yes, on most of these machines. The DGB-400NAS and 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer have a grind-off option, and the DGB-2's HomeBarista filter cup accepts pre-ground coffee. On the Espresso Bar, check the manual before using pre-ground coffee.
Is a separate grinder a better option?
It can be, if you want finer control or easier cleaning. A separate burr grinder, such as the Cuisinart DBM-8P1 with 18 settings, pairs with any drip maker and is easier to clean. A built-in grinder saves counter space and lets you program fresh-ground coffee for the morning.
How do I clean the grinder path?
Follow your manual, unplug the machine first and work only on parts meant to come off. Empty the hopper, brush grounds from the chute, lid and burr area, and wipe with a dry cloth. Never wash electrical parts or use water inside the grinder unless the manual says it is safe.
Final Verdict
The best Cuisinart coffee maker with grinder for most households is the DGB-400NAS Grind and Brew, because it grinds whole beans into a 12-cup carafe with Brew Pause and a grind-off option at a fair price. If you drink one cup at a time, the DGB-2 Single-Serve + Grinder is the better alternative. The deciding trade-off is batch size against daily cleanup. For other models, see our guide to the best Cuisinart coffee maker, plus the wider picks for the best coffee makers and the best coffee maker for home use.
