Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Coffee Grinder review: precision and consistency

The Moccamaster is our number one best coffee maker you can buy, but is the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 the best coffee grinder? As any coffee enthusiast will tell you though, your cup of Joe is only as good as the beans you use, and the trick to a great coffee is to use freshly-ground beans at the right size and consistency for your brewing method of choice. So, if you've got the Moccamaster at home, it might be worth pairing your coffee maker with the matching grinder. Does the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 live up to its coffee-brewing counterpart, though? I put it to the test to find out. 

Technivorm isn't the cheapest brand, but this European coffee giant knows how to make a brilliant brew. The first thing that struck me about this coffee grinder is just how weighty it is, and I like that. The burrs alone in a grinder should be heavy and sturdy, and in the KM5, they're paired with a hefty metal exterior that feels well-made, but isn't the most portable as a result. 

When it comes to settings, I was pleased to see that this grinder has a stepless design, meaning you'll have virtually infinite ground size options to choose from. The grinder can also grind directly into a glass container, meaning it's a fairly mess-free option. To hear more about how the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Coffee Grinder performed when I put it to the test, keep reading. 

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5: Specs

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5: Price & availability

You can buy the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 from Amazon for $339, and at the same price at Williams Sonoma and Crate and Barrel. In the U.K., you can buy it from Amazon for £269. 

There are three colors to choose from, meaning that there isn't a matching color for every Moccamaster brewer. The colors are silver, white and black. 

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 review: Design

The Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 is certified by the European Coffee Brewing Centre (ECBC) for the quality and uniformity of its grinding performance. One thing I particularly like about this grinder is that it's up-front about the fact it's not for espresso machines. 

Some coffee grinders, such as the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder, attempt to do the full range of coffee ground sizes, but the truth is that it's really hard to do every brew type really well. There's a huge difference in the ground size you'll need for espresso and the grounds you'll need for basically any other type of coffee, so if you've got an espresso machine, you should opt for a machine that specializes in espresso, and Technivorm is up-front about the fact that this grinder isn't the one for you. Instead, I'd recommend the likes of the Eureka Mignon Specialita. 

It makes sense that Technivorm would focus on a less fine grind size in favor of doing drip coffee as well as possible, as this is what the brand's coffee makers specialize in. 

In terms of control, this machine keeps it (very) simple. There's a button at the front of the grinder to switch it on and off, and a stepless dial with 9 markings on it (fine to coarse) on the top right hand size of the grinder. Other options on the market, such as the Fellow Ode, pot to make their grind dial a focal point of the design, but I found the Technivorm a little stiff and quite small considering how finely you can use it to toggle the grind size. Prepare to get up close and personal if you want to see exactly where your dial is sitting. 

The grinder has a capacity of 9oz of beans, although considering there's no timer, I'd recommend pre-weighing your beans before adding them to the machine, as this is the best way to be precise about the exact amount of grounds you'll get once the machine is finished grinding. 

One thing I enjoyed is the glass grounds container, which is fitted with an airtight rubber lid that nestles directly under the spout. This means you won't have any grounds flying around your kitchen counters, as every speck will end up in the glass container. 

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 review: Performance

When I test coffee grinders, I make sure to test them at a range of grind sizes to identify any strengths and weaknesses. I also test for noise level, because coffee grinders can produce a lot of sound, but the noise can either be quite satisfying, or pretty nasty. The Technivorm hit 82dB when I tested it, which isn't the quietest but isn't as loud as the Cuisinart's 86dB. Plus, the noise quality isn't whiny or tinny, so I could easily get used to the low whirring noise when making a morning brew. 

The static levels were also pretty manageable. They weren't as low as the KitchenAid Burr Grinder, but compared to the OXO and Bodum grinders I tested, it was clear that the machine creates a lot level of friction during testing. If you wanted to eliminate this entirely, you could opt for a specialist spray bottle to lightly mist your beans before grinding. 

Popcorning was also not a big issue, and the level of retention was incredibly low, which reinforces the idea that this machine is designed to be used for single servings of coffee. You can confidently put in a certain amount of grams and receive almost exactly the same weight back in grams, so this grinder won't mess with your ratio during brewing.

When testing grinders, I test the full range of grind settings to see if they're consistently strong across the board. For some grinders, this means making grounds for espresso which, if done badly, can lead to a muddy and clumpy finish.

For the Moccamaster, it was obvious that my fine grounds wouldn't work for espresso. Instead, they'd be good for an AeroPress or V60. These grounds were very consistent. There were a few flakes of coffee bean skin sitting on top of my grounds, but none of the gritty dust that can come from a grinder that pulverizes beans instead of evenly grinding them. 

Again, my medium grounds were very consistent. When I put them through my sifter, there were vert few larger shards left behind, and I'd confidently say that this is the setting where the Moccamaster performed best. This is handy, because medium grounds are roughly what you'll need for a drip coffee maker such as the Technivorm Moccamaster, as well as pour-over or Chemex. 

When I carried out my third test, it was clear to me that this grinder won't go super coarse. It's not necessarily designed for the likes of cold brew or French press, but that's not to say it wouldn't do a good job on the coarsest setting. Again, grounds were even, although there was more splintering for this final test, with a number of chunky pieces of coffee bean that hadn't been broken down consistently. This is normal for just about any grinder, and the proportion of these pieces was pretty low compared to cheaper grinders I've tried.

How does the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 compare?

The Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 is the best coffee grinder I've tried for pour-over and drip coffee, but it's openly not as versatile as the likes of the KitchenAid Burr Grinder I reviewed a few months ago, which is also a bit cheaper. If you want the option of brewing everything from cold brew to espresso, the KitchenAid may be a smarter choice, but it's easy to lose consistency when you opt for versatility. 

For the money, you might want something smarter. I really enjoy my Fellow Ode grinder, which is $200, and also looks more attractive than the Moccamaster. It has 11 settings with 31 steps in total, so it's also a versatile option that's great for drip coffee. 

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Coffee Grinder review: Verdict

The Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 is not the most high-tech or versatile coffee grinder on the market, but it's a strong and consistent option for those who drink drip or pour-over coffee. If you have one of the best espresso machines, you'll need to look elsewhere, but for pretty much any other type of coffee, this would be a savvy choice that's built to last.

Price-wise, you'll be paying a premium for the quality European construction, which is cheaper when you buy in the U.K. or European countries. The design is sturdy and well-built, the static and retention very low, and noise moderate but inoffensive. I do think this grinder would benefit from some smart features like an in-built timer or a larger control dial, but if precision and consistency are your top priorities, I'd recommend it.