Best blade coffee grinder

Blade grinders are a good, cheap choice for automatic-drip coffee.

If you're looking for a simple and dependable blade grinder, you can't go wrong with the Krups Fast Touch 203 (*Est. $20), according to reviewers. This model is among the most frequently reviewed grinders at retail and coffee-lover websites, where the overwhelming majority of comments are very positive.

The 203 earns an overall rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 from  more than 1,200 users posting to Amazon.com. Users widely praise its quick and consistent grinding performance, and many consider it a good value. Owners also report that their Fast Touch is still going strong after several years of heavy use. (One claims to have owned a model that lasted for 25 years!) The Krups 203 is also handy for grinding spices, according to a review by SpiceLines.com, and many owners also report using it for nuts and seeds.

The main complaint about this model is that ground coffee tends to spill from the unit when the lid is removed, and a few users say the model is difficult to clean thoroughly because the blade and grinding chamber are not removable. Some also wish there was cord storage.

If looking for more convenience features in a blade model, consider the Mr. Coffee IDS77 (*Est. $20). This model has an unusual feature: a built-in plastic scraper that sweeps grounds away from the sides of the grinding chamber. This doesn't obviate the need to clean the bowl, but owners say it cuts down on mess.

More than 425 owners rate the Mr. Coffee IDS77 on Amazon.com, where it earns an overall rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. About 75 owners review the IDS77 at Viewpoints.com, awarding it a combined rating of 88 points out of 100. Many users report satisfaction with the model's grinding performance, and they appreciate that its grinding chamber and lid are dishwasher safe. Some, however, say its plastic construction is cheap or flimsy, and the built-in scraper is easily broken. Overall, however, most owners say the Mr. Coffee IDS77 is easy to use and offers good value.