UPDATED 8/29/09: Best In Class: Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder, now just $89

Most java aficionados agree that choosing the right grinder is at least as important as choosing coffee or espresso maker. But which grinder is the right one?

Burr grinders, which crush beans between a stationary surface and a mobile wheel, are universally acknowledged to outrank blade grinders. Among burr grinders, conical burr grinders are tops. These spin more slowly and can produce extremely fine grounds without heating them. These machines are more exact, cleaner and quieter.

But which conical burr grinders rank best of the best? This is a toughie, as there is limited reviewing and even less consensus available out there. Some of the best-ranked grinders exceed $1,000. But that doesn't mean there aren't excellent machines at much lower prices.

Our recommendation: the Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinderm, now just $89!

This well-priced machine won a "best buy" stamp of excellence in the Consumer Guide at HowStuffWorks, and earned ratings as high as 9.0 out of 10 (7.7 overall across 47 reviews) from CoffeeGeek.