Brewing coffee from freshly ground beans is a coffee lover's delight. But did you know that if the beans heat up too much, some grinders can rob flavor right out from under your nose? To help you avoid such brewing disasters, the Good Housekeeping Institute tested 20 different grinders. Generally, burr grinders outperformed blade grinders in the tests. Here, the three best models overall.

For an inexpensive yet effective model, choose the Braun Aromatic KSM2 ($24.99; 800-272-8611; www.braun.com). The blade grinder is easy to clean and has a place to store the cord.

The Capresso Burr Grinder Sensor ($49.99; 800-767-3554; www.capresso.com) was the easiest to use of all the models tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Plus, it gave a coarse grind.

Consumers who want top-notch performance (and who are willing to spend a few bucks) should choose the Starbucks Barista Burr Grinder ($125; 800-334-5553; www.starbucks.com).