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8 Best Espresso Knock Boxes 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

best espresso knock boxes

Picture this: you have just brewed a perfect, professional-grade espresso shot with your gleaming espresso machine. You pull out the shiny portafilter and bang it on your trash can, dropping the filter into the trash and splattering grounds everywhere. Or, worse yet, you clog your plumbing by washing the grounds down the sink.

The solution? An inexpensive knock box, conveniently located next to your espresso maker, can collect your used pucks. You’ll have a cleaner kitchen and look like a professional barista at the same time. These handy little boxes have even inspired some coffee-themed satire.

Knock boxes may seem simple enough, but choosing the right one for you will save you frustration and upgrade your espresso brewing experience. To help you decide, we created this guide to the eight best espresso knock boxes of the year. For our in-depth reviews, we compared size, durability, design, and price across the brands. Keep reading for our top picks and a quick guide to what makes a great knock box.


A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Picks in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Dreamfarm Grindenstein Dreamfarm Grindenstein
  • Durable
  • Includes fertilizer booklet
  • Non-slip rubber ring
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Apexstone Apexstone
  • Durable stainless steel
  • Non-slip weighted bottom
  • Easy to clean
  • Third place
    Breville Barista-Style Breville Barista-Style
  • Non-slip polymer ring
  • Large capacity
  • Durable stainless steel body
  • Cafelat Tubbi Cafelat Tubbi
  • Non-slip gasket
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Replacement bars available
  • Home Dept Home Dept
  • Non-slip gasket
  • Stainless steel
  • Can be used for tamping
  • The 8 Best Espresso Knock Boxes

    1. Dreamfarm Grindenstein Espresso Knock Box – Best Overall

    Dreamfarm Grindenstein

    Our favorite knock box is the sturdy and compact Dreamfarm Grindenstein. This 14-ounce, four-inch–tall knock box is conveniently small enough to fit on your espresso machine’s drip tray, freeing up counter space.

    The Grindenstein is made of durable, dishwasher-safe plastic, and comes in black, red, and silver. While the rubber-coated steel bar is not removable, it’s so sturdy that you probably won’t need to replace it.

    Because its opening is so small, we found this knock box to be a little more difficult to use. You may have to practice your technique to keep grounds from spilling. Its small capacity also means you’ll have to empty it after five or six pucks. As a bonus, this model comes with a handy booklet on how to turn your used coffee grounds into fertilizer.

    Pros
    • Small footprint
    • Durable
    • Non-slip rubber ring
    • Dishwasher-safe
    • Good customer service
    • Includes fertilizer booklet
    Cons
    • Smaller capacity
    • Small opening is more difficult to use
    • Non-removable bar

    2. Apexstone Stainless Steel Espresso Knock Box – Best Value

    Apexstone

    If you’re looking for a knock box that’s simple, durable, and wallet-friendly, check out Apexstone’s stainless steel offering. With its durability and simple design, this knock box far outpaces its wallet-friendly price.

    The Apexstone knock box has a wide opening, so you won’t spill grounds everywhere, and impressive capacity, so you won’t have to empty it constantly. On the other hand, it will take up more space on your counter.

    The rubber-wrapped bar is non-removable, but at this price, you might as well replace the whole thing if it eventually wears out. Instead of a non-slip pad, the bottom of this knock box is weighted to prevent slipping.

    Pros
    • Durable stainless steel
    • Large capacity
    • Non-slip weighted bottom
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Larger footprint
    • Not the most attractive
    • Non-removable bar
    • No non-slip rubber on the bottom

    3. Breville BCB100 Barista-Style Coffee Knock Box

    Breville BCB100

    If you own a Breville espresso maker (like our favorite, the Breville BES870XL), you may not be able to resist this matching knock box. The stylish, die-cast Breville BCB100 is made from durable and elegant stainless steel.

    Our favorite feature is the dishwasher-safe removable inner cup, which makes cleaning a breeze. This knock box also has a non-slip polymer ring.

    The BCB100 does have some downsides, however. In testing, the plastic polymer bar dented easily and did not feel as durable as on other models. We also found that the bar is placed a little too high for comfortable use. This knock box also takes up a lot of counter space.

    Pros
    • Dishwasher-safe removable inner cup
    • Attractive, durable stainless steel body
    • Non-slip polymer ring
    • Reasonable price
    • Large capacity
    Cons
    • Non-durable polymer bar
    • Imperfect bar alignment
    • Large footprint

    4. Cafelat Tubbi Knock Box

    Cafelat Tubbi Knock

    The Cafelat Tubbi is a streamlined plastic knock box that comes in five colors, including a vibrant yellow-green. It’s incredibly easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, and features an easily removable rubber bar.

    The rubber bar, however, is not perfectly designed. Though it does a great job of muffling sound, the bar is not very durable and gets scratched easily. In testing, we also found that the bar’s end caps are not well-attached. Luckily, Cafelat sells replacement bars.

    The Tubbi comes in two sizes, each with generous capacity. The five-inch small can hold 10 pucks, while the six-inch large can hold up to 40. It also features a non-slip silicone gasket.

    Pros
    • Comes in five colors
    • Easy-to-remove, sound-muffling rubber bar
    • Replacement bars available
    • Simple, streamlined design
    • Dishwasher-safe
    • Large capacity
    • Non-slip gasket
    Cons
    • Non-durable rubber bar
    • Less attractive design

    5. HomeDept Espresso Knock Box and Coffee Grind Dump Container

    HomeDept Espresso Knock Box

    If you’ve got the space, the HomeDept Espresso Knock Box could be another good option. Its stainless steel and silicone construction gives it an expensive feel and mixes well with other steel appliances. The silicone pieces and rubber bar are easy to remove, leaving a dishwasher-safe one-piece steel base.

    At over two pounds and seven inches tall, this is not a lightweight knock box. It has a large footprint and a capacity of 15 to 20 pucks, with a non-slip rubber bottom.

    Though we found the silicone pieces to feel less durable, HomeDept sells replacement parts and offers excellent, responsive customer service. As an added feature, the HomeDept knock box is also designed to be used as a portafilter tamping station.

    Pros
    • Large capacity
    • Stainless steel and silicone construction
    • Removable bar
    • Replacement parts available
    • Excellent customer service
    • Non-slip rubber bottom
    • Easy to take apart
    • Dishwasher-safe
    • Works as a tamping station
    Cons
    • Large footprint
    • Heavy
    • Less durable silicone parts

    6. HOMEE Espresso Knock Box

    HOMEE Espresso Knock Box

    Featuring a very similar design to the Tubbi, but at a more attractive price, the HOMEE Espresso Knock Box is made of durable plastic with an easily removable rubber-coated steel bar. With a compact footprint, the HOMEE will fit easily on your counter, but the smaller capacity of five to six pucks is less convenient.

    In testing, we found that the HOMEE knock box was very stable, with a durable feel and an effective non-slip gasket. There are reports of the rubber bars splitting, but unfortunately this company does not sell replacement bars.

    Pros
    • Streamlined design
    • Low price
    • Easily removable rubber-coated steel bar
    • Non-slip gasket
    • Small footprint
    Cons
    • No replacement bars
    • Small capacity

    7. Saizone “Knock Me” Espresso Coffee Grind Knock Box

    Saizone

    The Saizone “Knock Me” box has a very similar design to our top budget pick, the Apexstone, with a stainless steel construction and rubber-wrapped, non-removable knock bar. However, it costs about twice as much. The difference? This knock box comes with a decorative wooden box emblazoned in gold with “Knock Me.”

    The “Knock Me” is durable and works well. However, the outer box doesn’t provide enough added value to justify the higher cost, and the decorative elements may not work with your kitchen’s aesthetics. With a large footprint and weighing over two pounds, this knock box is also not a particularly compact option.

    Pros
    • Includes outer wooden box
    • Durable stainless steel with rubber bar
    • Good customer service
    Cons
    • Large
    • Heavy
    • Decorative box may not be your style
    • More expensive
    • Non-removable bar

    8. RSVP Commercial Stainless Steel Espresso KnockBox

    RSVP Commercial Standard

    With the highest price of all of the knock boxes we reviewed, a clunky, unattractive design, and non-durable rubber parts, the RSVP Commercial knock box is our least favorite option. This model is made of stainless steel with a weighted non-slip rubber base and a removable rubber-coated bar.

    At over six inches tall and one and a half pounds, this knock box is a bulky addition to your kitchen counter. The rubber bar does not feel very durable, as the grommets are easily damaged. RSVP does sell replacement bars.

    Pros
    • Removable rubber-coated bar
    • Durable stainless steel body
    • Weighted non-slip rubber base
    • Replacement bars available
    Cons
    • Higher cost
    • Heavy
    • Non-durable rubber parts
    • Non-durable bar
    • Less attractive design

    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Espresso Knock Box

    Knock boxes may seem simple, but the perfect design could mean the difference between frustrating and satisfying espresso brewing experiences. How do you know which features will make your life easier? Let’s dive a little deeper into your espresso knock box options.

    Durability

    The name says it all. These little boxes are meant to be knocked around, so you’ll want to make sure you pick one that can handle it.

    Non-slip design

    You don’t want your knock box sliding around when you hit it, so keep an eye out for non-slip features like weighted bottoms and rubber gaskets.

    Bar design

    The bar is the piece that takes all the knocking, so you’ll want it to be strong enough to handle that. You’ll also need it to be padded enough to absorb the knocking noise and protect your portafilter handle from scratching or denting. Look for durable rubber coating around stainless steel or hard plastic bars.

    Replacements

    Hopefully, your knock box will last for years. But if it does start to fall apart, do you want to be able to buy replacement parts? Some companies offer replacement bars, inner cups, or non-slip pads. If you buy a cheaper knock box, you may just want to replace the whole thing.

    Opening size

    What’s your knock box skill level? The bigger the opening, the easier (and less messy) it will be to knock out your espresso pucks.

    portafilter espresso machine

    Capacity

    If you make a lot of espresso shots every day, you may want a knock box with more capacity, so you won’t have to empty it constantly. On the other hand, if you only make one or two a day, you may want to prioritize your counter space or other features instead.

    Counter space

    How much space are you willing to dedicate to a knock box? If your espresso maker already takes up a lot of space or you’re operating in a small kitchen, you may want the smallest knock box available.

    Price

    You’ve already invested in an espresso maker. Do you want to spend a bit more for the perfect accessory, or are you looking to maximize value and minimize the strain on your wallet?

    Appearance

    How important is style to you? Most knock boxes are made from plastic or stainless steel, but designs vary widely. Do you just want the practical box, or do you want a nicer box holder or a knock box that matches your espresso machine?

    Ease of cleaning

    You’ll probably want to wash your knock box fairly frequently. Do you want it to be dishwasher-safe? Will a removable bar make your cleaning experience easier?

    With these important features in mind, you can shop for a knock box with confidence. Whether you prefer compact or spacious, plastic or stainless steel, there are plenty of great options available.

    Once you find the perfect one, what do you do with all those collected grounds? Take a look at our guide to the best uses for used coffee grounds.

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    Conclusion

    Our all-around favorite knock box is the lightweight yet sturdy Dreamfarm Grindenstein, with its simple plastic design and tough rubber bar. If your wallet is feeling a little lighter, the stainless steel Apexstone knock box is a cost-effective and durable option.

    A great knock box can be a valuable upgrade to your espresso-making process. These simple boxes make cleaning easier and let you brew espresso like a pro. We hope that our detailed reviews of this year’s eight best espresso knock boxes, plus our quick guide to the best features and options, help you find the right espresso accessory.

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    Kate MacDonnell

    Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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