Best Entry-Level Home Espresso Grinders of 2024

[@steprockmedia]

I own a Baratza Encore (not the ESP). It's a solid choice and fairly quiet for a grinder. I pair that with a Breville Bambino, which I adore.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey srm, Thanks for sharing your setup! Marc

[@androsgearmanufacturing8849]

I have the Baratza Virtuoso + which is essentially the same machine as your Encore. I mostly use it for my morning pour over at the 14-16 setting. I've never been able to use it for espresso. May I ask your step setting and dose in/out? I have a Gaggia Classic.

[@brunoleitemilkie]

Nice list, well presented. In this list, I Think I would go for the Varia VS3. Also, If I could, I would add to the list DF54 or even DF64.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi b, thanks for the comment.

[@frederikblochwulff3325]

I would love to see the wires on these grinders. The VARIA has a huge brick on it, which makes me NOT chose it, since the brick does not fit in my espresso setup - love it look otherwise

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey fred, Thanks for the comment. I do discuss the Varia's power supply in my full-length review. Marc

[@harryarha7770]

Could you please share your opinion of varia vs3 gen 2 compared to df64 gen2?

[@darnellogan9252]

I have a Fellow Opus. I.... wouldn't recommend it as an Espresso only grinder. The versatility that it offers is great ( I do Cold Brew, aero Press and french press often so for that, its great). However, I've had to replace the burrs on mine twice in 11 months (I grind 3 shots, about 36 - 54 grams of espresso, each day). The grinder retains A LOT of grounds. Example, if you clean the grinder out and put in 18 g, you might get 14 g out for the first grind. This also affects the consistency of your espresso too. Fellows customer service however is awesome.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi d, Thanks for sharing your experience with the grinder! Marc

[@Persepolis8564]

Can you do an entry level hand grinder list too?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi P, Thanks for the request - stay tuned! Working on videos featuring options in that category from Varia and Etzinger. Marc

[@androsgearmanufacturing8849]

Thank you for this!

[@neil9616]

Good info right there, thanks!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Any time! Marc

[@toddpower4674]

Another nice video. If left alone I would have a coffee showroom in my house. But my lovely wife doesn't agree. I love coffee gear videos.

[@steprockmedia]

My wife said she'd leave me if I bought one more piece of coffee gear. Both new items should arrive by Tuesday! ...not my fault she wasn't careful with her choice of words.

[@toddpower4674]

@@steprockmedia lol

[@Wholelattelovepage]

hahaha

[@shakir1998]

I would pick the DF54 over all of these

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi shakir, thanks for sharing your opinion. We've had some reliability questions based on in house use.

[@Thetache]

The margin on the mark up is too small for secondary retailers

[@Thetache]

The Elephant not in the room is....DF54 which blows all these away on bang per buck

[@soumynonareverse7807]

I'd love to see a pro grinder video. I'm looking for an affordable grinder (about the same budget as a Specialita/Libra or less) that pro users would get aswell.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey s, stay tuned! Currently working on a best mid-range and a prosumer level best of for 2024. Marc

[@wickedsidhu4778]

I'm surprised the SD40 didn't make the cut.

[@monas.6839]

I would get a DF54 if it came in white. 😢

[@chrisginoc]

I’ve had the Fellow Opus for a year now and I would tell everyone to stay away due to the mess it creates.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi c, thanks for sharing your thoughts! Marc

[@draganthebest]

The Varia Vs3 has been known for breaking because of the gearbox and the motor, which is a big turn-off. Gen1 is more prone to it than the gen2, but there are multiple reports on gen2s bricking themselves as well. Nice specs, but not that reliable quality wise.

[@libraofdeath]

hands sounding a lil dry, can the production team get my mans some moisturizer?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

hahaha

[@TheCokee47]

"entry level" and then continues to review $400+ grinders lol

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi TC, Not sure where you are getting pricing. All grinders in this video currently

[@TheCokee47]

@Wholelattelovepage I'm Canadian. The Fellow Opus and Baratza are the only ones under $400 here. The Eurekas are $500+ and the varia is between $399-$429

[@mts982]

shouldnt a person just buy an all in one coffee machine that has grinder built in?

[@Kbo513]

Most all in ones sacrifices performance due to its convenience. It’s better to have dedicated machines to get the most value for money

[@mts982]

@@Kbo513 so which separate grinder and coffee maker are recommended?

You can buy a sport SUV, but it will not replace you a sport car. Same with grinders, you can buy a coffee machine with built in grinder, but it will not be as good as a separate one. Even something cheaper, like Encore ESP or a Smart Grinder Pro will outperform almost any built in grinder.

@@mts982 heavily depends on your budget, what kind of beans you are doing to use and how much free time you have.

[@palindner]

I have and all in one espresso machine. The issue is that the grinder has issues with oily beans. Almost any darker roast will plug up the grinder overtime. It is very difficult to clean out properly because you cannot disassembly the grinder burrs like you can on a stand alone grinder. If you are willing to do lighter roasts it is not as big an issue. I bought a separate grinder after 1 year and now grind separately at a very precise grind size. I have a Eureka Mignon Cronos and have been very happy with it. I usually grind enough coffee for two days and keep in a sealed container to make it quicker to make an espresso or cafe lungo whenever I want.