The Best Budget Coffee Grinder Under $300?!

[@KyleRowsell]

Thanks for watching 🙏If you appreciate these long comparisons consider leaving a like on the way out or sharing with a friend! Thanks fam!

[@ropro9817]

When a 'budget grinder' is defined as sub-$300... 😅

[@KyleRowsell]

@@ropro9817 for an electric grinder? Absolutely it is.

[@unknownentity222]

Interesting take on the varia VS3. I checked it out in the eight ounce coffee show room and it grinds slowly. I thought it would be a major drawback in comparison to other electric grinders. Would definitely love to try it out given the chance.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@ropro9817 were talking real coffee grinders here, they can be thousands of dollars. There are sub $100 grinders but you're not likely going to find anything that can do espresso very well. I know some people think a $20 the spinny blade grinders are all they need but those are more choppers than grinders and give you very inconsistently ground coffee since you have very little control over how many times it gets chopped.

[@unknownentity222]

@@ropro9817 How much would a 'budget car' cost? Or a 'budget smartphone'?

[@TomJones-tx7pb]

At that price point, you should separate out the best grinder for espresso.

[@Stpetersburginjurylawyersmp]

I was hoping he would say that at the end

[@byMRTNjournals]

For £300, Mignon Specialita (used on eBay). I would recommend the precision dial which is made by a separate company for about £40

[@eyeonit469]

For under $100.00, I had a Krupps burr grinder. I has a flat burr grinder all the settings you would need and with the hopper being down in the machine it is compact enough to take in and out of a cupboard after use. I used it constantly for 12 years before the motor finally gave up the ghost, but that machine was the longest lasting appliance I've ever owned.

[@michaelbrock5527]

I have the Encore and then bought the JX pro a few months after, the difference in grind quality is night and day! I think it's important to mention though that Baratza really stands behind their products, and encourages you to diagnose and repair them yourself which is a really great and eco friendly business practice. Another thing is that the X-pro is mainly geared for filter brewing where the JX-pro has the fine adjustment to do both filter and espresso. Great summary of everything, I wish this video was out when I was searching for my first grinder! Very helpful for beginners.

[@selj8287]

Which is night? And which is day? I have the jx pro and currently looking for an electric one because my hands are tired after making two lattes 😅 and im scared of getting bad taste from budget electric grinders

[@LastAphelion]

@@selj8287 That's a hard guess, as I thought my JXP was a step up from a blade grinder/hario but not by much so I hope the encore isn't worse lol. I upgraded to the KMax and wish I went with that instead as it was much cleaner (now I'd love to trade it in for the ZP6 I've been told it's another step up in clarity). I went to a P100 right after for an electric grinder but that was a titanic leap in price and cup clarity, I wish I could help with recommendations in between those price points. If I were still trying to stay on budget I probably would have tried grinders like the ode, zerno, barazta vario/forte etc.

[@selj8287]

@@LastAphelion are you talking about the lagom p100? Damn the price difference from the jxp is definitely titanic 😬 like i could drown in debt😂 the zp6 looks awesome! Those grinders were not available yet when i bought my jxp

[@LastAphelion]

@@selj8287 I should have asked first, is it more clarity that you're looking for? Cause now would be the time to buy the ZP6 as they are discontinuing them

[@selj8287]

@@LastAphelion not really. Im just looking for electric grinder that wont dull the flavors. As im writing that maybe im actually looking for clarity 😂 but not really more

[@K1LL4Cam]

I've had the breville for a few years now, paired with the flair neo. Honestly, I make a better cup than most coffee shops. Excited to when I have some money to upgrade, but for now, this setup has been amazing!

[@Ban00dle]

I've owned the Breville for a couple of years now and despite its flaws, having a machine that can actually do everything from French press to espresso on a budget is very handy. Definitely punches above its weight in my opinion.

[@KyleRowsell]

Truth!

[@bdragule]

I own one as well (as well as a Breville Touch with a similar grinder built in) and I think it does a great job. One thing that may not have been mentioned is that you can also micro-adjust the burrs from 1-10, giving you a much finer control beyond the regular selection wheel. I even use it for Turkish coffee at level 1.

[@TheGarmery]

Well--finding a new video from Kyle is an unexpected pleasure this afternoon! I love seeing the SD40 in this video. I just got that as I began entering into coffee a month ago, and it's been a real pleasure. I'm buying a flair 58 next month to go with it. Thank you for all of your advice and content as I get more into coffee!

[@KyleRowsell]

So happy to hear it. Enjoy my friend!

[@michca2112]

I purchased my current grinder for convenience after getting tired of using a cheap, top selling hand grinder from amazon, but I have found that it retains up to 2 grams of coffee, even after spanking it, and then sheds grounds everywhere when I take out the grinds cannister, resulting in non-stop cleanup. I was originally looking at the Virtuoso to replace it, but after watching your reviews I have changed my mind. I am thinking of getting the JX Pro because it sounds like a perfect fit and it looks way more ergonomic than my prior hand grinder. I have to travel a lot for work, so its portability is an added bonus!! Thank you so much for these reviews, because I would never had heard about it otherwise. Cheers!

[@lurklingX]

the 1zpresso hand grinders are fantastic and FEEL like quality. can't go wrong. get the magnetic catch cup tho. you won't regret that.

[@ReDiiKuLuS]

Maybe it’s because I’m a newbie but finding an espresso-specific grinder to eliminate variables to pull a good shot seems impossible. What would be the best espresso specific grinder on a budget? (Under $200 USD)

[@cool-rg8bj]

Did you find one

[@alaskavaper2490]

J-Max. I have one that I just connected to a motorized stand that provides the power. At 87 I guess I failed the strength test required to grind mainly for espresso

[@TheWakaMinecraft]

Note with the IZPRESSO JX burr size: I own both the Breville SGP and JX, and I can confirm their burrs are the exact same size. The JX burr is quoted from the outer burr whereas most grinders are quoted from inner burr diameter. While still large for a hand grinder, the delta between the two IZPRESSO grinders in this comparison isn't as big as the 48mm quoted size would lead you to believe.

[@freezingsunbreaka]

I love that the Baratza Sette 30, for minimal cost, can have the 270 adjustment ring added, making it have the same grinding functionality, minus all the other stuff. Not bad for a tiny grinder :)!!!

[@KyleRowsell]

Totally agree! If you notice that’s what happening on this sette 30

[@francescoandreussi]

I also think that most people interested in both espresso and filter would rather have an "espresso-oriented" grinder because of the prices of espresso machines WRT filer setups, so that could be something to consider

[@freezingsunbreaka]

@@KyleRowsell lol, nice! Truthfully, I was at work when you're video came out and I was only 2 minutes in and my boss came in. Lol. But I wanted to let others know that this is possible :-). I'm glad that you also had the 270 adjustment ring :-)! After watching the rest of the video, I am impressed by how wonderful this whole review ended up being :-)! You definitely were objective and laid out situations that would be a little different for different types of people. Impacting which grinder to be recommended :-). Thank you for that :-)!

[@KyleRowsell]

@@freezingsunbreaka ha love it. My pleasure! All the best

[@bballwalli]

Recently came across your videos as I am just getting into espresso at home and grabbed a bambino plus. Appreciate your videos as they are very informative!

[@NoZenith]

What grinder? I paired it with the Niche Zero for the ease and cleanliness for pure simplicity and I've had virtually no learning curve. Trying to help a friend shop and he has a much smaller budget than I did

[@johnvanderzwet3615]

Bought my X-pro based on yours and a few other reviews. I was looking for a good grinder for my aeropress. Hand grinding is a peaceful way to begin making coffee.

[@KyleRowsell]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!

[@bonezed]

same same

[@EvanHardy]

Currently own the Baratza Encore with the upgraded virtuoso burrs. Recently purchased the 1zpresso JX for travel and essentially stopped using the encore because the JX was noticeably better. After watching this video I ordered the Varia Vs3 from eight ounce coffee, looking forward to testing it out once it arrives!

[@doctormoobbc]

How are you finding it? Does the Varia beat the JX?

[@EvanHardy]

@doctormoobbc I would say the JX and VS3 are quite comparable, actually. In terms of taste, I would place them very closely, with the varia having a slight edge on coarser grounds. I mostly brew aeropress and pour over, and they both do a great job at either. I would say that surprisingly, the JX probably grinds quicker, but I find both plenty fast for my use. I have yet to dip my toes into the espresso world, but I would expect both to do a good job also. In terms of workflow, I'd have to hand it to the vs3 as it's easier to change the grind. The jx grind adjustment is inside the grounds compartment, which isn't a huge deal but an extra step. End of the day, it's really a matter of whether or not you want something portable or not, both are very well built and feel high quality.

[@SilverStack22]

My Breville Smart Grinder Pro gave up finely grinding dense beans for espressos (dark roast beans are still good to grind), which it has been doing more or less once per day for the past six years or so. I toyed with the idea of going a little up-market (which in NZ meant coughing up around $700), but the pull of a known machine at $300 was too great. I am now the happy owner of almost two Smart Grinder Pros!

[@SilverStack22]

I suppose this is a good time to ask ... is it possible to get new, possibly better, burrs for the Smart Grinder Pro? I have no experience in this area of coffee.

[@zacharyreed2347]

@@SilverStack22 I don't believe there are other burrs for the SGP unfortunately :(

[@studuerson2548]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I own 3 Smarts, and the 2nd two have the ability to slip, without eating a gear. I believe they changed the machine design about 4 years ago. All told, I've stripped 2 grinders, and will never buy another espresso machine w an integral grinder.

[@BruceChanen]

Looking hard at the Varia VS3 and was waiting for exactly this review. Thanks Kyle, lots to consider!

[@KyleRowsell]

Happy to help!

[@BIGGAGaming]

i wish you did a best espresso first grinder in the top picks

[@elliotsavoie678]

I have a J-Max and never wanting to buy another grinder because I love it so much 🤠 BUT I can never get enough of these grinder comparisons, so thanks for surprising us with this and putting in the hard work!

[@GuineaPigWWE]

Have you had any other grinders in the past? How would you compare the j Max to others if you have tried

[@lurklingX]

lol i feel you. they work so well!! i still kind of want an automatic one, too though. can't help myself. : ) how easy it would be to just pregrind up some filter coffee for a week or two.

[@matthagge4792]

Nice to see the Varia getting more traction. Mine arrived this week and it's been great so far. The build quality is absolutely top notch, and it fits in really well with my Gaggia.

[@KyleRowsell]

Glad to hear it! And agreed, it’s a little tank.

[@janwillemdevos]

Yeah just ordered it!

[@sleepygummy7816]

May I ask which Gaggia model you use?

[@matthagge4792]

@@sleepygummy7816 The newest Gaggia Classic Pro in matte black. US/NA model.

[@redrich2000]

I have the VS3. No stalling on light roasts and none reported when I researched which is encouraging. They market it as an espresso grinder, with the caveat of 30 mins grinding then 1 hour off. So sort of similar to the lagom mini. Only 1 year warranty which maybe indicates they don't trust the motor long term, time will tell. It's a joy to use though. 40s for 18g espresso dose, which is not too bad, you get used to it and build your workflow around it. I've also found tapping the top works as well as the bellows so I leave mine off most of the time. Makes great coffee, very similar profiles to my k-max.

[@KyleRowsell]

Glad to hear it!!

[@retrodudefpv]

Note the Breville also has a further 10 graduations of settings per click by using burr adjuster

[@techdaily8287]

Facts, it allows for 600 total adjustments. It’a definitely capable of dialing in beans

[@maxuttech1028]

I know many people (including myself) are wondering how the VS3 compares to the DF64 in terms of body and clarity for espresso.

[@PhillipLangenkamp]

Awesome in-depth overview! Really appreciate the thoroughness on the sort of "entry level" high quality grinder. Sure, you can buy cheaper if you have to, but I feel like this level is really where many enthusiasts will want to start (even if it requires some savings to do so). After being absorbed in coffee grinder content the past month or so and watching way more videos than I'll ever need, this was some awesome and quality content!

[@chriswyatt5303]

How about a comparison of the Varia and the Lagom Mini in the near future. You know the Lagom Mini and it would be helpful to see how the two grinders are similar but more importantly how they differ. Thanks for putting out an informative and entertaining channel.

[@craigpeterson68]

Hey Kyle! Great videos and I really appreciate the service that you provide all of us. However,I wanted to take a few minutes to help you understand that an electric motor’s “power” is not the important feature of an electric grinder. Ultimately it is Torque (T) that is key, which is also a function of RPM. The formula to calculate this is T = 5250 x HP / RPM, with the resulting units in lb-ft. So, for the 6 grinders in this video: Urbanic 080 - 250W at an assumed 1700rpm = 1.03 Breville Smart Grinder Pro - 165W at 450rpm = 2.58 Baratza Encore - 120W at 550rpm = 1.54 Varia VS3 - 100W at 165rpm = 4.27 Baratza Sette 270 - 200W at 450rpm = 3.13 Turin SD40 - 180W at 750rpm = 1.69 Of course, the size of the burrs will impact how that torque is put to use, but based on the above results, the Varia is significantly better than the rest and your possible concerns about that low “power” is likely erroneous. Needless to say, I am quit eager to see how the Varia handles the lighter roasts at an espresso setting! I hope this helps…

[@KyleRowsell]

That’s all good in theory. But the varia takes nearly a minute to grind for espresso. Do that 3-5 times a day for the average user and you have significant more use than a niche or sette at 12-15 seconds to grind. There are more variables than you’re listing. Also, I didn’t say it’s not a good espresso grinder. I’m just cautioning that we’re not confident in its long term reliability at this time. And the option o lagom mini had similar claims to the vs3 but after my review there were many claiming stalled motors and even others with burnt out motors. So to your point… sure, in theory. But I don’t want it on my conscious to advise people to purchase this as an espresso daily driver.. yet.

[@craigpeterson68]

@@KyleRowsell Thanks for the quick reply! Just to be clear, I am a motor and motor control expert, so it bothers me when people focus on "power". Not critical of you at all, I just saw an opportunity to educate you on the science behind motor selection. I suspect the Varia engineers had low RPM as one of their key attributes and optimized accordingly. I am definitely looking forward to your complete review on the Varia! 😁

[@AlejandroPDX]

Great video. I still love watching your comparisons and reviews despite not being in the market for a new grinder at the moment. Currently with a niche and 1z k max

[@KyleRowsell]

Thanks for watching!

[@stephensmirke2146]

I just preordered the VS3 and then watched this video. Getting nervous that I bought the wrong grinder for espresso. Would be good to see you do more testing as to the feasibility of using the vs3 daily for espresso.

[@bluemystic7501]

I think he did months of testing.

[@garys639]

Loving the VS3 for espresso, my 70yr taste buds enjoy the shots from my dark roast beans. I only drink espresso, no milk just black and no sugar, and find it does a great job. Suggest RDT with the enclosed spray bottle to be the way to go.

[@igottmituns]

I was using a SGP for pour over. Pros: 5+ years with mine with zero issues. I grind on the finer end of medium and got some great high notes. It was very customizable with the adjustable burr. The cons: It easily retained 1-2 grams. The grinds were inconsistent, especially if you go coarse. Lacked clarity. After a few other conical grinders, I decided to go with a flat burr grinder for my pour over and was considering the Ode with upgraded burrs but chose against it. Customer service is unquestionably good but... between us, I just didn't trust them past the warranty. Too new of a grinder co for me. So I eventually went with a gently used Forte BG for less than the Ode+upgrades and haven't looked back.

[@KyleRowsell]

Right on! The forte is a wonderful grinder!

[@timgerber5563]

If I would search a grinder for both filter and espresso, I would also go for the varia vs3. It seems like the niche killerto me. If I was mainly drinking filter coffee, I would go for a hand grinder. I have to say I’m really happy with my Comandante MK4 though and using a dedicated espresso 64mm flat burr grinder (Ceado E5SD).

[@KyleRowsell]

I don’t think it’s a niche killer! I don’t think it’s designed to be either. I think it’s a very good grinder though.

[@amitmargalit4551]

Thank you Kyle!! Been dying for a good video about the VS3. As a lagom mini (happy) owner I really want to see them side by side, but your note about the cup profile says it all. I think they absolutely nailed it, though it's extremely similar to the mini but it's like they took notes from lagom's first year - the adjustment marks, nicer catch cup and bellows

[@KyleRowsell]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching

[@geminispaced]

Got the varia for 2 weeks and have been loving it so far!

[@myrontodd1436]

Picked up the Ode gen 2 for less than $250. Can’t wait to try. Upgrading from an Encore with M2 burrs. Also picked up a Q2 based on your recommendation for travel with an aeropress. Very impressed with that combo for what it is. Thanks for all the great content!

[@Kwijiboi]

How do you like the ode vs encore?

[@myrontodd1436]

@@Kwijiboi Love it! Upgraded to the SSP MP burrs. The gen 2 burrs are great but was chasing more clarity. Best grinder for the money unless you were able to get the Timemore Sculptor 078 for the kickstarter price.

[@Kwijiboi]

I'm kind of ignorant on it. Would ode gen 1 with gen 2 burrs be as good, or does the 2nd gen machine offer other benefits as well?

[@myrontodd1436]

@@Kwijiboi Ode gen 2 has the gen 2 burrs (duh), better tolerances, ion generator to reduce static and retention, and a larger/more sloped hopper for less feeding stalls and greater capacity for batch brew. A gen 1 ode with gen 2 burrs is 90% the same otherwise. Better UX, but that’s personal preference whether it’s worth it or not. The gen 2 burrs are more forgiving and give a more balanced cup vs the SSP MP, but less clarity

[@johnmyers6290]

I have the Sette and found what you found: better for espresso since even at coarse settings, the amount of fines muddies filter cups. Since I mainly drink filter, I recently picked up a refurbished (by Fellow) Ode and the Gen2 burrs for less than the Gen1 Ode. A significant boost in cup quality.

[@KyleRowsell]

Glad to hear this resonates! All the best

[@Gabriel.Q]

Hey Kyle. Fantastic video as usual. Could you do a comparison between the Varia and Lagom Mini? Cheers!

[@KyleRowsell]

Very possible

[@geraldmcmullon2465]

Sage smart grinder pro: For espresso I dial down to 7 for a Sage Duo Temp Pro. It is almost automatic as both can be mostly left unattended. Sometimes it does not stop and the timer countdown resets to the dialled in settings and does not stop. Sometimes the button or the portafilter button does not work. When this happens you have to unplug it. It might be fixable but happens so rarely, over the past 5 years, that I have not bothered to enquire. Espresso has more sweetness than filter. The retention is too high but is easy to take of the hopper and brush the partially ground coffee down for the last gram between changing the beans.

[@DarrenKrusi]

I bought a hopper replacement and bellows from Etsy and my retention is almost zero.

[@Adam1nToronto]

Mine had the same problem with the start buttons not working and the timer changing by itself. Eventually it stopped working altogether. A shame as the hardware is all in great shape.

[@m_cabral]

When it comes out I’d suggest the Encore ESP over the Encore even for filter brews. The M2 is legitimately a better burr than the M3 that comes in the regular Encore.

[@KyleRowsell]

Oh that’ll happen. Along with a new grinder that’s unannounced that I’m excited to share soon…

[@droosh]

This might explain why the Encores are on sale for once? I just bought the Encore. Will it be essentially the same with upgraded burrs? How long will the included burrs last before replacing? (Grinding about 80 grams per day)

[@m_cabral]

@@droosh the ESP version also has more fine adjustment levels. It’s meant to be an OEM version of the “80 step mod” where you replace the selector pin with a double pin that gives you a half click. The M2 and M3 have the same lifespan. I used to run the same amount through mine without any issue. I added the Preciso adjustment ring and the only wear and tear were needing to replace the burr carriers fairly often as I was grinding for Espresso with very hard light roast beans.

[@xllvr]

If we were talking about going from scratch it’d definitely be either the XPro or the Varia probably; happy with the DF64 right now as well with the SSP burrs and that’s made great cups so maybe I’d have given the Turin a spin?

[@KyleRowsell]

Df64 with ssp is endgame. Enjoy.

[@Andres_El_Paisa]

I'd love to see how the X-Pro or the ZP6 grind quality compares with more expensive grinders like a DF64 with SSPs

[@KyleRowsell]

They’re apples and oranges. But you’ll always save money going the hand grinder route when it comes to cup quality

[@madshaahr-fb5zk]

How do you mean, Kyle? Are they different styles of grinders, or is the df64 way better?

[@garys639]

Dark roast espresso is perfect from my Varia, don't mind the slow grind, can grind without waking the household in the mornings. As close to zero retention as you can wish for. RDT with the included spray bottle means very minimal retention . I use this with my Breville Barrista Pro.

[@MrSmitty231]

Have you done any filter coffee with it? Also how do you like the lighter roast with it for espresso or filter?

[@andromedastrike1505]

I appreciate how thoughtful your video content is and how well organized the jump links are as well. You deserve the subscribe and I'd be happy to use your affiliate links bc you have clearly provided valuable insights. Thank you!

[@micham1188]

Right now in my country you can buy Fellow Ode 1.1 for 205$, I thinking about this - adding burrs 2.0 for 80$ and its still below 300$ - yes, old model but its more then enough for me

[@KyleRowsell]

Great option!

[@dearsergiO12]

This was awesome, thank you Kyle!!! I ordered the VS3 a few days ago from 8oz, should be here next week! I actually got it for the occasional espresso to pair with my Ode-SSP for V60.

[@KyleRowsell]

Enjoy! And my pleasure friend

[@ethiopianbuffman]

We need that Varia review with the different burr sets

[@KyleRowsell]

I want to test them all!

[@gabehart9092]

Great video! I'd love to see a comparison like this of grinders in the next price bracket up (DF64, Ode 2, etc) for those of us looking to upgrade from our first grinder.

[@gabehart9092]

I currently have a Virtuoso+ at home and a JX for travel, and would love to get some more clarity and sweetness out of my pour-overs.

[@KyleRowsell]

Already in the works

[@thomascee]

That was a great breakdown. A lot of time went into that. Thank you so much. Great video.

[@KyleRowsell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jazzynotjeff]

No Eureka Mignons? I've gotta say, my Mignon Filtro (with espresso burrs) is unstoppable at roughly $200, or the Chrono for $250. Built like a tank, great even grind, flat burrs, great design, and easily upgraded to a single dose/zero retention/bellows hopper via Etsy. Always surprised when a company like Urbanic is represented and Eureka isn't (not to disparage Urbanic, I've just seen a lot of vids with their paint chipping or dubious burr alignment). Love the content! Thanks!

[@duffyrides]

I own the Eureka Filtro also! I use it for both espresso and filter coffee and it's great. However I am thinking about upgrading tthe burrs to the espresso burrs and then maybe getting another grinder just for filter. Would be great to have @kyleRowsell opinion on this also. Think he might be doing a future video on the Eurekas.

[@jazzynotjeff]

@@duffyrides My filtro handles espresso and filter equally well. The only struggle is that I grind espresso between 1 and 2 on the nob, and for filter/pourover I do 2 full counterclockwise rotations and land on 3, so i always know which I'm dialed in for: If it's at 1.5ish, I'm set for espresso, if it says 3 I'd set up for filter. Less guess work. Happy brewing!

[@peterlin6419]

I have a gen 1 ode with stock burrs. No regrets but i will be upgrading to the Gen 2 ode. Would love a video comparing the burr options.

[@vrudelta]

LMAO Kyle reacting to the Varia's slow rpm got me dead 💀

[@KyleRowsell]

Patience is not one of my best attributes

[@davidvandruff9368]

I have watched dozens of grinder videos, and just end up more confused about the "right one for me". Question, I'm a French press person first and foremost. I hand grind and have long enough! Which grinder would be best if I primarily brew French press but occasionally brew pour over. I've not ventured into espresso, but might in the future. Thanks for the input.

[@KrishnenduKes]

What a great informative video. Thanks. Now we want a video of grinders under $500!

[@KyleRowsell]

It’s coming. Slightly higher than 500 though!

[@KrishnenduKes]

@@KyleRowsell Which will actually give us more options. Thank you for your reply!

[@martinlechner403]

Currently using an Eureka Mignon Specialita for espresso and a Commandante for filter.

[@CoffeeNo0b0514]

The Eureka Mignon Crono at $249 would have been cool to see. 50mm flat burrs and stepless adjustment. Great video though!

[@KyleRowsell]

I Didn’t forget about it. It’ll be featured in the future

[@CoffeeNo0b0514]

@@KyleRowsell awesome! Looking forward to it.

[@leslubiesdetienne]

Thank you! It's a question I get asked a lot and never quite know what to answer. Now I do!

[@KyleRowsell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annieltitus]

Kyle, thank you for including hand grinders in this review!!

[@KyleRowsell]

My pleasure!

[@annieltitus]

@@KyleRowsell I would love to support your new “September” initiative, but based on kickstarter, you have tremendous support already. I would be glad to purchase beans/gear as things develop for you. Best! I have the Niche for my espresso needs, and the ODE gen2 for pour over, i will probably get a hand grinder for travel/kicks & giggles

[@unseenthreat5045]

Tbh this left me more confused.. i was hoping to find out the best grinder for Espresso, as i dont have any interest in filter coffee.. but the way you did your reviews, you seemed to prioritize filter coffee and saw Espresso as a rarity. So now I still don't know what the best grinder is for Espresso machines

[@LuisAmezcua-s8s]

First time buyer, wanting the best cappuccino & latte grinder for my Breville dual boiler. I'm hearing that some grinder don't grind a very fine grind

[@gmasterdude]

Ive watched a few of these grinder videos now from various reviewers at the end of the day you still don't know what to buy and they are all too expensive. Maybe I will buy the hand grinder and attach a dc motot to it.

[@bangzoom8180]

Been using the Ode Gen 2 for 6 weeks now. Darker (oilier beans).need help down the hopper. 25g + the motor occasionally stops when it shouldn't. Motor sounds and feels like it's underpowered but once finished, grind is consistent. Still trying to evaluate...🤔. Very informative video...nice. Thank you.👍

[@HiMyNameIsAllen]

Great video Kyle! Would love to see a comparison video of Lagom Mini vs Ode Gen 2 vs Ode Gen 2 SSP Burrs

[@KyleRowsell]

I’ll consider it!

[@ProperCh]

So which one of these is the best espresso centred grinder? Im currently using the SGP and am looking for a bit of an upgrade but cant afford the Niche. Should I rather just save more for the NIche?

[@Adrian-vk1cu]

I’ve been waiting for a video on the Varia. I think it’s a goer for me. I only make one espresso a day and maybe occasionally make some for friends, it’ll be perfect for me for my morning v60 and arvo espresso! I think… thanks Kyle!

[@KyleRowsell]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@Adrian-vk1cu]

@@KyleRowsell would you consider occasional espresso as one a day? I’d essentially be turning my C40 and breville SGP into the Varia

[@kevykev7772]

You don't wanna review an old generation grinder yet the VS3 has a new gen grinder coming out with a new improved motor, better non static parts and better burrs.... Still, good video

[@Dirtyz1234]

I'm watching this a year later and just bought the white label SK40 (Itop 40s) on AliExpress for $165. Being true stepless now with an upgraded burr set seems to make it a no-brainer for an entry level or backup grinder

[@gregorymoats4007]

Baratza legacy Virtuoso is awesome. Just rebuilt my 12 year old and the grind consistency is phenomenal.

[@gregorymoats4007]

Cost $80 to rebuild. Burrs we’re in very good condition so no need to replace. If you find a broken one or resale shop legacy Baratza purchase it and do a rebuild

[@parkeranderson1172]

I’ve had the gears completely strip out in the Breville SGP 2x. They gave me store credit for a smart oven and I bought a Vario. Just my 2 cents!

[@RakanWD]

My advice for people with low budget, but have high taste requirment to enjoy their espresso: Espresso needs NEEDS consistent grind size! if you're on a low budget, with no hesitation, get a hand grinder! 1zepresso can compete with electric grinder thousands of dollar more expensive. K series are a beast, then J Max, then JX PRO. Get one of those 3, and during this time save money for an upgrade, if you think you need to. I've tried the breville grinder, and Sette 270, and I prefer JX PRO over them, JX PRO gives the best extraction, and taste. JX PRO will never taste bad! Now J Max is taking the place of JX PRO, but K series are still the highest consistent grind size from 1zepresso. I had delonghi grinder, sette 270, breville, JX PRO, DF64, and currently Eurkea mingion single dose. This is only for enthusiast espresso people, but I'm sure majority will enjoy any electric budget option.

[@alaskavaper2490]

Hi Kyle. Now that the Encore is out with their ingenious but simple solution incorporating/ 20 espresso adjustments out of 40 total adjustments…QUESTION IS, does this make the ESP competitive and a best value in this new space for it?😊😊😊

[@MTeeThoughts]

❤ the breadth of this comparison

[@Mussyo18]

so, which one is best for espresso-focused grinding? or did I miss it?

[@PatrickSeeryCincy]

This was a great comparison video for the price point. Thank you for making it

[@deo.strengthspan.project]

I hesitate to ask for another 1Zpresso video but I’m curious if you think the $50 difference between the X-Pro and the ZP6 is worth it for the increased cup quality I hear the ZP6 has over the X-Pro for pour over? I know this means getting your hands on a ZP6 but this been my biggest curiosity recently.

[@sjorlando7282]

Kyle. How about sharing your girinder settings for pourover, espresso etc. - makes a good baseline for the rest of us in dialing in. AND HEY.. the SGP has an adjustable top burr - you forgot that. That changes the 60 steps to almost 600 when you include the 10 steps in that top burr.

[@robynnyepiano]

Great review! Have been looking for review for Varia VS3 but not many out there. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@KyleRowsell]

More videos on the vs3 soon

[@kstessel1]

What would be better for home use. A single dose grinder or a hopper style? And how long can the beans in the hopper stay fresh vs putting them in a vacuum canister?

[@dylans8786]

I feel overwhelmed with information. If I bought a Baratza encore would my drip, pore over and chemex coffee noticeably improve compared to my old blade grinder?

[@KrivTheBard]

Definitely! The Encore is a lot of people's first good grinder for a reason. Going from a blade grinder to a burr grinder is a huge step up, you'll be much more pleased with the coffee you get from an Encore :) This video was more of a comparison between these grinders together, but all of them are a league ahead of blade grinders.

[@dylans8786]

@@KrivTheBard Thanks for the reply! Definitely leaning towards picking up a Baratza Encore Esp.

[@nicktam2811]

Bought the MHW-3Bomber equivalent of the Turin / Solo 38 at US$200 since I'm next to China, the X-Pro could be had for US$120 too but I've moved on from hand grinding. I had either choice so there was alot of value for money other than the fact that the Bomber isn't stepless and the usable espresso range is at 0-3 for me, might be that the Turin branded ones are tuned to have a better espresso range but nevertheless a fun little grinder to compliment my DF83.

[@ocrun6765]

I'd like to see a review of the Kitchenaid flat burr grinder. Interesting that it grinds at 450 rpm. I wonder if it makes good espresso.

[@99985cc]

What about the Baratza ESP with upgraded burr and more granular settings for espresso?

[@danjv]

Thanks for the comparison Kyle. I've been using an Encore for four years and we're very pleased with the filter coffee it produces. When I needed a new ring burr they sent a new one no charge. I was in the market for an espresso capable flat Burr grinder. Eureka's Mignon line impressed me. Almost bought a Facile but it's a little steep at $400. Then I saw Lance comparing budget grinders. After much research I went for Urbanic's 070. At just oner $200 I got 60mm flat burrs. Surely not the best espresso grinder but I'm getting good results with my GCP. I've still got my eye on the Facile.

[@KyleRowsell]

Very nice! I’d say hold put. There’s a very affordable grinder that’s in-announced and on route. And it’s espresso capable.

[@momoisstrange]

@@KyleRowsellI seem to be late to all of this. Were you talking about the timemore sculptor? Or is there something that’s still not out yet that I should wait for before buying anything?

[@MurseyMan]

I see your Sette 30 has the dosing ring with the micro adjustments, a necessary upgrade from what I’ve read, as improves the dialling in, would this push the price over $300?

[@KyleRowsell]

It would.

[@PatrickPoet]

Thanks for this. It's from 6 months ago so you probably know now, but the people who support you through patreon are your patrons

[@lyesallouche9010]

Finally, THE Video is here 🙌🙌

[@KyleRowsell]

Alert the people!

[@ilkayertem1332]

Eureka Mignon Manuella or smiliar grinders belong to Eureka could be a choice i use mignon zero and i am very pleased about it also sptk 38 also cheaper than 300 USD that you showed us

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Thanks for this great review of budget grinders. Question: I only have a Bialetti moka pot, and V60 brewing systems, at the moment, would that Varia VS3 be good for both, or would you recommend the Baratza Encore ESP instead? Where I live, I don't have all the choices that you have in North America.

[@gregoryreffner2939]

dang, i was hoping for a better result from the Urbanic. I love it's look. Almost like a mini EK43

[@ToomanyFrancis]

I'm looking to buy a grinder around this price range in the coming weeks, it will be used almost exclusively for filter coffee. How would you say the Varia VS3 compares to the Lagom mini?

[@KyleRowsell]

Will be dropping a video soon to answer this!

[@toulcaz31]

Thanks for taking the time to make such comparison video. I am just a bit confused. Why not considering the 1zpresso K Ultra at $289?

[@KyleRowsell]

Because I think that the x-pro is better value.

[@toulcaz31]

@@KyleRowsell i heard you mentioning this but if the K ultra for instance could perform better than an Ode 2 or other grinder well North of $300, wouldn’t it make it a great value grinder too? Or does it mean you consider the K Ultra only meets expectations set by its price?

[@olivercross6723]

What would you suggest for someone primarily doing cold brew and French press?

[@Omeboy]

Curious how you compare the VS3 with the Lagom Mini. They’ve got similar specs and RPMs. I wonder how close they are!

[@KyleRowsell]

I’ll consider that in the future.

[@tecunumantonatiu4484]

Thank you. I didn’t see the KitchenAid grinder!

[@rxonmymind8362]

Let me throw in the KitchenAid coffee burr grinder please. From espresso to filter coffee or french press it's a beast of a grinder. Real metal grinder (unlike their last one made of plastic) with excellent espresso flour like grind. How? Internally, the grinder inside the machine is removable and comes from the factory at #8. Set it at #1 then flip/slide the dial over to espresso. Insane grinder for what it does. Got mine at an unbelievable 50% off in red no less. Highly recommend folks. Anti-static bean catcher. Is EXTREMELY quiet and does a great job of making both coffee for my Moccamaster and Delonghi espresso machine.

[@zacharyreed2347]

I'm pretty sure I have that same exact flannel shirt 👌

[@brunozukauskas]

Great video mate! I recently bought the X-Pro and been using daily for both v60 and espresso. It’s a great grinder! Can you let me know which settings did you use for each brew type (v60 and espresso)? Thanks so much

[@KyleRowsell]

Depends on the coffee! But I’m between 2-2.5 most often for a 20g v60

[@kennethguerrero6802]

Great video. I just got the sd40 and have been having trouble dialing in. Good to know its not the grinder

[@KyleRowsell]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnz7239]

Thanks for the video, I assume these are for home use?

[@LJ-wo1wf]

Were any of these checked and corrected for alignment, or were they used as-is out of the box? I’ve seen other reviews (like Hedrick’s of the Urbanic, for example) that say the consistency and flavor gets much better with aligning and shimming. (on the other hand, I think it’s just as fair to review them as shipped, because a lot of consumers don’t want to be bothered with disassembling their brand new grinders)

[@KyleRowsell]

Reviewed stock

[@kcb5150]

Taurus demoka 0203 m-203 gives you 200w, 700rpm, and 49mm flats around $200 but idk how available it is. My only criticism of it is it's very bare bones and retention can be annoying with the stock chute

[@yizhizhou5419]

I used Ezspresso k-pro hand grinder with a drill, I found it very fast and convenience.

[@jeremynachbar3205]

Came across you, because my OXO Barista Brain met an unfortunate end at 8 years. (It got doused with water by accident). We usually just drink drip at home. Usually two 12 cup pots, with the Technivorm Moccamaster (the OXO brewers kept dying on me). The Vario looks beautiful, but I couldn’t deal with that brick, in the coffee corner. I doubt I could talk my wife into hand grinding-she’s not a morning person 😅. I liked the Barista Brain for its scale, and ease of use. But it did have a couple issues. I was going to try the Breville, they make some nice appliances. But after watch a few videos, including yours, I’ve decided against it. Could you suggest some drip (it’s okay if it’s solely drip) coffee grinders that would go well with our situation? I really liked just plugging in the amount, and it came out measured. I’m subscribed, nice video

[@deafno]

I assume Wilfa Uniform was not included because of availability? Unfortunately much of the coffee gear is localized which limits the choice greatly.

[@KyleRowsell]

Yeah that’s correct

[@ChrisTrude]

Do you get more tasting notes/caffeine hit when you suck the coffee directly into your lungs?

[@KyleRowsell]

Yes. 🙂