Buying guide
Best coffee grinders for espresso
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
Baratza Sette 270: 30 steps plus stepless micro
Thirty stepped macro settings plus a stepless micro adjustment ring allow very fine tuning.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
Sage Smart Grinder Pro: 60 settings, LCD
Sixty grind settings cover espresso through to French press.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
MiiCoffee DF64 II: 64 mm flat burrs, single dose
The 64 mm flat steel burrs can be upgraded to SSP burrs.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Espresso is far more sensitive to grind size than filter coffee. A tiny change can turn a sour 15-second shot into a bitter 40-second one, so an espresso grinder needs fine, repeatable adjustment. Stepless grinders let you set any point; stepped grinders need small enough steps. Burrs matter too: large flat burrs and good conical burrs both work, and low retention means less stale coffee in each dose. Dosing style is the other big choice: single-dose grinders take a weighed dose each time, while hopper grinders with timers suit people who use the same beans every day. This guide compares seven grinders on those points using the makers' listings only. Noise figures are rarely given, so we mark them where stated.
All products compared
- Baratza Sette 270: 30 steps plus stepless micro
- Burrs
- 40 mm conical, threaded
- Adjustment
- 30 steps plus stepless micro ring
- Dosing
- Timed, to 0.1 s
- Hopper
- 300 g
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - MiiCoffee DF64 II: 64 mm flat burrs, single dose
- Burrs
- 64 mm flat, steel
- Adjustment
- Stepless
- Dosing
- Single dose, under 0.1 g retention
- Hopper
- 70 g
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Sage Smart Grinder Pro: 60 settings, LCD
- Burrs
- Stainless conical
- Adjustment
- 60 steps
- Dosing
- Dosing iQ timer, 0.2 s
- Hopper
- 450 g
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - MiiCoffee DF83: 83 mm DLC flat burrs
- Burrs
- 83 mm flat, DLC
- Adjustment
- Stepless
- Dosing
- Single dose, under 0.1 g retention
- Hopper
- 50 g
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Baratza Encore ESP: espresso range in settings 1 to 20
- Burrs
- 40 mm conical, quick-release
- Adjustment
- 40 steps (1 to 20 for espresso)
- Dosing
- Pulse button or on/off
- Hopper
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Baratza Sette 30: 30 clear steps, timed dosing
- Burrs
- 40 mm conical, threaded
- Adjustment
- 30 steps
- Dosing
- Timed, to 0.1 s
- Hopper
- 300 g
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Geimori GU38: 65 stepless settings, 0.02 mm steps
- Burrs
- 38 mm conical, 6-core
- Adjustment
- Stepless, 0.02 mm
- Dosing
- Single dose, under 0.1 g
- Hopper
- 30 g
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Burrs | Adjustment | Dosing | Hopper | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baratza Sette 270: 30 steps plus stepless micro | 40 mm conical, threaded | 30 steps plus stepless micro ring | Timed, to 0.1 s | 300 g | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| MiiCoffee DF64 II: 64 mm flat burrs, single dose | 64 mm flat, steel | Stepless | Single dose, under 0.1 g retention | 70 g | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Sage Smart Grinder Pro: 60 settings, LCD | Stainless conical | 60 steps | Dosing iQ timer, 0.2 s | 450 g | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| MiiCoffee DF83: 83 mm DLC flat burrs | 83 mm flat, DLC | Stepless | Single dose, under 0.1 g retention | 50 g | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Baratza Encore ESP: espresso range in settings 1 to 20 | 40 mm conical, quick-release | 40 steps (1 to 20 for espresso) | Pulse button or on/off | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Baratza Sette 30: 30 clear steps, timed dosing | 40 mm conical, threaded | 30 steps | Timed, to 0.1 s | 300 g | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Geimori GU38: 65 stepless settings, 0.02 mm steps | 38 mm conical, 6-core | Stepless, 0.02 mm | Single dose, under 0.1 g | 30 g | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · Baratza
Baratza Sette 270: 30 steps plus stepless micro
Baratza's Sette 270 combines 30 macro steps with a stepless micro ring and timed dosing to a tenth of a second. A precise, fast hopper grinder for daily espresso.
In its favour
- Thirty stepped macro settings plus a stepless micro adjustment ring allow very fine tuning.
- Timed dosing is repeatable to a tenth of a second.
- A direct-through design and DC motor give fast grinding with low retention, says Baratza.
Good to know
- The listing does not give a noise figure.
- Its 40 mm conical burrs are smaller than the flat burrs on the DF64 and DF83.
Listing title: Baratza Sette 270 Coffee Grinder, Black
No. 2 · MiiCoffee
MiiCoffee DF64 II: 64 mm flat burrs, single dose
A single-dose grinder with 64 mm flat steel burrs, stepless adjustment and near-zero retention. It suits espresso fans who weigh each dose and switch beans often.
In its favour
- The 64 mm flat steel burrs can be upgraded to SSP burrs.
- Retention is listed at under 0.1 g, with a blow-out funnel for the dead space.
- A plasma generator in the chute reduces static, and the dial is stepless.
Good to know
- There is no timer, so every dose is weighed by hand.
- The 70 g capacity is for single dosing, not for storing beans.
Listing title: MiiCoffee DF64 II Single Dosing Coffee Grinder (Black)
No. 3 · Sage
Sage Smart Grinder Pro: 60 settings, LCD
Sage's Smart Grinder Pro has 60 settings, a Dosing iQ timer and an LCD showing grind and time. A flexible all-rounder for espresso and filter.
In its favour
- Sixty grind settings cover espresso through to French press.
- Dosing iQ adjusts time in 0.2 second steps, shown on an LCD.
- It grinds directly into a portafilter, airtight container or filter.
Good to know
- Burr size is not stated in the Sage listing.
- Steps cover a wide range, so espresso has fewer steps to choose from.
Listing title: Sage Smart Grinder Pro, Coffee Grinder, Black Truffle
No. 4 · MiiCoffee
MiiCoffee DF83: 83 mm DLC flat burrs
A large single-dose grinder with 83 mm DLC-coated flat burrs, stepless adjustment and a plasma ioniser against static. It suits enthusiasts who want the biggest burrs here.
In its favour
- 83 mm DLC flat burrs are the largest in this guide.
- Retention is listed under 0.1 g, with an ioniser to cut static.
- A wave spring washer keeps the top burr aligned and easy to remove.
Good to know
- Motor power is not stated in the listing.
- At 45.7 cm tall it may not fit under wall cupboards.
Listing title: MiiCoffee DF83 Coffee Grinder, Aluminum, Black
No. 5 · Baratza
Baratza Encore ESP: espresso range in settings 1 to 20
Baratza's Encore ESP devotes settings 1 to 20 to espresso and 21 to 40 to filter, with a quick-release 40 mm burr set. The best value way into proper espresso grinding.
In its favour
- Settings 1 to 20 are reserved for fine espresso, with 21 to 40 for coarser brews.
- A metal dual-range adjustment system is built for daily use.
- The 40 mm conical steel burrs are quick-release for cleaning.
Good to know
- There is no timer, so dosing is done by eye or with scales.
- The listing does not state hopper capacity.
Listing title: Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder, Black
No. 6 · Baratza
Baratza Sette 30: 30 clear steps, timed dosing
The simpler Sette with 30 clearly defined steps and timed dosing to a tenth of a second. It suits espresso drinkers who want to set a grind and repeat it easily.
In its favour
- Thirty clearly defined steps make settings easy to repeat.
- Timed dosing is accurate to a tenth of a second.
- A 300 g hopper and 120 g grounds bin are listed.
Good to know
- Without a micro ring, adjustment is coarser than the Sette 270.
- No noise figure is given in the listing.
Listing title: Baratza Sette 30 Coffee Grinder, Black
No. 7 · Geimori
Geimori GU38: 65 stepless settings, 0.02 mm steps
A compact single-dose grinder with 38 mm conical burrs, 0.02 mm micro steps and a magnetic dosing cup. The lowest cost route to stepless espresso adjustment here.
In its favour
- Stepless adjustment in 0.02 mm steps across 65 settings.
- Low retention of under 0.1 g with bellows, according to the maker.
- An 80 W DC motor at 170 rpm is described as running quietly.
Good to know
- The 38 mm burrs are the smallest in this guide.
- The 30 g capacity holds only a single dose.
Listing title: Single Dose Coffee Grinder,Geimori GU38 Coffee Grinder with 38mm 6-Cor...
Read before you buy
- Sage Barista Express no pressure: causes and fixesWhy the Sage Barista Express pressure gauge stays low, and how to fix it: grind size, dose, tamping, the right basket and a worn group gasket.
- Sage Barista Express grinder not workingSage Barista Express grinder not grinding? Check the hopper lock, clear jammed or oily burrs, set the grind amount dial and follow the clean out routine.
- Sage Barista Express grind settings and dial-inSage Barista Express grind settings: where to start on the dial, how the inner burr adjustment works and a dose and ratio routine to dial in fresh beans.
- How to use the Gaggia ClassicHow to use the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro: warm-up time, temperature surfing, pulling a shot, switching to steam and refilling the boiler on a single-boiler machine.
- How to clean the Sage Barista ExpressHow to clean the Sage Barista Express: the clean me light, cleaning cycle with a tablet, steam wand, shower screen and grinder, and how often each needs doing.
More buying guides: Coffee grinders
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