Espresso embodies the essence of control. Initiating the best espresso grinder sets in motion approximately 600 pounds of pressurized water against the coffee in the filter basket. The key to governing the speed at which water permeates the coffee lies in attaining the right grind size. Given the immense pressure involved, the correct grind setting may only differ by a few microns, imperceptible to the naked eye. Consequently, grind size is gauged by timing the shots, where a 24-second pull might yield a mediocre result, whereas a 28-second shot could be deemed top-notch. Achieving this precise 4-second difference underscores the level of control offered by an exceptional espresso grinder.
However, conventional burr grinders often fall short in fineness for espresso, and those that manage often lack the precision required for multiple settings in that range. The Best Espresso grinders, in contrast, boast burrs meticulously calibrated for precision and consistency at super-fine settings, enabling users to fine-tune their grind and perfect their shots. To identify the paramount espresso grinder, we scrutinized seven models across various price points.
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1. The Best Espresso Grinder: Baratza Sette 270 Conical Burr Grinder
With a continuously adjustable dial, the Baratza Sette 270 technically surpasses its name, offering more than 270 settings. The ability to finely adjust the Best Espresso Grinder in between two notches empowers users to meticulously fine-tune their espresso shots. The unique reverse burr alignment system retains less than 0.1 grams of coffee per espresso dose and facilitates easy burr removal for cleaning.
What we liked: The standout feature of the Sette 270 is its distinctive burr carrier design. Unlike typical conical burr grinders, where a stationary ring burr adjusts its proximity to the central conical burr, the Sette 270 features a spinning ring burr with a moving conical burr. This configuration allows for a more precise adjustment range and direct coffee drop from the burr chamber. This feature enables exceptionally precise and responsive grind adjustments, resulting in consistently excellent shots of espresso with various coffees.
The easy removal of the burr for cleaning is facilitated by a simple twist to the left. Additionally, the grinder offers a broad range of drip grind settings, catering to those desiring auto-drip, pour-over, or French Press brews. The Sette 270 is an ideal choice for espresso novices and home enthusiasts seeking greater flexibility making it the Best Espresso Grinder.
What we didn’t like: The Sette 270 is noticeably loud, although this is a common trait among espresso grinders. The programmable timer was not found to be very accurate. Nonetheless, due to low coffee retention, single-dosing with this grinder is effortless. Positioned at the higher end of home espresso grinders, the Baratza Sette 270 justifies its price through excellent customer service and durable construction with easily replaceable parts.
2. Baratza Encore ESP
This entry-level best espresso grinder from Baratza offers 20 micro-adjustment settings while also accommodating coarser settings suitable for drip coffee. It consistently produced excellent espresso shots and included a dosing cup system to streamline the shot-pulling process.
What we liked: The Baratza Encore ESP utilizes the M2 cone burr, the same as the favoured coffee grinder, Baratza Virtuoso+. Notably, the Encore ESP features a dual-threaded grind adjustment collar. Settings one through 20 are micro-adjustments, and beyond setting 21, it seamlessly transitions to the standard range of the basic Baratza Encore, an excellent grinder for brewed coffee. This allowed us to effortlessly pull great shots of espresso and fine-tune our recipe. The grinder also excelled in the drip range, producing excellent pour-overs.
Additionally, it is the first Baratza grinder with a quick-release burr for efficient deep cleaning and reassembly. The included dosing cup added convenience to the workflow. This affordable, no-frills grinder consistently delivers excellent grind consistency.
What we didn’t like: Shots from the Baratza ESP had a slightly drier finish compared to other top picks, and its adjustments were limited to stepped settings. While it performed impressively, especially for users seeking an easy-to-use grinder, it may not cater to those desiring ultimate precision.
3. Mazzer La Marzocco Lux D
La Marzocco collaborated with commercial the best espresso grinder company Mazzer to create the Lux D, a heavy-duty grinder tailored for home use, coinciding with the introduction of their home line featuring the Linea Mini espresso machine. The Lux D boasts continuous adjustment for precise shots, professional-grade burrs, and an on-demand grinding button for quick coffee dosing.
What we liked: Despite being marketed as a home-best espresso grinder, the Mazzer Lux D essentially mirrors a modified commercial machine. Its continuous adjustment collar, coupled with large, flat burrs, offers almost infinite grind adjustment settings. The heavy-duty motor demonstrated exceptional consistency, with all five espresso shots finishing within a second of each other. The grinder operates effortlessly with a grind on-demand button activated when aligning the portafilter under the dosing funnel.
What we didn’t like: The Lux D has high coffee retention, necessitating a larger purge between grind adjustments. While it consistently pulls excellent shots and displays remarkable uniformity, it is a sizable, higher-priced grinder best suited for individuals planning to pull multiple espresso shots daily.