As the cheapest option I would recommend a manual grinder. Kingrinder would be the cheapest decent starting point, I have the P2 and it is good for espresso.
As for electric grinders, I would probably look at second hand Baatza Encore ESP. if you find it on deals, maybe it's even close to your budget as new.
Any machines with integrated grinders will set you back at least 500 bucks (I think Ninja released one that does everything for that price), Sage has also a couple of models with integrated grinders but they go towards the 700$ - 1000$ range. The problem is that all those machines have bad grinders for the price. You can actually get her this machine and buy a better separate grider than the one that those machines come with and still have a lot of money left.
My suggestion is to buy the ECP and get her Barazza Encore ESP (very important that it is ESP) electric grinder (around 130 pounds or less). If you can't spare that amount, get a decent hand grinder for around 60$. Also count in around 50bucks for accessories from Aliexpress ( 2ear 51mm portafilter, Fuego High-Precision Coffee Scale, tamper). All of this equipment would come to 210 - 290 pounds altogether. You can't get anything better for a full setup in that budget.
+1 to the encore. Its great and does what I need it to. Has different grind settings and i believe slightly cheaper than the smart grinder although no LED screen or anything. Simple but effective!
If you can go just a tiny over $150 the Fellow Opus is on sale right now at William Sonoma.
Fellow Opus Conical Burr Coffee Grinder | Williams Sonoma https://share.google/BYKm5aWJ8qrocStDe
I would add a cheap bellows from Amazon or Etsy for it as well. https://a.co/d/1ed6JyR
Also you can find the Baratza ESP on sale as well (normally $199). That would allow for really good pour over/drip but also can do espresso if he ever so chooses.
Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder ZCG495WHT, White - MartDiscover.com https://share.google/v0rXuwboXGWMYIJ1z
The Baratza name has been around forever and has great customer service reputation. Also easy to source parts in 10 years if it ever breaks.
I would also recommend a cheap bellows to help with minimizing retention. https://a.co/d/iO7nRAP
My pick would be the Baratza ESP of the two but if price is the mission either would be an upgrade for him.
I made the jump from a basic blade grinder to the [Baratza Encore ESP](https://www.reviewni.com/product/B0BW272XCV), and wow, what a difference! If you’re just getting into espresso (like me), this upgrade is a game-changer. My old grinder gave me wildly inconsistent grind sizes, which made dialing in espresso with my Breville Bambino Plus a nightmare. The Encore ESP, with its conical burrs, fixes that -- it pumps out fine, consistent grinds every time. My espresso shots have never been more tame: way less bitterness, way less weird sourness, and no more crazy channeling. Just reliable extractions that taste the same every time.
It's also super beginner-friendly, with simple controls and a smooth cleaning process (though the first time I tried to get the lower burr out, the lock-screw fought me hard, factory must’ve gorilla-tightened it). A quick tip: if you’re cleaning, watch some YouTube breakdowns and be careful with those little washers and felts. I grabbed some spare parts from the Baratza site just in case.
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DF54 Series
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Great value for espresso, but clogs and poor for pour-over.
biraut27
