DF83V

Zerno z1 or z2 if you can wait. I personally use the DF83V and that is massively underrated, but still if you have the budget, Zerno.

I have Mignon Specialita and it's OK, but if I had the knowledge that I have now when I bought my first grinder, I'd buy DF64. Now I'm eyeing a DF83V as an upgrade, but I'm currently out of money... The things that piss me off the most are: \- Freaking small adjustment wheel. You only touch it and the grind size difference is huge. (can be modded if you have 3d printer) \- Has dumb burr size. They have their specific diameter and specific hole spacing so you can't buy different burrs then form Eureka. \- Struggles with lighter roasts (my burrs are almost touching almost every time I try to dial in any light roast) \- kinda high retention if you don't tilt your grinder with 3d printed base and don't slap it few times after grinding.

I’d go with a single dose grinder and both of you get beans you love. If they’re going to go stale before you get through the bag, go ahead and dial a shot in, put doses in the freezer and remember or write down the grinder setting that worked for you. In my house that looks like the super light coffees I enjoy in little glass cork top vials weighed out to 19g and either my mom’s or dad’s coffee (they live in my guest suite) in a set of vials with a different colored top so they know they’re theirs. I’d go DF83v because if you do some studying you can see how different RPMs will lead to awesome results for both of you, even with different tastes. It’ll seem like a lot of work at the start, I know, but after a few weeks it’ll be absolutely second nature and you’ll both be so damn happy with your individual coffees.

If you can afford it, the DF83V is a beast! Also, the MHW 3-Bomber F74 Navigator would be in you budget and punches above its weight imo, almost on par with a Mazzer Philos for over 1k.

the DF83V from MiiCoffee is kinda where you want to be at if i’m being honest

***DF83V - £699*** (with 10% discount) It's the bang for buck champ at end-game level specs/ features. Has all you need + scope for burr upgrades (which I did, to SSP MP after 6 months). The only significant feature it doesn't have is blind burrs (but they're less impactful with larger burrs). Year and a half later and I have zero upgrade itch.

I rate the Varia tbh, one of the shops we work with runs one as their filter grinder and it actually makes great filters. I haven’t used the DF54, but I have used the DF64 and DF83V, both of which are pretty reasonable. Never tried Opus. If you want absolute best grind quality and don’t mind anything else, for $300 probably the absolute best quality you can get in that price range is out of a hand grinder like Comandante C40.