Oro XL

I have a Mignon XL which is a timer based on-demand grinder and I find it works quite well. I replaced a Vario-W that I used for 10 years with it and while I honestly don’t notice much difference in the cup, the Eureka is faster, quieter, and more consistent….the speed and noise can’t be overstated, it’s not even close. It was a bit of a step backwards in terms of usability with going from GBW to timed dosing, but the Vario grinds into a catch bin so in some ways the Eureka was an improvement. I’ve since added a large adjustment dial to it, and an olive wood hopper lid. I use a scale to weigh the portafilter before and after I grind and I find the timer works quite well at achieving consistent output.

2 electric and 2 hand grinders. Fellow Ode gen 2 for anything non-espresso, and Eureka Mignon Oro XL for espresso. Hand grinders 1zpresso JX pro and Comandante C40. The C40 was a gift from my parents for helping dad decide what to get for his new post-retirement coffee interest. I sometimes use hand grinder at home when making coffee just for me, to see how conical compares with flat burr of the Ode.

I’d raise the diminishing returns threshold closer to $1000 — going from assorted Baratzas to my Mignon XL was a bigger improvement than between any machine I’ve used (Bambino vs. a $10,000 commercial La Marzocco).

The Flair workflow is a pain, especially when making multiple drinks. I have one and a La Pavoni and the Flair only gets travel use. (Edit: Didn’t realize the 58 has a more “normal” workflow than the classic Flair). I bought my mom a Bambino Plus + Sette 5 years ago and she absolutely loves the setup. The machine hits a real sweet spot as a step up from a Nespresso, as the instant heat is EXTREMELY practical for exactly your use case (early morning pre-coffee caffeination), to the point where I’m shocked that nobody has really nailed that in the “step-up” machines. There are better grinder options today, and you have some choices with the machine (you can find a second-hand La Pavoni around that price range, or any of the options you listed). If I were to swap pieces of my setup for my mom’s, I’m fully confident I’d get a similar (or perhaps better) shot out of her machine with my grinder, but the gap between her Sette and my Mignon XL is serious (though the price sweet spot may be somewhere in the middle).

I just keep my old Baratza for brew and use a Mignon XL for espresso. The Eureka’s adjustment mechanism is great for small adjustments within espresso, less good for being able to make a major adjustment and get back to where you were. It’s generally nice having the espresso adjustment stay put — getting things dialed back often burns a shot or two of beans. I think the Baratza Forte is basically designed for what you’re looking for, though I can’t speak for it personally.

The high end of the Mignon line (Stark/XL) is fantastic with a very reasonable footprint.

Cheaper + Footprint? Mignon’s footprint is 5”x8”. Philos is 6”x14”.

Do you mean the hopper? You wouldn’t want that to be glass, trust me. The price is pretty much the burrs. I have one of these grinders and the build quality is very solid. The way you can justify it is you use it multiple times a day, and that’s just what it costs for a 65mm flat burr grinder. There are some slightly cheaper Chinese ones you can get, but that’s pretty much just what they cost. If you want to know why you would want a flat burr grinder: consistency, and flavour. The more consistent your grind, the easier it is to dial in your coffee. Things like fines (basically really small particles in your grounds), can drastically change the speed in which your coffee flows.

I have a Eureka Mignon Oro XL and a Fellow Ode (Gen 1 with gen 2 burrs). I currently use the XL as a single dose espresso grinder and the ode for filter coffee (pourover and clever dripper). However, I'm selling my espresso machine and will just need one grinder for pourover and a high end batch brewer (probably a ratio8). Should I keep the Eureka and use it for filter coffee? I'm not sure I'll enjoy the workflow. Should I stick to the Ode? Or should I sell both grinders and get something else? If yes, what?