EK43

A lot more fines than a Fellow Ode 2? Literally every cafe where I live uses an EK43. 🤣 Fines do produce flavor.

Most of the cafes here use the EK43 specifically for pour over coffee and use other grinders for espresso based drinks. Batch brew isn't a thing where I live (save for one or two cafes). I guess it also depends on what you like out of your pour over. Super tea like? A little more body and mouth feel, etc. Perhaps the EK43 isn't going to give you that super high clarity kind of coffee that many are chasing here on reddit. Unfortunately, I do not know the different types of burrs that are being used at most cafes here. I would assume it's the standard burr set.

Imo, if you have a well dialed in and aligned EK43, there is no such thing as "better" just maybe better for your taste or better overall experience. But my local shop also uses one with the brew burrs and that thing is insane. I certainly like it a bit better than what even my A4Z can deliver and that baby is also insane.

I’m really happy with mine. Had for 2 years now with heavy use. I don’t have the comps to Femdom whatever or even 078 but hard pressed at the moment to think I’d get massively better cups. Maybe different. My rationalization is that my local coffee roaster SK coffee makes a very good pour over in house and it’s not an after thought offering. I can buy their beans and make a very compatible cup in clarity and profile and they use an EK43. Now maybe high end home use grinders are better than an EK43 but I’m not really chomping at the bit. I find my Ode grinds really consistently and fines are never a problem. Workflow is nice, it’s common so if I’m dialing in a cup many roasters or reddit has good recs on grind size, Drops and their profiles for coffees has been fun to use, their ecosystem is pretty nice for me.

MK EKK43 from 1999 with ssp hu and MK pre 2015. 2600€

The Atom 65W is a cut above the others. It’s more sturdy and substantial. My second choice would be the Malhkonnig. I have heard the the Allground has high retention and loses your settings when you open it for cleaning. The Eureka adjusts from the bottom. Also their ACE anti static system leaves you with super fluffy grounds in the basket (not clinging everywhere). Both will hum out an 18g dose in about 5 seconds. I love my Atom.

You are in a weird place with "way to expensive for medium grinder" but "not enough money for end-game". Wilfa make amazing pour over grinders. Fuji R220 as well. Anything flat burrs and larger size (up to 98mm) will give you good coffee. The bigger size - the better coffee. Try to get 2nd hand EK43 with good burrs, probably your best bet

Linea Mini R/ EK43 and Ode SSP MP