Multiple Brands - DF64 Gen 1

I have owned the following burr grinders, in order: Breville Barista Express built-in, Niche Zero, DF64, Niche Duo. Currently, I use the Niche Zero and Duo, only, with the former servicing my decaf, and the latter servicing my regular. My only brew method is espresso (on a simple garagist-built E61 machine). My main method of puck prep (for my own drinks) is a blind shaker and tamping. Sometimes I use an OCD, if my blind shaker dump is clumsy, even though it seems to mitigate the benefits). My first-gen DF64, despite regular cleaning, is highly self-fouling, and just will not stay in operation, so I stopped using it. At one point, I had all three. I have not tried the gen 2, but I appreciate that it does fix some of the most obnoxious design flaws of the original. As far as delivery of coffee grounds for delicious espresso, I think all three grinders are highly capable. My favorite of the three is the Niche Zero, for a number of reasons. Although its medium-size conical burr does give higher grind variability than the bigger flat burr, the difference is not highly perceptible in espresso. It runs quietly. It's reliable. It doesn't take up much space. It's visually-pleasing. It's easy to work with. The cost is high, but it is not a bad value for money. The glaring weakness is the funnel size not being big enough to fill a pour-over basket. This isn't a problem for me, but the Duo does solve the problem. (However, it's not why I got the Duo.) Unfortunately, while it solves some problems, and offers marginally more uniform grind results, the Duo is louder, takes up more space, costs more money, and for my brew method, delivers a slightly better result, but it's on the verge of imperceptible. The original DF64 was awful to use. Big footprint. Heavy. Loud. Extremely messy. Cheap-feeling parts, and a start-stop switch in the worst possible place for comfort. So, Gen 2 fixes those things and still delivers a really nice flat burr grinder at a price below, or near, the Niche Zero. Sounds great to me; I wouldn't refuse to buy it out of arbitrary loyalty, but I don't need a fourth grinder right now. This is not so for pour-over people (which I'm not) but if your brew method is immersion or espresso, then, at or above the quality of the Niche Zero or DF64, good use of the grinder (i.e. dial-in, puck prep, brew recipe) matters more than the differences in the grinder itself. So, my advice is to choose based upon what you want to operate, look at, listen to, and are willing to take the time to learn to master. That's more important than this brand versus that brand, or what type of burr. But, overall, my workflow experience with the Niche Zero was far more enjoyable and "joyful" than it was with the OG DF64; I would expect the Gen 2 DF64 to be an improvement. I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting one. I would encourage anyone to focus more on *the way that you use it*.

I started my journey with one, but ALL the options mentioned here are much much better. The motor struggles on most all non dark beans. It did die and I did replace it and moved on to the DF series. I saw one or two DF54 chute get clogged and that reminded me of my DF64 Gen1 morning clogs. Those WERE BAD mornnings...really bad. It seems as if ther DF54 has served may well, but I have not personally used. I gifted a Shardor 64 to a girlfriend I gave the Smart Grinder Pro to. She loves it, but is also very happy with the Temp Duo (gifted free) as well. Decisions. Good luck.

Depends on your budget, I use a DF64 with SSP multimodal burrs but I’d be happy with the DF54 as well. So much value for the dollar.

We have a cafelat robot and a df64 grinder and an Xbloom studio. A little more than $1000 but that combination makes amazing espresso or really good pour over depending on what you’re feeling like

It’s a good conical grinder, I liked it. But ultimately, I went with the df64 with ssp mp burrs because I like high clarity filter coffee. Ended up getting a k6 for espresso.

Yep, DF64 II with SSP-MP burrs is your best bet at that price range

I purchased my DF64 gen1 from Alibaba back when there wasn't a US distributor yet. Process was fine and I got my grinder pretty quick. No input on the "Eureka" dupes.

I've had a first gen df64 for years that has been a workhorse. I'm considering upgrading to something quieter and faster now (not sure what yet) because my schedule has changed and I'm frequently making coffee while the family is still asleep. If not for that, I would have no reason to change. That said, I'm definitely in the "get to good enough and stop screwing around" camp of coffee appreciation, so I'm not chasing extremes the way some folks are and my opinions may be less stringent as a result.

Depending on where you are, sorry but Zerno. If they cost the same I'd go with that. I was also hard-core considering a DF83V, only thing that kept me from it was the QC issues DF has. It's kind of a lottery if it works out for you. Plus I had a terrible experience with DF64 gen1. So I vouched for probably worse coffee, less features, smaller burrs, but I know for a fact it comes super aligned from factory, I don't need to tinker, and I won't have to replace the on/off button and it'll probably outlive me. Oh and since the DF doesn't come with the equivalent of the I200D burrs from factory, would probably have wanted some SSPs for it too.

DF64 with SSP Cast Lab Sweets or Lebrew Sweets will probably be your best bet at your price point.

Is this for espresso as well? It isn't clear (although generally this question comes up when people want to do both). If you're looking at doing espresso...I'd definitely either go DF64 or 064S. Encore ESP will be ok but I think you give up a fair bit...it really depends on the style you like. Ode is a great grinder...but dialing in espresso is a little more challenging...I don't see any reason to go that way with other things out there. DF54 can do both although I think there are some limitations there that I dislike from a burr standpoint...apparently you can reverse the motor and open up what else is available...

I think you're better off buying a pour over grinder..you can always keep your old one for espresso if need be. To me you're going to be giving up a fair bit to try to get flexibility. But if that's what you want...the 064s or DF64 v2.5 will both be good..the DF64 has some quirks but getting better and better..

Ode II is great for pour over...but even with burrs capable of espresso, you won't have the dial in capability you would want for espresso. All of them can have burrs replaced...so if you're talking stock burrs, you're definitely not using the stock Ode II for espresso. The DF64 stock burrs are more espresso oriented as are the 64s... But I've made the broad (and maybe incorrect) assumption you'd know you would need to replace these to do what you want..I mean you can use the stock DF64 burrs, for example..for both...but I think you're trading off a more espresso profile burr and sacrificing your main use case.