DF64 Gen 2

Ive had one for a year, and like mine enough. Theres a little more work in the upkeep (frequently cleaning the chute) but it works well for a wife spectrum brew teks

You’ll get a bunch of recommendations for Baratza however Baratza is now owned by Breville. That makes it an immediate non-starter in my house. Plus, so plasticky. I bought myself a df64 gen 2 that I love. Coming from a Breville Smart Grinder Pro (which was a gift), the difference was massive. I mostly drink espresso so a precise grinder is critical and the df64 never disappoints. I also use it for other types of coffee sometimes, it adjusts easily.

I really like my df64 with my GCP. It replaced a gifted Breville SGP and the improvement was not subtle.

I have the 1st gen DF64. I think they fixed literally all the issues these mods address in the 2nd gen, and in the DF54. The first one is literally a plastic arrow that points at the grind level on the dial, because there no way to see it otherwise (there is a line on the front, about an inch away from the marks on the dial- very difficult to eyeball exact grind level). They have an arrow on top on the production machines now. They have angled the cup in the 2nd gen and DF54 in the same way my adapter does it. 1st gen was level with the ground, the DF54 angles the cup so it's angled same angle as the ground egress. It just leaves less room for grounds to go elsewhere. The anti popcorn is [a disc like this](https://www.turingrinders.com/products/df54-anti-popcorn-disc-1), I think they may include this with the DF54 now. It lets the beans fall down the middle but then doesn't let them "popcorn" back up from the grinder into the bean loader.

DF64: I have a 3D printed attachment to angle the cup up, 3D printed grind level indicator as you couldn't see that without it, 3D printed anti-popcorning as it will popcorn like crazy without. These help a lot, although I can certainly imagine a grinder that "just worked" and didn't need them. Stuff like the grind indicator, you could use it without but it's a lot easier to see the level with it. Cup angler, just ensures less of a mess if there is static (spritzing is necessary), it does work without it. The anti-popcorning helps a lot with that particularly if you take the cap off for some reason but the cap does keep it all in. It's just bouncing around more at the end without it. I do think these were significant quality of life improvements but they were also pretty easy mods. It's definitely a machine with usability issues without them, and even after stuff like the button location, and have to be a bit careful with the cup that it doesn't vibrate out. I could certainly imagine a grinder that didn't have any of these workflow issues. But I've had it for years now and they don't bother me that much either.

I have a DF64 for years now, since soon after it first came out, and same, has never clogged. Use the bellows every time but that's what you are meant to do. It definitely has workflow issues, like spritzing with water is pretty much *mandatory*, it has a huge amount of static otherwise. Button is in a slightly annoying place. I added 3D printed grind level indicator, cup angler and anti-popcorn. But it grinds very well and has been entirely reliable since I got it years back.

I have the 1st gen DF64. I think they fixed literally all the issues these mods address in the 2nd gen, and in the DF54. The first one is literally a plastic arrow that points at the grind level on the dial, because there no way to see it otherwise (there is a line on the front, about an inch away from the marks on the dial- very difficult to eyeball exact grind level). They have an arrow on top on the production machines now. They have angled the cup in the 2nd gen and DF54 in the same way my adapter does it. 1st gen was level with the ground, the DF54 angles the cup so it's angled same angle as the ground egress. It just leaves less room for grounds to go elsewhere. The anti popcorn is [a disc like this](https://www.turingrinders.com/products/df54-anti-popcorn-disc-1), I think they may include this with the DF54 now. It lets the beans fall down the middle but then doesn't let them "popcorn" back up from the grinder into the bean loader.

DF64: I have a 3D printed attachment to angle the cup up, 3D printed grind level indicator as you couldn't see that without it, 3D printed anti-popcorning as it will popcorn like crazy without. These help a lot, although I can certainly imagine a grinder that "just worked" and didn't need them. Stuff like the grind indicator, you could use it without but it's a lot easier to see the level with it. Cup angler, just ensures less of a mess if there is static (spritzing is necessary), it does work without it. The anti-popcorning helps a lot with that particularly if you take the cap off for some reason but the cap does keep it all in. It's just bouncing around more at the end without it. I do think these were significant quality of life improvements but they were also pretty easy mods. It's definitely a machine with usability issues without them, and even after stuff like the button location, and have to be a bit careful with the cup that it doesn't vibrate out. I could certainly imagine a grinder that didn't have any of these workflow issues. But I've had it for years now and they don't bother me that much either.

I'd get my exact setup! Profitec Go and DF64 gen 2

Agreed. I've got literally zero complaints

I'll 3rd the DF64. I love mine!

I bought a DF64 Gen 2 grinder from DF64 coffee.com back in 2023. Fantastic grinder and was a massive leap compared to the built in grinder in my Breville Barista Express at the time. Earlier this year I bought a Lelit Bianca V3 from homecoffeemachines.ie and the only way to describe it is that I have ruined coffee when I'm out of the house now. I drink espresso pretty exclusively and this setup is incredible.

I still have the DF64 but not looking to sell at the minute Im afraid. But I can highly recommend it as a grinder, has been brilliant for me.

The cheap blender chops whereas the grinder grinds. Sounds simple but the difference is that the blender won't allow you to control the fineness of the resultant "ground" coffee. It will produce particles that are all different sizes. The expensive grinder will allow you to make minute adjustments to the size of the particles and reduce the amount of fines (super fine particles) This is super important when you are trying to make espresso as the particles need to be the right size to allow the water to pass through at the correct rate. Too fast and the coffee tastes acidic, too slow and it tastes bitter. But learning to make good espresso is a balancing act between these two extremes to produce a balanced cup. The rabbit hole goes deep but there are also other variables that can affect how your coffee tastes, like flat burrs or conical burrs. Rpm, or size of the burrs. All can impact the flavours that are highlighted or muted.

You’re very welcome ! Apart from the lagom , the others aren’t end-game - the DF64 has known quality control issues for example and the philos grinds better than it and the Niche. Philos will also outlive you lol. Built like a tank. Hand built in Venice Italy. Flavour separation is fantastic (with my burrs, your burrs will produce smooth, syrupy shots , medium to full bodied , but will also have flavour separation ). Easy to dial in (6 microns per step) and super easy to change between espresso range and pour-over which you sometimes do. Little to no retention. Over engineered. Induction motor versus brushed for the Niche. I wish I had got mine sooner. It’s THAT good and I had a decent grinder beforehand (rebadged specialita ) You certainly won’t be disappointed if you do get one , but, it is at the top of your budget although you won’t need to upgrade for many years. The DF I would avoid and take that off your list. Many are happy with theirs but there are lemons and the longevity is completely unknown. The P80 is very interesting and will be excellent as well as philos and the Zerno isn’t too much above $1500 at around $1650 I believe which should be a consideration as that’s also end game

DF grinders can be a lottery as to whether the person doing quality control was about to clock off for the day (OK, I jest, BUT DF’s have known quality control issues). Longevity unknown , built cheaply. See my other reply, I think a eureka will be good for you and actually cheaper than a DF grinder.

I’m very happy with my Bambino Plus and DF64 Gen 2. I’ve only had it since the new year but have had zero issues in the 9 months. With this budget, you’d have leftover money for accessories/tools. Feel free to ask any questions.