Varia Brewing - VS3

Varia VS4? I've been happy with my VS3, but it looks like the VS4 addresses a lot of the complaints others have had with the cheaper model.

You want to get an espresso focused grinder and a reputable brand under $300. I have three good options. In order of preference considering (grind/burrs, retention, user experience, durability) 1.) Varia VS3 ($270) changeable burr options & quiet 2.) 1Zpresso J Ultra ($199) hand grinder with great accuracy and flavors 3.) Baratza Encore ESP Pro ($299) old faithful but the Varia looks better and quieter with many burr options I’m sorry but I don’t recommend the DF54. Too many complaints and user issues. Turin has a lot of fans though, I’m just not one of them 🤷‍♂️🤠

I have the latest VS3. It’s fantastic for the price range. None of the gen 1 issues remain. It’s just a bit slow.

In cup, Niche Zero is pretty similar, but as others have noted, out of budget, especially with the tariff nonsense rendering them especially unworthy. Baratza Sette 270 is noisy, plasticky, and janky. But excellent support from Baratza and the Etzinger burr gets you better texture and flavor (more clarity, sweetness, dramatically less ashy bitterness). Sometimes on sale just below USD$300. Baratza Encore ESP. Also an Etzinger burr, more liveable than the Sette, perhaps. I mean seriously, the Sette is noisy. Varia VS3 — good when they are good, but I guess QA got wobbly. I had one in a lab for a year, where people abused it 30-40 times a day without a hiccup. But some units were plagued by drifting grind dials which I agree would be infuriating. Stock burrs are decent in cup, maybe slightly cleaner than Niche/JMax. Good body, slow to grind. Excellent build.

This looks exactly like my Varia VS3. Exact copy! My guess is Varia licensed this to a Chinese company and is selling this for 50% of the Varia price.

I had the Baratza ESP. Kinda noisy. Does a good job though. I do drip filter coffee for the family in the morning and espresso drinks in the afternoon. I got tired of always moving the dial back and forth for the different grinds. I got the Varia VS3 for my espressos and use the Baratza for the drip now. I’m very pleased with the results.

Plus on that. Bought the Opus too mostly because I liked how it looks. In person it's all plastic and it was a PITA to use. You will be slamming it on your counter to get the grinds. Then I bought a Varia VS3 and it's been great. Super well made, low retention, easy to use.

I’ve got the Varia vs3 and I like it

You should decide if you want flat or conical because the profiles can be pretty different. If flat, you're unlikely to beat the value for money of a DF54. I recently picked up a VS3 for a good price and I am extremely impressed as well as satisfied with it (brewing on a Leverpresso). Soon I will start experimenting with some of their other burrs.

I’d skip the VS3. It won’t last. The motor strains and you can hear it. I have no confidence it will last a year. The DF64 I hear doesn’t even sweat on light roast.

Depends on what brewer, if espresso then no, good option for espresso grinder or all around single dose is df64 or varia vs3. Maybe for drip or v60 then it will do

For me I'll choose Varia cause of aesthetics hehe but in performance I think they're the same. I also forgot the new king of budget grinder the baratza esp