Baratza - Sette Series

Hi there, usually you get more bang for the buck with hand grinders. With electric grinders you need more parts (motor, PCB, etc.) This all adds up to the cost. For sure there are exceptions in the second hand market where you can also get good electric grinders for a tight budget. For me it's a quality of life question. Ask yourself how many cups do you want to drink every day? How many persons are served? If it's just for you and you are drinking 2 shots a day hand grinders are perfect. When your family or friends also what to have a coffee it's some serious work to be done. I started with an 1zpresso JX Pro and got some really good shot from it. In the beginning everything was like an adventure. I like grinding my beans by hand. It feels more crafty in a way. I just explored different beans and different drinks. I mostly used it at the weekend. But over time I started drinking during the week. Friends came by and wanted Cappuccini. Then got lazy and bought a DF64. Now it's just a click of a button to get my beans ready. No matter how many guests to serve. I just start sweating if I'm out of beans. What I like about manual grinders is the lower retention. Most electronic grinders have a lot of retention. If you change beans often you should keep this in mind. For hand grinders usual recommendations are Kingrinder K6 (100€) 1ZPresso JX-Pro (185€) Comandante C40 MK4 (250€) Cheapest recommend electric grinders: Baratza Sette 270 (350€) DF64 (420€) DF64 V2 (480€) DF 54 (250€)

I suggest you remove the Eureka Manuale from your list. It is much more difficult to adjust for different beans than the other grinders on your list. The least expensive grind-by-weight grinder I am aware of is Baratza Sette 270wi.

Baratza 270Wi - has the built in scale. 4 years and no issues

He had the Sette 270 and Mignon Single Dose in his under £500 comparison.

The $200 Breville burr grinder is designed to fail. The impeller blade that spins and pushes out the coffee grounds is cheap plastic that wears out quickly. Mine lasted 2 years. I even tried to buy a replacement impeller but it wouldn’t fit and was a pain in the ass to take apart. I now have a Sette 270 that’s much better.

I have a Sette 270Wi and while it seems to be aimed more at espresso drinkers, it does a great job giving me consistent grinds for my drip machine - basically it can do both well apparently.

You should have gotten a sette 270. That will be $60 short lived. The Amazon cheepo specials will probably be drastically inconsistent.

SGP is a POS. I had an old one lying around that I tried to use with my Bambino, zero consistency. Ended up with a Sette 270wi that has been great - prob out of your price range but def recommend you look for a good grinder as it will make a huge difference with the bambino.

I watched half the video. Personally I only get static with the stock plastic dosing cup. Using an aftermarket metal cup and no noticeable static. Note I'm not saying a scientific test won't find some . I'm saying I don't notice any. OTOH with the plastic cup? Wow static! Retention? Everything has some. Look at some of the posts on the more expensive DF64 you'll find some retention. I haven't seen it clog yet but I'm not using oily beans. The issue I have is it's slow. But it's also €250 delivered here. The 270 grinder is €350. Ask people and they'll tell you it's noisy. Even if you jump up to €1000 you can find issues if you look hard enough. Ask yourself if you care about the issues. Nothing is perfect. That's before you start thinking about what you do with the money.

I’m a 5+ year owner of the sette 270. Any complaints you hear about it never have to do with its output. It grinds exceptionally well for its price tag, has very low retention for those that obsess about those things due to the grinds dropping straight down from the burrs and is grind by weight. I’ve had the same level of excellence customer service both before and after the sale to Breville and yes it’s loud.

Sette does a decent job yet. Yes the noise bothers me on some mornings. But it gives a consistent grind.

I've used the Encore at a friend's house last weekend since we were a few people over there and he was busy and since I'm the "coffee geek" , he asked me to do the lattes for everyone. It was working fine. I don't have much to say about it. I feel that for the money, it's pretty good. I had the Sette270 before changing to my new grinder. It was also working fine. It's a bit noisy and has a bit of retention. Some people had some issues with the Sette but for the 2-2.5 years that I had it, I never really had one. So for my part, I would say that the Baratza is a safe bet. I've never used the DF54.

If you want something where you can single dose, or keep a hopper full. Sette 270 is great & ultra repairable. Just loud.

I know that it's at a "lesser level" than what you've stated, but I wonder if the Baratza Encore ESP might suit your needs. Gives a "traditional" (and nice) conical burr flavor profile with medium and dark roasts. I get little/no retention with it, perhaps due to the "'atta boy" pats I give its top as my grind is finishing up, perhaps also with an ending bellows-ing. Baratza and third-party manfs. also sell single-dose hoppers for the grinder (the Baratza version is especially nice price-wise), although the included hopper is perfectly fine for single-dosing. That being said, the Baratza Sette 270Wi always attracts me, with its grind-to-weight functionality (do note, however, possible issues with the grinder, which Baratza, from user reports, attempts to handle if they arise).

The Baratza Sette 270Wi "call to fame" feature is that it will grind to weight: you input the weight output that you would like, store the setting, and thereafter, the machine automatically will grind that weight of a dose with a single button press, pulling the exact amount of beans that are needed from the bean hopper--there is a scale built into the grinder, controlling the process. Talk about streamlining the process--no manual weighing of beans required. And from user reports, the machine is very accurate as to the weight (I typically see users mentioning within a few tenths of a gram). The 270Wi uses plastic gears and some users have reported gear issues in the past--I've seen photos of mangled gear assemblies and it's a bit frightening. To its credit, some users have reported that Baratza has provided a free replacement gear assembly when a user has raised a gear assembly issue, even beyond the warranty period and with used equipment (Baratza's customer service has been complimented in the past, at least in the U.S.--I don't know about support in the EU), and I believe that there has been some (limited?) re-design. But, still. Also, the 270Wi is known to be a louder grinder (mind, a typical espresso grind is going to be around only 5 seconds). Although much has been made of this, it doesn't seem to be any more than other kitchen appliances, e.g. a blender. But it could be a factor if there are others in the household, such as a baby. I've had the Baratza Encore ESP for 18 months and it's done well by me, as an espresso-grade, entry-level burr grinder. Some people have had an issue with some ground coffee retention--I don't typically have that, perhaps due to the couple of taps that I give the top of the grinder as the grind is finishing, along with a bellows-ing of the top of the bean hopper. The one feature that I wish was different is that I wish that there were in-between grind level steps between the current grind level steps--it would add more precision, although the grinder is totally workable as is, and I understand the price-point factor.

If you are grinding for different brew methods, you’ll really want to single dose your brews. If you have a hopper full of beans, you’ll end up needing to flush at least 10g or so wherever you switch (because you have to run the grinder while adjusting, and then you’ll want to purge some old coffee from the prior setting). It’s doable, but it’ll get old fast wasting that much coffee. Alternatively, if you really don’t want to single dose, keep your encore and use it for filter, pour over, etc., and then get a new grinder for espresso. In which case, the Eurekas are probably the best hopper grinder for espresso around this range. You could also consider the Baratza Sette 270, which is a really great grinder, but it’s pretty loud.

I bought the Baratza Sette 270 burr grinder and I’ve been very pleased with its performance, it’s been a year and my espresso is magnificent

I also find the Sette 270wi ugly and loud, but it works extremely well so I won’t be upgrading for a while. Have you noticed a major difference since upgrading?

Funny you mention Setti. My first grinder was a used Setti 270Wi. It was ugly, plasticky and LOUD. But it ground well and was very consistent with weight output. After several years, I envisioned what End Game may look like since I knew home espresso making was going to be with me a lifetime. I wanted a high end version of the Setti, only better looking, more durable, quieter, and metal. Luckily, the burr maker of the Setti also produces the Etzinger EtzMAX LM, which absolutely addressed all my requirements and is designed to last 1000 KG of coffee throughput before repairs are necessary due to wear... so about 30 years based on my current usage. I've had this grinder about a 1/2 year and I love it. Due to the design, there is very little retention (.5g, maybe, if just banging on it). It takes 30 seconds to disassemble, then with a paperclip can maybe extract 5g of retention, but almost all of that tucked away grind is likely from the first use after the last cleaning. With a 200ml hopper it holds about 2.5 day supply for me and always delivers +/- .1 g directly into the PF in under 7 seconds... at about 74dB, or the loudness of a dishwasher (my Setti was 85dB - loudness of a lawnmower). All the mechanics work like a fine tuned Swiss watch (this is made in Lichtenstein, which is within the borders of Switzerland). I have seen comments from more than a few long time home espresso enthusiasts who, ultimately, seek a more efficient work flow than that required of single dosing. I get it, and agree. Note: I'm generally a medium and dark roast enthusiast and do like my milk drinks. Also this machine makes no mess when using the PF tube... there is a light dusting of grinds on the little bottom tray that I have to wipe off every 2-3 weeks. I think the EtzMAX (and the Micra) shine with these types of beans. Sorry you did not get along with the Opus. https://preview.redd.it/kj4idn9xvrqd1.jpeg?width=5572&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a06b7329dd58d93f63dce63a823810901f5e43a

I was in the same boat just a week back. Have sette 270 was looking for a decent flat burr grinder. Shortlisted couple of options, Eureka SD Pro (just launched, in future can be used with different burr offerings from Eureka they about to launch them), Eureka Libra 65 All Purpose and Fioranzato All Ground Sense. Finally took a plunge and ordered Fioranzato and could not be happier. Though it is just a couple of days only but blown away with the build quality, user interface and easier burr access. Note: I would not be selling my Sette 270, as conical have their own perks. https://preview.redd.it/188zpnpuof6e1.jpeg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e350a9c03b376d20edf8de9112a590f9e6473b10

I still have one along with a Baratza Sette and now a DF64 gen 2. It's a great grinder, especially for the price. There's a lot of Breville hate, but it's not a bad machine. My biggest complaint was that it wasn't stepless and it clumps. You can mod it to be stepless and WDT helps with the clumps. If the burrs wear out, you can change out the burr set. If it ever stops grinding, more times than not it's the burr set or a plastic gear that failed, the gear is replaceable.

Just looking at it, I can see it's got the same internal design as the burr grinder Cuisinart has been making for decades now. It's better than a blade grinder, but it's on the lowest quality rung of electric burr grinders. The cheapest baratza is significantly better.

For espresso, the Baratza Sette 30 or 270 is very good. You could probably find a used 30 for around your price point. And if any of the parts fail, you can easily repair it using their original parts from Baratza. Another option is to go manual. Kingridners are all good, with the very top one competing with some of the best entry grinders out there.

# **Without philosophizing in the answer, you have two options: a handgrinder, or electric grinder.** — ## **🔹 Hand Grinders** ### **High-End Options:** - **1Zpresso K-Ultra** – External adjustment, versatile for both pourover & espresso. - **1Zpresso J-Max** – 8.8-micron steps, optimized for espresso but handles pourover. - **Kinu M47 Phoenix / Classic** – Precise & durable, great for both. - **Comandante C40 MK4** – Ideal for pourover; needs *Red Clix* for better espresso dialing. - **Timemore Chestnut S3** – Stepless adjustment, more suited for pourover. - **1Zpresso ZP6** – Produces ultra-clean grinds, excelling in filter brews. ### **Mid-Range Options:** - **1Zpresso JX-Pro** – Espresso-friendly with finer adjustments than JX. - **Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP** – Budget option with espresso-compatible burrs, decent for pourover. - **1Zpresso X-Pro** – Compact, external adjustment, slower but espresso-capable. — ## **⚡ Electric Grinders** ### **High-End Options:** - **Mahlkönig EK43** – The gold standard in specialty coffee shops. - **Weber EG-1** – Premium single-dose grinder for all brew methods. - **Lagom P100** – High-performance, SSP burr options for precision grinding. ### **Mid-Range / Prosumer Options:** - **DF64 Gen 2 / DF64P / DF64E** – Affordable single-dose grinders, great for both. - **Niche Zero** – Top-tier single-dose grinder for espresso & pourover. - **Eureka Mignon Specialita** – Stepless adjustment, solid for espresso & can handle pourover. - **Fellow Opus** – Budget-friendly, designed for both espresso & filter brewing. - **Baratza Vario+ / Sette 270** – Great entry-level grinders with micro-adjustments for espresso. - **Timemore Sculptor 078 / 064S** – New contenders with solid grind consistency. ### **Budget-Friendly Options:** - **Fellow Ode Gen 2** (Needs *SSP burrs* for espresso) – Excellent for pourover, but needs mods for espresso. - **Baratza Encore ESP** – Beginner-friendly with stepped adjustments. - **Eureka Mignon Crono** – Simple & effective for both espresso & filter. — 🔎 **Check reviews before buying**—grind quality & user experience vary. Preferences are subjective!

wow i didn't even know such a grinder existed! I have a sette right now and while loud, seems like it works for my needs. Hard to justify the upgrade as it's been running since 2015. I even have the old one that counts up.

Baratza Sette with the aeropress attachment. Consistent grind and dosing right into the aeropress.

I had total weirdness with an Opus I bought in early September. Yeah, retention is frustrating - at least a gram unless I bang the heck out of the top and use the lid as a bellow. But my issues with it are much bigger. I had a Oxo conical grinder for pourovers and a Sette 30 for espresso. The Oxo wasn't cutting it so decided to believe the marketing that the Opus could do from espresso to cold brew. Out of the box, first thing I tried was espresso. They say 1-2 setting for espresso. Nope - got up to 3 before I could get a decent 30 second pull but I was happy with it. Moved over to pourover. Long story short, got all the way to the 11 setting and no joy - 20g/300ml v60 was taking almost 5 minutes. I changed the inner ring (after hours and hours of research to figure it out) and I'm at a "virtual" 12 setting (inner ring/outer ring combo) and I'm getting 4:15 pourovers. Still not great. They send me an outer burr, convinced this is the issue. No joy. Then a new Opus. No change. I decide to send the "new" unit back because I paid for it (support was going to refund me when I returned my original one) and put my old one back in service. Reset the inner ring back to the coarsest setting and viola, suddenly when I'm at 12, I'm getting just over 3 minute pourovers. But this is still the coarsest setting and no way I could get a cold brew or French press grind out of it. Today, I tried espresso. Dialed it all the way down to 1 (with the inner ring at coarse, so really like it's at 2) and my shots are taking 10-12 seconds. WTH? So maybe some user error but I doubt it b/c of all the adjusting, cleaning burrs I've done over 2 months. I've been playing with the inner ring, outer ring with espresso and pourover and it's clear I can't get any more coarse than just good enough for a pourover. So it's going back to Fellow for a refund as soon as the DF54 I bought on Friday arrives.