OPTION-O - Lagom Mini Series

Pay $100 more and get the lagom mini. Leaps and bounds better than any fellow grinder.

Option O Lagom Mini. It’s better than any fellow grinder and more aesthetically pleasing.

I have a Lagom Mini and love it for filter and espresso. It is essentially a really nice hand grinder with a motor in it. I hear the Baratza ESP makes really good espresso for the price. I just didn't like the form factor. My other grinder is above your $500 limit. If I were to go for something under $500 that hits above its weight class it would be the DF64 V2. It's is possibly the last grinder you'd ever need since there are so many burr options available in that size. Most of the other options under $500 are stuck with the burrs that they are built with. If you don't like the espresso they produce you have no other option but to buy another grinder. I'd rather buy a set of $100-$200 burrs down the line if I want to change the flavor profile or update my grinder.

I'd personally get a filter-only grinder. Wait for a sale, grab an Ode Gen 2, and buy an espresso grinder when the time comes (DF54 is insane value). The best grinders for double duty are medium-high clarity conical grinders like Comandante, K-Ultra etc IMO. The Femobook A5 and Lagom Casa are a couple electric grinders that are in the same category (I haven't tried either, but they're well reviewed). I previously used a Lagom Mini for both filter and espresso and it was fantastic. The DF54 and 64 both do a decent job at filter, but it's not great. The 64 mm SSP MP burrs are often recommended as a do-it-all burr set, but they are for a very specific espresso profile and they are not beginner friendly for espresso. I didn't enjoy the espresso with them. SSP Cast are supposed to be decent for both, but you're giving up the clarity everyone is always seeking. A couple other decent options that I've tried are Ditting 54mm steel burrs in the Vario+ and Eureka's 50 mm brew burrs in an entry level mignon. The UX is not ideal with either of these setups compared to a grinder designed to single dose. If the Ditting burrs fit in the DF without crazy mods it would be a great option. Edit: I forgot to mention that there are now brew burrs available for the DF54. I'm planning to grab a set to try out once they're available in Canada.

It is the internet, with a global reach. Many of the subs and forums get dominated by people who need to tell why they are right and you are wrong. Having owned a DF64 and found it to be one of the loudest, most unreliable grinders backed with no customer service, I have had in 40 years, I would say well done you dodged a bullet. Anything by Option O gets my vote (I have a P64 now, owned a Mini and tested a Casa and P100). The cheaper Eurekas I like as hopper fed grinders, but not single dose (the adjustment is not consistent). Niche Zero (I have one) is bombproof, quiet and lovely adjustment. However, more of a traditional darker to medium roast grinder. A used Mazzer SJ or Mini would be bombproof and a good find.

I feel that way about my Pietro at times as well. It is compared to the zp6 frequently. My k ultra or Lagom Mini can produce amazing cups, and while the Pietro can as well, I don't think it is as consistent as the other 2.

The Lagom mini is a great filter-grinder, and gen 2 has the Mizen 48MS burrs which are the ones that were used in the Casa I believe it was launched as a filter-first grinder which can do the occasional espresso.

I can confirm that the c40 and lagom mini are very similar...own and love both

The answer is absolutely yes, and the best recommendation will depend so much on what kind of beans you like, what kind of drinks you like, and your budget. But if it were me, these would be my top choices for a two-in-one (I do both pourover and espresso, but I lean towards pourover these days): If you're willing to hand grind, 1zpresso K-Ultra or Comandante would be outstanding. Kingrinder K6 on a budget. A lot of people find this tedious but it's actually my preferred method and I swear by my 1zpressos. You won't beat a hand grinder for price to quality, and you'll save space. For electric, Lagom Mini would be fantastic and space saving, or a Lagom Casa. Timemore 078s for a slightly higher budget. If you want to blow your budget, you've got TONS of options. Lagom P64, Zerno Z1, WPM ZP-1, Acaia Orbit, Lagom O1...we could go on. The DF grinders are an option I guess...Excellent bang for your buck but I personally do not like them or recommend them at all (I have a DF64 Gen 2 and...let's just say it's gonna be gone soon).

I would pick 98mm platform over 80mm… Titus Nautilus, Lagom, Levercraft Ultra and its variants, heck… even EK43.

I make 3-4 pourovers a day with the gen 1 and it's excellent. Only concern with the mini would be it's not rated for "high volume use" if you're in a busy office.