The only drawbacks from the machine side would potentially be in form of fit and finish, features, steaming performance, and recovery time / volume constraints since they simply won’t be temp stable enough and/or recover fast enough to crank out drink after drink for a large volume, especially milk drinks. Īny combination of these machines and grinders makes for a very solid and capable setup. Price: 499GBP or about $635 + shipping on indiegogo here. Early reports sound as though it will require WDT and/or redistribution when grinding directly into the portafilter. Weaknesses: Still very new with a waiting list when ordered through a UK based crowd sourcing/startup page, some find the appearance polarizing, no portafilter holder means you have to find a solution yourself if you wish to grind directly into a portafilter. Strengths: Very home friendly in size and noise levels, early feedback backs performance specs, large conical burr set and designed to be single dosed. ![]() I have yet to get my hands on one, but provided it can be single dosed into the portafilter, even if it requires a funnel and WDT, this grinder is very promising. The only real debate currently is the most effective way to get even distribution into the filter basket with some grinding directly into the portafilter with the help of a funnel and WDT, and some grinding in the catch cup and then transferring grounds. What’s the catch? Just that it’s new and still being proven is all, and the early feedback is really quite promising. The 63 mm conical burr set, direct grinds path, and noise conscious design that will fit under your kitchen cabinets really bring the single dosing home barista everything they have been asking for years. The Niche Zero brings a grinder that was intentionally designed and built for single dosing with performance (arguably/presumed) above the entry level Baratza options, in a home friendly package, for under $1,000. If you read back through all of my posts, like this one, I have been wanting something just like this for years now. Some say the Sette 270 out performs the Vario in the cup. Weaknesses: Inability to switch back and forth between brew and espresso settings, struggles at fine tuning more demanding coffees, particle distribution can impact this. Strengths: More proven longevity, timed or single dosing, can be swapped for brew burrs, quieter than the Sette 270, and pretty capable. I have since swapped out the standard ceramic burrs in lieu of the steel brew burrs, and it’s now a very competent brew grinder, as reviewed here. ![]() I’ve had one since early 2013 and have used it for single dosing for espresso through coarse cold brewing. Where it struggles is in fine tuning with the more difficult or lightly roasted single origins and some grind consistency that really stands out when dealing with those sometimes stubborn coffees. It is a reliable timed or single dosed grinder that will work just fine for nearly all espresso blends and most single origin coffees. The Vario has a bit more longevity on its side, though it has gone through teething pains of its own over the years. These options each have their strengths and weaknesses that I outline. The unfortunate truth is there is a high barrier to entry with espresso, and spending more does typically make it easier due to more consistency and better control. ![]() You have entry level options between $400-700, then from there until nearly $2,000 are grinders that may be of similar performance in grind quality, just with more robust, commercial build quality and features. The grinder also tends to be the trickiest component at this price point since by in large, there tend to be big gaps in the grinder market. I always say the grinder is most important, so let’s start there. Some of these combinations may come in above or below that price point, allowing you to tailor the options to your budget. I tend to think the grinder and machine solicit a different set of questions and qualifications, so I will list my picks for each separately. This price point is interesting because a few concessions typically need to be made, but depending on your priorities, there are some great options. The $1,500 price point seems to be a common target for many diving full in for the first setup or those looking to upgrade from more entry level equipment. Easily one of the most common questions I (and the forums) get asked is what is the best espresso equipment setup for $1,500.
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