Two years ago, the DF64/G-Iota impressed us. With an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio, it shook up the single-dosing grinder market. But how is its successor faring today? The DF64 Generation 2 has made the leap – and it's substantial.
What's new with the DF64 Gen2?
The overhaul brings genuine improvements:
- Less static thanks to built-in plasma ionizer
- New aluminum dosing cup, more premium and better centered
- Grind setting display in metal instead of retrofitted plastic
- Anti-popcorning insert to prevent beans from flying out
- Optimized suspension for portafilter and cup
All of this feels like a more mature product – one that has evolved from a DIY project into a production-ready everyday tool.
Buy DF 64 Gen 2
The following specialist retailers stock the Giota / DF DF 64 Gen 2, and we recommend purchasing from these businesses. All of them offer the option to adjust the machine's offset.
Germany: [Partner links] Bohnendealer
Austria: [Partner links] Bohnendealer
We search for specialist partners who we know do good work and provide good service, and we maintain close contact with the merchants mentioned. The links in question are what we call affiliate links. When you order through one of these links, you don't pay a cent more – we receive a small commission, which we invest directly in new test equipment.
We continue to search for competent partners in the DACH region on your behalf.
retention? Nearly zero.
A standout remains the retention performance. With less than 0.2 g permanent retention, it ranks in the absolute top tier. Thanks to the included air blower, virtually all the ground coffee comes out – one of the central requirements for a single-dosing grinder.
Consistency & grind setting repeatability
The Gen2 allows for very precise adjustment – and above all: the chosen grind setting is also reproducible later. In our tests, after trying different recipes (espresso, ristretto, caffè crema), we always returned to the original recipe – and the particle distribution curves confirmed both the sensory consistency we perceived and the repeatability of the brews.
The only criticism remains the scaling: small changes (0.5 mark) result in noticeable extraction differences, sometimes 2–3 seconds. A finer graduation would be desirable.
Particle distribution: Impressive for the price
With an X50 value of 252 µm (espresso) and a fine fraction of 31%, the Gen2 sits at the level of significantly more expensive grinders. The main peaks are narrow, the distribution even, and the sensory results confirm it: lots of clarity, good texture, reproducible shots.
Speed, noise & everyday use
- 25 g in 10 seconds: very fast in its price range
- 86.8 dB: definitely on the loud side of the force, but not annoyingly shrill
- Temperature stable: even with multiple brews, hardly any heating of the grinder and grounds
Plus: The grinder is robust, stands securely, feels premium. Only the rubber elements of the mount still feel cheap and fall off with intensive use.
Conclusion: The successor delivered
The DF64 Gen2 is a clear step forward from the first version. The manufacturer listened to feedback, improved details, and elevated the grinder to a new level. In the price range around €450, it's hard to beat.
It remains the grinder for ambitious home baristas who want maximum control with minimal retention – and now with a noticeable gain in comfort, consistency, and build quality.
