We tested 30 espresso grinders for home use over many months, measuring them and examining their consistency and espresso quality.
Which espresso grinder is best for home? Which has what strengths and who is it suitable for? Do our professional baristas have personal preferences? We discuss all of this in our detailed espresso grinder test and final video. If you're not yet into espresso and are looking for a grinder in general, start with the basics of coffee grinders.
The price of the grinders ranges from 80 to 2200 euros in acquisition costs, with the focus on grinders up to 1000 euros. The espresso grinders were tested according to the test protocol noted here.
Which espresso grinders did we test?
Initially, 24 espresso grinders were tasted in 6 groups. The groups cover different price ranges. The best grinders from the different groups (nine in total) were compared with each other again in a decision round.
For this, the groups were evaluated in two blind tastings by our most experienced baristas and coffee sensory experts (see the espresso tasting protocol).
Individual articles and individual videos are available for all tested espresso grinders. If you're looking for an espresso grinder, we recommend you first watch the final video "Best espresso grinder for home". The individual videos and comparison videos can then help with further information and decision-making.
Special thanks go to Dr. Marco Wellinger and ZHAW Wädenswil for their support in analyzing the particles.
The best espresso grinders for home
9 espresso grinders qualified for the final of our espresso grinder test series. We reviewed these again and compared them sensorially in a blind tasting. For this, we set up a dark espresso (Apas) and a lighter espresso (Doña Margarita) as espresso.
We had already shown the most important data on the espresso grinders in the individual videos. In direct comparison, nothing changed, only confirmed again.
The best espresso grinder on the market is not, in our view, one grinder that we determine for you. The best espresso grinder is the one that, based on the information we've gathered, fits your preferences. Michel and Benjamin therefore have different preferences when it comes to the right espresso grinder for home.
A sensory blind tasting should provide further arguments for making a decision.
The espresso grinder blind tasting
To challenge the best 9 espresso grinders in the test series once more, a blind tasting was conducted. For this, we invited four of our most experienced coffee sensory experts.
The sensory panel
Michel Aeschbacher is a Q-Grader, coffee trainer, and vice barista champion in Switzerland. Felix Hohlmann is a multiple Swiss and German vice barista champion, Brewers Cup vice champion, and Aeropress champion. Philipp Schallberger is a two-time Swiss barista champion and semifinalist at the World Barista Championship. He was a WBC judge and Q-Grader for many years. Benjamin Hohlmann is an Arabica and Robusta Q-Grader, was German Cup Tasting Master, and Swiss Brewers Cup Master.
Together with David Wistorf (himself a Brewers Cup vice champion and third in Switzerland), each set one or two espresso grinders to the best possible espresso recipe for each grinder. We chose individual recipes because not all grinders reach their peak with the same recipe.
The result for each grinder should therefore be seen in connection with the barista's recipe. Here it also became clear that the 20-minute time factor for adjusting a grinder benefited some espresso grinders.
The espresso roasts and coffees tasted
Tasting took place over two days with two different espresso roasts.
With Apas, we chose a medium roast espresso from Brazil. The coffee was processed as a natural. We use Apas as the standard espresso in our courses. It is nutty and chocolatey and forgives quite a bit during adjustment.
Doña Margarita is a complex espresso from our own farm in Nicaragua. The coffee is grown on the Finca Santa Rita, fermented in cherries in a cooling room, and then dried as a natural. The coffee tastes of ripe cherries, has a heavy chocolate note, and reminds of tropical fruits. This lighter roast must be well adjusted so it is balanced and its complexity comes into its own.
The final result of the tasting
Final result of the tasting. Recipes and further tasting results to follow.
Comparison group espresso grinders 1: 760 - 2250 euros
- Mahlkönig E65S Grind by Weight - Video, Test Report
- Ceado E37S nero - Video, Test Report
- Rocket Fausto 2.1 - Video, Test Report
- BARATZA Forté - Video, Test Report
Comparison Group Espresso Grinders 2: 640 - 750 Euros
- ECM S 64 - Video, Test Report
- Niche Zero - Video, Test Report
- Mazzer Mini Electronic A - Video, Test Report
- Eureka Mignon XL - Video, Test Report
We were particularly impressed by the Niche Zero and the Eureka Mignon XL in this set. Overall, the Niche Zero had a slight edge depending on the perspective. However, since a single-dose grinder doesn't meet all needs and the Eureka Mignon XL also performed very well, we decided to take both grinders through to the next round.
The ECM delivered good performance not just in terms of particle distribution. Thanks to its very low fine particle content across all extractions, it's well suited for espresso, café crème, and filter coffee. In our test, it delivered the best results for filter coffee together with the Niche Zero.
For more information about the grinders, we recommend our video reports as well as the individual reports on espresso grinders linked above.
Comparison Group Espresso Grinders 3: 500 - 530 Euros
- Quamar M80 E Touch plus - Video, Test Report
- Eureka Mignon Magnifico - Video, Test Report
- Baratza Sette 270 Wi - Video, Test Report
- ROCKET Faustino - Video, Test Report
Comparison Group Espresso Grinders 4: 400 - 470 Euros
- Mahlkönig X54 - Video, Test Report
- Eureka Mignon Specialità - Video, Test Report
- Lelit PL72 - Video, Test Report
- G-Iota or DF64 Probarista - Video, Test Report
In this round, four espresso grinders performed well in individual areas. We were so impressed with 3 grinders that we decided to take them through to the next round.
- First, the Mahlkönig x54, which while slow and otherwise only shining with average values in many areas, brewed the second-best espresso. In terms of speed, it's the slowest in the set and can't score points with grind setting accuracy and consistency.
- The Eureka Specialità only served the third-best espresso in the set, but the difference to the better grinders is very small here. At 28 points, the espresso is still good. The grinder impresses with consistency and noise level. The filter coffee also tasted great to us. The speed is in the middle range. Grind setting adjustment is difficult due to the small adjustment wheel.
- The G-Iota not only brewed the best espresso (with a very narrow margin), but also impresses with consistency, retention grind setting precision. Moreover, it's the cheapest and yet very good single-dose espresso grinder we know. For this reason alone, we want to see it in the next round, where blind tasting will pit it against all group-winning espresso grinders.
The fourth grinder in the round also does good work. The espresso tastes good and the Lelit PL72 particularly surprised us positively with its single-dosing performance. However, the grinder is not very consistent, has high retention at normal use, and is also inaccurate when it comes to repeatability of brewing recipes. Because these attributes are quite important, the Lelit PL72 doesn't make it to the next round.
Comparison Group Espresso Grinders 5: 150 - 250 Euros
- Sage - The Smart Grinder Pro - Bcg820 BSS - Video, Test Report
- Lelit PL044MMT - Video, Test Report
- Lelit PL043MMI - Video, Test Report
- Sage - The Dose Control - SCG600BTR - Video, Test Report
The Sage Smart Grinder Pro performed best in the comparison of four espresso grinders between 150 and 250 euros. The grinder has once again proven to be a good entry-level grinder that delivers good results in many areas and even performs very well compared to others in its price category.
Comparison Group Espresso Grinders 6: 80 - 150 Euros
- Graef CM 800 - Video, Test Report
- Rommelsbacher Coffee Grinder EKM300 - Video, Test Report
- Delonghi KG 521 M - Video, Test Report
- Tchibo Coffee Grinder E with Scale - Video, Test Report
Current Status Across All Tests - Group Winners
Already tested:
We looked at some grinders in the past. However, in this context we will take another look at them (see list above).
- Graef CM 800 – already tested
- Niche Zero - already tested
- Sage Smart Grinder Pro – already tested
Commercial Grinder or Higher Price Range
We will also take a look at these commercial espresso grinders at a later time. For now, we have decided to focus on grinders in the price range up to 1000 euros and are including results from two grinders as reference from the higher price class.
- Lagom P64
- Etzmax (various models)
- Ceado E37S
- E65S GbW
- EK43
- Eureka Zenit
- Bentwood Vertical 63
- Anfim Practica
- Quamar Sirio Q
- Mythos Grinder
List is continuously being expanded. What's missing, what should be added? Please let us know.
The results were generated after testing and working with one grinder each. The compiled results describe our measurements and our impressions.
Please also read the comments under our videos and compare various test reports to get a differentiated picture from different sources.
The espresso quality rating in the preliminary round was based on the tasting of two espressos by two tasters. In the next round of evaluation, a different espresso will be tasted by a larger panel.
