We tested, measured, and examined 30 espresso grinders for home use over many months in terms of consistency and espresso quality.
Which espresso grinder is best for home? Which has what strengths and suits whom? Do our professional baristas have personal preferences? We discuss all of this in our detailed espresso grinder test and final video.
The price of the grinders ranges from 80 to 2200 euros in purchase price, 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 various groups (nine in total) were compared again in a final round.
For this, the groups were evaluated in two blind tastings by our most experienced baristas and coffee sensory experts (see 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 first watching the final video "Best espresso grinder for home". To deepen your knowledge and make a decision, the individual videos and comparison videos can help.
We extend our thanks to Dr. Marco Wellinger and the ZHAW Wädenswil for their support in analyzing particles.
This article will be updated after the final video is published.
The best espresso grinders for home
9 espresso grinders qualified for the final round of our espresso grinder test series. We reviewed them again and also compared them sensorially in a blind tasting. For this, we set a dark espresso (Apas) and a lighter espresso (Doña Margarita) as espresso.
We had already presented the most important data on the espresso grinders in the individual videos. In direct comparison, nothing changed, only confirmed once more.
In our view, the best espresso grinder on the market is not one that we determine for you. The best espresso grinder is the one that suits your preferences based on the information gathered. Michel and Benjamin therefore have different preferences when it comes to the right espresso grinder for home.
A sensory blind tasting should provide additional arguments for a decision.
The espresso grinder blind tasting
To further challenge the best 9 espresso grinders from the test series, 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 master. Philipp Schallberger is a two-time Swiss barista champion and semifinalist at the World Barista Championship. He was a WBC jury member 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 Brewers Cup vice champion and third place in Switzerland), each one adjusted one to 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. It also showed that the 20-minute time factor for adjusting a grinder benefited some espresso grinders.
The tasted espresso roasts and coffees
Tasting took place on 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 a standard espresso in our courses. It is nutty and chocolatey and is forgiving during adjustment.
Doña Margarita is a complex espresso from our own farm in Nicaragua. The coffee is grown on Finca Santa Rita, fermented in cherries in a cold room, and then dried as a natural. The coffee tastes of ripe cherries, has a heavy chocolate note, and is reminiscent of tropical fruits. This lighter roast must be adjusted well so it is balanced and its complexity shines through.
The final tasting result
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 dosing grinder doesn't meet all needs and the Eureka Mignon XL also performed very well, we decided to advance both grinders to the next round.
The ECM also delivered good performance not only in terms of particle distribution. Thanks to its very low fine content across all extractions, it is well suited for espresso, café crème, and filter coffee. In filter coffee, it delivered some of the best results together with the Niche Zero in our test.
For more information about the grinders, we recommend our video reports as well as the individual reports linked above for the espresso grinders.
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 did good work in individual areas. As many as 3 grinders convinced us so much that we're advancing them to the next round.
- First, the Mahlkönig x54, which is slow and also shines with many other areas only with average values, but 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 delivers only the third best espresso in the set, but the difference to the better grinders is very small. At 28 points, the espresso is still good. The grinder convinces with consistency and noise level. The filter coffee also pleased us. The speed is in the mid-range. The grind setting adjustment is difficult due to the small adjustment dial.
- The G-Iota not only brewed the best espresso (with a very narrow lead), but also convinces in terms of consistency, dead space, and grind setting precision. Moreover, it is the cheapest and yet very good single-dose espresso grinder we know. That alone is why we want to see it in the next round, in the blind tasting against all group-best espresso grinders.
The fourth grinder in the round also does good work. The espresso tastes good and the Lelit PL72 positively surprised us especially with its single-dosing performance. However, the grinder is inconsistent, has high dead space with normal use, and is also inaccurate when it comes to repeatability of brewing recipes. Because these attributes are essential, the Lelit PL72 does not 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, Testbericht
- Lelit PL043MMI - Video, Test report
- Sage - The Dose Control - SCG600BTR - Video, Test report
In the comparison of four espresso grinders between 150 and 250 euros, the Sage Smart Grinder Pro performed best. The grinder has proven itself once again as a good grinder for entry-level users, achieving good results in many areas and sometimes performing very well even compared to the price group above it.
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 - the group winners
Already tested:
We examined some grinders in the past. However, in this context, we will take a closer look at them again (see list above).
- Graef CM 800 – bereits tested
- Niche Zero - already tested
- Sage Smart Grinder Pro – bereits tested
Commercial grinder or higher-priced
We will also 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 use the results from two grinders as a 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 will be expanded continuously. What's missing, what should be added? Please supplement.
*Important note
The results were obtained after testing and working with one grinder each. The summarized results describe our measurements and impressions.
Please also read the comments under our videos and compare various test reports to compile a differentiated picture from various sources.
The espresso quality assessment 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.
