The big mill test 2023

This is a short blog with a reading time of 5 minutes. You can find the even more detailed article with further data and background information here on our Swiss website.

We tested 30 espresso grinders for home use.

The result of our series of tests, which we carried out in detail over many months, was published on March 12, 2023. The grinders used cost from €80 to €2200 euros, with a focus on espresso grinders under €1000 euros.

Which is the best single dosing mill? Which espresso grinder is the best for home use? Which espresso grinder is right for me?

We cover these questions in this article and in more detail in our final video on the entire test series.

Which is the best espresso grinder for home?

The total of 30 espresso grinders are divided into 6 groups. In the finale of our espresso grinder test series, nine espresso grinders qualified as the best grinders for the home.

These grinders were again sensorily compared by our most experienced baristi and coffee sensorists in a blind tasting, where we set a dark espresso (Apas) and a lighter espresso (Doña Margarita) as espresso.

We have already shown the most important data about the espresso grinders in the individual videos and in a direct comparison no changes were found, only confirmed.

In our opinion, there is no one best espresso grinder on the market, but the best grinder is the one that best suits your preferences. Michel and Benjamin, for example, have different preferences when choosing the right espresso grinder for their home.

A sensory blind tasting can provide additional arguments for a decision.

How was the sensor panel composed?

The sensory panel was made up of renowned coffee experts, including Michel Aeschbacher, Felix Hohlmann, Philipp Schallberger and Benjamin Hohlmann. Each of them has one or two espresso grinders set to the best possible espresso recipe for each grinder.

We decided on individual recipes because not all mills achieve their optimum with the same recipe. The result for each mill must therefore be seen in connection with the barista's recipe.

A strict time window of 20 minutes was used to set a grinder, which benefited some espresso grinders.

Which coffees did we use?

Two different espresso roasts were used during the two-day tasting. The first espresso, our Apas training espresso, comes from Brazil and is a medium-dark roast. The Apas has a nutty and chocolatey taste and forgives minor errors when setting.

The second espresso, Doña Margarita, comes from our own farm in Nicaragua. After harvesting, the coffee is fermented in a cold room and then dried as natural. Doña Margarita has a complex flavor of ripe cherries, chocolate and tropical fruits. Because it is a lighter roast, it must be carefully adjusted to reveal its full complexity.

The results of the tasting

Comparison group espresso grinders 1: 760 - 2250 euros

• Mahlkönig E65S GBW 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 , review
• Mazzer Mini Electronic A - video , test report
• Eureka Mignon XL - video , test report

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

Comparison group espresso grinders 5: 150 - 250 euros

• Sage - The Smart Grinder Pro - Bcg820 BSS - Video , Review
• Lelit PL044MMT - video , test report
• Lelit PL043MMI - video , test report
• Sage - The Dose Control - SCG600BTR - video , test report

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 scales - video , test report

Higher-priced mills and gastro mills

We have decided to initially concentrate on espresso grinders in the price range up to 1000 euros and to use the results of two grinders from higher price ranges as a reference.

However, we plan to also test gastro espresso grinders at a later date.

The mills that we have tested so far and whose results are included in our evaluation are:

• Lagom P64
• Etzmax (various models)
• Ceado E37S
• E65S GbW
• EK43
• Eureka Zenith
• Bentwood Vertical 63
• Anfim Practica
• Quamar Sirio Q

We will continue to update and add to the list and welcome recommendations on what else should be included.

Please note that our reviews are based on working with one grinder at a time and that you should get a nuanced opinion from different sources. In the preliminary round we evaluated two espressos by two tasters, in the next round a larger panel will taste a different espresso.