The Baratza Sette 270 Wi is an espresso grinder with a scale. When it launched around five years ago, the concept was unique in its price range and made a positive impression. Weighing the coffee grounds and the amount of ground coffee is important because only the right ratio of coffee to water guarantees good coffee and espresso.
However, the scale in the Sette 270 Wi also comes at a price. Baratza itself offers a Sette 270 model without a scale, which costs between €150 and €200 less, but is identical to the Wi version in all other respects. In this video and article, we summarize our findings on the Baratza Sette 270Wi, but also comment on the Sette 270 without the integrated scale.
The test video and article on the Sette 270 Wi were created as part of our extensive espresso grinder test series. We are currently testing 24 espresso grinders and compiling a comprehensive comparison .
Processing of the Sette 270, Sette 270Wi and Sette 30
The espresso grinders in Baratza's Sette series resemble a seven on the side, which gives the journey its name. Furthermore, the grinders are very similar in terms of workmanship. We'll discuss the differences between the three grinders in more detail below.
The Sette espresso and coffee grinders are notable for their light weight of just 3.2 kilograms. This is due to the large amount of plastic used in the grinders. The grinder is constructed predominantly of plastic, both externally and, unfortunately, internally. This results in significant wear, for example, on the threads and other components. However, spare parts availability for the Baratza Sette series is good.
The Sette 270Wi is definitely a grinder for people who aren't looking for quiet machines. At 89 decibels, the grinder grinds at a volume that's unparalleled. Unfortunately, the Sette 270Wi is the loudest grinder in our test series.
However, it does achieve a good speed . 29.3 grams of coffee are ground in 10 seconds. That's pretty fast!
The dead space of the Sette 270 and similar models is 2.7 grams. This is also a good result, which is supported by the shape of the grinder. The coffee is moved vertically from the bean hopper through the grinder and doesn't get stuck in any corners or chutes.
Espresso quality of the Sette 270Wi
The espressos from the Sette 270Wi didn't impress us. Better results could certainly be achieved by choosing a different coffee and further fine-tuning. However, compared to other espresso grinders in the same price range, the Sette 270Wi couldn't keep up.
For the short version of the video:
The Baratza Sette 270Wi presented exactly this sensory impression. The coffee tasted jagged, unbalanced, and lacked coffee's inherent sweetness. We observed this espresso flavor experience with all espresso grinders whose main peak exceeded 300 microns. Even the relatively low fine peak of only 20.6% did not lead to a noticeable improvement. However, it does provide an indication of why the Baratza Sette 270Wi performed better as a filter coffee grinder.
User manual for the Baratza Sette 270Wi
In our test videos, we provide numerous tips for using the Sette 270Wi. The community also collects tips and suggestions in the comments below the videos and under this article. If you have general questions about use and have misplaced the Baratza Sette 270Wi manual, you can download the manual again in German here: Sette270wi 2 EN Manual
Baratza Sette 270 and 270Wi spare parts
Obtaining spare parts for the Baratza Sette 270 and 270wi is relatively easy. At Himmelpfort Kaffee, you'll find everything you need for a repair, from the bean hopper to the motor and the conical grinder. The Baratza Sette 270wi display, the portafilter holder for the Sette, and the ground coffee hopper are also available. The availability of all these spare parts is exemplary, but it also indicates that the grinder occasionally experiences material failures. The well-stocked Moka Consorten shop carries the Sette's bean hopper .
If you're looking for spare parts in Switzerland, Kafischmitte in Langnau im Emmental is the place to go. They also stock various spare parts for the Baratza Sette 270, as well as the conversion kit for the 270 to the 270wi.
Conclusion on the Baratza Sette 270Wi and secondary models
One of the most searched keywords for the Baratza Sette 270Wi is, in fact, "baratza sette 270wi problems." This is a problematic trend that indicates how often the Sette is troublesome. Even those searching the internet for reviews of the Baratza Sette 270 repeatedly find entries that report problems after six months or even after two years. Defects are not uncommon with the Baratza Sette 270.
In conjunction with the very good availability of spare parts, this paints a picture that does not speak for the longevity of the Baratza Sette 270, 270Wi and Baratza Sette 30.
The Sette certainly performs well in several categories. It excels in terms of grind accuracy and repeatability . Even when changing recipes, it's relatively easy to return to the exact grind range you noted after one brew.
As a single-dosage grinder, the Sette also performs well. With a standard deviation of just 0.05 grams from shot to shot, this is negligible. However, this raises a question that subsequently speaks against the Sette 270Wi. The identically constructed Sette 270 delivers the same performance as a single-dosage grinder for €150 less. This is due to the high-quality scale built into the Wi model. However, this scale doesn't add much value. In fact, the model without a scale is almost as accurate as the Sette 270Wi.
If you think about it logically, you might even want to look toward the Baratza Sette 30. This grinder also features the same grinder, the same basic structure, and the same motor. However, it costs about €150 less. Unlike the 270 models, it only has 30 grinding levels. However, the grind setting can be upgraded.
The espresso quality of the Baratza Sette 270Wi didn't impress us in the context of grinders in this price range. However, in the price range of the Baratza Sette 30, the Sette doesn't do badly. Its noise level of 89 decibels is at the absolute maximum. The grinder's speed is good, and its usability is also very good.
All in all, the Baratza Sette 270Wi is an espresso grinder that leaves a mixed impression. It costs a lot of money, and the 270Wi doesn't really deliver the extra performance compared to the smaller Sette grinders. That's not an argument in favor of the 270Wi, but rather one that makes you choose the Baratza Sette 270 or the Baratza Sette 30.
