The Baratza Sette 270 Wi is an espresso grinder with an integrated scale. When the grinder hit the market about 5 years ago, the concept was unique in its price range and sent a positive signal. Weighing coffee grounds and dosage is important because only a consistent coffee-to-water ratio guarantees good coffee and espresso.
However, the scale in the Sette 270 Wi comes at a price. Baratza offers a Sette 270 model without a scale, which costs between 150 and 200 euros less but is otherwise identical to the Wi version in all other areas. In this video and article, we summarize our findings on the Baratza Sette 270Wi, while also commenting on the Sette 270 without the integrated scale.
This test video and the article on the Sette 270 Wi were created as part of our extensive espresso grinder review series. We are currently testing 24 espresso grinders and preparing a comprehensive comparison.
Build quality of the Sette 270, Sette 270Wi, and Sette 30
The grinders in Baratza's Sette series resemble a seven from the side, which gives the series its name. Furthermore, the grinders are very similar in terms of build quality. We will 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. Externally, and unfortunately also internally, the grinder is built primarily of plastic. This manifests as significant wear, e.g., on the threads but also on other components. However, the availability of spare parts for the Baratza Sette series is good.
The Sette 270Wi is definitely a grinder for people who aren't looking for quiet equipment. At 89 decibels, the grinder operates at a volume that is hard to match. Unfortunately, the Sette 270Wi is the loud tail-end of our test series.
However, it achieves good speed. 29.3 grams of coffee are ground in 10 seconds. That is quite fast!
The retention of the Sette 270 and co. is 2.7 grams. This is also a good result, which is supported by the shape of the grinder. The coffee moves only vertically from the bean hopper through the grinding mechanism and does not get stuck in any corners or discharge chutes.
Espresso quality of the Sette 270Wi
The espressi from the Sette 270Wi did not convince us. Certainly, with the choice of a different coffee and further fine-tuning, better results could be achieved. But compared to other espresso grinders in the same price range, the Sette 270Wi could not keep up.
For the short version of the video:
This sensory profile is exactly what the Baratza Sette 270Wi showed. The coffee tastes thin, lacks balance, and is missing the natural sweetness inherent in the coffee. We observed this espresso tasting experience with all espresso grinders where the main peak exceeded 300 microns. Even the relatively low fine peak of only 20.6% did not lead to a noticeable improvement. However, it is a hint as to why the Baratza Sette 270Wi showed better results as a filter coffee grinder.
User manual for the Baratza Sette 270Wi
In our test videos, we provide many tips on using the Sette 270Wi. The community also collects tips and usage suggestions in the comments under the videos as well as under this article. Anyone who has basic questions about usage and has misplaced the user manual for the Baratza Sette 270Wi can find the manual here to download again in German: User manual Sette270wi 2 DE
Baratza Sette 270 and 270Wi spare parts
Sourcing spare parts for the Baratza Sette 270 and 270Wi is relatively simple. At Himmelpfort Kaffee, you can find everything you need for a repair, from the bean hopper and motor to the conical burr set. The Baratza Sette 270Wi display, the portafilter holder for the Sette, and the grounds bin are also available. The availability of all these spare parts is exemplary, but it is also an indication that the grinder experiences material failure from time to time. The well-stocked shop of Moka Consorten carries the Sette bean hopper.
Anyone looking for spare parts in Switzerland is in the right place at Kafischmitte in Langnau im Emmental. They also offer various spare parts for the Baratza Sette 270 as well as the conversion kit from 270 to 270Wi.
Conclusion on the Baratza Sette 270Wi and related models
One of the most searched keywords for the Baratza Sette 270Wi is indeed “baratza sette 270wi problems”. This is a problematic trend that indicates how often the Sette has issues. Anyone searching the web for reviews of the Baratza Sette 270 will repeatedly find entries mentioning problems after six months or even after two years. Defects are not uncommon with the Baratza Sette 270.
Combined with the very good spare parts availability, this paints a picture that does not speak for the durability of the Baratza Sette 270, 270Wi, and Baratza Sette 30.
One cannot deny that the Sette has good performance in some categories. It is very strong in terms of grind consistency and repeatability between shots. Even when changing recipes, it is relatively easy to return to a previously noted grind setting after one shot.
The Sette also performs well as a single dosing grinder. With a standard deviation of only 0.05 grams from shot to shot, this is negligible. However, this leads to a question that works against the Sette 270Wi: the identical Sette 270 performs just as well as a single dosing grinder for 150 euros less. This is due to the high-quality scale installed in the Wi model. But this scale does not offer much added value. In fact, the model without a scale is almost as accurate as the Sette 270Wi.
Following this logic, one should actually look towards the Baratza Sette 30. This grinder features the same grinding mechanism, the same basic structure, and the same motor. In comparison, however, it costs about 150 euros less. Unlike the 270 models, it only has 30 grind settings. However, the grind adjustment can be upgraded.
The espresso quality of the Baratza Sette 270Wi did not convince us in the context of other grinders in this price range. In the price range of the Baratza Sette 30, however, the Sette does not perform badly. The noise level of 89 decibels is at the absolute upper limit. The speed of the grinder is good, and the 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 performance benefit of the higher price compared to the smaller Sette grinders doesn't really translate into the coffee. This is not an argument for the 270Wi, but rather an argument for choosing the Baratza Sette 270 or the Baratza Sette 30.
