The Baratza Sette 270 Wi is an espresso grinder with a built-in scale. When the grinder was launched about 5 years ago, the concept was unique in its price range and sent a good signal. Weighing coffee grounds and quantity is important because only a consistent 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 Euros less, but is identical to the Wi version in all other aspects. In this video and article, we summarize our findings on the Baratza Sette 270Wi, but also comment on the Sette 270 without an 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.
Workmanship of the Sette 270, Sette 270Wi and Sette 30
The Sette series of espresso grinders from Baratza resemble a seven from the side, which gives the series its name. Furthermore, the grinders are very similar in terms of workmanship. We will go into the differences between the three grinders in more detail below.
The Sette espresso and coffee grinders stand out due to their light weight of just 3.2 kilograms. This is due to the large proportion of plastic in the grinders. The grinder is predominantly made of plastic on the outside and, unfortunately, also on the inside. This results in significant wear and tear, e.g. of the thread, but also of 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 are not looking for quiet equipment. At 89 decibels, the grinder grinds at a volume that is unparalleled. The Sette 270Wi is unfortunately the loudest grinder in our test series.
However, it achieves a good speed. 29.3 grams of coffee are ground in 10 seconds. That's pretty 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 grinder and does not get stuck in any corners or spouts.
Espresso quality of the Sette 270Wi
The espressos from the Sette 270Wi did not convince us. Certainly, a better result could be achieved with the selection of a different coffee and further fine-tuning. But compared to other espresso grinders, the Sette 270Wi could not keep up in the same price range.
For the short version of the video:
This is exactly the sensory profile that the Baratza Sette 270Wi exhibited. The coffee tastes frayed, unbalanced, and lacks the inherent sweetness of the coffee. We observed this taste experience in 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 does indicate why the Baratza Sette 270Wi showed a better result as a filter coffee grinder.
Baratza Sette 270Wi User Manual
In our test videos, we provide many tips for using the Sette 270Wi. The community also collects tips and operating suggestions in the comments under the videos and under this article. If you have basic questions about its use and have misplaced the Baratza Sette 270Wi user manual, you can download it again here in German: Sette270wi 2 DE User 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 can find everything you need for a repair, from the bean hopper to the motor and the conical burr grinder. The Baratza Sette 270wi display, the portafilter holder for the Sette, and the ground coffee container are also available. The availability of all these spare parts is exemplary, but it also indicates that the grinder occasionally experiences material failure. Moka Consorten's well-stocked shop carries the Sette bean hopper.
If you're looking for spare parts in Switzerland, Kafischmitte in Langnau im Emmental is the right place. Here too, you can find 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, indicating how often the Sette causes issues. Even those searching the web for experience reports on the Baratza Sette 270 will repeatedly find entries describing problems after six months or even only 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.
However, one cannot deny the Sette its good performance in some categories. It is very strong in terms of grind size accuracy and repeatability of shots. It is also relatively easy to switch between recipes, returning precisely to the previously noted grind size range after one shot.
As a single dosing grinder, the Sette also performs well. With a standard deviation of only 0.05 grams from shot to shot, this is negligible. However, this raises a question that subsequently argues against the Sette 270Wi. The structurally identical Sette 270 offers the same performance as a single dosing grinder for 150 Euros less purchase price. 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.
Consistently, the focus should even be on the Baratza Sette 30. Because this grinder also has the same burr set, the same basic structure, the same motor. In comparison, it costs about 150 Euros less. Unlike the 270 models, it only has 30 grind settings. However, the grind size adjustment can be upgraded.
The espresso quality of the Baratza Sette 270Wi did not convince us in the context of grinders in its price range. In the price range of the Baratza Sette 30, however, the Sette does not cut a bad figure. The loudness of 89 decibels is at the absolute upper limit. The speed of the grinder 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 performance for the extra price compared to the smaller Sette grinders doesn't really translate into better coffee with the 270Wi. This is not an argument for the 270Wi, but rather one that leads to opting for the Baratza Sette 270 or the Baratza Sette 30.
