Best espresso grinders for home – the XL test

Which espresso grinders did we test?

Initially, 24 espresso grinders were tasted in 6 groups. The groups covered different price ranges. The best grinders from the different groups (nine in total) were compared again in a final round.

For this purpose, the groups were evaluated in two blind tastings by our most experienced baristas and coffee sensory experts (see Espresso Tasting Protocol).

Individual articles and videos are available for all tested espresso grinders. If you are looking for an espresso grinder, we recommend starting with the final video "Best Espresso Grinder for Home". For further in-depth information and decision-making, the individual and comparison videos can help.

But which grinder category makes sense for you? A hand grinder, a single dosing grinder, or a doser grinder? This is the decision you should make before choosing a specific grinder. We have written a comparison article on grinder categories to help with this decision.

Don't want to weigh every portion individually? Then a grinder with an integrated scale is an option. In our comparison of seven grind-by-weight grinders, we show which models are convincing – and where the limitations of the technology lie.

A big thank you goes to Dr. Marco Wellinger and the ZHAW Wädenswil for their support in particle analysis.

This article will be updated after the final video is released.

The best espresso grinders for home

9 espresso grinders qualified for the final round of our espresso grinder test series. We re-evaluated these and also compared them sensorily in a blind tasting. For this, we prepared 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. Nothing changed in the direct comparison, it was only confirmed once again.

In our opinion, 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 further arguments for a decision.

The espresso grinder blind tasting

To further challenge the top 9 espresso grinders from the test series, a blind tasting was conducted. We invited four of our most experienced coffee sensory experts for this.

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 Champion. Philipp Schallberger is a two-time Swiss Barista Champion and semi-finalist at the World Barista Championship. He was a WBC judge and Q-Grader for many years. Benjamin Hohlmann is an Arabica and Robusta Q-Grader, was German Cup Tasting Champion and Swiss Brewers Cup Champion.

Together with David Wistorf (himself a Brewers Cup runner-up and third in Switzerland), each set one to two espresso grinders to the best possible espresso recipe for each grinder. We opted for individual recipes because not all grinders peak with the same recipe.

The result for each grinder must therefore be seen in conjunction with the barista's recipe. It also became clear that the time factor of 20 minutes for adjusting a grinder benefited some espresso grinders.

The espresso roasts and coffees tasted

Tasting was conducted over two days with two different espresso roasts.

Apas was chosen as a medium roast espresso from Brazil. The coffee was processed as natural. We use Apas as a standard espresso in our courses. It is nutty and chocolatey and is very forgiving when adjusting.

• Apas in our German shop (shipping also to Austria and the EU)
• Apas in Switzerland

Doña Margarita is a complex espresso from our own farm in Nicaragua. The coffee is grown at Finca Santa Rita, fermented in cherries in a cold room, and then dried naturally. The coffee tastes of ripe cherries, has a heavy chocolate note, and is reminiscent of tropical fruits. This lighter roast must be well-adjusted to be balanced and to bring out its complexity.

• Order Doña Margarita in Germany, Austria, and the EU
• Doña Margarita in Switzerland

The final result of the tasting

Final tasting results. Recipes and further tasting results to follow.

Espresso Grinder Comparison Group 1: 760 - 2250 Euro

• 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

Espresso Grinder Comparison Group 2: 640 - 750 Euro

• ECM S 64 - Video, Test Report
• Niche Zero - Video, Test Report
• Mazzer Mini Electronic A - Video, Test Report
• Eureka Mignon XL - Video, Test Report

In this set, we were particularly impressed by the Niche Zero and the Eureka Mignon XL. Overall, the Niche Zero was slightly ahead 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 take both grinders to the next round.

Not only in terms of particle distribution, but also the ECM performed well. Thanks to its very low fine particle content across all extractions, it is well suited for espresso, café crème, and filter coffee. For filter coffee, it delivered the best results in our test, along with the Niche Zero.

For more information about the grinders, we recommend our video reports and the individual reports on the espresso grinders linked above.

Espresso Grinder Comparison Group 3: 500 - 530 Euro

• 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

Espresso Grinder Comparison Group 4: 400 - 470 Euro

• 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 performed well in individual areas. Three grinders convinced us enough to take them to the next round.

• This includes the Mahlkönig x54, which, although slow and generally only average in many aspects, brewed the second-best espresso. In terms of speed, it's the slowest in the set and doesn't score points for grind accuracy and consistency.
• The Eureka Specialità served only the third-best espresso in the set, but the difference to the better grinders is very small here. Even with 28 points, the espresso is still good. The grinder convinces in terms of consistency and noise level. We also liked the filter coffee. The speed is in the medium range. The grind setting is difficult due to the small adjustment wheel.
• The G-Iota not only brewed the best espresso (with a very narrow lead), but also convinces in terms of consistency, retention, and grind setting precision. Furthermore, it is the cheapest and yet very good single-dose espresso grinder we know. For this reason alone, we want to see it in the next round, in the blind tasting against all the best grinders from each group.

The fourth grinder in the round also does a good job. The espresso tastes good, and the Lelit PL72 particularly surprised us with its positive single-dosing performance. However, the grinder is not very consistent, has high retention in normal use, and is also inaccurate when it comes to the repeatability of brewing recipes. Because these attributes are quite essential, the Lelit PL72 does not make it to the next round.

Espresso Grinder Comparison Group 5: 150 - 250 Euro

• Sage - The Smart Grinder Pro - Bcg820 BSS - Video, Test Report
• Lelit PL044MMT - Video, Test Report
• Lelit PL043MMI - Video, Test Report
• Sage - The Dose Control - SCG600BTR - Video, Test Report

The Sage Smart Grinder Pro performed best in the comparison of the four espresso grinders between 150 and 250 Euros. The grinder once again proved to be a good entry-level grinder, achieving good results in many areas and even very good results for its price group.

Espresso Grinder Comparison Group 6: 80 - 150 Euro

• 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 interim results across all tests - the group winners

Already tested:

We had previously looked at some grinders. In this context, however, we will re-examine them (see list above).

• Graef CM 800 – already tested
  
• Niche Zero - already tested
  
• Sage Smart Grinder Pro – already tested

Commercial grinder or higher priced

We will also look at these commercial espresso grinders at a later date. For now, we have decided to focus on grinders in the price range up to 1000 Euros and include the results of two grinders as a reference from the higher price range.

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

List will be continuously updated. What's missing, what else should be added? Please add.

*Important note

The results are based on the test and work with one grinder each. The summarized results describe our measurements and our impressions.

Please also read the comments under our videos and compare various test reports to get a differentiated picture from different sources.

The espresso quality assessment in the preliminary round was based on the tasting of two espressos by two tasters. In the next test round, a different espresso will be tasted by a larger panel.