In our next Top 3 of the Year article we’re here to give you a rundown of what we think are the very best espresso grinders of the year. We’ve broken this into two lists, because there really is a lot of difference between what users are looking for above and below $500. Below $500 you’ll find some solid workhorse grinders that give you lasting performance. Above $500 you’ll find grinders that are more similar to commercial options, handling higher volumes, running at faster speeds, and coming with extra bells and whistles that coffee enthusiasts often want. So without further adieu, let’s jump into it!
Under $500 - Fan Favorite: Baratza Encore ESP
Baratza’s Encore is one of the most storied grinders around. This has long been a fan favorite due to its no-frills design, attainable price, and ease of maintenance. The Encore ESP is Baratza’s multi-purpose entry into the Encore lineup that has a tight lower range for espresso. Recent improvements to the grinder’s adjustment provide for even smaller adjustments in that espresso range, bringing it ever closer to the performance of a higher-end grinder. In the slow brew range, this grinder is no slouch either. In fact, that’s a major reason we rate it as our fan favorite. For years the answer to the question “what grinder should I get for espresso AND pour over (or other slow brew method)” was that you really need two separate units. Now we can safely recommend a grinder like the ESP, and some other similar models from other manufacturers.
On top of this range and performance the Encore ESP has lots of other creature comforts, like a dosing cup, simple design, and easy cleanup. It also retains the Encore’s easy maintenance and repair. All of these features, plus its comfy price point really makes it easy to recommend to users new and experienced alike.
Under $500 - Best Features: Fellow Opus
Another grinder that can handle slow brewing and espresso grind levels, the Fellow Opus has some things in common with Fellow’s Ode coffee grinder. The Opus is a bit more stripped down, and offers grinding for espresso and slower brewing methods. With a macro and micro grind adjustment, you’ll be able to hit some pretty precise grinder levels, and hit them consistently. One of the best things about this grinder as well is its low retention and low static thanks to the same anti-ion technology that you’ll find in the Ode. This is helped by the single-dosing nature of its design. Instead of filling the hopper with beans, you’ll pour in just what you need and let the grinder grind through it completely. With a magnetic catch bin at the end of that grind path, you’ll also cut down on mess!
None of this touches on one of the best parts of the Opus - the price. With an affordable price point for an espresso grinder this is an easy one to recommend.
Under $500 - Ultimate Pick: Eureka Mignon Zero
The Mignon Zero from Eureka is another single dose grinder, and this one is definitely designed specifically for espresso. What sets this apart as our ultimate pick is how tuned and dedicated it is to the motivation behind this list - grinding for excellent espresso. While this is the most expensive entry we have here, it’s also the one that comes closest to that commercial feel that often requires twice the spend or more.
For starters, this single dose, zero retention grinder also has stepless grind adjustment. That means that there’s no set steps along the control dial. Instead, the burrs work like a screw, which also gives you infinite settings for your grind. That kind of precision means you can really carefully dial in any coffee for the very best shots. The Mignon Zero even features an extra large “comfort knob” which makes those ultra-fine adjustments easier to dial in.
Plus, being built on the Mignon platforms means that the Zero is ultra durable and extra quiet. This grinder also comes with a handy dosing cup, which you can use to measure your grounds, then grind into. From there, you can flip it over and into your portafilter to guarantee no mess and perfect transfer of grounds.
Under $500 - Honorable Mention: Baratza Sette 270
The Sette 270 is another excellent option from Baratza. We ended up going with the Encore ESP over the Sette for this list, but we didn’t want to conclude without giving it a nod. This grinder’s interface may be aging a bit, but its performance hasn’t lost a step. With intuitive macro/micro adjust, easy disassembly for cleaning and maintenance, and an extremely reliable and ergonomic portafilter hook, this grinder offers excellent workflow and ease of use for all levels of home espresso enthusiast.
If you enjoyed this list you can learn more about these grinders in our Top 3 Espresso Grinders Under $500 video below! But keep scrolling, because we have our Over $500 below as well.
Over $500 - Fan Favorite: Eureka Mignon Specialita
The Mignon Specialita is a longtime favorite of Seattle Coffee Gear and espresso enthusiasts alike. This grinder has the signature quiet and durable Mignon case design, but also features stylish, flashy colors like a hot rod red and a shiny chrome. More importantly, this grinder has it where it counts in the performance department as well. 55mm burrs give you fast, consistent grinding and the stepless grind adjustment allows you to get super precise. What’s more, this grinder features simple, easy to read and use touch screen controls for its timed grinding. With a bit of time spent dialing in, you can set the timer and get that perfect dose every time.
An easy pick for this category, the Eureka Mignon Specialita has really earned its place in many a home barista’s heart.
Over $500 - Best Features: Eureka Mignon Libra
The Mignon Libra is yet another Eureka Mignon grinder, but we promise that it has something a little extra to land it in our Best Features slot.
This grinder includes all of the above-mentioned pieces that make the Mignon line great. It’s tough, it’s consistent, it’s precise, and it’s fast. Plus it has a small footprint and looks great on the countertop. But that’s not all the Libra has going for it; this grinder also offers weighted dosing for improved workflow.
While you can always use timed grind settings to dial in an approximation of your dose for espresso, for true precision you still need the perfect weight. The Libra allows you to program that dose weight, then does the rest. This is, naturally, one of the more advanced features in our list, and is the perfect argument for putting the Eureka Mignon Libra in this spot!
Over $500 - Ultimate Pick: Eureka Oro Mignon XL
That’s right, this year’s list is a clean-sweep for the Eureka Mignon line. For our ultimate pick, we have to hand it to the Oro Mignon XL. This grinder is similar to the Specialita at its core. It has stepless grind adjustment, timed dosing, and that classic Mignon look. What it adds is improved performance and consistency with just a touch larger footprint.
That improved performance comes in the form of the Oro Mignon XL’s 65mm burrs and a redesigned grind path. Those burrs are massive for a home grinder, eclipsing even the Atom, the previous king of Eureka’s home grinder lineup. With 65mm burrs, the Oro Mignon XL grinds ultra fast and with perfect consistency. This increased speed will have a noticeable impact on your brewing workflow, as will the included grind mat, tamp station, and brush.
There’s not a lot more to say about this grinder other than the fact that it does almost everything our other entries on this list do, but better. The Libra is still the pick if you want that weighted dosing, but if you can work timed dosing into your workflow the Oro Mignon XL is absolutely the king.
Over $500 - Honorable Mention: Baratza Vario+
The Baratza Vario+ doesn’t have quite the premium feel of Eureka’s Mignon line, but it’s such an awesome package that we had to give it a nod as an honorable mention. This grinder uses stepped macro and micro adjust that allows you to go coarse enough for pour over and fine enough for espresso. A metal grind chamber offers an upgrade on previous Forte models, and the included portafilter fork and catch bins make it easy to adapt this grinder to your needs. Timed dosing lets you program in three separate times, giving you the flexibility to swap from espresso to slow brewing without having to reprogram your timings. Finally, fancy stage lighting is always a nice touch, and can help you brew early in the morning if you don’t want harsh ceiling light.
We love this little grinder, and we’re sure you will too! If you want to see these grinders in action you can check out our video version of this list below!