The Best Espresso Grinder Under £250 – CoffeeTalk

Are you a coffee enthusiast looking to up your espresso game without breaking the bank? You’re in the right place. In recent years, the coffee market has seen a significant drop in prices, making high-quality espresso grinders more affordable. Today, we will explore five of the best espresso grinders under £250, analyze their features, performance, and find out which one offers the best value for your money.

The Contenders

Our contenders for this comparison are:

1. Baratza Encore ESP – £160
2. Sage/Breville Smart Grinder Pro – £180 to £200
3. Fellow Opus – £200
4. Varia VS3 – £240
5. DF54 – £246

Baratza Encore ESP

The Baratza Encore ESP stands out as the most affordable espresso grinder in this lineup, priced at around £160. It’s essentially an upgrade of the iconic Baratza Encore, known for its entry-level filter coffee grinding capabilities. The key upgrade? The ability to grind fine enough for espresso, thanks to its redesigned burrs. Key Features:

• Large hopper for single dosing.
• Grind adjustment via twist mechanism on the hopper.
• Fine tuning within the espresso range.
• Two grinding choices: a push button on the front or a side switch.
• Comes with a dosing cup and an additional larger dosing chamber.

Despite its affordability, the Encore ESP isn’t just a budget option – it offers precise grind settings and adaptability to switch between espresso and filter coffee. Performance: The grind consistency is commendable, even though the grinder uses stepped adjustments. Each step adjusts the grind by around four to five seconds of brew time, which is precise enough for home use.

Sage Smart Grinder Pro

The Sage (or Breville in some regions) Smart Grinder Pro is a well-established product, having been on the market for over a decade. It’s priced at £180 to £200 and has attracted a loyal following over the years. Key Features:

• Large hopper designed for filling up with beans.
• Lovely display with high-tech controls for grind time and shot/cup memories.
• Grind time setting to control the dose.
• Stepped grind adjustments.

While originally built for dosing straight from the hopper into a portafilter, most modern users prefer to single dose. The Smart Grinder Pro’s design shows its age with a big body and a focus on a slightly outdated user experience. Performance: The shots produced are acceptable and better than one might expect from a grinder of this age and price. However, compared to newer offerings, it tends to yield slightly muddier and less crisp shots.

Fellow Opus

Fresh from the US, the Fellow Opus entered the market at around £200. Designed as a single dose grinder, it has made some waves in the coffee community with its innovative approach. Key Features:

• Single dose hopper with a snug-fitting lid.
• Dual-stage grind adjustment – coarse settings on the hopper and finer adjustments inside.
• Dosing cup designed for both espresso and larger filter doses.
• One-button operation system and a small magnet to hold the catch cup in place.

The Opus employs a unique two-step adjustment system that takes some getting used to, but offers a wide range of grind sizes. Performance: The grind quality is surprisingly good for a grinder of this price. Espresso shots are notably sweet and clear with great texture, rivaling more expensive flat burr grinders.

Varia VS3

Coming in at £240, the Varia VS3 is the heaviest and most solidly built grinder among the group. It aims to balance style, performance, and durability. Key Features:

• All metal body with significant weight.
• Stepless grind adjustment.
• Single dose design with bellows and lid.
• Anti-popcorning disc to ensure smooth bean feeding.

Despite its solid construction, the stepless adjustment doesn’t hold its setting well during use, and the anti-popcorning disc often obstructs beans from grinding through correctly. Performance: This grinder tends to produce shots with more texture and body but sacrifices clarity. It suits those who prefer heavy, bassy espresso shots but may not appeal to those who prioritize bright and sweet notes.

DF54

Finally, the DF54 is a fascinating budget option for those interested in flat burr grinders. Priced just under £250, it features 54 mm flat burrs typically found in more expensive models. Key Features:

• Flat burr set with a robust motor.
• Stepless grind adjustment.
• Single dose hopper with bellows to reduce retention.
• Simplistic design with just an on-off switch.

The build quality is impressive, with a sturdy construction that feels more premium than its price suggests. Performance: The DF54 produces coffee with remarkable clarity and sweetness. It’s the standout for flat burr grinder enthusiasts, offering a flavor profile that’s both precise and enjoyable.

Testing Methodology

We tested each grinder using the following criteria:

• Workflow and usability
• Grind consistency for both espresso and filter coffee
• Retention rates and particle size analysis
• Grinding speed and power consumption
• Noise levels and overall user experience
• Espresso and filter coffee taste tests

Workflow and Usability

Each grinder was evaluated based on how user-friendly its design and controls were. Attention was paid to how easy it was to adjust grind settings, load coffee beans, and retrieve ground coffee.

Grind Consistency

Grind consistency is key to making great espresso and filter coffee. We used imaging particle size analysis to measure the distribution of particle sizes for each grinder at both espresso and filter settings. Espresso: The particle size analysis showed that flat burr grinders, like the DF54, typically produced more uniform particle sizes with fewer fines, resulting in clearer and more balanced espresso shots. Filter Coffee: When grinding for filter coffee, the differences were less pronounced, indicating that all grinders performed fairly similarly. However, taste tests revealed notable differences, suggesting that particle size distribution alone does not tell the whole story.

Retention Rates

Minimizing retention is essential for single dose grinders. We conducted traditional weigh-in, weigh-out retention tests, and a secondary test to measure coffee exchange within the grinder.
The DF54 and Baratza ESP showed slightly higher retention rates, while the Fellow Opus struggled with retention, especially at finer settings. Most grinders performed reasonably well, but the Opus required extra effort with its bellows to clear retained grounds.

Grinding Speed and Power Consumption

Grinding speed varied widely among the grinders. The Varia VS3 was notably the slowest, while the DF54 balanced speed and quality effectively. The power consumption tests revealed that some grinders drew more power than advertised, notably the Baratza ESP and DF54.

Noise Levels

Sound is an important factor when grinding coffee, especially early in the morning. The Baratza ESP was the loudest, while the Varia VS3 was the most pleasant to listen to, despite its slower speed.

Taste Tests

Blind taste tests were conducted for both espresso and filter coffee.
The DF54 consistently produced the best-tasting espresso, with clear, sweet, and well-balanced shots. The Fellow Opus and Baratza ESP also performed admirably, offering good sweetness and brightness. The Varia VS3 was favored by those who prefer heavier, bassier shots.
In filter coffee testing, the DF54 once again excelled, though the Fellow Opus and Baratza ESP were strong contenders. The Varia VS3 fell short, producing less clarity and sweetness.

Nitpicks and Final Thoughts

No grinder is perfect, and each had its quirks and issues. Baratza Encore ESP:

• Noise levels could be a deal breaker for some.
• Stepped adjustments limit precision.
• The push button seems redundant.

Sage Smart Grinder Pro:

• Outdated design and workflow.
• Large and unwieldy catch cup.
• Limited coarse grind settings.

Fellow Opus:

• Slightly confusing grind adjustment mechanism.
• Retention issues that require thorough bellowing.
• Plastic build feels a bit cheap.

Varia VS3:

• Grind settings don’t stay put during use.
• Anti-popcorning disc fails to function effectively.
• Power brick is bulky and inconvenient.

DF54:

• Stepless adjustment dial is hard to turn.
• Some static and retention issues, mitigated by occasional cleaning of the ionizer.

Conclusion

In the realm of espresso grinders under £250, there are some impressive options available. The top performers in our tests were the DF54 for its excellent build, grind consistency, and flavor clarity, and the Fellow Opus for its sweet and bright cups, despite some usability challenges. The Baratza Encore ESP represents incredible value for its price but suffers from noise issues. The Sage Smart Grinder Pro, while dated, still offers decent performance, especially for entry-level usage. The Varia VS3, although well-built, has too many practical issues to be a top recommendation.
Each grinder brings something different to the table, allowing for a range of preferences and needs. If you’re seeking a high-quality espresso grinder under £250, one of these grinders is sure to suit your taste and brewing style. Happy grinding!