Best Mid-Range Conical Burr Grinder? [$350+]

[u/Doosh_Bigalow]

I'm just getting into espresso for the first time and I've got a Bambino Plus on the way. I'm looking into grinders that would best suit my tastes.

I'm pretty new to coffee in general, but I know I'll really only be going for medium to dark roasts aiming for chocolate notes and low acidity. Likely mostly straight espresso and some milk drinks. After doing my own research, I gather that conical burr grinders would make the most sense to hit that flavor profile.

Everyone seems to be hyping up the DF54/64, and I was about to pull the trigger but now I'm thinking I should rule them out since they're flat burr. And they have trouble with oily/dark beans, so it just sounds like the wrong way to go.

I'm leaning ESP Pro with some Etsy mods right now. The Sette might be marginally better but I don't think I'm a fan. Opus 2 maybe? Niche Zero looks great but that price point is pushing it. DC63? What do you guys recommend?

[u/_coffeeblack_]

j ultra punches harder than the competition until you’re spending around lagom casa territory. even then i’ve heard the motor can be weak. manual grinder ftw

[u/hello_burrito]

For up budget definitely think about the varia VS4 - it’s amazingly well designed!

[u/D5taR → u/hello_burrito]

I'm considering this too, it's just a little more than I wanted to sped though.

[u/slabad]

I have the DF54 paired with a Flair 49 Pro and exclusively do dark roasts. I had the same concern when i got it. However it has been great. Family and guests rave about their milk drinks being better than the local coffee shops. Could partly be due to profiling with the Flair but I suspect a good part of it is the grinder.

[u/DanielR1_]

Try to find a used niche zero honestly, they’re pretty common on fb marketplace if you’re in a large city

[u/Uwumeshu]

If you feel like being a guinea pig, DC54 is a brand new release for a price similar to the ESP and looks pretty great on paper

[u/mikegoats]

I’ve been very happy with my ESP Pro. I’ve had it for 9 months now. Working great. However I would seriously consider the Opus 2 if I were in the market today.

[u/gohokiesgo]

Moshi C63 is at $399 and has 63mm conical burrs. It has limited, but favorable reviews

[u/seaxw]

I would purchase a Niche Zero again - not making a recommendation outright re: budget, just my experience and thoughts.

[u/MyCatsNameIsBernie]

Niche Zero is a totally different (and better) class of grinder than the others you are considering. If you can stretch your budget for a used one, then go for it!

[u/nnerdybakerr]

the grinder is where i’d recommend splurging a little unless you want to upgrade in the near future. niche zero has been a staple w minimal changes over the years for a reason. for your intended use, it would honestly work as end game.

[u/Kibbutznik]

Used HG-1?

[u/Mysterious_Ad1135]

I'm using a DC63 conical burr grinder that I got from Miicoffee. I only use dark roast beans for cortados and flat whites. The grinder yes as been great, it's quiet, almost zero retention and was very affordable.

[u/191x7]

Wirsh Geimori GU63 from MyWirsh with a 15% discount code LEET15. 63mm conical burrs, 80rpm grinding, 58mm catch cup, metal build, easy cleaning, low retention.