Thought I'd give a shorter overview of these 5 side by side. Have had loads of requests, so figured I'd make something easy to digest. Lot more cuts than usual, but it is in the hopes of giving you the down and dirty deets that may help your decision making process. Give a like and sub if you haven't and appreciate the work! Much love

You mentioned customer service, so I wanted to mention my experience with my Lagom Mini: I busted a little part within the motor chamber while it was out of warranty. I reached out to Option-O in hopes that I could purchase the part. Instead of that, they offered to send over a whole new motor and power brick, as long as I paid the shipping. And then I got detailed instructions to make the replacement myself. Whenever I upgrade, they’ll have my business.

Love this format and style. This is perfect for someone that likes your content but sometimes doesn’t have time for the longer vids

15 mins is all it takes to capture my recommended. You are deserving of the aid of the Algo

I have to say this is the one best video I need at this moment. I am choosing an electrical grinder for my gf and we needs it to be simple, aesthetic, great result and, relatively, good budget. This up-to-date video give the information I need. Thanks Lance

This is great. Now we need a "Best Espresso-oriented Grinder for Beginners". Or maybe not beginners, but people who don't want to spend 500+ USD on a grinder, and rarely if ever make anything but espresso.

i'm so so glad for your reviews and effort put into them. You are so meticulous with the research down to the customer feedback for the varia it saved me a lot of work. Really wanted to let you know its appreciated!

That was definitely the most condensed Lance video to date! Great comparison!

Man, I just enjoyed this video so much. The singing and everything! So much character! Very enjoyable to watch and also packed with really useful insights. I have the Vario and really agree with what you had to say.

I love the format of this review. Very concise, full of information. Super helpful!

Hard to beat Baratza support. I have a Vario and my parents have an Encore, both which went through Baratza's repair program after about 5-10 years of use and both came back working even better than when they were originally purchased.

My Varia VS3 motor just failed after 11months of use. Great when it worked and looked good but now I have to shop for a new grinder. So here I am.

Excellent production and presentation. You sorta give me buyer's remorse on the Opus, but then I listen again and realize that a) I'm not making espresso at home, and b) I am on a budget, so I probably got the right thing.

YES finally, I was eyeing your back counter for a while now wondering when we'd get your input ! Awesome Saturday woot woot !

Love the new editing, 13 min stacked with info. mini is an AMAZING grinder as an all-around, Personally I don't experience retention with RDT and grind speed is around 25s for 18g espresso light-roast. Never had stalling. Option-o has great customer-service and you can buy directly from them.

The amount of new budget grinders coming out these days is sooo good. Might have to swap my Eureka Mignon at some point, it's so hard to dial with it. Thanks again Lance 🙏 love those two tones corduroy shirts you've been sporting >:)

My first Vs3 was dead out of the box. The adjustment mechanism was almost unmoveable and did not seem to adjust the grind size. When tightening it would get to a certain point (no where near zero) and sort of skip and loose all tension for a bit and then grip hard again, as well as a lot of movement and a screechy grind when the burrs were spinning. Took around a month to get a replacement as the distributor took a long time combined with crap post times. The replacement has been great since it arrived, and I am really enjoying it. I wanted the Ode Gen 2 originaly, but as of when I placed the order (December 26th) there was still not date for the Ode becoming available locally, they only turned up in late Feb, which still gave time for my Vs3 to arrive, be sent back and the replacement to arrive.

Dude, I just started looking into a grinder upgrade now that I feel I'm outgrowing my Encore. This is perfect timing for me.

Wow this video saved me so much time. Been back and forth on varia and encore esp. Definitely going with the esp now.

It's crazy how much prices differ around the world. That Lagom mini is 550 CAD here in Canada, whereas the DF64 is 665. To me it's a no brainer. I think if I were to get a conical grinder I'd tend to get a 250 CAD 1zpresso hand grinder rather than a Lagom Mini. Thanks for this Mr. Hedrick, lovely content as always. We are lucky to have you.

Thanks for the quality reviews and singing, rock on! I'm waiting on my Opus after seeing your other review (and having the Ode already)

I am offended no one has complimented your singing yet. That was lovely.

Really appreciate your videos and dedication to the channel! I'm probably going to buy the Varia VS3. Thank you so much!

This is exactly the type of video I've been looking for. I am looking to start my journey in home coffee and I enjoy making myself both pour overs and espresso drinks at the coffee shop I work at, so I have been looking for a good budget grinder that can deliver on both espresso and filter. I will most likely act on your recommendation and invest in the baratza, cheers!

I’ve had the Encore ESP for about a week and it is NOICE! To be fair I’m upgrading from a broken Cusinart $50 grinder.

I've had my Vario for 13 years now (So old it's the Mahlkonig badged version!). I use it everyday for espresso and the only thing I've had to do is change the burrs out. I also have a refurbed Virtuoso for the past 4 years on filter duty. No problems there either. I know I can get grinders that will produce slightly better cups but it's hard to ignore that reliability!

Lance on the grind 💪🏾

This is the video I didn’t know I was waiting for… thank you!

Well this is the exact content I needed in my life

I can't believe you gave such a straight up opinion cuz I'm sure some brands might not like that. But still: I think that's "FANTASTIC"! I

This great, and super helpful! Looking for an all around for the studio. Thank you!

Based on everything you stated, if I were in the market for a grinder in this price point I too would choose the Baratza ESP. However, I would definitely look into the upcoming Timemore Sculptor 064S since I'm only interested in an espresso grinder.

Finally making the investment to get into making espresso at home after years of hand grinding an aeropress brew in the morning. I’m on the waitlist for the next batch of the VS3 release at the end of next month. Hoping that the motor issues are sorted, but it sounds like barring that it should pair well with a Gaggia Classic. Nice shootout video, they all seem like they’ll do the job well.

The intros...hyped!

Great review. I'll be revisiting this video.

Completely agree! The mini is just too expensive for it's value in Canada. The baratza is just messy. Ended up with the opus for the new referral discount, lower rpm, cleaner workflow and totally don't mind the inner ring for dialing in. And it's a second grinder for me so I already get a different cup with my first grinder. 😏

I ordered the varia 2 weeks ago, having seen Coffee parts positive review. I like the design and I’m only going to be using it for aeropress for now: I’d been using a 1zpresso Q2 but wanted something that can do espresso one day. Hope it lasts. Thanks for your all your budget reviews in recent weeks.

Appreciate this review Lance, as I've been looking for something to replace my Oster / Mr Coffee grinder for moka pot, and V60 coffee. And the Baratza Encore ESP is available for sale in a nearby city for me.

Amazing video as usual. Thank for the great content! :)

Thanks for the video, very informative!👍

Looking forward to the review of the Fiorenzato Pietro grinder on your shelf :) Very different design from what else is out there!

Great video Lance! This kind of information is hugely helpful for a somewhat beginner home barista like myself. Where would you say these compare to some of the better hand grinders out there? For myself, I currently use the 1Zpresso K Ultra for my daily routine. I’ve been thinking about getting an electric grinder since hand grinding can be a chore sometimes. Are any of these on equal or better footing?

I received my Baratza Encore ESP on 2/25, and my poor Niche has been neglected since then. I’ve ground for filter coffee for my husband, (he prefers it to be ground at the upper end of espresso), espresso for me and also a medium grind for my Instant cold brewer. I really do like my Niche Zero, but if this grinder had been out in November when I bought my Niche, I might not have bought the Niche at all. I also got the single dose hopper which I’m really liking. I just received a bellows for the original hopper that I got from Etsy. I’m hoping that will also keep the lid from trying to jump off the hopper . I really like that cup that came with the ESP. It fits perfectly into my portafilter funnel.

Varia gen 2 owner here, with rdt there is zero retention even after a fill tear down and weighing grounds within the system less than 0.1 grams

Will 2nd Lance’s comment about Baratza. I have had an encore as a daily driver for 10 years.

Even after all these years, Baratza is still hitting it out of the park. The new Encore ESP is such a great option!

Thank you Lance. 🙏🏻

I gotta ask! Just because it's hard kind of finding this exact scenario anywhere but if I have the Sette 30 upgraded with the 270 burrs for $210 and a Vs3 for $200 what would you specifically keep in your home? (I would like more focus on the espresso but also decent filter coffee)

Great video as always Lance. Appreciate the work you put into each to make this information available to us all. I wonder how these electric grinders compare to many similarly priced all in one hand-grinders?

Love your videos man. New subscriber, just got a Behmor, enjoying the journey!

Baratza Esp is the winner for me. The lagom and the varía looks ok but they doesn't offer support on my country and it will be a nightmare to get one. Opus is ok and Fellow is a know brand here and there. I only dislike the inner mechanism. Thanks for this video Lance! Very usel

Thanks @LanceHedrick. This is exactly the review I have been looking for. For an all-purpose, is the DF64 worth the extra money as a longer-term investment?

Thanks for the informative video, great content as always! Would you say that the Varia vs3 is improved with the second generation?

Lance you’re the best. Great video. I just got the Varia so just curious what dial settings you generally grind at for filter and espresso?

it’s like you read my mind just started getting into making good coffee needed a recommended grinder already have a hand grinder. 😁

Perfect format for this content! Would the Baratza be a better espresso grinder than the built in grinder on the Breville Barista Express?

“Slurpy slurp” is wild 😂

Thank you very much Lance! I'm still having doubts between the Encore ESP and the Fellow Opus versus the Urbanic 080 and the Eureka Mignon Silenzio for both Espresso and moka pot/french press. I am a beginner with a Gaggia Classic, what would you recomend me? Thanks! Keep up the work, really love your content!

Another great video! Any insight on C40 vs lagom mini taste-wise? Does one outshine the other?

Great summary!

The Legend returns ❤

Hi love the video great over view for all the grinders might look into getting the Encore ESP currently using the OXO burr grinder which works okay but would like something better for my home espresso also looking into possibly a hand grinder instead. But i was wondering where to get the bellows you use in this video, tired looking and am unable to find and the Oxo doesn't have any after market ones available I could find. Thanks and again like a lot of your videos have a bunch lined up to watch.

Great review and comparison Lance! May I also have your take on which you think would work best with Flair 58?

Hi Lance great video, how do you think the timemore sculptor would compare to these grinders?

About a year ago you did a budget grinder showdown that had the Urbanic 070s. Would one of these grinders be a better option than the Urbanic for espresso(I would do the dimmer mod to grind much slower)? I don't really care much about pour-over/french press, as I'm upgrading from a ~$100 conical burr grinder that will do my french press.

I'm looking at brewing mainly espresso but like brewing filter as well. deciding between the lagom mini and niche. thoughts on which?

I'd like to see an updated review of the Varia VS3 Gen 2 including all of its burr options.

Literally singing my favorite song. Beautiful voice!!! Love your videos. Learning so much we just got out flair58 and jmax grinder what grind setting do you recommend grinding at? Shots are sour

Q: While I've had an inexpensive espresso machine for 10 years and a Dualit Burr grinder, I'm wondering if I'd notice the taste difference if I went to a Baratza Encore ESP? I do not have a refined palate but prefer espresso to other brew types. I'm definitely not a nerdy coffee person but would welcome some basic advice. Thanks.

Just gonna drop this question here. I am currently rocking a DF64 (stock burs). I do both v60 and espresso. Would a good hand grinder be an upgrade for v60 brewing? Or is it hard to beat a flatburr with a hand grinder?

Relatively new espresso enjoyer here. i've been used a casabrews 5200 (or something lol) and a 10$ grinder from target. I enjoy espresso that is a little darker and thick feeling (does that make sense?) and im a few days away from ordering a varia vs3. listening to your taste test i dont really understand the floral vs fruity taste. To my understanidng that means its better for lighter roasts? any feedback as to whether the varia seems to be a good fit for me? Thanks!

Great video, Lance! I enjoyed the shorter, more condensed format. Been thinking of switching out my espresso grinder (Ascaso i2) to one of the grinders mentioned in the video. Leaning Baratza, but don't know if I'll miss the stepless grind adjustments, which the Ascaso has, however frustrating that grinder is to dial in. I also considered going for a used Sette 270, which can be had for moderately cheap where I'm at. Anyone with any recommendations on what to go for?

Great video, that like is well deserved! How would you stack up a stock DF64 against the Lagom Mini and the Encore ESP for filter brews and the occasional espresso?

Lance be concise AF

I have a 10 year old eureka mignon. The retention is awful, it produces a lot of fines. I'm considering an upgrade. Will those grinders bring a significant upgrade or should I aim for a higher price range? Thanks for the advice

Awesome video - i'd love to see something similar with the DF54 that turn/miicoffee just released

Hey Lance! You stated that the same light Ethiopian tasted more floral with the Lagom and more fruity with the Varia. 6:50 Do you have any insight on what causes this? I have an Ethiopian coffee at home that I have thought of as fruity with floral hints, but the last time I brewed it, it was almost like jasmine tea it was so floral. I like both but am interested in how to control it or favor one way or the other depending on the day. Thanks for all the great content!!!

Lance, Im on my second VS3 because of the plastic gearbox, but I wanted to mention that I'm getting zero retention with RDT. Not sure if you tested without or with RDT (I'm sure both), but I have yet to lose more than the usual 0.1 grams of coffee. Great review!

I purchased the Lagom mini in the US directly from Option-O when the moonshine burrs were released, total cost with shipping was approximately $450. I also have the upgraded brick and have also stalled it once on a light roast Ethiopian - but in general haven’t had any serious issues, and really love the small form factor. Overall I’ve been really happy with it - but If I were in the market today I would easily choose the Encore ESP… I don’t think that the mini is worth more than double the cost.

Whoahhhh that cinematic intro felt like a Kubrick horror scene! Don't know if you were going for that but it was very cool.

Lance blink twice if you need help!! A 13:33 comparison of 5 grinders isn’t like you haha. Great video as always. Super glad to see all these budget options these days. Crazy to think how far we’ve come these passed few years.

Lovvveee the longer vids! But thank you Lance! Introducing my parents to the world of espresso slowly but surely with your help! 🤍

Thanks for the video! How do you think the best hand grinders (around 300 usd) compare to these options?

Dude.. Great videos bro hands down... I just bought my gaggia classic espresso machine after owning a chefman espresso machine from Walmart haha.. Could you Please 🙏 make a video for beginners on how to make great espresso shots with a stock gaggia espresso machine.. the way you explain things makes much more sense then other videos.. haha Please bro.

my exprience with varia support was i had issue with the cup. i emailed them at Singapore Time 9am and i got a reply at 915am. without question asked, they say they will cover fully and do a full swap but i just had to contact with the distributor. the distributor in Singapore is quite a famous specialty cafe which i frequent quite a lot so it took a while for their response but the entire experience have been seamless. been using the grinder for 4 months and no issue so far so finger crossed

Do you have any experience with the Wilfa Svart and how it compares to these? I always thought it was comparable to the encore and would be interested to hear it compared to these newer conical grinders

Lance Hedrick how do they do compared to Commandate C40 - taste wise would it be an upgrade to buy Lagom Mini? Or would it just be better to buy Eureka Atom 75

I love your videos, it always brings a laugh on my face when you do you. Do you have the Eureka atom touch 65 on your radar for a test? I see it popping up on the internet, but there are no reviews of it.

Please review the Rancilio Stile grinder, pretty please!!

TY for caring about the lower-end spectrum I wonder if you have any thought vs similar price hand grinders?

I have a Lagom Mini and found your comment to someone else here about the Moonshine burrs not being a worthwhile upgrade interesting. What's your dial in range for your V60 recipe? Although if you're on Moonshine burrs maybe it'll be different to Obsidian, in the manual they suggest it is.

Great video, based on your 078 thoughts, it looks like the sculptor 064s should blow these out of the water at the $299 kickstarter price. Really excited to see your thoughts on it whenever we all get one

Not sure if you mentioned this anywhere, at sub 200 usd, would you recommend a motorized or a hand grinder for espresso? Which one would you recommend? Which do you think produces the best espresso?

Thnx for this video. It helps me a lot in my quest, finding the right budget grinder… Maybe you should make a ‘sing remix’ for the holidays 😂🎉 Greetings from the Netherlands

love your reviews. i hope Timemore new Sculptors (078s, 064, 064s) electric grinders are on their way to you for review

Does the Breville Smart Grinder Pro really not compare with any of these? I've been quite happy with mine, paired with a WDT tool to resolve the clumping complaints that most people have.

I was thinking about the Varia and I like fruit forward but a power brick and the fact it might be a brick is a no go lol. I’m gonna pick up the ESP instead. Thanks!

Really good condensed vid Lance of the down and dirty deets although I also love your longer detailed vids including blind tastings etc. I feel that I've been taking one step forward then two steps back with my grinder searching journey. I could budget up to $700 (USD) but I'm not sure that I really need to spend that much money to achieve my best espresso (good body, texture & some clarity, med-dark roasts, no filter only espresso). After taking into account the current cons you mentioned about the VS3, I could wait for a Gen 2 version?? VS3 although it would seem the VS3 gives a thinner, less body & texture, more clarity & fruit result although Varia's different burr set options could change that but not sure? If I had to purchase now, I don't think I could go past the ESP and I wouldn't even consider the Opus. Also I thought maybe the Turin SD40 would suit filter better than espresso? I have been more focussed on a conical burr grinder due to my preferred espresso tasting profile however you may disagree so I would appreciate your thoughts. Cheers.

Your videos are always so entertaining to watch and genuinely informative. How's the retention on the Encore ESP compared to the Lagom Mini and Varia VS3?

great thoughts