Baratza Forte vs Mazzer Super Jolly: Which Should You Buy?

There are thousands of espresso grinder options out there. Regardless of your settings, there’s undoubtedly a grinder that would be perfect for your needs.

If you’re not on the market for a luxury grinder, there are plenty of models that are inexpensive, too. We’ll show you two examples of fairly affordable grinders in this post: the Baratza Forte and Mazzer Super Jolly.

These are the topics we’ll be diving into:

• What qualities both the grinders share.
• Which traits are specific to either the Forte or the Super Jolly.
• The price of both grinders.
• Which considerations to make before choosing one or the other.

Let’s get started.

Quick Summary 

Baratza Forte

 

With the Baratza Forte, you get a convenient and user-friendly grinder with a necessary modern twist on classic espresso grinder design. Its unique grind adjustment system and touchscreen both combine to make it simple to use to use for all skill levels. We’d recommend this one for beginners at home or small coffee shops.

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Mazzer Super Jolly

The Mazzer Super Jolly will become your best friend if you’re looking for a reasonably priced option that offers you the ultimate degree of precision. With stepless grind adjustment and a large hopper, you’ll be free to grind espresso for extended periods of time without interruption or restriction. We feel it would be a great grinder for small businesses such as coffee shops and offices or home users.

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Similarities 

Flat Burrs 

Truthfully, these grinders don’t have nearly as much in common as things that are different. We were only able to pin down a couple noticeable similarities, with the most noteworthy being their basic burr type.

Both the Baratza and Mazzer in this post have flat burrs. Because of this, they’ll both create coffee particles that are all the same size.

Many feel that the flavor of coffee made by flat burrs is sweeter than that made on conical burrs. Furthermore, you can rely on the consistency of flat burrs with their ability to produce uniform particles.

Read Also: Mazzer Major vs Super Jolly

Hands-Free Grinding 

Another quality the Forte and Super Jolly each have is hands-free grinding. You won’t need to hold your portafilter or grinding bin in place while you use them.

Instead, they each have holders built onto their front panels. You can set your portafilter in place and let the grinder keep it securely while it dispenses fresh coffee grounds.

Imagine what you’ll be able to do when your hands are freed up. In a business setting, your baristas could spend more time talking to the customer or preparing the next step in the drink-making process.

Differences 

Burr Size 

There are numerous differences between these grinders. In fact, we would say that they’re far more different than they are alike.

One of the most important differences between them is the size of their grinding burrs. The reason why this matters is speed; larger burrs can grind coffee beans faster.

When it comes to burr size, the Super Jolly wins…but only by a little. At 64mm, the Super Jolly’s burrs are 10mm larger than the Forte’s. This won’t necessarily make a huge difference in the speed, but we felt it was worth noting.

Burr Material 

The material from which their burrs are made is another difference between the Forte and Super Jolly.

The Baratza Forte has ceramic burrs. Ceramic doesn’t conduct heat as much as metal does, so ceramic burrs tend to keep your coffee beans cooler during grinding. Some feel that they are also not as loud as metal burrs.

Steel is what the Mazzer Super Jolly’s burrs are made from. Metal burrs are well-known for their sharpness and durability.

Stepless vs Stepped Grind Adjustment 

Any espresso grinder worth its price will allow you to adjust the fineness of your grind somehow. You’ll need finer or coarser grinds based on the blend of coffee and how you’re going to brew it.

The way these grinders adjust the grind varies. A stepped grind adjustment system is what the Baratza Forte uses. This means it has a dial with notched preset options that you can rotate to.

Normally, stepped grind adjustment systems are inflexible. You’re limited to their notches and there may be gaps between them. However, the Forte has a macro/micro adjustment design that eliminates much of this rigidity. You choose a basic fineness on one side, then you can adjust further within that specific setting with a dial on the other side.

On the Mazzer Super Jolly, you’ll find a stepless grind adjustment collar at the base of the bean hopper. Instead of only allowing you to twist to certain notches, you can twist the collar to any point, greatly expanding the number of choices you have.

Read Also: Baratza Forte vs Vario

Hopper Capacity 

You can tell just by looking at their pictures that the hoppers on the Forte and Super Jolly are different sizes. This means that they also hold differing amounts of coffee beans.

On the Super Jolly, the hopper can hold up to 2.7 pounds. The Forte’s smaller hopper can hold a little over half a pound.

Hopper size comes into play when you’re grinding continuously for extended periods, such as in businesses. The bigger your hopper is, the longer you can grind at once before you need to pour more beans in.

With its larger hopper, the Mazzer Super Jolly would not need to be refilled with the same frequency as the Forte.

Dimensions 

Since the hopper on the Mazzer Super Jolly is bigger, it’s not shocking that the grinder is overall bigger than the Baratza Forte, too.

Measuring at 10.50 inches wide, 7.75 inches deep, and 24 inches tall, it is a couple inches wider, deeper, and taller than the Forte. If what you’re looking for is a more compact grinder, then, the Forte is a much better choice for you.

Baratza Forte Touchscreen Interface

Virtually everyone these days is familiar with operating a touchscreen. Because most people have experience with the feel already, adjusting to the Baratza Forte’s touchscreen display is an easy matter.

That may make it feel more natural to use than the Super Jolly. If you’re concerned about getting the most beginner-friendly grinder possible, we’d say the touchscreen gives the Forte a slight edge in that regard.

Related Article: Baratza Forte vs Sette

Mazzer Super Jolly Color Options 

Do you want appliances that all match with your décor? A grinder that’s only available in one color, like the Baratza Forte, isn’t guaranteed to fit in with your home or business.

This is where the Mazzer Super Jolly’s color choices could be important. Because it’s available in either silver or black, you have more power to find a version that fits in with your environment.

Baratza Forte Grinding Bin or Portafilter Compatibility 

Unless you’re only ever planning to use your grinder to make espresso, you might find grinding into a portafilter all the time restrictive. If you were trying to make drip coffee, having to grind small doses at a time would quickly become inconvenient.

The Baratza Forte is especially versatile in this aspect. In addition to allowing you to grind into a portafilter basket, it includes a grinding bin you can grind larger doses of coffee into. Its grounds bin holds up to eight ounces of coffee, which is plenty to brew a pot.

Mazzer Super Jolly Optional Short Hopper 

We mentioned earlier that the Mazzer Super Jolly is notably taller than the Baratza Forte. Normally, that would mean you’d have a harder time fitting it underneath low-hanging cabinets.

If that’s a dealbreaker for you, rest assured that the Super Jolly’s height isn’t written in stone. It’s compatible with short or mini hoppers that drastically reduce its height.

Pricing Considerations 

Majesty Coffee is proud to offer high-quality espresso and coffee equipment in our store for the lowest prices online. That includes our Baratza Forte and Mazzer Super Jolly.

You can find the Baratza Forte in our store for $899. Our Mazzer Super Jolly is $1,1795.50 in black and $1,195 in silver.

So, Which Should You Buy? 

If you’re left still wondering which grinder is right for you, we’ll dive deeper into that question here. We’ll do so by looking at specific reasons you might want one grinder or the other.

For many, the first consideration is the cost. Those with a more restrictive budget will probably find that the Baratza Forte is a better match, since it’s less costly than the Mazzer Super Jolly.

Your or your employees’ skill level is another valid point to think about. If mostly beginners are going to be using the grinder, you may find it more prudent to get the Baratza Forte. Its stepped grind adjustment system isn’t as complex to figure out and its touchscreen will be unintimidating for novices.

However, those with more experience handling espresso grinders could enjoy the challenge posed by the Mazzer Super Jolly. It’s true that its stepless grind adjustment system can take more time to learn, but it also gives you greatly increased control.

Think about where you’re planning on putting your grinder, too. If your counterspace is absolutely packed, a smaller grinder like the Baratza Forte will be easier to find room for.

This is also an excellent time to consider your décor. Do you have stainless steel appliances that you would like your grinder to match with? Then the Mazzer Super Jolly is the best choice here, since it’s also available in silver.

Last, don’t forget to think about the volume of drinks you’re going to make. You’ll likely be better off with the Super Jolly’s larger hopper if you need to grind nonstop on occasion.

Here’s our advice:

Pick the Baratza Forte if you’re on a budget, you’re a novice barista, or you’re short on space.

The Mazzer Super Jolly is the best choice, though, if you have more experience with espresso or you’re going to be grinding continuously.