There’s one thing that most quality espresso shots have in common: they all came from a good grinder. Every step of the process is vital when it comes to preparing espresso, and it all starts with your espresso grinder.
If you’re searching for a way to step up your espresso game from home, you’ve probably done some research on grinder options available. Baratza and Breville are likely two names you’ve heard of before.
In this post, we’ll be pitting the Baratza Sette 270Wi vs Breville Smart Grinder Pro in a head-to-head comparison. Here is what you’ll learn:
- Similar features shared by both grinders.
- Which features differ between them.
- Important considerations to make before choosing one.
Let’s begin.
Quick Summary
With an intuitive and versatile stepped grind adjustment system and included anti-static grounds bin, the Baratza Sette 270Wi has flexibility in spades. You can even save yourself a little time by programming three different doses into its buttons. We’d recommend this one for novices at home who want a user-friendly espresso grinder that can grow with them.
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Breville Smart Grinder Pro
Breville is one the top names in affordable home appliances. It’s not surprising that they have a solid home grinder, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, to offer. The ability to grind into a portafilter or airtight grounds bin as well as the ability to get it in a variety of colors makes it excellent for home baristas on a budget who want an especially flexible grinder.
Key Similarities
Conical Burrs
In the world of espresso grinders, burrs are superior to blades. These grinders are therefore already off to a good start by choosing to include burrs.
Burrs come in two varieties, though – conical or flat. While there are positives to either type, the Sette 270Wi and Smart Grinder Pro both use conical burrs.
What can you expect from conical burrs? Expect a lighter flavor, quieter grinding, and less grind retention.
Steel Burrs
There’s more to burrs than just their shape. You should also take a moment to consider what material the burrs are made from.
In this case, the burrs in question are steel. Metal burrs are predictably durable and amazingly sharp, allowing them to slice effortlessly through coffee beans for years to come.
The downside to metal burrs is that they can get hot during use and some feel that they are also louder than ceramic burrs.
Read Also: Rocket Appartamento vs Breville Barista Express
Stepped Grind Adjustment System
A good grinder will permit you to make adjustments to the fineness of your coffee. You should have the ability to tweak your grind from fine to coarse.
The method of making such adjustments is what can vary from grinder to grinder. These grinders, however, have a stepped grind adjustment system.
Stepped adjustment systems are much simpler for beginners. On a stepped system, you’ll have a dial you can turn that clicks into place into a variety of settings premade by the manufacturer.
Many baristas feel that stepped systems are too restrictive. If that’s how you feel, the good news is that the Baratza Sette 270Wi has a macro/micro system that will give you more room for experimentation. After choosing an overall fineness setting, you can use its second dial to make further adjustments within that setting.
Dimensions
It’s evident that both these grinders were designed to be used in a home environment. One way you can tell that this is the case is that they’re incredibly compact for an espresso grinder.
More likely than not, your home doesn’t have as much counterspace as the average coffee shop or restaurant. You don’t have as much room to accommodate as many appliances.
The compact size of either the Sette 270Wi and Smart Grinder Pro will therefore be a relief for home baristas. There are some slight differences in specific measurements, but they are overall similar in size.
Hands-Free Grinding
It would be annoying to use your grinder if you had to stand in front of it each time, holding your portafilter or grounds bin in place. This is an annoyance you won’t need to deal with on either the Baratza or Breville grinder.
Either one has a convenient holder that will keep your portafilter or bin in place for you. Because of this, your hands are free to attend to other tasks while your grinder does the work for you.
Further Reading: Baratza Sette 270Wi vs Ceado
Portafilter or Grounds Bin Compatibility
Do you foresee yourself wanting to make other types of coffee aside from espresso, such as drip or French press? Then you’ll need to generate more coffee grounds than what you would for a single shot.
Luckily, the Baratza and Breville both give you the option to grind into a coffee grounds bin. The bin has a much greater capacity than a portafilter, allowing you to get more grounds at once.
Each grinder also comes with a grounds bin included.
Key Differences
Hopper Capacity
Atop each espresso grinder there is a bean hopper. The bean hopper keeps your grinder supplied with beans to grind, so bigger hoppers mean your grinder can go longer before a refill is necessary.
This is one aspect in which the Breville is the obvious winner. Its hopper can hold 18oz of coffee beans while the Baratza’s can hold 10oz.
Put another way, the Breville has a hopper that’s almost twice the size of the Baratza’s. It can therefore grind almost twice as long continuously.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro Dosing IQ
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro was designed so that anyone can easily use it. Part of what makes it so simple is its Dosing IQ system.
You can use the system to adjust the length of time the grinder will go for. The Dosing IQ system is remarkably precise, too, allowing you to make adjustments down to miniscule 0.2-second increments with a twist of the dial.
Baratza Sette 270Wi Weight-Based Grinding
Timing the duration of your grind is just one way of measuring your dose. Some feel it’s not as accurate, because different grinders will be able to grind different amounts in the same length of time.
Weight-based grinding, which is implemented by the Baratza Sette 270Wi, is as accurate as you can get. By weighing the exact amount of coffee grounds you’ve dispensed, you can be truly sure you’re getting consistent doses.
Related Article: Baratza Sette 270Wi vs Rocket Faustino
Breville Smart Grinder Pro Colors
It’s seemingly a small touch, but the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is sold in several different colors. If you think this seems unimportant, consider how much time you’ve put into decorating your home.
Beyond that, think about how guests entering your home might perceive it. Truthfully, looks matter, and that can even come down to the way your appliances are coordinated.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro allows you coordinate your grinder with the look of your kitchen by offering you several color versions.
Baratza Sette 270Wi Anti-Static Grounds Bin
We mentioned earlier that both the grinders in this comparison include grinding bins. You’d use these bins when you need to grind a larger batch of coffee.
One thing we didn’t mention is that the Sette 270Wi’s grounds bin has a special feature: it’s made from anti-static plastic. You can safely grind larger batches of coffee grounds into it without worrying about them clinging to the sides of the container or forming annoying clumps.
Baratza Sette 270Wi Quiet Operation
The problem with many espresso grinders is that they’re thunderously loud. In a home setting, the roar of an espresso grinder can completely shatter your atmosphere, irritating your friends and family.
If you’re worried about noise pollution, then the Baratza Sette 270Wi could be ideal for you. Its belt drive and slow-turning DC motor ensure that it operates quietly.
The result is a perfectly preserved atmosphere of relaxation in your home.
Baratza Sette 270Wi Bluetooth Compatibility
Initially, it seems strange to have an espresso grinder that’s compatible with Bluetooth. However, the goal with the Baratza Sette 270Wi was to create a grinder that truly could continue to grow and improve.
To that end, the Bluetooth connectivity of the grinder allows you to install software updates in the grinder. This ensures that it is as up-to-date as it can be.
Pricing Considerations
At Majesty Coffee, our objective is simple: offer our customers the best prices for the best coffee and espresso equipment.
That’s why we offer you the Baratza Sette 270Wi for $549. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro, on the other hand, is not currently available in our store. You will need to check other online sellers to purchase it.
Which Should You Pick?
You now have a greater understanding of the features in the Sette 270Wi and the Smart Grinder Pro. Even with this improved understanding, however, you may still be uncertain about which one to choose.
We’re here to help make that decision slightly easier for you.
One thing to consider is how your home looks. If you’re following a very specific decorating theme, there’s a chance that a grinder like the Baratza Sette 270Wi won’t fit in, since it’s only available in one color.
In that case, you may prefer the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. It has several color options for you to choose from, giving you more power to ensure it blends in.
Your own experience level is another factor to think about. While both these grinders would be suitable for beginners, the Baratza Sette 270Wi offers you some additional user-friendly features.
Its macro/micro grind adjustment offers you both flexibility and ease of use. Additionally, you have the ability to program three buttons with different doses for you to access in future grinding.
Do you plan to grind for longer stretches, such as when you need to serve drinks to friends and family? Then you’ll want the grinder with the larger hopper, which is the Breville in this case.
If you have additional questions about the Baratza Sette 270Wi, you can click the link below to view it in our store:
Baratza Sette 270Wi
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Tony Barlow, with over a decade of experience in the coffee industry, is the go-to technical sales expert at Majesty Coffee. He's passionate about helping businesses find the right espresso equipment for their needs.