Baratza Sette 270Wi vs Mazzer Mini: Which Grinder Should You Pick?

If you’re looking for a compact espresso grinder that doesn’t sacrifice accuracy, it’s understandable if you’re drawn to the Baratza Sette 270Wi and the Mazzer Mini. They’re both solid grinders that fortunately don’t need much room in your kitchen.

Don’t know very much about either one? We’ll introduce you to them both in more detail in this comparison so you can learn which one is best for you.

This is what we’ll discuss:

• Qualities both the 270Wi and Mini have.
• The features that are specific to either grinder in this comparison.
• Information regarding the cost of the grinders.
• Our guidance on selecting the correct one for you.

Let’s jump right in.

Quick Summary 

Baratza Sette 270Wi

 

For an extremely modest price tag, you’ll get a surprising degree of flexibility with the Baratza Sette 270Wi. Not only does its macro/micro grind adjustment system give you the ability to finely adjust your grind, but its ability to grind into a grounds bin or portafilter expands its uses. Get this grinder if you want a beginner-friendly and versatile espresso grinder for your home.

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Mazzer Mini

 

As the name implies, the Mazzer Mini has taken many of Mazzer’s best features and tied them together in a smaller package. The stepless grind adjustment system will put control of the grind squarely into your hands and its low blade speed will protect your coffee beans from burns. This is the grinder for you if you’re an experienced home barista who wants to make specialty drinks at home.

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Similarities 

Hands-Free Grinding

Your time is valuable. There are always things you could be doing in your home other than holding a portafilter beneath your espresso grinder’s dispenser.

This is a concept that both Baratza and Mazzer understand. These grinders have incorporated portafilter holders into their design that keep your portafilter up under the dispenser while the grinder is in use.

On top of saving you a few seconds of time, the portafilter holders ensure consistency. Hands can shake, after all, and the portafilter holder will stay secure the entire time.

Read Also: Baratza Sette 270Wi vs Rocket Faustino

Burr Material 

Burrs are the heart of your espresso grinder. As one of the most important components, we couldn’t create a grinder guide without addressing them.

The only similarity the Sette 270Wi’s and Mini’s burrs have is what they’re made from. Both pairs of burrs are made from steel.

Steel burrs are exceedingly sharp and long-lasting. You can therefore expect a long lifespan from the burrs in either grinder before you need to consider replacing them.

Dimensions 

There are truthfully some minor differences in size from one grinder to the other in this comparison. Overall, though, we consider them more alike than dissimilar.

The Baratza Sette 270Wi’s exact measurements are 5 inches wide, 9.5 inches deep, and 16 inches tall. On the flipside, the Mazzer Mini is 6.25 inches wide, 13.25 inches deep, and 16.50 inches tall.

Either one could easily be considered a compact grinder. They’re excellent for fitting into tight spaces.

Further Reading: Compak E5 vs Mazzer Mini

Differences

Burr Shape

There is so much more that goes into a grinder’s burrs than the material. Perhaps the most vital consideration is what shape the burrs are.

Conical burrs are the burrs of choice for the Baratza Sette 270Wi. Conical burrs create bimodal coffee particles, which means coffee particles of two different sizes. This creates a zestier flavor, although some feel it is harder to be consistent with conical burrs.

The Mazzer Mini uses flat burrs. These are the polar opposite of conical burrs in that they are amazingly consistent, creating coffee particles that are all the same size. Because of this, the extraction of the grounds is well-balanced and the flavor is rich with hints of sweetness.

Burr Size 

Burr material and shape still aren’t all the things you should consider when it comes to burrs. There’s also burr size, which can be a real game changer.

Big burrs naturally have a greater surface area with which to crush coffee beans. A greater surface area leads to them being able to grind faster while turning less, producing quicker shots while staying cooler.

You might be inclined to think otherwise since its name is Mini, but the Mazzer has larger burrs. Its burrs are 58 mm, which is 18 millimeters larger than the Baratza’s burrs.

Related Article: Mazzer Major vs Mini

Stepped vs Stepless Grind Adjustment 

The Mazzer Mini is a stepless grinder. When you need to adjust the fineness of your grind, you’ll twist a collar located at the base of the hopper to whichever setting is appropriate. You can twist to any point on the collar – you’re not restricted to a narrow selection of settings, which is where the name stepless comes from.

You’ll find a stepped grind adjustment system on the Baratza Sette 270Wi. That means you’ll have one dial that you can turn to adjust the overall fineness, with a limited number of settings to select.

This would usually mean that the Baratza is less flexible than stepless alternatives. However, the Baratza has a second dial that allows you to make further adjustments within a given fineness level.

At the end of the day, the Mazzer Mini will be the more precise of the two grinders in terms of grind adjustment. The Baratza just narrows the gap between them, thanks to its macro/micro grind adjustment dials.

Hopper Size 

After the burrs, the hopper might be the most important part of your grinder. As the component that holds your coffee beans safely in place, you can see why its size is important. A bigger hopper equals more coffee beans.

In that regard, the Mazzer Mini surprisingly wins again. Its hopper can hold almost one pound of coffee beans, while the Baratza Sette 270Wi’s hopper holds a little over half a pound.

As an illustration, imagine you were grinding coffee continuously to make multiple drinks. You’d find that the Mazzer Mini could grind just a little while longer before running out of coffee beans due to its larger hopper.

Read Also: Baratza Forte vs Mazzer Super Jolly

Mazzer Mini Color Options 

What if you’re looking for a grinder that fits in with your décor? Then you’ll probably want to consider the Mazzer Mini more closely in this comparison.

Of the two grinders in this guide, only the Mazzer Mini is available in more than one color. You can choose to purchase it in either black or chrome.

Color options may seem like inconsequential, but sometimes your decision truly does come down to appearance. In that case, the choices you get with the Mini could be of paramount importance.

Baratza Sette 270Wi Convertible Device Holder

With the Mazzer Mini, you’re restricted in what you can use for grinding receptacles. It’s built so that you can grind into a portafilter, which is obviously not ideal when you want to grind coffee to make a whole pot to share.

That’s why the Baratza Sette 270Wi has a convertible device holder. Sure, you can grind into a portafilter with it, but you can also swap the portafilter out for a grounds bin that comes with the grinder.

The grounds bin can hold larger amounts of coffee, making it perfect for brewing whole carafes. Additionally, the bin is made from anti-static plastic, so your grounds don’t clump up inside it.

Further Reading: Best Espresso Grinders Under $1,000

Baratza Sette 270Wi Quiet Operation 

Have you ever been in a coffee shop and felt like covering your ears when you heard the espresso grinder go off? It’s undeniable that grinders are unfortunately loud.

But does it have to be that way? The Baratza Sette 270Wi says no with its unusually low-volume design.

Thanks to its belt drive and slow-turning motor, you can rest assured that your home’s atmosphere will be preserved even while you’re grinding coffee.

Baratza Sette 270Wi Programmable Buttons 

Are you a beginner when it comes to grinding your own coffee? In that case, you’d probably find it a hassle if you had to carefully watch your grinder every time to ensure you get the proper amount.

Thankfully, you don’t need to do this on the Baratza. It has three programmable buttons that you can set for specific amounts of coffee grounds.

Once the buttons are programmed, you can just press the right one going forward. It makes grinding your own coffee fresh so simple that anyone could do it regardless of experience level.

Pricing Considerations 

Our mission at Majesty Coffee is to bring the best prices for the best espresso grinders to our customers.

With that in mind, we’re offering our Baratza Sette 270Wi for $549. Our Mazzer Mini is $695.

Which Grinder Should You Pick? 

In short, both grinders in this comparison would work wonderfully for home espresso aficionados. There are still reasons why you might choose one or the other, though.

For instance, price can come into play in your decision. If you’re on a much more restrictive budget, the Baratza Sette 270Wi’s reduced price could be appealing.

We also recommend thinking about your level of experience with espresso grinders. Experienced baristas will likely prefer the Mazzer Mini because of its highly accurate stepless grind adjustment design.

On the flipside, the Baratza Sette 270Wi would be a wise pick for beginners. Its stepped grind adjustment design is flexible enough for novices to learn and masters to experiment with. Furthermore, its programmable buttons will save you time in the future once you find the perfect dose amount.

You can also consider superficial qualities. Those looking for a chrome-colored espresso grinder to complement other stainless steel appliances will find what they need in the Mazzer Mini.

Here is our advice:

Buy the Baratza Sette 270Wi if you need a beginner-friendly and budget-friendly espresso grinder.

But if you want something with more grind control, or you want a different color, you should buy the Mazzer Mini instead.