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Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder
Photo: Prima Coffee

Buying guide

Best espresso grinders (2026)

Four espresso grinders from Prima Coffee, from the Sette 30 at $299.95 to the Mazzer Mini at $1,295. Brew grinders live on a separate page so they do not get mixed in here.

We earn from qualifying purchases, including as an Amazon Associate, from Prima Coffee, and from Flair Espresso. No brand-paid placements.

If you want better espresso than a built-in grinder can give you, start here. These four cover the home espresso range Prima had in stock on Nov 5, 2026: an entry Baratza, a midrange Vario+, Baratza's Forte, and a Mazzer Mini.

We left Turin, Eureka, and Fellow Opus off this page. If you need a first grinder under the Sette 30, the beginner guide has the Encore ESP if you want a Baratza espresso starter under the Sette 30.

Quick picks

The short list. Prices below are from Prima Coffee unless noted.

Prima Coffee prices, checked Nov 5, 2026.

PickModelPriceBuy
Entry espressoBaratza Sette 30$299.95Check price on Prima
MidrangeBaratza Vario+$529.95Check price on Prima
Top BaratzaBaratza Forte$849.95Check price on Prima
ProsumerMazzer Mini$1,295.00Check price on Prima
1

Espresso Upgrade

Baratza Forté AP

Baratza Forté AP flat-burr grinder
Photo: Prima Coffee

Why we picked it

Choose the Forté AP ceramic-burr option for espresso. The 54mm flat burrs and 260 adjustment steps support fine espresso dialing; BG is the separate brew-focused option.

$849.95

Prima Coffee price, checked Nov 6, 2026

What we like

  • Sold for both coffee and espresso, per Prima Coffee
  • Forté AP ceramic flat-burr option listed on Prima

What to know

  • This is a bigger spend than the Vario+. We did not see a separate Forté AP option on Prima's page when we checked.
Type
Flat-burr coffee and espresso grinder
Option listed
Forté AP, ceramic flat burrs
Prima price
$849.95

Details from Prima Coffee's Forte page, checked Nov 5, 2026.

Buy on Prima Coffee

Current buying note: Ships next business day, according to Prima. Current option: Forté AP with ceramic flat burrs. Read the full Forté AP guide.

Our espresso grinder picks

One at each budget, from first espresso grinder to prosumer.

2

Entry espresso

Baratza Sette 30

Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder
Photo: Prima Coffee

Why we picked it

Prima's starting espresso grinder in this range. Prima describes it as a fit for basic espresso and for brew methods that need a fine grind, with 31 macro adjustments and timed dosing.

$299.95

Prima Coffee price, checked Nov 6, 2026

What we like

  • Built for espresso first, with a fine-grind range that Prima also lists for AeroPress and V60
  • 31 macro adjustments and timed dosing, per Prima Coffee

What to know

  • Its macro-only adjustment suits basic espresso; the Vario+ offers finer control
Adjustments
31 macro settings
Dosing
Timed dosing
Prima price
$299.95

Details from Prima Coffee's Sette 30 page, checked Nov 5, 2026.

Buy on Prima Coffee

More about this grinder

3

Midrange espresso

Baratza Vario+

Baratza Vario+ Coffee Grinder
Photo: Prima Coffee

Why we picked it

The upgrade from the Sette 30 on Prima. Prima describes the Vario+ as a multi-purpose grinder that covers espresso through cold brew, with three programmable dose settings and 54 mm flat burrs.

$529.95

Prima Coffee price, checked Nov 6, 2026

What we like

  • 54 mm flat burrs, per Prima Coffee
  • Three programmable dose settings
  • Prima lists a grind range from espresso to cold brew

What to know

  • Priced above the $300 mark, so it does not belong on an under-$300 shortlist
Burrs
54 mm flat
Dosing
Three programmable settings
Prima price
$529.95

Details from Prima Coffee's Vario+ page, checked Nov 5, 2026.

Buy on Prima Coffee

4

Prosumer espresso

Mazzer Mini

Mazzer Mini Espresso Grinder
Photo: Prima Coffee

Why we picked it

The top home espresso grinder we recommend from Prima. Prima describes the new Mini as a faster, lower-retention update to the previous Mini E, with a short 280 g hopper.

$1,295.00

Prima Coffee price, checked Nov 6, 2026

What we like

  • Prima says it grinds more than 50% faster than the previous Mini E
  • Prima also lists lower retention, an antistatic system, and a removable chute

What to know

  • This is the premium pick, not a first grinder
Hopper
Short hopper, 280 g, per Prima
Prima price
$1,295.00

Details from Prima Coffee's Mazzer Mini page, checked Nov 5, 2026.

Buy on Prima Coffee

Eureka Mignon Specialità — Ferrari Red

Eureka Mignon Specialità — Ferrari Red

55mm flat burrs, stepless adjustment and touchscreen timed dosing.

$599.00

Price may change.

Buy on Amazon

Turin DF64 Gen 2 — Black, Red Titanium Burrs

Turin DF64 Gen 2 — Black, Red Titanium Burrs

64mm flat burrs and stepless adjustment for a single-dose espresso workflow.

$399.00

Price may change.

Buy on Amazon

How to choose an espresso grinder

Espresso, brew, or both

Espresso needs a finer grind than drip or pour-over. The Sette 30, Vario+, Forte, and Mazzer Mini are the espresso picks on this site. The Encore, Virtuoso+, and Ode Gen 2 are brew grinders and should not be your espresso choice.

Where to start

If this is your first separate espresso grinder, start with the Sette 30. If you already own a capable machine and want more control, look at the Vario+ or Forte. If you want a cafe-style grinder for a higher-end machine, look at the Mazzer Mini.

Hand or electric

A hand grinder can grind fine enough for espresso, and it takes up less space. It also takes more time. For daily shots at home, an electric pick is easier.

Related buying guides

FAQ

What is the best espresso grinder to start with?

The Baratza Sette 30 at $299.95 on Prima. If you want a Baratza espresso starter under the Sette 30, see our beginner grinder guide.

Is the Baratza Encore an espresso grinder?

The regular Encore is a brew grinder. The Encore ESP is the espresso version. The Encore ESP Pro was out of stock when we checked on Nov 5, 2026.

Where do these prices come from?

Prima Coffee prices on this page were checked on Nov 5, 2026. They can change. Prima's product page is the live price.

Do you bench-test these grinders?

No. We do not bench-test. We chose these models from Prima's in-stock espresso, brew, and hand grinders by the job each one does, then listed Prima's own product details.

Why is there no Turin, Eureka, or Fellow Opus here?

Those grinders are not on this list. The espresso picks here are the Sette 30, Vario+, Forte, and Mazzer Mini from Prima Coffee.

Roasted coffee beans spilling from an open burlap sack

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