The Best 64mm Burr Grinders For All Brew Styles And Budgets

When it comes to brewing coffee, the quality of the grind is almost as important as the quality of the beans. A good burr grinder is a crucial piece of equipment for any serious coffee drinker. One particular type of grinder that has been garnering huge amounts of attention recently is the 64mm burr grinder.

The 64mm burr grinder, named for the diameter of the grinding burrs, is a perfect balance between size and performance. It’s large enough to deliver a high-quality grind, yet compact enough for home use. These grinders are known for their precision and consistency, making them a favorite among serious home baristas.

As the popularity of 64mm burr grinders has grown massively, the market for them has also become increasingly competitive. There are a variety of models now available, each boasting unique features and capabilities. This surge in options makes it challenging for consumers to choose the right grinder for their needs. That’s why we decided to purchase, test and review the best 64mm burr grinders currently on the market. Keep reading to see what we found.

We Tested The Top 8 64mm Burr Grinders – Here’s Our Results

The DF64E and DF64P are two options from the DF64 series by Turin, with the ‘E’ standing for electronic and the ‘P’ for premium. These grinders are essentially the same, but the DF64E features electronic dosing, while the DF64P does not.

Both models come with different options for the top. You can use a full hopper, an extended hopper with bellows, or a mega hopper with bellows. They have a straight, not angled, burr orientation, which can help reduce retention.

Both the Turin DF64E and P come with the typical stock Italmill Burrs, which do a solid job. If you like to experiment, 3rd party burrs such as the SSPs or the Gorilla Gears can easily be modded in.

Focus on Espresso

The dialing system on both of these grinders is geared towards espresso. It provides a lot of range in a smaller range, meaning you have a lot of room to dial in an espresso. However, it’s not really made for two different brew types, like espresso and filter. You could dedicate this to a filter grinder by recalibrating, but it’s primarily designed for espresso.

These 2 models from Turin are a solid option if you’re looking for a grinder that’s focused on espresso and you don’t want to mess around with burr swaps. They’re also a good choice if you’re okay with the fact that they’re not going to be able to produce both espresso and filter, and you’re aware that the calibration process can be a little annoying.

The DF64E is cheaper than the DF64P, with the retail prices supposed to be $450 for the P and $500 for the E. However, the current prices are $325 for the E and $399 for the P. Given these prices, these grinders are a bargain, especially the DF64E.

Click the links to see the DF64E and DF64P.

The Fellow Ode Gen 2 brew grinder has been the go-to choice for filter coffee for some time now. Hugely improved since the original Gen 1, it looks great and is equipped with a more robust, durable build.

It features a wood top, which adds a touch of elegance to its overall design. However, the highlight of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is its grinding capabilities. It operates at a speed of 1400 RPM and is powered by a 250-watt AC motor, which is more than adequate for home use.

The Gen 2’s strength lies in it’s ability to brew great filter coffees such as pour overs or even drip coffee. While it can brew espresso, it isn’t as good as other options when it comes to grinding fine.

If your go to coffee is a V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave, or even a regular drip coffee maker, then the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is our top choice.

The DF64V specialises as a single dose grinder. It is compact and quiet and stands out due to its variable RPM feature. This feature allows you to adjust the speed of the grind making it a versatile option for different types of coffee.

The ability to adjust the RPM of the grinder gives more control over the grind size and consistency. This is particularly useful for experimenting with different types of coffee and brewing methods as it works well with both fine espresso and coarser filter coffee grinds.

Magnetic Chute and Its Benefits

The DF64V features a magnetic chute, which is easy to remove and clean. This makes it easy to switch out coffees and maintain the grinder. The chute is also designed to reduce retention, ensuring that you get the most out of your coffee beans and is a huge improvement on earlier models of the DF64.

The grinder comes with a dosing cup that is compatible with portafilters. This makes it easy to transfer the ground coffee directly to your espresso machine, reducing mess and waste.

Overall, the DF64V is a solid grinder that represents excellent value for money. Its quiet operation, variable RPM feature, and high-quality grind make it a worthy contender in the market for coffee grinders.

Priced at $599, the DF64V offers a combination of performance, convenience, and quality that’s hard to beat.

The Timemore Sculptor 064s is a compact, quiet, and efficient grinder that has received a lot of fanfare since it’s launch on Kickstarter. One of its standout features is its variable RPM feature, which allows you to adjust the speed of the grind. This feature, coupled with its quiet operation and beautiful design, makes the Timemore 064s a pleasure to use.

The Sculptor comes with a new DLC coated burr, which is known for its durability and precision. It has a similar geometry to the Gorilla Gear burrs, which we’ve praised highly for their performance in previous reviews.

The grind of the Timemore 64s is impressive, and it is suitable for a variety of coffee types. If you prefer a coffee that focuses on body and sweetness or one that brings out a decent amount of clarity, the Timemore 64s can deliver both to a high standard.

One of the things we enjoyed about the workflow of the Timemore 64s is the ease of maintenance. It has a removable chute, which makes cleaning and switching out beans a breeze. The burrs are also easy to access, with no need for tools. To top it off, the grinder comes with a high-quality brush for cleaning.

Priced at $599, the Timemore 064s is a versatile choice that offers good value for money if you like to drink different styles of coffee on a regular basis.

The Kopi Deva 64 grinder was highly anticipated when it started making rounds on social media back in 2021 and one we were excited to get our hands on. The creator of the grinder – Brandon Wong – is a former F1 engineer who wanted to create a grinder that he didn’t see on the market.

The Kopi Deva 64 is battery-powered with a BLDC motor rated up to 1000 Watts. It has a very efficient system and can stay charged for up to 40 days with daily use.

The grinder has a variable RPM control that goes from 200 RPM to 1200 RPM. Instead of an LCD display for the RPM, they opted for notches that correspond to the RPM. In our testing, the grinder was very silent thanks to its brushless DC motor.

Kopi Deva 64 Burrs

The Kopi Deva grinder comes equipped with a set of Mazzer Super Jolly 64mm burrs. They can be easily accessed and changed. Of course, if you want to use a different burr set, you’ll have to pay extra.

There is a small aperture for feeding in the beans, so it’s essential to use the included dosing funnel to avoid spilling beans everywhere.

In our testing, we did notice some workflow flaws. The dial system was hard to read and the hopper also had some minor issues. The way the grounds came out also got messy occasionally.

One of the things we love is that the company behind the grinder is very responsive to emails. We emailed them a number of questions and received a response within 24 hours. They’re also very quick to iterate and improve upon previous builds. By the time you’re reading this, it’s likely they’ve already addressed the few minor pain points we had with the grinder.

If money is no object, then the Zerno Z1 is our favorite 64mm grinder on the market. It is priced around $1,400, putting it firmly in the prosumer-level price range.

The Z1 is a narrow grinder with a design inspired by Apple computers. It has a stand that is very narrow and a cord that is similar to Mac laptop chargers. It has a premium look and feel that aligns with the price point.

The Z1 has a 300W brushed DC motor with a fixed RPM of 900.

The grinder has a magnetic chute to allow the user to easily tap out any retained grounds. The hopper is a weighted stainless steel piece of metal with a wood cap. The grinder also has a dial marked in microns, allowing for a more understandable process when adjusting grind size.

Burrs in the Z1

The Z1 is designed with a focus on burr alignment, ensuring that it is well-aligned out of the box. This was a feature we loved in our testing of the Bentwood grinder, and the creator of the Zerno used it as inspiration in his design of the Z1.

The grinder houses 64mm burrs and can accommodate different types of burrs. It comes with a loaded 80-pound spring and an auger that acts as a pre-breaker. The auger is close enough to the walls of the entryway to push beans against the wall and crack them in half prior to being fed into the burrs. It also has a feature where you can change the auger to manipulate the feed rate of the beans into the burrs, which can greatly affect the particle size distribution.

One of the best things about the Zerno Z1 is that it is undergoing continuous improvements based on community feedback. It has also been designed in a way to make future upgrades backward compatible for existing owners.

The creator is working on a number of changes based on user feedback such as making the cord interchangeable, offering different color options, and introducing blind burrs (burrs without screw holes) in partnership with SSP.

If your budget stretches this far, then the Zerno Z1 is an incredible piece of kit that produces delicious coffee. It looks great, has a number of innovative features and is undergoing constant improvements to ensure that it stays ahead of the chasing pack.

The Moca SD is a modern take on a classic grinder from Olympia that has been around for more than 20 years. It has a compact design and is aesthetically similar to their Cremina lever espresso machine (1). It has a unique dosing funnel that opens up when twisted, allowing the beans to fall in. The grinder also has a dialing knob on the side with small circles to indicate the grind size.

The Olympia Moca SD uses a 64mm Ditting burr set. The grinder performs well with the company’s Cremina espresso machine, producing splendid shots. However, in our testing it struggled to hit nine bars with 58mm portafilters, even when the burrs were touching. This is likely due to the fact it was built with their lever machine in mind. The Cremina uses smaller, 49mm portafilters meaning you can get away with coarser grind sizes, even for espresso.

We did encounter a few issues with the Moca SD. The drip tray and portafilter holder are poorly designed, as neither really functions well with the grinder. Similarly, the markings on the grind dial could be vastly improved. However, in spite of these flaws, the small footprint, build quality and iconic design and history make this a grinder worth considering, even at the higher price point around $1500. If you own a Cremina lever machine, then it’s probably a must have.

The ITOP 40 Plus with 64mm burrs popped up on our radar thanks to a thread on the espresso Subreddit (2). It is made by the same company that manufactures the SD40. This company has proven itself with the SD40 and continues to deliver affordable, high performing grinders with the ITOP 40 Plus.

The ITOP 40 Plus has a robust 250W DC motor with an RPM up to 1200. It features a stepless aluminum dial that feels good in the hand. It’s easy to adjust, allowing for precise control over the grind size. The grinder comes with a unique dosing cup that has a textured surface and is magnetized onto the bottom. It doesn’t self-center due to the foam material at the bottom but it does stay in place.

The Itop 40 Plus comes with blind burrs that look identical to the 64mm SSP multi-purpose burrs (it is made in China!). The SSP burrs arguably provide better particle distribution due to the increased surface area. However, the hole spacing for the screws is different from typical 64mm burrs, which limits the ability to use other types of burrs.

There is some retention when grinding, so using the in-built bellows and RDT is essential to get rid of the retained coffee.

The ITOP 40 Plus is priced at around $430 on AliExpress. This price includes the blind burrs, which are a significant upgrade from the stock burrs found in other competing grinders. So overall, if you don’t mind buying gear directly from China, this grinder offers good bang for your buck.

The Different Types of 64mm Burrs

With coffee grinders, the burrs are the heart of the machine. These are the components that do the actual grinding of the coffee beans. There are different types of burrs, and the type used can significantly impact the quality and characteristics of the grind. In this section, we will explore the different types of 64mm burrs, including flat burrs, conical burrs, and SSP burrs.

Flat Burrs

Flat burrs consist of two identical and parallel discs with sharp edges that cut the coffee beans when they come between the burrs. The distance between the burrs determines the size of the grind. Flat burrs are known for producing a very consistent grind size, which is particularly important for espresso brewing. They are also known for bringing out the chocolatey and nutty flavors in coffee.

Conical Burrs

Conical burrs consist of two cone-shaped burrs with ridges that crush the coffee beans. The coffee beans enter the burrs at a slight angle and are ground between the ridges. Conical burrs are often found in household grinders because they operate at lower speeds and are quieter than flat burrs. They are known for producing a grind with a wide range of particle sizes, which can bring out complex flavors in the coffee.

SSP Burrs

SSP burrs are a type of premium burrs that are known for their precision and durability. They are often used in high-end and professional grinders. The DF64 coffee grinder offers several types of SSP burrs:

• 64mm Espresso or High Uniformity: These burrs are designed for espresso and provide a high level of uniformity in the grind size. They are suitable for traditional medium/medium-dark roast.
• 64mm Multipurpose or Unimodal espresso: These burrs have added flat surfaces which produce a bit more fines at espresso grind settings. They are good for filter coffee and light roast espresso.
• 64mm Sweet lab cast burrs (Red speed or Silver Knight): These burrs are known for producing a very smooth and sweet flavor. They are good for filter brewing and brighter espressos.

Each type of burr has its strengths and is suited to different brewing methods and coffee preferences. The choice of burr type can significantly impact the flavor and quality of your coffee, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your own preferences.

Flat Burrs Vs Conical Burrs

When it comes to coffee grinders, the topic of flat vs conical burrs is often discussed. Both burr types have their own unique characteristics and can significantly influence the taste and texture of your coffee.

Flat burrs, as their name suggests, are flat with tiny teeth that grind the coffee beans into smaller particles. They spin at higher speeds, pushing increasingly smaller coffee chips out towards the grinding chamber’s exit, resulting in a uniform grind size. This consistency is crucial for an even extraction.

Flat burrs are known to provide greater clarity and flavor separation, especially when experimenting with very light roasts or novel extraction techniques. However, they can be more challenging to dial in and require better puck preparation due to the unimodal grind distribution.

On the other hand, conical burrs have a cone-shaped inner burr that spins and a stationary outer burr. They create increasing levels of friction as the coffee beans get crushed, resulting in particles of similar diameter. Conical burrs are often seen as more forgiving on puck preparation and better for darker roasts (3). They tend to blend flavors together more, producing shots with better body and a more traditional profile.

In our testing of various grinders, we’ve found that flat burrs can lead to a more pronounced difference between different beans and a greater “clarity in the cup” or taste separation. Conical burrs, on the other hand, can produce a thicker body and well-integrated flavors, akin to a blended salsa.

Effect Of Burrs And Grind Consistency On Coffee Flavor

The role of burrs in a coffee grinder is crucial, as they directly impact the size and consistency of the coffee grounds, which in turn affects the extraction process and ultimately the flavor of the coffee.

According to coffee expert Scott Rao (4), there are two phases of coffee extraction: surface erosion and inner-particle diffusion. When water contacts a coffee particle, it rapidly dissolves coffee solids from the exposed surfaces of the particle, a process known as surface erosion. Extraction from the intact cells within a ground occurs by diffusion, a slower process that takes minutes and is never complete under reasonable brewing circumstances.

The smallest particles produced by the grinder, known as “fines”, play a significant role in this extraction process. Fines are cell-wall fragments containing no intact cells, meaning brewing water can freely access all of the surface of the cellulose of a fine during extraction. This leads to a rapid extraction of coffee solids from the fines, which can contribute to the overall flavor of the coffee.

However, the presence of fines can also lead to over-extraction, adding bitterness and astringency to the coffee. This is particularly noticeable in filter coffee, where the extraction process is slower and more susceptible to the influence of fines.

To minimize the production of fines and achieve a cleaner, sweeter cup, there are a number of rules to follow:

1. Use sharper burrs
2. Ensure the burrs are aligned as well as possible
3. Grind coarser
4. Use larger burr sizes

In contrast, for espresso, fines are necessary for a decent shot. Espresso extraction times are too short for extraction to occur via diffusion, and fines provide the necessary extraction surface. However, the presence of too many fines can slow the flow rate and require a coarser grind setting, which decreases extraction.

Summing Up

64mm burr grinders are the talk of coffee town. And, with good reason. They bring a new level of consistency and customizability to the home grinding market.

While we’ve tested the top 8 64mm grinders right now, new releases are coming out each week. Whether you’re looking for the best all-rounder, the best for filter coffee, the best for espresso, or even the best battery-powered option, our picks above are guaranteed to deliver excellent results.

But remember, the choice of grinder is a personal one. It’s about finding the balance between size, performance, and your specific coffee needs. So, take your time, do your research, and choose the grinder that will help you brew the perfect cup of coffee, every time.