Compare Grinders


	Breville	Varia
MSRP
MSRP	$199	$299
Skill Level
Skill Level	Beginner	Beginner
Type
Type	Electric	Electric
Activation
Activation	Touch Button	Press Button
Grind Method
Grind Method	Conical Burr	Conical Burr
Burr Diameter
Burr Diameter	40 mm	38 mm
Adjustment
Adjustment	Stepped	Stepless
Adjustment Scale
Adjustment Scale	10+ micron	1 micron
Dosing Method
Dosing Method	Timed Auto Stop	Manual On/Off
Dosing Type
Dosing Type	Hopper	Single Dose
Retention
Retention	2 - 3 g	< .2 g
Grind Range
Grind Range	Full - Pour Over to Espresso	Full - Pour Over to Espresso
Time to Grind (18g)
Time to Grind (18g)	25	20
Motor RPM
Motor RPM	450 rpm	190 rpm
Swappable Burrset
Swappable Burrset	Yes	Yes
Adjustable RPM
Adjustable RPM	No	No
Weight
Weight	2.9 kg	3.2 kg
Material
Material	Stainless Steel	Painted Steel
Dosing Cup
Dosing Cup	Plastic Dose Cup	Magentic Catch Cup

EspressoBot Comparison

Machine Overview

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is priced at $199.95 and targets beginner users, featuring a semi-automatic type. In contrast, the Varia VS3 is priced higher at $299, also marketed toward beginners while maintaining the same semi-automatic functionality. Both grinders cater to entry-level coffee enthusiasts looking to enhance their espresso-making experience. However, the price difference indicates a variance in features that may appeal to different user preferences.

Brewing Comparison

Both grinders utilize a conical burr grinding method, with the Breville having a burr diameter of 40mm and the Varia slightly smaller at 38mm. The Breville employs a stepped adjustment system, allowing for more defined grind size settings, while the Varia features a stepless adjustment for finer control over adjustments, making it suitable for users seeking precision. Additionally, the Breville uses a hopper type that accommodates larger volumes, enabling timed auto dosing, whereas the Varia relies on a single-dose hopper with manual on/off controls, favoring freshness and reduced retention. The Breville has a retention of 2-3g, while the Varia boasts a significantly lower retention of less than 0.2g.

Features Comparison

In terms of features, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro has a grind range that accommodates various brewing methods from pour over to espresso and is capable of swappable burrs for customization. The Varia VS3 also offers a similar grind range but stands out with its stepless adjustment, which allows for a more granular approach to grind size modification. Neither grinder has adjustable RPM, as both operate at fixed speeds (450 RPM for the Breville and 190 RPM for the Varia). The ability to swap burrs in both models allows users to tailor their grinding experience, making each suitable for diverse coffee preferences.

Note: Espresso Setup Chris is expirementing with generated summaries for dynamic pages (we have 10,000+ so I can't write for all of them!) If you found this useful, or awful, please shoot me an email with feedback Chris@EspressoSetupBuilder.com. May your shots be perfectly extracted and milk frothy.

Want another coffee?

Take the Quiz

Start Now

For Personalized Recommendations

Discover Machines

Including Breville, Profitec, & Lelit

Discover Grinders

Including Eureka, Baratza, & Niche