Compare Grinders


	Varia	Rancilio
MSRP
MSRP	$299	$440
Skill Level
Skill Level	Beginner	Beginner
Type
Type	Electric	Electric
Activation
Activation	Press Button	Rocker Switch
Grind Method
Grind Method	Conical Burr	Flat Burr
Burr Diameter
Burr Diameter	38 mm	50 mm
Adjustment
Adjustment	Stepless	Stepped
Adjustment Scale
Adjustment Scale	1 micron	10+ micron
Dosing Method
Dosing Method	Manual On/Off	Manual Switch
Dosing Type
Dosing Type	Single Dose	Hopper
Retention
Retention	< .2 g	1 - 1.5 g
Grind Range
Grind Range	Full - Pour Over to Espresso	Espresso
Time to Grind (18g)
Time to Grind (18g)	20	30
Motor RPM
Motor RPM	190 rpm	1350 rpm
Swappable Burrset
Swappable Burrset	Yes	No
Adjustable RPM
Adjustable RPM	No	No
Weight
Weight	3.2 kg	7 kg
Material
Material	Painted Steel	Plastic
Dosing Cup
Dosing Cup	Magentic Catch Cup	No Information

EspressoBot Comparison

Machine Overview

The Rancilio Rocky SD is priced at $440, positioning it as a higher-end option, while the Varia VS3 is available for $299, making it more budget-friendly. Both grinders are classified as semi-automatic and are aimed at beginners, offering an accessible entry point for those new to espresso making.

Brewing Comparison

In terms of grinding information, the Rancilio Rocky SD uses a flat burr made of steel with a burr diameter of 50 mm and features a stepped adjustment system, allowing for a grind range specifically tailored to espresso. The Varia VS3 employs a conical burr made of stainless steel with a smaller 38 mm burr diameter and offers a stepless adjustment system, which provides precise control over grind size across a range from pour-over to espresso. The Rocky SD has a hopper type that supports manual dosing, whereas the Varia VS3 has a single-dose hopper that minimizes retention below 0.2 grams, which can enhance freshness.

Features Comparison

Regarding key features, the Rancilio Rocky SD operates at 1350 RPM without the option for adjustable RPM, while the Varia VS3 runs at 190 RPM and does not feature adjustable RPM either. The grind range of the Rocky SD is specifically for espresso, whereas the Varia VS3 caters to a wider range, supporting both pour-over and espresso grind sizes. Additionally, the Varia VS3 has the advantage of swappable burrs, which can be beneficial for those seeking to customize or maintain their grinder performance over time, while the Rocky SD does not offer this feature.

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.

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