Coffee Grinders
Buy a coffee grinder in Switzerland – Precision for espresso and filter
The hard truth behind the barista counter: A watery, flat espresso almost always originates from the grinder, not the machine. If the particle distribution isn't right, even the most expensive portafilter won't extract a dense body from the beans. In this collection, you'll find coffee grinders for espresso and filter that have passed our daily roastery practice – from the purist hand grinder to the flagship flat-burr grinder.
Why buy your coffee grinder from the Coffee Coaching Club
We don't evaluate grinders based on technical datasheets, but on the texture they produce in the cup. As a coffee roastery and specialist barista business, we are the exclusive Swiss importer for Weber Workshops, Varia and Flair Espresso, as well as a partner of Mahlkönig, Option-O, Mazzer, Eureka, Comandante and Timemore. Every model here is curated by us, not just bought in.
You order directly online and we deliver your grinder throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein within 2 to 4 working days. If you have any questions or want to see a grinder live before buying: Our showrooms in Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b, 180 m²) and Bern (Gerberngasse 44, 60 m²) are open during business hours. Financing via Heylight is possible.
Overview of the three grinder categories
Single-Dose Grinders – Freshness per shot
Suitable for
Home baristas who frequently switch between beans and seamlessly move between espresso and filter.
The strength
Very low retention (manufacturer specifications often under 0.1 g) means: No old coffee grounds, no mixing of flavors. You grind the exact weighed amount. Examples: Varia VS3 or VS6, Weber Workshops EG-1, Option-O Lagom 01, Mahlkönig X64 SD.
Grind-by-Weight and Hopper Grinders – Workflow for everyday use
Suitable for
Anyone who wants to pull espresso quickly, consistently, and reproducibly in the morning – without an external scale.
The strength
Time or weight-controlled grinding directly into the portafilter. High throughput, reliable consistency. Examples: Mahlkönig E64 WS with Grind-by-Weight, Mazzer Mini G with integrated weighing cell, Eureka Libra with GbW, Anfim Luna with touchscreen.
Hand Grinders – Mechanical ritual
Suitable for
Purists, travelers, and anyone who appreciates the mechanical ritual.
The strength
Massive conical burrs – like the Comandante C40 or C60 Baracuda – produce very clean grounds due to the lack of motor heat. Quiet in operation, independent of electricity, ideal for espresso and filter. Also in the range: Timemore Chestnut and Sculptor, 1Zpresso, Kinu.
All categories at a glance
| Grinder Type | Retention | Suitable for | Workflow | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Dose | very low (typically < 0.1 g) | Espresso, Filter | Weigh, then grind | Bean changes, freshness |
| Hopper / GbW | medium (typically 1–8 g) | Espresso | Automated, fast | Everyday consistency |
| Hand Grinder | very low | Espresso, Filter | manual (1–3 min) | Ritual, travel |
Burr sizes – what they do in the cup
The burr size influences particle distribution and thus the character in the cup. Smaller burrs (38, 48, 54, 64 mm) tend to produce a wider particle distribution with more fines (very fine particles). This gives espresso more body, more crema, and a certain sweetness. Larger burrs (80, 98, 102 mm) produce a narrower distribution with fewer fines – this pushes clarity, defined aroma separation, and cleanly separated acidities, especially for light roasts and filter coffee.
Both have their justification. If you're looking for a classic, dense espresso with plenty of crema, 58 to 64 mm flat or conical burrs are a good choice. If you want to work with light single origins like our Wild Peach or Bright Cassis and prioritize aroma clarity over body, 80 or 102 mm will give you more tools. Conical burrs (e.g., Comandante, Varia VS3, Varia VS6 with 63 mm conical) often sound somewhere between flat-burr clarity and creamy espresso characteristics – a style of their own.
Recommendation hierarchy by use case
We think in categories, not price levels. Both price segments are legitimate – the question is what you want to use.
All-round Single-Dose: Affordable and very good: Varia VS3 (38 mm conical). More flexibility: Varia VS6 (58 mm flat or 63 mm conical, variable RPM, interchangeable burrs).
Single-Dose with 80 mm Flat: Weber Workshops EG-1 (classic, interchangeable CORE/ULTRA burrs) or Option-O Lagom P80 (newer design with pre-crushing system).
Single-Dose with 102 mm Mizen Blind Burrs: Option-O Lagom 01 with PCS – for anyone who wants to present light roasts cleanly.
Single-Dose with 64 mm Flat: Mahlkönig X64 SD – the compact, quiet solution with identical burrs as in the professional SD64.
Hopper with Grind-by-Weight: Mahlkönig E64 WS with integrated scale and electric micrometer adjustment. Mazzer Mini G with weighing cell directly in the portafilter holder. Eureka Libra as a compact GbW solution. Anfim Luna with touchscreen.
Hand Grinder: Affordable and very good: Timemore Chestnut. The classics: Comandante C40 MK4 (39 mm conical) or Comandante C60 Baracuda (60 mm conical). Premium: Kinu M47.
Roastery knowledge – how particles shape taste
As roasters, we work with extraction chemistry daily. What's immediately noticeable in practice: The quality of the grind determines whether the aromas from our roast profile truly arrive in the cup. Too many fines bring mouthfeel and body, but also the risk of over-extraction and bitter notes. Too coarse particles let the water rush through – the espresso becomes watery and acidic.
Grinders with large, flat burrs produce a clear particle distribution with fewer fines. This particularly enhances the aromatic nuances of light, fruity roasts like Bright Cassis. Conical grinders often work to emphasize body and chocolatey sweetness – suitable for medium and dark roasts like Cozy Chocolate.
And something else many retailers don't mention: Most of your espresso is water. The best grinder cannot compensate for excessively hard water – it is the indispensable foundation for good beans to taste good at all. More on this in our coffee water guide and with the mineralization drops from Apax Labs (exclusive Swiss importer).
Honest words – what you should know before buying
- Single-Dose and Workflow: For those who want an espresso half-asleep in the morning, the separate weighing often feels like an extra step. It's a conscious workflow for the sake of freshness.
- Hopper Grinders and Bean Changes: If you regularly switch between different beans, you have to empty the hopper and purge old grounds. This costs coffee and time.
- Flat Burrs and Break-in Period: Large flat-burr grinders like the Weber EG-1 or the Mahlkönig X64 SD need a break-in period (seasoning) of about 5 to 10 kg of coffee until the burrs are worn in.
- Stepless and Stepped Adjustment: Stepless adjustment allows for very fine adjustments for espresso but requires a bit of finesse and good notes.
- Realistic Zero Retention: Even with "Zero Retention" grinders, a minimal amount of residue remains in the housing. Realistically, it's 0.1 to 0.3 g – which is very good, but not zero.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grinder suits my espresso machine?
That depends on your setup. As a rule of thumb: If you own a dual boiler or a La Marzocco, a simple electric grinder leaves a lot of potential untapped. Here, a stepless grinder with good burrs is appropriate. For compact heat exchangers, a solid mid-range model is often sufficient. We are happy to advise you directly: office@coffeecoachingclub.ch.
What is the difference between flat burrs and conical burrs?
Flat burrs (two flat grinding discs on top of each other) tend to produce more clarity and defined aroma separation. Conical burrs (a cone in a ring) tend to produce more body, crema, and chocolatey sweetness. Both are legitimate – the bean and your personal taste decide.
Do I need single-dose or is a hopper grinder sufficient?
Single-dose is worthwhile if you frequently switch between beans, alternate between espresso and filter, or want maximum freshness per shot. Hopper grinders are the better choice if you make several shots with the same bean every day. Grind-by-Weight combines both.
What does Grind-by-Weight mean in a grinder?
An integrated scale measures the weight of the coffee grounds in real-time during grinding. The grinder automatically stops at the programmed target weight – with an accuracy of typically 0.1 g. Mahlkönig E64 WS, Mazzer Mini G, Eureka Libra, Anfim Luna are current examples.
Can I see the grinders live before buying?
Yes. In the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b), we use the most important grinders daily. You are welcome to bring your own beans.
How long does delivery take in Switzerland?
2 to 4 working days throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Click and Collect in Bern and Zurich is possible at any time.
Is financing possible?
Yes. In the checkout process, we offer a financing option via Heylight for eligible products.
Completing the setup
- Portafilter and coffee machines – the grinder provides the texture, the machine the stability
- Barista Tools and Tampers – clean distribution and straight tamping prevent channeling
- Acaia Lunar or Pearl – scale with app and flow rate display
- Normcore – affordable scales, WDT tools, and tampers (exclusive Swiss importer)
- Airscape – airtight bean storage
- Our roasts – Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight, Wild Peach, Bright Cassis
Roastery Tip
Break in a new grinder with a medium roast – our Cozy Chocolate is well suited for this because it gives clear feedback. If you grind too finely, it quickly becomes unbalanced; too coarsely, and the shot runs through too quickly. Once you've found the sweet spot, lighter roasts like Wild Peach or Bright Cassis will show you what your grinder is truly capable of.
Personal consultation: +41 76 789 15 79 · office@coffeecoachingclub.ch
Showrooms: Bern, Gerberngasse 44 | Zürich Oerlikon, Hagenholzstrasse 50b
Delivery: 2–4 working days · Click and Collect · Free shipping from CHF 60 · Heylight financing
138 products