Varia VS3 – compact single-dose coffee grinder with conical burrs
The Varia VS3 grinds with 48 mm conical burrs, stepless adjustment and 170 RPM, on a width of 9 cm, for espresso and filter.
You weigh out the dose, pour it into the hopper and press the button. The grounds drop into the magnetic dosing cup, and a squeeze of the silicone bellows pushes the last particles through. Tomorrow a different bean, and it starts from zero.
The VS3 is the smallest of the three electric Varia grinders VS3, VS4 and VS6, with a housing made of ADC12 die-cast and machined aluminium. In 2022 it received the Good Design Product Award at SCAJ in Tokyo. Coffee Coaching Club is the official Swiss importer of Varia.
Features of the Varia VS3
A different coffee, a familiar routine
Single dosing means you only put the beans for the next brew into the grinder instead of storing a supply in the hopper. The 30 g hopper makes this easy, whether you stick with your favourite coffee or switch between bags. The compact conical burr set and the low-retention design are made for individual doses. The bellows and cleaning tool help between two doses.
The heart of the grinding
The burr set consists of an outer 48 mm conical burr and an inner cone with a diameter of 38 mm, both made of high-nitrogen 420 stainless steel with a hardness of HRC58. A 100 W DC motor with stainless steel gearbox drives the burrs at 170 RPM under load. Varia states a burr lifespan of up to 150 kg of coffee.
Stepless adjustment
The grind size can be adjusted steplessly, without fixed clicks. Each marked division corresponds to around 10 µm of vertical burr movement. The scale helps you note a setting and find it again when the coffee ages or you change brewing method.
Little space on the counter
At 147 × 90 × 310 mm and 3.5 kg, the VS3 leaves room next to it for a scale, dripper and small tools. Dosing cup, bellows, brush and spare parts kit are included. The power supply works with 100–240 V.
What the RPM changes in the taste
The VS3 works at a fixed, low speed of 170 RPM. As a general rule for us: lower RPM preserves delicate aroma compounds, higher RPM brings more body. With medium and lighter roasts, fine layers of aroma remain clearly recognisable; with dark, full-bodied espressos the difference is smaller. Burr sets are like engines: there is no objectively best one. That is our observation, one of many.
For an 18 g dose, Varia states around 34 seconds of grinding time for espresso and around 25 seconds for filter. The maximum continuous run time is 60 seconds, followed by a 90-second pause. Dense, very lightly roasted beans for fine espresso are best added slowly, or you set the grind slightly coarser; that is gentler on the burrs.
Burr upgrades
The Supernova set in stainless steel is fitted at the factory, designed for espresso and filter. Varia offers further sets for the VS3: Supernova with titanium coating, Hypernova Iridescent with titanium coating, as well as Hypernova ULTRA and ULTRA-S with coating. Upgrade sets may need a different starting setting. You can see which sets we carry in our Varia collection.
At a glance
| Burr set |
Conical, 6-core, 48 mm outer, 38 mm inner |
| Factory burrs |
Supernova, high-nitrogen 420 stainless steel, HRC58 |
| Burr lifespan |
Up to 150 kg of coffee (manufacturer's specification) |
| Grind adjustment |
Stepless, around 10 µm vertical movement per marked division |
| Motor |
100 W DC, 170 RPM under load, stainless steel gearbox |
| Retention (10 g dose) |
Below 0.1 g with RDT, below 0.2 g without RDT |
| Grinding time (18 g) |
Around 34 s espresso, around 25 s filter |
| Continuous run time |
Maximum 60 s, followed by a 90 s pause |
| Hopper |
30 g |
| Housing |
ADC12 die-cast aluminium, machined |
| Dimensions |
147 × 90 × 310 mm |
| Weight |
3.5 kg |
| Voltage |
100–240 V (power supply) |
| In the box |
VS3 with Supernova burrs, power supply with cable, magnetic dosing cup, silicone bellows for the hopper, 5 ml RDT spray bottle, cleaning brush, spare parts kit, user manual |
| Colours |
Black, white, silver |
| Award |
Good Design Product Award, SCAJ Tokyo 2022 |
Who the VS3 is made for
The VS3 suits everyone who grinds one dose at a time, switches between espresso and filter and has little space on the counter.
For everyone who wants single dosing affordable and precise: the VS3 or a hand grinder from Comandante or Timemore. If you want variable RPM, a quick-release mechanism or larger burrs: the other grinders from Varia, from Weber Workshops or Option-O. You can find the comparison within the family on VS3 vs. VS4 vs. VS6, and a shortlist based on your coffee in the advice tool.
Buying in Switzerland
You order the Varia VS3 directly online. Delivery throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2–4 working days, Click & Collect in Bern and Zurich. For questions about choosing burrs, you can reach us at [email protected], via coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours.
A free advice appointment narrows down the choice in conversation. If you want to test grinders side by side on the machines, book the Espresso Machine and Grinder Comparison in Bern or Zurich. Both are an option, not a requirement.
What goes with it
The VS3 works with any portafilter machine, for example from La Marzocco, Rocket or ECM, as well as with the manual levers from Flair Espresso. For everyone who wants scales affordable and precise: Normcore. If you want an app and flow rate display: Acaia.
For puck preparation: WDT tools and tampers from Normcore or the Moonraker from Weber Workshops. For filter coffee: drippers from Hario. For airtight bean storage: Airscape.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Varia VS3 suitable for espresso and filter?
Yes. The adjustment is stepless, and Varia's grind chart ranges from espresso through moka pot, pour-over and French press to cold brew. The factory Supernova burrs are designed for both.
How much coffee stays behind in the VS3?
According to Varia, with a 10 g dose less than 0.1 g stays behind with RDT (a spritz of water on the beans) and less than 0.2 g without RDT. The value depends on the bean, grind size and cleaning.
Which burrs fit the VS3?
Supernova in stainless steel from the factory. Varia also offers Supernova with titanium coating, Hypernova Iridescent as well as Hypernova ULTRA and ULTRA-S. Upgrade sets may need a different starting setting.
What is the difference between the VS3 and the VS6?
The VS3 has a 48 mm conical burr set, a fixed 170 RPM and is 90 mm wide. The VS6 comes with 58 mm flat burrs from the factory, optionally 63 mm conical burrs, and 500 to 1600 RPM. In between sits the VS4 with a 53 mm cone, quick-release mechanism and 150 to 300 RPM.
How long can the VS3 grind in one go?
Varia states a maximum of 60 seconds of continuous operation, followed by a 90-second pause. An 18 g dose for espresso takes around 34 seconds.
Can I see the Varia VS3 before buying?
In our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) we show a wide selection, and the display changes. Write to us at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the VS3 is currently on display. If you want to test grinders side by side, book the Espresso Machine and Grinder Comparison.
Tip from the roastery: On the VS3, Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight show a dense, chocolatey and nutty sweetness, in espresso as well as in milk drinks. For maximum body without acidity: Very Nutty. If you want to discover a fruity experience, reach for Wild Peach. That is our recommendation, one of many.
