Varia VS4 – Single-Dose Coffee Grinder with 53 mm Conical Burrs and Four Speeds
Lift off the hopper, check the burrs, keep your grind setting: the Varia VS4 grinds single dose with 53 mm conical burrs at 150 to 300 RPM.
The VS4 is Varia's single-dose grinder between the VS3 and the VS6. A 200 W brushless motor with a planetary gearbox drives the 53 mm stainless steel conical burrs, and the quick-release hopper opens without changing the grind setting. For the VS4, Varia received the SCA Best New Product Award at World of Coffee San Diego 2026 in the category Consumer Coffee Preparation & Serving Equipment.
Coffee Coaching Club is the official Swiss importer of Varia. You can buy the VS4 from us in Switzerland, and we keep spare parts on site.
Features of the VS4
Quick-release hopper
The hopper lock and the grind adjustment work independently of each other. You release the hopper, check the burrs, remove leftover coffee and put it back on. The selected grind position stays where it was. A safety switch interrupts the motor circuit as long as the lock is open.
Low retention
A near-vertical grind path, low-adhesion anodised surfaces and a set of Bellows move the grounds into the dosing cup. Active ionisation in the outlet reduces clinging caused by static.
With seasoned burrs, a 10 g dose and a medium roast, Varia measured an average of 0.10 to 0.20 g retention, and 0.01 to 0.03 g with RDT. Bean, humidity and technique change the value. That is why we don't write "zero retention".
53 mm conical burrs, stepless adjustment
From the factory, the VS4 comes with 53 mm conical burrs made of high-strength, nitrogen-rich stainless steel (around HRC 58). Adjustment is stepless, and one mark on the scale equals around 10 micrometres of burr movement. That describes the mechanics, not the size of every single particle. You can also calibrate the zero point up to 40 micrometres finer or coarser in steps of 20 micrometres.
Drive
A 200 W brushless motor drives the burrs through a metal planetary gearbox, with a reduction of around 10:1 and 14.5 Nm at the burr. With the rotary switch you choose 150, 200, 250 or 300 RPM. The grind setting determines the distance between the burrs, the speed how fast they turn.
Removable grinding chamber
For a thorough clean, you lift out the grinding chamber, drive shaft and bearings as one module. A bayonet mount separates the module from the drive. After refitting it or changing the burrs, you check the zero point as described in the manual.
Slim on the counter
At 97.7 mm wide, the VS4 leaves room next to it for a scale and tools. It measures 161.4 × 97.7 × 337 mm and weighs 5.27 kg. Plan enough clearance above the hopper to lift out the grinding chamber.
Speed as an additional variable
Varia names 150 RPM as a possible choice for more clarity with light roasts and 300 RPM for faster grinding. Our observation: higher speed tends to bring more body, lower speed more room for aroma. Our opinion is one of many.
Don't change speed and grind setting at the same time. With the same bean, the same dose and a 1:2 ratio as a starting point, you can see what the speed changes in the cup.
At a glance
| Manufacturer |
Varia |
| Burrs |
53 mm conical, high-strength nitrogen-rich stainless steel, around HRC 58 |
| Motor |
200 W brushless DC, metal planetary gearbox (around 10:1) |
| Torque |
14.5 Nm at the burr |
| Speed |
150, 200, 250 or 300 RPM (rotary switch) |
| Grind setting |
Stepless, around 10 µm per scale mark, zero-point fine calibration ±40 µm in 20 µm steps |
| Hopper |
Around 40 g, quick-release with safety switch |
| Anti-static |
Active ionisation in the outlet |
| Retention (10 g, seasoned) |
0.10–0.20 g without RDT, 0.01–0.03 g with RDT |
| Housing |
Die-cast aluminium (ADC12), CNC-machined mating surfaces |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) |
161.4 × 97.7 × 337 mm |
| Weight |
5.27 kg |
| Voltage |
220–240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| In the box |
VS4, magnetic 58 mm dosing cup, 1.2 m power cable, Bellows, RDT spray bottle, cleaning brush, spare parts set with Allen key, user manual, sticker set |
| Award |
SCA Best New Product, World of Coffee San Diego 2026 |
Where the VS4 sits between the VS3 and the VS6
| VS3 |
Conical burrs, stepless, 170 RPM under load, 147 × 90 × 310 mm |
| VS4 |
53 mm conical, stepless, 150–300 RPM, quick-release hopper, 161.4 × 97.7 × 337 mm |
| VS6 |
58 mm flat burrs from the factory, 63 mm conical optional, 500–1600 RPM, 191.6 × 130 × 403.7 mm |
Who is the VS4 for?
For everyone who grinds single dose, switches beans often and wants to clean the grinder without dialling in again afterwards. For everyone who makes espresso and filter with one grinder and would like to use speed as an additional variable.
If you grind more compactly at a fixed speed, the VS3 is for you; if you are looking for flat burrs and a wider speed range, the VS6. You'll find both in our Varia collection. The direct comparison is on Varia VS3 vs. VS4 vs. VS6. Burr sets are like engines: there is no objectively best one. You'll find other characters at Weber Workshops and Option-O.
You'll find matching espresso machines in our espresso machine collection, and our advice tool helps you choose. For everyone who wants coffee scales that are affordable and precise: Normcore. If you want an app, flow-rate display and Bluetooth: Acaia.
In the comparison workshop you can test espresso machines and grinders side by side, an option, not a requirement. For a free conversation there is the consultation appointment, and the advice tool narrows down the choice online.
Ordering and delivery
You can order the VS4 online or pick it up via Click & Collect in Zürich or Bern. Delivery throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2–4 working days. We answer questions via [email protected] or by phone during business hours, more at coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Varia VS4 differ from the VS3?
The VS4 has 53 mm conical burrs, four selectable speeds from 150 to 300 RPM instead of 170 RPM under load, a quick-release hopper and a removable grinding chamber. At 147 × 90 × 310 mm, the VS3 is more compact.
How does the Varia VS4 differ from the VS6?
The VS6 grinds with 58 mm flat burrs from the factory, optionally with 63 mm conical burrs, and turns at 500 to 1600 RPM. At 191.6 × 130 × 403.7 mm, it is considerably larger. The VS4 stays with 53 mm conical burrs and is 97.7 mm wide.
Can the Varia VS4 grind for espresso and filter?
Yes. Varia lists espresso, moka pot, pour-over, filter machine, AeroPress, French Press and Cold Brew. The adjustment covers around 2.5 turns from the zero point to fully open.
Do I lose my grind setting when cleaning the VS4?
No. The hopper lock and the grind adjustment work independently. After changing the burrs or a full disassembly, you check the zero point as described in the manual.
Do I need the RDT sprayer for the VS4?
No, the VS4 has active ionisation in the outlet. With RDT, the retention measured by Varia at a 10 g dose drops from 0.10–0.20 g to 0.01–0.03 g.
Can I see the Varia VS4 before buying?
Yes, in our showrooms in Zürich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) and Bern (Gerberngasse 44). Not every model is set up at all times, so let us know which model you'd like to see in advance at [email protected].
Tip from the roastery: For most espressos we recommend Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight: full-bodied, dense, with chocolate and nut. If you are looking for maximum body without acidity, go for Very Nutty. Wild Peach is for everyone who wants to discover a fruity experience. With the VS4 you can grind the same bean at 150 and at 300 RPM and put the cups side by side. That is our recommendation, one of many.
