The Breville Smart Grinder Pro has consistently been praised for its innovation and performance, particularly in the mid-range coffee grinder market. With a price point that makes it accessible to home baristas and a feature set that satisfies even the more experienced coffee enthusiast, this grinder continues to be a popular choice. In this post, we will dive into the Smart Grinder Pro’s design, performance, and unique features, offering insights on whether it remains a strong contender for the top spot in home coffee grinding.
Design and Build Quality
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is a visually appealing machine, with a sleek, rounded design that fits comfortably in most modern kitchens. It boasts a clean, polished look with a stainless steel exterior that enhances its durability. However, its design is not just about aesthetics—it also serves functional purposes. The grinder includes a large LCD display that shows the grind settings, grind time, and the number of shots or cups selected. While this screen is intuitive and easy to navigate, there is a significant design flaw: the LCD screen becomes hard to read when viewed from lower angles, limiting its visibility when positioned at certain heights.
One of the standout design features is its substantial hopper that holds up to 18 ounces of coffee beans, providing plenty of capacity for those who prefer to grind in larger batches. The base is fitted with sturdy, rubberized feet that keep the grinder stable, reducing the risk of movement during operation. Additionally, Breville includes a unique cord management system that allows for easy storage of excess cable, keeping your kitchen counter neat and tidy.
Ease of Use
Breville is known for creating appliances that prioritize user convenience, and the Smart Grinder Pro is no exception. This grinder offers 60 grind settings, from fine espresso grinds to coarser settings for French press brewing. The grind adjustments are easy to make thanks to the clear digital interface, and the grinder’s ability to quickly return to previously used settings enhances the overall user experience.
However, the Smart Grinder Pro also presents some usability challenges. The grinder includes a time-based dosing system that automatically adjusts grind time based on the number of shots or cups selected. This feature is convenient for beginners who might not know the optimal grind time for their brew method, but for experienced users who prefer more control over their coffee, this can become limiting. Adjusting the timer in precise increments (0.2 seconds) can be tedious, especially when more significant changes are required.
Performance and Grinding Consistency
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro excels in terms of grind consistency, which is one of the most important factors when choosing a coffee grinder. In tests, this machine produced impressively uniform grounds across different settings. Whether you are brewing espresso or preparing a coarser grind for a French press, the Breville consistently delivers grounds within an optimal particle size range.
A key performance feature is the grinder’s conical stainless steel burrs, which provide precision in grind consistency. At finer grind settings, the machine’s performance is exceptional, ensuring that espresso lovers can achieve the perfect grind for their shots. In fact, when tested against other grinders in its price range, the Smart Grinder Pro outperformed its competitors in terms of grind uniformity, particularly for lighter roasts and finer settings.
Despite its impressive grind consistency, the machine does have some minor drawbacks. Grounds retention is an issue, with up to 3 grams of coffee grounds remaining stuck in the burrs and chamber after grinding. While not the worst grounds retention in its class, it does require occasional cleaning to ensure optimal performance.
Noise Levels and Static Management
One of the most pleasant surprises of the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is its relatively quiet operation. Compared to other grinders, this machine generates significantly less noise, clocking in at around 80-85 decibels, depending on the grind setting and load. This quieter performance makes it more suitable for home use, where the noise from grinding can easily disrupt a peaceful morning routine.
Additionally, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro effectively manages static build-up, which is a common issue with many grinders. Static can cause grounds to scatter or stick to the sides of the catch cup, leading to wasted coffee and a messy workspace. Breville addresses this issue by designing a wide-mouthed catch cup that minimizes static-related problems. However, users should be cautious during longer grinds, as vibrations may cause the cup to shift out of place, potentially leading to misalignment and grounds spillage.
User Interface and Customization
Breville has designed the Smart Grinder Pro to be user-friendly, but the user interface can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the digital LCD screen and intuitive controls make it easy to select and adjust grind settings. The 60 different grind options give users a wide range of choices, making the grinder adaptable to different brewing methods, from espresso to pour-over and French press.
On the other hand, the machine’s dose-by-time system, which allows users to set grind times for different cup or shot sizes, can be overly prescriptive. It assumes that users will always want the same grind time for specific brew types, which isn’t always the case, particularly for those who brew a variety of coffees. For more experienced users who want to experiment with grind times and particle sizes based on the coffee’s roast profile or brew method, this system can become a hindrance. Thankfully, manual overrides and customization options allow users to bypass these limitations, although they may require more effort to operate effectively.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Maintenance is an important factor in any coffee grinder, and the Breville Smart Grinder Pro makes cleaning relatively simple. The removable hopper and burrs allow for easy access to the internal components, and the catch cup is wide enough to avoid spillage during cleaning. However, the previously mentioned grounds retention issue means users will need to clean out fine grounds from the burr chamber regularly to prevent build-up, which can affect grind consistency over time.
Another helpful feature is the built-in alert system, which notifies users when the burrs need cleaning or replacement, ensuring that the grinder remains in optimal working condition without needing constant monitoring.
Price and Value
Priced at around $200, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro sits comfortably in the mid-range category for home coffee grinders. This price point offers excellent value for the features provided. While it may not be the cheapest grinder on the market, the combination of grind consistency, versatility, and build quality makes it a worthwhile investment for coffee enthusiasts. Its ability to cater to various brewing methods, from espresso to pour-over, enhances its appeal, making it suitable for households with diverse coffee preferences.
Conclusion
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro stands out as a top choice for home baristas seeking a grinder that offers excellent grind consistency, a wide range of grind settings, and ease of use. Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as the over-complicated dosing system and grounds retention issues, it remains a versatile and reliable machine. Its quiet operation, sleek design, and thoughtful features make it a well-rounded grinder suitable for both beginners and more experienced coffee lovers.
Ultimately, for its price and performance, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is hard to beat. Whether you’re just getting started with home brewing or are an experienced coffee enthusiast looking for a reliable grinder that won’t break the bank, this machine delivers on its promise of high-quality coffee grounds, cup after cup.
