Comparison: Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Eureka Mignon Specialita
If you want to elevate your coffee experience and extract the best flavors from your coffee beans, investing in a high-quality burr grinder is essential. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the Eureka Mignon Specialita are popular options in the market. Both heroes are known for their ability to produce excellent freshly-ground coffee, but they have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a closer look at these two burr grinders.
1. Eureka Mignon Specialita Overview
The Eureka Mignon Specialita is a part of Eureka’s renowned Mignon series, built around flat burrs, metal casings, and stepless grind adjustment. Eureka, a company with a long history in coffee grinder manufacturing, has a reputation for producing high-quality commercial and home espresso grinders.
Specifically designed for espresso grinding, the Specialita features 55-millimeter flat burrs and a high-speed motor enclosed within a sound-insulated casing. It boasts an LED touchscreen and a timed dosing system. Notably, the Specialita stands out for its quiet operation, premium design, and compact footprint. The grinder consistently produces wonderfully ground coffee, resulting in clean and flavorful cups of espresso.
Things we like about the Eureka Mignon Specialita:
- Precise grind that is highly adjustable and perfect for espresso
- The anti-clump feature breaks up large clumps for fluffy coffee grounds
- Remarkably quiet compared to other coffee grinders
- Sturdy build and aesthetically pleasing design
Things we don’t like about the Eureka Mignon Specialita:
- Poorly-designed hopper
- Tricky adjustment wheel
- Pricey
2. Breville Smart Grinder Pro Overview
Based in Australia, Breville has manufactured various home appliances and kitchen products for over two decades, including coffee and home espresso equipment.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an entry-level home espresso grinder that prioritizes ease of use and versatility. Its impressive range of 600 grind settings allows you to grind coffee for various brewing methods, from espresso to French press. However, due to this emphasis on versatility, the Smart Grinder Pro may struggle to produce fine grinds for coarser brewing methods consistently.
Despite this, the Smart Grinder Pro impresses with its durable construction and excellent components, such as stainless steel conical burrs. It is user-friendly, easy to maintain, and delivers a grind quality that rivals more expensive grinders.
Things we like about the Breville Smart Grinder Pro:
- Versatile and highly adjustable, with a wide range of grind settings
- Programmable settings for easy repeatability
Things we don’t like about the Breville Smart Grinder Pro:
- May struggle to produce consistent grinds at the coarser end
In conclusion, the Eureka Mignon Specialita and the Breville Smart Grinder Pro offer unique features catering to different needs. If you prioritize espresso grinding and appreciate a quiet and compact design, the Eureka Mignon Specialita is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if versatility and ease of use are more important to you, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro delivers a wide range of grind settings and reliable performance. Ultimately, deciding between these two impressive burr grinders will depend on your preferences and brewing requirements.
Produces above-average grind consistency for its price range
The two popular coffee grinders are the Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the Eureka Mignon. While they may have different designs and features, one thing they have in common is their ability to produce above-average grind consistency for their respective price ranges. This makes them both attractive options for coffee enthusiasts looking to elevate their brewing experience.
Things we don’t like about the Grinders
While both grinders have their strengths, there are a few aspects that some consumers may find less appealing. One notable downside of the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is its timed dosing system, making it difficult to grind coffee by weight. Additionally, the grind consistency of the Breville grinder is not as good with coarser grind sizes, making it less suitable for French press or drip coffee.
On the other hand, the Eureka Mignon has a square hopper made of plastic that feels cheap compared to the rest of its sturdy build. The hopper lid can be hard to open, and the slider to shut off the hopper doesn’t slide shut entirely. Despite these minor issues, the Mignon still offers excellent performance and a visually appealing design.
Comparison: Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Eureka Mignon
Specifications
When comparing the two grinders, it’s essential to consider their specifications:
- Dimensions (WxDxH): The Breville Smart Grinder Pro measures 22 x 16 x 39 cm, while the Eureka Mignon Specialita measures 12 x 18 x 35 cm.
- Weight: The Breville grinder weighs 6.4 pounds, while the Eureka grinder weighs 12.3 pounds.
- Burrs: The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is equipped with 38 mm conical burrs made of stainless steel, while the Eureka Mignon uses 55mm flat burrs made of stainless steel.
- Grind Settings: The Breville grinder offers 600 grind settings, with 60 macro and ten micro locations. The Eureka Mignon features a step-less grind adjustment, providing infinite grind settings.
- Motor Speed: The Breville grinder operates at a motor speed of 450 rpm, while the Eureka grinder has a motor speed of 1350 rpm.
- Grind Speed: The Breville grinder can grind 1-2 grams of coffee per second, while the Eureka grinder has a grind speed of 1.2-2.5 g/s.
- Capacity: The Breville Smart Grinder Pro has a hopper that can hold up to 18 oz (510g) of coffee beans, while the Eureka Mignon has a 300g hopper capacity.
- Noise during Grinding: The Breville grinder produces a noise level of approximately 80dB, whereas the Eureka grinder operates at a quieter group of around 65 dB.
Build and Design
The Eureka Mignon Specialita is a beautifully designed coffee grinder with a high-end appearance and a touch of Italian flair. Its squared edges and availability in over 20 colors and finishes make it a stylish addition to any kitchen. The grinder is hand-crafted, compact, sturdy, and weighs 12 pounds. Its all-metal internal parts and casing ensure durability and minimize vibration, resulting in a peaceful operation.
In contrast, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro has a more practical design with a plastic body and brushed steel finish. While it may not have the same premium appearance as the Specialita, it is still thoughtfully designed for ease of use. Features like the airtight hopper lid and magnetic portafilter holders make handling and cleaning a breeze.
Burrs and Grinding Performance
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the Eureka Mignon utilize high-quality burrs to achieve excellent grind consistency. The Breville grinder’s 38mm conical stainless steel burrs deliver precise and consistent results, while the Eureka grinder’s 55mm flat stainless steel burrs provide equally impressive performance. Both grinders can meet your needs, whether you prefer a fine espresso grind or a coarser grind for other brewing methods.
In conclusion, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the Eureka Mignon are both exceptional coffee grinders that offer consumers the opportunity to elevate their home brewing experience. While each hero has unique features and design elements, they deliver above-average grind consistency and performance. Consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing between these two impressive options.
The Eureka Mignon Specialita vs the Breville Smart Grinder Pro: A Comparison for Coffee Lovers
The Importance of Burrs
Regarding coffee grinders, the type of burrs used can significantly affect the quality of the grind. The Eureka Mignon Specialita boasts 55-millimeter flat burrs, while the Smart Grinder Pro utilizes smaller 38-millimeter conical burrs. Both burrs are made of steel, ensuring durability. However, the Specialita’s hardened steel burrs are more resistant to chipping, while the Smart Grinder Pro’s stainless steel burrs are less prone to corrosion.
Grind Settings for Customization
The Smart Grinder Pro offers a stepped grinding mechanism with 60 settings, easily adjustable via a side knob. You can shift the range of grind sizes with ten increments by adjusting the top burr, granting you plenty of room for customization. On the other hand, the Eureka Mignon Specialita is a stepless grinder, providing infinite adjustability with its worm screw adjustment wheel. This allows for precise grind adjustments, perfect for espresso or pour-over grinds. However, the small wheel may be cumbersome for those with giant fingers.
Grind Quality for Perfect Extraction
The Smart Grinder Pro delivers consistent and precise grind sizes for fine and medium grinds, suitable for espresso and pour-over coffee. However, it may be less consistent in coarser settings, potentially leading to uneven tasks ingand and negatively impacting methods such as French press or cold brew. In contrast, the Mignon Specialita offers excellent grind consistency with its larger flat burrs. It even features an anti-clump feature that produces a uniform, fluffy grind. While it can grind for any brewing style, it truly excels as an espresso grinder, rivaling the quality found in professional cafes.
User-Friendly Operation
The Smart Grinder Pro and the Mignon Specialita use time-based dosing and grinding coffee for a set duration instead of by weight. The Mignon Specialita allows for more precise adjustments, with intervals of 0.1 seconds, while the Smart Grinder Pro operates in 0.2-second increments. Additionally, both grinders offer a manual dosing option, grinding as long as you hold the manual grind button.
Verdict: Which Grinder Should You Choose?
Why You Should Choose the Breville Smart Grinder Pro
The Smart Grinder Pro is an excellent choice if you’re seeking a more user-friendly option at a lower price point. While it may sacrifice some grind quality and precision compared to the Specialita, it simplifies adjusting the grind for different brewing styles.
Why You Should Choose the Eureka Mignon Specialita
For coffee enthusiasts willing to invest a bit more for an exceptional home espresso grinder, the Mignon Specialita is the way to go. Its sturdiness, speed, and quiet operation provide superior grind consistency and precise adjustments for the perfect espresso.
Ultimately, the choice boils down to your specific needs and budget. Whichever grinder you opt for, rest assured that both the Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the Eureka Mignon Specialita will enhance your coffee brewing experience.
Happy Caffeinating!
