If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you know that the quality of your coffee beans and the brewing method are crucial factors in achieving that perfect cup of coffee.
However, one often overlooked element in this equation is the grinder you use.
Baratza, a well-known name in the world of coffee grinders, offers a range of products to meet the needs of both beginners and seasoned baristas.
In this post, we’ll compare two popular models from Baratza: the Sette 30 and the Sette 270.
We’ll explore the key differences between these grinders and help you determine which one is the right choice for your coffee journey.
| Aspect | Sette 30 | Sette 270 | Sette 270Wi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grind Settings | 30 macro adjustments | 30 macro + 9 micro | 30 macro + 9 micro |
| Noise Level | Noisy | Noisy | Quieter |
| Speed | High-speed grinding | High-speed grinding | Slightly slower, Lower RPM |
| Weight-Based Dosing | No | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No | Yes |
| Price | Budget-friendly | Mid-range | Quite pricey |
| Precision | Entry-level | High precision | High precision |
Overview Of The Baratza Sette Series
The Baratza Sette series is a range of coffee grinders known for their innovative straight-thru design, minimizing grind retention.
These high-quality grinders offer the precision and robustness of commercial cafe grinders right in your home.
The Sette series made its debut in 2016, introducing three models: Sette 30, Sette 270, and Sette 270Wi.
These versatile grinders feature innovative burr designs, ensuring maximum accuracy and performance.
While they share common goals, it’s essential to understand the slight differences among them when choosing the perfect addition to your home coffee setup.
Baratza Sette 30 Overview
The Baratza Sette 30 is a coffee grinder tailor-made for espresso enthusiasts eager to up their espresso game without spending a fortune.
It’s a simplified version of the Baratza Sette 270, offering 31 distinct grind settings, ideal for achieving that perfect shot at home.
This grinder employs a 40mm conical steel blade crafted by Etzinger, a trusted name in grinder blades.
Out of the box, it comes with the S1 blade, but you can opt for the S2 cone if you prefer a different grind profile.
What sets the Sette 30 apart is its removable adjustment ring, making it a breeze to clean or adjust your grind range using the provided shims.
When it comes to motor power and espresso grind output, the Sette 30 stands out, leaving many competitors in the dust.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider.
It’s not the quietest option out there, so if you’re after a hushed espresso-grinding experience, you might want to look elsewhere.
Additionally, it lacks micro-stepped adjustments, limiting your ability to make very precise changes to your espresso grind.
Plus, you can only set one program time at a time, which means you can’t conveniently save settings for different brew methods or stages of your coffee-making process.
Pros
- Affordable for espresso enthusiasts
- 31 grind settings for versatility
- High-quality 40mm conical steel blade
- Easy-to-clean, removable adjustment ring
- Powerful motor for espresso grinding
- Features an elegant and distinctive design
Cons
- Noisy operation
- Lack of micro-stepped adjustments
- Limited to one program time setting
- Limited fine grind adjustments
Baratza Sette 270 Overview
The Baratza Sette 270, the big sibling of the Sette 30, takes things up a notch for home baristas who demand precision in their espresso.
With 270 macro/micro-adjustments, this conical burr grinder offers the fine-tuning you crave, thanks to the stepless micro-adjustment ring.
This grinder boasts a time-based dosing system that’s programmable for quick, preset doses.
Like its little sibling, the Sette 270 features a removable adjustment ring for easy cleaning and grind range customization using the provided shims.
Fast and accurate, with a 20ms response time and precision to a tenth of a gram, it’s designed for single dosing, practically eliminating coffee retention, allowing you to switch beans effortlessly.
Though it offers fantastic performance, it’s not without its drawbacks.
The Sette 270 shares the noise factor with the Sette 30; it’s not the quietest.
Plus, it’s priced at the higher end of the spectrum, and its bulkiness might not be suitable if space is at a premium in your kitchen.
Pros
- 270 macro/micro-adjustments for precision
- Time-based dosing for consistency
- Fast, with 20ms response time
- Virtually no coffee retention
- Suitable for both espresso and manual brewing
Cons
- Noisy operation
- Higher price point
- Bulky design
What About The Baratza Sette 270Wi?
The Baratza Sette 270Wi takes things up a notch from its predecessor, the Baratza 270, with several notable upgrades.
The most significant change is the introduction of a weight-based grinding system, which delivers precision like never before.
This grinder comes equipped with a built-in Acaia scale that automatically weighs your coffee dose during grinding, and it’s not limited to a single setting – you get three separate presets that you can customize.
What sets the 270Wi apart is its intelligent learning capability.
It knows precisely when to stop the burrs to achieve your desired coffee dose consistently.
With improved software on the control board, this grinder offers impressive accuracy right out of the box, eliminating the need for additional tweaks like using cork or blue-tac.
Plus, the 270Wi makes the scale functionality even more accurate and user-friendly, with the bonus of potential software updates through Bluetooth connectivity.
The only hiccup we’ve encountered with the 270Wi is its occasional inconsistency in the weighing features.
You might find that the time-based version delivers more consistent and accurate grind results.
Baratza Sette 30 vs 270: Key Differences
Now let’s compare the Baratza Sette 30 and 270 models to help you decide which grinder is suitable for you.
Baratza Sette 30 vs 270: Build Quality
When it comes to design, most Sette grinders share the iconic 7-shape look, but there are nuances in materials and functionality.
The Baratza Sette 30 falls in the entry-level category, boasting a sturdy build.
Its straight-thru design minimizes grind retention and ensures high-speed grinding.
Notably, the dial and burr carrier of the Sette 30 are constructed from hard plastic, but don’t mistake it for flimsy; it’s a quality build.
In contrast, the Baratza Sette 270 and 270Wi come at a higher price point, but they bring superior adjustability, consistency, and performance to the table.
Both of these grinders feature dials and burr carriers made of durable and solid aluminum.
Even the support forks get an upgrade, shifting from plastic in the Sette 30 to robust metal in the 270 series.
Overall, in terms of build quality, the Sette 270 and 270Wi outshine the Sette 30.
It’s important to note that if you’re in the United States, Baratza’s excellent support team is there to assist if you encounter any issues with your grinder.
However, for those outside the United States, durability could be a potential concern.
Baratza Sette 30 vs 270: Ease Of Use
Both the Sette 30 and Sette 270 come with a front-mounted panel featuring a digital LED-backlit display and buttons.
The display remains consistent across all Sette grinders, but the key differences lie in the buttons. The Sette 30 offers 4 buttons, while the 270 boasts 7.
On the right side of the panel, you’ll find two buttons used to adjust the programmed grinding time or, in the case of the 270Wi, weight.
The Sette 270 models go a step further with 3 buttons on the left side, allowing you to program 3 different doses you can easily recall.
For instance, if you switch between single, double, and triple shot baskets, no need to reset the time each time; just press the button, and it grinds to your preset.
There are 4 common buttons in both grinders: Stop, Resume/Pause (indicated by an LED), and 2 for increasing or decreasing grind time.
The Start button initiates grinding, also serving as a pause button to settle the grounds before resuming. The Stop button, as the name suggests, cancels the grind.
For customizing the preset button, simply press the button you want to modify, and the LED will light up.
Adjust the time using the increase or decrease buttons, then long-press the chosen button, and the display starts flashing with the set time.
These machines even let you set time down to 100 milliseconds, offering precise control.
Adjusting the portafilter holder arms is a breeze.
There are two support options: one for the portafilter and another for small containers like the Hario V60.
You can rotate the rubber grips to accommodate various portafilter styles or other brewing methods, like the V60, by widening the arms.
Baratza Sette 30 vs 270: Grind Settings
Grind settings are a pivotal aspect when comparing the Sette 30 and 270, as they constitute the heart of any coffee grinder.
The Baratza Sette 30 offers practical 30 macro adjustments, as the name implies.
On the other hand, the Sette 270 takes it to another level with a total of 270 grind settings, which is a combination of both macro and micro-adjustments.
For the 270 and 270Wi, there are nine micro-adjustments nestled between each macro setting.
Both of these grinders operate on a time-based grinding principle.
To illustrate, let’s say you need to grind precisely 8 grams of coffee for an espresso shot.
The Sette grinders typically grind at a speed ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 grams per second, depending on whether you’re moving towards a finer or coarser grind.
So, if you’re grinding at 7 macro levels, it’ll take approximately 2 to 2.2 seconds to reach your 8-gram target.
It might seem a bit confusing initially, but you’ll quickly become accustomed to it.
Nevertheless, the best practice we always recommend is to weigh your coffee beans first and then transfer them into the grinder.
The finer control provided by the 270 models allows for a highly precise brewing process.
If you’re keen on perfecting your espresso recipe, these additional micro-settings grant you the highest level of control over your grind, ensuring that you can fine-tune your coffee to absolute perfection.
Baratza Sette 30 vs 270: Grind Quality
When it comes to grinding quality, both of these grinders deliver excellent results.
The Sette 30 shines when it comes to producing a superb espresso grind.
While it may not be the absolute best in its class, it’s a fantastic entry-level grinder that outperforms many of its peers.
On the other hand, the Sette 270 steps it up with a grind that’s impressively consistent and offers superior adjustability.
This grinder is versatile and excels not only with espresso but also for manual brewing.
With both macro and micro adjustments at your disposal, you can fine-tune your grind with precision.
Independent testing has shown that it outperforms most grinders in its category, whether you’re brewing espresso or using manual methods.
In summary, the Sette 270 stands as one of the top espresso grinders currently available.
If you’re looking to take your finer-grind-focused brews to the next level, we wholeheartedly recommend this grinder.
Baratza Sette 30 vs 270: Noise
Let’s talk about the noise, which we touched on earlier.
The Sette grinders, in general, can be quite noisy, and this might not be music to the ears of light sleepers in your household.
However, the 270Wi stands out in this regard, offering a quieter experience compared to the other two grinders.
The reason behind this is a small tweak in its design.
The 270Wi operates at a slightly lower RPM (revolutions per minute) when compared to the 270 and 30.
While this means that grinding is a tad slower, it significantly reduces the noise level.
Moreover, the lower RPM contributes to the extended lifespan of your burrs and gearbox, ensuring the grinder’s durability in the long run.
Verdict: Choosing the Right Baratza Sette Grinder
When it comes to selecting the ideal Baratza Sette grinder for your coffee journey, several factors come into play.
Each of these grinders has its strengths and nuances, catering to different coffee enthusiasts.
Let’s break it down:
Baratza Sette 30: Perfect for Coffee Newbies
If you’re just embarking on your coffee-making adventure and are seeking a reliable, budget-friendly grinder, the Baratza Sette 30 is an excellent choice.
With its 30 macro grind settings, it provides enough versatility for you to explore various brewing methods without overwhelming complexity.
It’s a fantastic entry-level grinder, especially if you’re not too concerned about precise micro-adjustments or noise levels.
Baratza Sette 270: The Precision Seeker
For those who are passionate about espresso and crave precise control over their coffee grind, the Baratza Sette 270 is the way to go.
With its impressive combination of 30 macro adjustments and 9 micro-adjustments between each macro setting, it offers a total of 270 grind settings.
This makes it an excellent choice for espresso aficionados who are keen on perfecting their espresso recipe, even though it can be a bit noisy.
Baratza Sette 270Wi: A Blend of Precision and Quiet
If you share the enthusiasm for precision coffee brewing but want a quieter grinding experience, the Baratza Sette 270Wi has your back.
It retains the precision of the Sette 270 but comes with a lower RPM, making it significantly quieter.
This grinder ensures you can craft your perfect espresso while keeping the noise to a minimum.
It’s also an excellent choice if you appreciate the convenience of a weight-based dosing system.
FAQ’s
Is the Baratza Sette 30 good enough for espresso?
The Baratza Sette 30 serves as a decent entry-level grinder for espresso.
With its rapid grinding speed of up to 4.5g per second and minimal retention, it’s well-suited for single dosing.
While the Sette 30 boasts 30 macro grind settings, making it slightly more challenging to fine-tune for the perfect espresso, it remains a solid choice for individuals grinding beans for single-boiler entry-level espresso machines like the Gaggia Classic or Rancilio Silvia.
Moreover, the Sette 30 is versatile and finds its place in brewing methods that require a finer grind, such as Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, and some drip brewers.
However, it may not be the go-to option for those who place great emphasis on precise shot timings, as it offers only a single grind adjustment.
How loud is the Baratza Sette 30?
The Baratza Sette 30 grinder is generally considered to be on the noisy side.
However, it’s important to note that noise perception varies from person to person.
Some users might find the noise level tolerable, while others could classify it as too loud for their liking.
The primary reason behind this noise is the bevel gearboxes, which require a certain amount of gear lash, resulting in more audible sound.
Additionally, the gearbox employs nylon bearing races instead of pre-assembled bearings, contributing further to the noise level.
If minimizing noise is a top priority for you, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Sette 30 tends to be a bit louder compared to other grinders.
Is the Sette 270 Worth buying over the Sette 30?
Yes, the Sette 270 is worth considering over the Sette 30, depending on your coffee preferences and budget.
The Sette 270 offers a significant advantage in terms of grind settings, providing both macro and micro adjustments, resulting in a total of 270 grind settings.
This versatility allows you to fine-tune your coffee grind to a high degree of precision, making it an excellent choice for espresso enthusiasts and those who value precise control.
However, it’s important to note that the Sette 270 typically comes at a higher price point than the Sette 30, so if your budget allows, and you’re keen on perfecting your coffee brew, the Sette 270 is a worthwhile investment.
Is the Sette 270Wi worth buying over the Sette 270?
The Sette 270Wi offers the added feature of a weight-based dosing system, allowing for more precise and consistent dosing of your coffee.
This can be a game-changer for those who appreciate the convenience and precision of a weight-based system.
Additionally, the 270Wi is quieter in operation compared to the Sette 270, thanks to its slightly lower RPM.
If quieter grinding and the convenience of weight-based dosing are important to you, the Sette 270Wi is a valuable upgrade.
However, it’s worth noting that the 270Wi comes at a considerably higher price point than the Sette 270, typically around $200 extra.
