Baratza Vario+

What it does well

The adjustment is the main draw. Baratza says each macro step is split into 22 micro adjustments, so you can move in small steps when dialing in a shot. A calibration tool is included if you want to shift the range.

The internals are sturdier than the original Vario. Prima Coffee points to the all-metal grind chamber and burr carrier, saying they add "both additional stability and longevity." Coffee Works says that chamber, carried over from the Forté, means solid burr alignment.

Timed dosing is quick to live with once set. Baratza says the three presets are accurate to a tenth of a second. Its shut-off hopper lets you swap beans without tipping the grinder.

Where it falls short

Filter is its weaker side. Prima Coffee says ceramic burrs make more fines, "not so much for pour-over", though not enough to make a brew less enjoyable. Coffee Works goes further and says it "really favours espresso over filter."

Dosing by time means extra work. Prima Coffee notes it takes "more maneuvering and adjustments" to hit a target weight than a grind-by-weight grinder. You will want a scale next to it.

Prima Coffee still recommends it to anyone wanting an automatic grinder with a range from espresso to French press or cold brew.

The burr material is unclear from Baratza itself. Its product copy and most retailers say ceramic, but the spec table on the same page says steel. Ask the seller which set ships before you buy.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if espresso is your main drink and you also brew pour-over or AeroPress. It suits someone who wants fine control and presets without a single-dose workflow.

Skip it if you only brew filter. Prima Coffee and Coffee Works both say the burrs favour espresso, so a brew-focused grinder fits better. Skip it too if you want to dose by weight, since Baratza sells that as a separate model, the Vario-W.

How it compares

The Vario+ vs Virtuoso+ comparison is the usual upgrade question. The Virtuoso+ is conical with one collar and no espresso range, so it suits filter-only kitchens.

The Vario+ vs DF64 Gen 2 pair puts two flat-burr grinders side by side. The DF64 is built for single dosing, while the Vario+ is hopper-fed with timed presets.

Against the Eureka Mignon Specialità, the trade is adjustment style. The Eureka is a stepless espresso grinder, as our stepless grinder explainer covers. The Vario+ is stepped, but its micro steps are small.

Owning it

Baratza includes a burr removal tool, so you can swap burrs or clean the grounds bin without extra tools. Our burr replacement guide and burr grinder cleaning guide cover the basics.

Seattle Coffee Gear says the internal components keep Baratza's Vario grinders in service for years.

The grinder ships calibrated, and Baratza includes a calibration tool to move the range. If you change it, follow how to calibrate a grinder so the settings chart still lines up.

Baratza's US warranty is one year, and Baratza lists replacement parts on its own site. Use the settings chart on this page as your starting point.