Breville Smart Grinder Pro

What it does well

Consistency is strong for the price. In Coffee Review's laser particle analysis, it had the highest share of grounds in the target range of the four grinders tested. Coffee Review calls its espresso capability "particularly impressive" for the price.

It switches methods cleanly. Moving from espresso to drip and back, CoffeeGeek got "near identical grind settings every time." The timer stores separate presets, and magnets hold the dosing forks and grinds bin in place.

It is quieter than its rivals. Coffee Review measured an "amazingly low 80dB" at a medium grind. CoffeeGeek found it quieter than the Baratza Encore ESP and Virtuoso+.

Where it falls short

Retention is the main complaint. CoffeeGeek calls it "pretty massive," advises never to single dose it, and expects you to discard a few grams when dialing in. Coffee Review found about 3 g left inside after cleaning.

Espresso works, with caveats. CoffeeGeek found the output "clumpy" and recommends stirring the grounds in the basket. It also says the dial doesn't lock into each click.

Its summary is blunt: it is no substitute for a high-end espresso grinder.

The interface divides people. Coffee Review calls the cup-based dosing "both confusing and persistent" and found 0.2-second steps tedious. CoffeeGeek says the display is hard to read from eye level or below.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if you have an entry-level espresso machine and also brew drip or pour-over. It suits someone who wants a hopper-fed grinder with timed dosing straight into the portafilter. CoffeeGeek also liked the grinds bin, which is marked with volumes for drip, press and espresso or moka.

Skip it if you single dose or switch beans often, given the retention. Skip it too if French press or Chemex is your main brew. CoffeeGeek found excess fines there and suggests sieving.

How it compares

Baratza Encore vs Breville Smart Grinder Pro is the entry-level question most kitchens face. The Encore is simpler and filter-only, while the Breville adds espresso and timed dosing.

Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Fellow Opus sets it against another conical all-rounder. CoffeeGeek also compared it with the Baratza Encore ESP. In four blind tests the Encore ESP won two, one was a tie and the Breville narrowly took one. CoffeeGeek still said it would choose the Breville as a multipurpose grinder.

If you already own a Breville machine, Barista Express vs Smart Grinder Pro asks whether the built-in grinder is enough. For a step up in espresso, see Smart Grinder Pro vs DF64 Gen 2 and vs Eureka Mignon Specialità.

Owning it

Breville includes a conical burr cleaning brush. Retained grounds sit mostly under the cone burr, per Coffee Review, so brush there when you clean. Our burr grinder cleaning guide covers the routine.

The upper burr carrier can be moved to shift the whole range, which CoffeeGeek describes. How to calibrate a grinder explains the idea.

Breville's page links to its warranty and repair terms but does not state them. Check them before you buy.

Use the settings chart on this page as your starting point, then dial in by taste.