Niche Duo

What it does well

Changing burrs is easy. Kaffeemacher says the swap is "very simple" and takes under a minute. Niche says the grinder is zeroed at the factory and needs no re-zeroing, even when changing sets.

Retention is low. Kaffeemacher measured 0.16 g in single-dose use, which it calls "very good." Niche itself claims "virtually no grind is retained" thanks to the straight-through design.

The cup is clear. Kaffeemacher found the espresso "tasted good," with more nuance than the Zero, and the filter burrs gave clear, transparent brews. BrewCoffeeHome recommends it for owners who want better grind quality for espresso or filter.

It runs cool. Kaffeemacher recorded a temperature rise of only 1.5 °C over six grinds.

Where it falls short

Switching methods is still work. BrewCoffeeHome doubts most people will swap burrs more than twice a week. Kaffeemacher agrees that filter switching "remains an effort."

It is louder than the Zero. Niche lists 72 dB for both, but Kaffeemacher measured 77.6 dB against the Zero's 72.9 dB. BrewCoffeeHome also found it louder, though it describes a low rumble rather than a whine.

Beans jump. BrewCoffeeHome says popcorning "has become a noticeable issue," with grounds flying out of the lid. It notes that the Zero's anti-popcorn disc did not carry over.

The cup has limits too. Kaffeemacher found less body in the espresso than from the Zero. It also found the filter brews lacked some sweetness, with a fairly high share of fines.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if you single-dose one method most of the time and want flat-burr clarity. It suits an espresso drinker, or a pour-over drinker who buys the filter set. Kaffeemacher says it suits buyers who prioritise transparent, complex coffees.

Skip it if you switch between espresso and filter every day. Skip it too if you already own a Niche Zero and like its shots. Kaffeemacher says Zero owners "will not experience a real upgrade."

How it compares

The Niche Zero is the obvious alternative. It is smaller, quieter and conical, and Kaffeemacher found its doses slightly more consistent. Kaffeemacher still calls the Zero "a good choice for both espresso and filter."

The DF64 Gen 2 is a cheaper single-dose flat-burr grinder with 64 mm burrs. The DF64 Gen 2 vs Niche Duo page compares their dials.

The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is a brew-only single-dose grinder. If you never make espresso, it covers filter without the second burr set.

Owning it

Niche advises against running rice or other specialist cleaning products through it, which it says may damage the burrs. Brush both burr carriers when you use the grinder a lot, and wear cotton gloves, since the burrs are sharp.

Niche recommends a deep clean every three to six months. That means removing the hopper and both burr carriers, brushing the burrs, and lightly greasing the threads with food-safe grease. Our guide to cleaning a burr grinder covers the basics.

Niche says grind quality improves over the first 3 kg and keeps improving up to 10 kg. It puts burr life at more than 750 kg.

The warranty covers parts for one year from delivery, and Niche ships replacement parts with fitting advice. Burrs aren't covered unless faulty from new, and the buyer pays to return the grinder.

Start from the settings chart on this page, and remember it depends on which burr set is fitted.