They say that your espresso can only be as good as your beans, but there’s a fundamental step so often missed as part of that old adage: the grind. Specifically, the quality of the grinder used to handle your carefully selected coffee beans.
If you’re anything like the many at-home baristas turning in various coffee circles, then the grind simply matters to you (in more ways than one). That’s why, today, we’re turning the spotlight on two of the best coffee grinders in the at-home barista industry: the Pico and the Mazzer Mini Electric B.
What Makes a Great Grinder?
Several qualities make the best coffee grinders worthy of their reputation. For our money, here are the qualities that give away some of the best coffee grinders in the industry:
1. Precision, because a consistent grind size matters when brewing.
2. Speed and efficiency, both of which are important if you’re racing the school run or savouring your Sunday morning.
3. Burr quality, because great burrs make great extractions. Both shape and material factor in here.
4. Ease of use. You shouldn’t need a user manual to understand your user manual.
5. Aesthetic and size, both of which should suit your kitchen without sacrificing grind quality.
Ideally, all of these qualities would be present in the grinder you end up choosing, but there are some qualities that will be more important than others (depending on what you value in your morning coffee ritual).
Meet The Pico
First, the Pico. Of the two best coffee grinders we’re comparing, this machine is recognised for its compact design. But don’t let that fool you. This grinder makes a big impact.
You see, the Pico is purpose-built for home baristas who want to spend time perfecting their espresso shots. That purpose-driven engineering shows, especially when you pair the Pico with its designated espresso machine partners (either the Linea Micra or the Linea Mini).
This compact grinder can easily meet the high coffee demands of your household. There’s a lot that makes the Pico shine, but here are some qualities you might want to know about upfront:
- Premium 39mm conical burrs, which give you a consistent grind, every time.
- Manual grinding or 2-dose programmable grinding so that you can fine-tune your extractions.
- Plug-and-play operation with an anti-static build, so it sits pretty on your countertop.
Even though it might appear like a featherweight, this machine is a heavy hitter and earns its place on any benchtop.
This is for you if: you’re after top-notch grind quality without a massive setup.
Now, The Mazzer Mini Electric B
If the Pico is designed for simplicity, then its performance-driven cousin, the Mazzer Mini Electric B, is the commercial-leaning upgrade. This is a grinder designed for home baristas who demand consistency and enjoy being involved in every step of the extraction process.
Here’s what to expect with a Mazzer Mini:
- 64mm flat steel burrs for a grind so uniform it almost feels ridiculous.
- Stepless micrometrical grind adjustment, enabling zero-dial compromises when it comes to your flavour profile.
- A heavy-duty moto and solid build so that this machine won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
If you stood these two grinders side by side, you’d notice that the Mazzer has a couple of weight classes on the Pico. Even though that means it will take up slightly more space on your countertop, the sacrificed space is well worth it for any espresso purists.
You might be pulling one shot, or several, but the Mazzer’s power and precision mean you’ll never have to guess at the quality of the shot. Not to mention, the workflow feels satisfying from start to finish. Sign us up.
Ultimately, the right pick between these two titans of the grind comes down to how you like to make coffee. For two of the best coffee grinders currently available, the Mazzer Mini Electric B and the Pico, there are distinct differences that make them uniquely suited to different brewing methods.
If you prefer a plug-and-play approach that still provides access to some of the best technology in the industry, the Pico might be the right choice for you. If you already have the Linea Mini or the Linea Micra machine in your setup, then this grinder slots in seamlessly.
On the other hand, baristas who want something slightly more heavy-duty will find their perfect match in the Mazzer Mini Electric B. Heftier, slightly more commercial-leaning, and carrying all the hallmarks of the La Marzocco brand, this is a great option regardless of the machine you’re already working with.
So now, it’s down to you. Which of these two grinders will you choose?
The best coffee grinders in the world, all for you.
At La Marzocco, we make your coffee our business. With a lineage of decades-long Italian mastery and modern precision engineering at our fingertips, we’re proud to create espresso machines and coffee grinders that connect at-home baristas to an age-old love of coffee.
Browse the La Marzocco range of premium coffee grinders today.
