Both grinders use 40mm stainless steel conical burrs that produce similar results. Apart from the grind size, the two devices also show differences in the grinding speed. Their products are built to support the specialty coffee community. Whether you are a seasoned barista or just learning about coffee, they have products that will meet your needs. Their goal is to innovate with every product. The Breville grinder offers more room for adjustments, allowing you to grind coffee for a pour over, AeroPress, as well as an espresso. The Virtuoso+ has two LED lights that light up the grinds bin and grinds area of the grinder. This is especially welcome when you’re grinding directly into a portafilter, or a catch bin (like the increasingly popular 54mm and 58mm catch cups to use with portafilter baskets). I use the Virtuoso+ for cupping coffees, and grind directly into our cupping cups, and can easily see the grind output, quality and quantity with these lights.

It is 4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 inches. However, it should still fit onto most countertops. Plus, as it weighs only 8lbs, if you need to move it around it isn’t much of a problem. If you buy a Virtuoso+, you will be getting a grinder that is very capable of seeing decades (plural) of use. Its output from moka pot through to chemex is superb and fast, and it is also capable of a decent espresso grind and press pot output. The grinder is quiet, fast with up to 2g/second output, and has a well thought out, easy to use interface. There really is not anything significantly negative to state here. On a surface-level observation, the Virtuoso+ gives you the stylish, sleek look that you can expect at their price point. The metal base and top give it the feel of a prime high-quality machine. Burr and Internal Components Quality

And while the grinders are similar, there are differences in terms of performance, design, function, grind range, and speed . Day-to-day cleaning of the burrs, hopper, and grounds catcher is fairly straightforward and similar to what you would find with most electric grinders.

When it comes to coffee grinders, the Baratza Virtuoso+ is one of the most popular. It’s been a favourite of filter coffee brewers around the world for over a decade and has recently been upgraded with a digital display and timer. This is not a zero retention grinder but it’s close; in our early testing, the Virtuoso+ retains about 0.8g of coffee between grinding sessions (with a full cleaning of the burr group between measurements)

However, in our opinion, it is not found fine enough for a non-pressurized portafilter. So if you own a fancy semi-automatic coffee machine, search for something with an even wider grind range or specifically designed for brewing espresso. Ease Of Use

Unlike its predecessor, the Virtuoso, this grinder has a built-in timer that allows you to set the grind time to within 1/10th of a second.Ground coffee is susceptible to contamination. Odors floating around your kitchen or in your refrigerator can make their way into your drink. From onions to fish, a wide range of odors can permeate your brew and ruin its flavor. I doubt you would enjoy your morning mug that has hints of onion flavors and aroma. That’s why Baratza has equipped the Virtuoso + with a removable top burr to make your cleaning routine more manageable. If you want to give your grinder a deep clean (which is required if you’re going to keep grinding away for years to come), follow our burr grinder cleaning guide. Durability – 4.5/5

So far, we’ve highlighted what we like about the Virtuoso+, but now it’s time to talk about one of the biggest issues we have with it. Grind retention is unavoidable in virtually all grinders that aren’t obscenely expensive, but it is especially problematic with the Virtuoso+. We’re not sure if the plastic grind bin is prone to static or if the burrs spin at higher speeds and therefore produce more static, but we regularly experience anywhere from 1-3 grams of retention whenever we grind in our Virtuoso+. It’s not a huge deal, but it gets annoying to account for retention and add a few extra grams of coffee every time you brew. This Breville grinder, also known as Breville BCG820BSSX, is a conical burr grinder that offers solid performance, a wide range of 60 grind settings, LCD display, and portafilter cradle that makes it compatible with espresso machines. The Virtuoso features 40mm conical burrs. A DC motor provides ample power for the grinding procedure. Speed controls regulate the rotation to 550 RPM, which will reduce noise, heat, and static generation during operation. You may experience some excess noise and popcorning of beans when grinding small batches. Bean Hopper & Grounds Bin

The auto-shutoff to stop the motor from overheating also adds to this electric coffee grinder’s durability. The DC motor means you get the full force of torque from the start. This really helps with grinding speed. It is a great upgrade to any entry-level product and offers features on-par with some commercial-grade products. Stylish and durable, this machine is a solid investment and can be part of your kitchen for years.