Eureka Mignon Specialita vs. Niche Zero
*Disclaimer - Cliff & Pebble does not sell the Niche Zero while we do sell the Eureka Mignon Specialita. This review will be as non-biased as possible - we promise!
Had your eye on these two titans in the espresso grinder world? We put the Eureka Mignon Specialita against the incredibly popular Niche Zero to give you all the facts you’ll ever need to make your decision. Today we’ll go over:
- Similarities
- Differences
- Pricing information
- Availability
- Which grinder is better suited for your needs
The Facts: Eureka Mignon Specialita
Featuring 55mm flat steel burrs, electronic dosing, a heavy-duty aluminum case, an installed anti-clumping device, the Specialita has been a force in the grinder market ever since its release years ago. Perhaps the biggest difference when compared to the Niche Zero is its electronic dosing.
- 55mm Flat Steel Burrs
- Electronic Dosing
- 2 Programmable Profiles
- New Heavy Duty Casing
- New No Clumping Device
- Easy Access For Cleaning
What’s electronic dosing?
You may have noticed that little LED screen on the front of the Specialita that is absent on the Niche Zero. That’s electronic dosing. With this grinder you can program (based on time to the 0.01 second) two grinding profiles – one for single shot dosing, the other for double. The Niche Zero is primarily a single dosing grinder so having electronic dosing on it wouldn’t make much sense.
Do I need electronic dosing?
If you’re someone who doesn’t care about single dosing and is looking for a little more conveniency and automation, then electronic dosing is exactly what you want. If single dosing is what you’re going after, the Niche might be better suited for you.
Can I single dose on the Specialita?
Absolutely. Any grinder can be a single doser however the Niche, and its slight tilt, makes it specifically designed and engineered to single dose. The Specialita can also be modded to single dose for around $50.
Related Article: Is single dosing on the Specialita possible?
The Facts: Niche Zero
Featuring is much larger set of burrs at 63mm, you might think the Niche Zero by that spec alone would win out. Maybe but there’s a lot more you should consider.
A true single doser
The Niche Zero, while able to grind for most brew methods, was specifically designed and engineered to be a single dosing espresso grinder. Larger burrs will translate to the following:
- Higher levels of consistency
- Better grinder retention
- Faster overall grind
Ask yourself what you’re grinding for
If you’re looking for a very diverse grinder to brew more than espresso, we’d recommend going with the Specialita as we’ve found the consistency to not be as great on the Niche Zero when going to a coarser grind. The Specialita seems to really be able to bring out the flavors and notes of coffee beans on a more consistent basis when brewing for, say, french press or pour over.
Flat burrs (Specialita) vs. Conical burrs (Niche Zero)
Perhaps the biggest difference between these two beauties is the type of burr. The Niche Zero contains 63mm conical burrs where the Specialita is equipped with a set of 55mm flat steel burrs. So, what’s the difference and which is better?
Well, there isn’t really a correct answer to that question. Each burr type has their own set of benefits. And while they’re both very similar, they’re also very different.
Flat burrs have two compatible shapes that lay parallel against each other whole conical burrs have a ring and cone shape. Both burrs have gaps that allow your coffee beans to pass through. This is your grind setting (the gap). But in the end, it comes down to taste. Which burr type is going to bring out all those wonderful notes and aromas from your coffee beans? We can't tell you whether or not flat or conical burrs will yield better tasting coffee. There's plenty of research regarding this topic however in our opinion, the differences are so small that they're barely noticeable.
Retention
In short, retention is a measure of how much coffee bean your grinder is retaining when grinding. A grinder with poor grind retention will be spitting coffee everywhere making a complete mess. On the flip side, a grinder with excellent retention will yield almost the exact number of grams you put in. For example, 18 grams of beans in should yield 18 grams out in a perfect world. While no grinder is perfect when it comes to retention, the Specialita and Niche Zero get pretty darn close.
Let’s talk turkey (price)
The Eureka Mignon Specialita starts at $699 and goes up to $749 depending on color. Chrome is usually an additional $100. The Niche Zero, on the other hand, can only be purchased directly from Niche (UK) for about $622 USD. Prices with Niche seems to fluctuate depending on availability.
Availability
Here in the USA, getting your hands on a Eureka Mignon Specialita is simple and easy. That, unfortunately, cannot be said for the Niche Zero. They are almost always on backorder due to production issues and a heavy, always increasing demand for them. Ordering a Niche Zero will require some patience as you most likely won’t receive it for at least a month or two after your order is placed.
Niche Zero Alternatives
The Incredibly Popular DF64
Is the Niche Zero worth the wait?
If you’re looking for a true single dosing espresso grinder that looks nice, won’t severely break the bank, and will last – it’s worth it. However, there are alternatives that are more readily available.
On the other hand, if you want a more diverse grinder, more automation in the form of programming, then we’d highly recommend the Eureka Mignon Specialita.
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