Baratza’s battle of the coffee grinders continues with the introduction of the Preciso, designed to make coffee-grinding more precise.
These two grinders go neck and neck in many coffee grinding adventures, with each one offering coffee lovers exceptional coffee grounds for their favorite caffeinated beverages.
However, for coffee drinkers who want to fine-tune their coffee grounds, one product has a clear advantage. Which between the Baratza Preciso and Virtuoso can make coffee-drinking experiences more exciting?
Baratza Preciso vs Virtuoso. Which is the better grinder?
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Baratza Preciso
Offering the ultimate precision coffee grinding, the Preciso is the kind of coffee grinder that professionals use to produce any coffee style. This grinder offers whopping 440-level grind settings, an ingenious PortaHolder element, and a variable grinder speed setting for the best in coffee ground customization.
Baratza Virtuoso
Classic and easy to use, the Baratza Virtuoso can grind coffee beans up to 40 different sizes at a blistering speed that can match commercial grinders. It has a 60-second timer, a large-capacity bean hopper and grounds bin, and an elegant design that can complement any kitchen countertop.
Form Factor
While the Preciso and Virtuoso have the same silver-on-black styling, the former is taller by 0.3 inches and wider by 0.4 inches than the Virtuoso. However, the Baratza Preciso is less deep by 0.4 inches and weighs 0.7 pounds or 11 ounces lighter than the Virtuoso.
Side-by-side, it would be almost impossible to notice the size and weight difference. Nevertheless, some people may find Precisio’s light construction more appealing, especially when moving the grinder in different locations.
Grind Settings
What sets the Preciso from the Virtuoso is its precision grind settings. Both the Preciso and the Virtuoso allow users to fine-tune their coffee ground settings up to 40 levels. Unfortunately, the Virtuoso can only provide just that – 40 grind levels.
The Preciso provides 11 micro-adjustments for each of the 40 main grind settings. For instance, a user can choose a coffee grind level 1. He can also choose 11 different grind levels within this particular setting before the grinder goes into grind level 2.
This unique feature allows Preciso users to fine-tune their coffee grounds. It makes for the perfect machine for concocting barista-quality espressos. One cannot do that with the Virtuoso because the grinder only has 40 grind settings compared to the Preciso’s 440.
Grinder Performance
Grinding coffee beans with either machine is fast and easy. They have a large-capacity bean hopper, accommodating up to eight ounces of the choicest beans. The ground’s bin capacity is also large at five ounces. Both grinders also feature a 60-second timer, allowing users to grind and forget.
Both grinders feature a 40-mm conical burr grinder disc, spinning at 405 RPM and maxes out at 550 RPM.
However, the Preciso has the advantage of variable speed settings. Users can set the grinder’s speed between 405 and 495 RPM. It is the perfect solution for those who want a smooth coffee bean feed, quiet operation, less heat, and better static buildup prevention.
These machines can grind as many as 2.4 grams of coffee beans per second, translating to more cups or mugs of coffee for everyone to enjoy.
The Baratza Preciso has the edge in grinder performance. It gives users the chance to fine-tune the machine’s grinder speed settings for more precise coffee bean processing.
Coffee Grounds Bin
The Virtuoso and Preciso offer a large capacity bin for accommodating coffee grounds.
However, the Preciso has another ace up its sleeve. This Baratza grinder also features a PortaHolder that accommodates a standard-sized portafilter.
The feature allows baristas and coffee lovers to mount their coffee machine’s portafilter into the PortaHolder. Ground coffee goes straight into the portafilter, minimizing handling and ensuring the coffee ground’s freshness and flavors.
This element further differentiates the Preciso from the Virtuoso. One no longer has to get coffee grounds from the bin because he can set the machine to dump the grounds into the portafilter.
Price
One can get the Virtuoso for about $320, although some retailers offer the product at a discounted price of only $230. On the other hand, the Baratza Preciso is almost $400 without deals and discounts. Some retailers offer this grinder for a low price of about $300.
Coffee lovers must decide whether the precision fine-tuning of the coffee grind size and the addition of a PortaHolder are worth the $70 difference. If so, they may want to get the Preciso. If not, the Virtuoso should still offer exceptional value.
Conclusion
The Baratza Virtuoso and Preciso are professional workhorses, grinding enough coffee beans to satisfy a small group’s caffeine addiction.
However, the Preciso is perfect for those who demand perfection in their coffee grounds because of its 440-level grind settings.
If one does not need coffee grounds tweaking, the Virtuoso’s more affordable pricing is enticing.
