Turin DF64 vs Niche Zero vs Timemore 064S: Best Grinder for Espresso and Pour-Over

Specs current as of October 2026.

The Niche Zero suits medium and dark roasts, and the Turin DF64 and Timemore 064S suit light roasts

The burrs are the two toothed metal parts that crush the beans, and their shape changes the taste of straight espresso more than the taste of a latte. The Niche Zero grinds between two cones, one inside the other, while the Turin DF64 and Timemore 064S grind between two flat rings. Owners say medium and dark roasts make heavy, syrupy espresso on the Niche Zero, and that thick feel still comes through the milk in a latte or cappuccino. Several owners who moved to light roasts, the fruity coffees roasted for a short time, found the same Niche Zero shots sour or flat, and the fruit flavours came through more clearly on a 64 mm flat burr. For more on how the two burr shapes behave, see our guide to choosing a conical burr grinder.

In milk drinks the gap is small. Owners who have used a Turin DF64 on its original burrs beside a Niche Zero say they struggle to tell the grinders apart in a latte. The difference shows in straight espresso, and most of all with light roasts.

The Timemore 064S grinds for pour-over as well as espresso, and the Niche Zero is an espresso grinder

Pour-over, coffee brewed by pouring hot water through grounds in a paper filter, needs a much coarser grind than espresso. A grinder that makes a lot of fine dust at that setting gives a cup that drains slowly and tastes muddy. Timemore sells the 064S for espresso and pour-over, and owners use it daily for both, brewing pour-over in a V60, a cone-shaped pour-over dripper. Owners who want the clearest pour-over still prefer a grinder built only for it, but they call the Timemore 064S good enough to cover both.

The Turin DF64 grinds coarse enough for pour-over, but owners describe its original burrs as espresso burrs. Owners who brew pour-over on a Turin DF64 usually fit a set of pour-over burrs, which the standard 64 mm size makes easy to find. The Niche Zero's dial also turns coarse enough, but owners consistently report muddy, slow-draining pour-over from it. Many Niche Zero owners keep a second grinder for pour-over, often a Fellow Ode Gen 2 or a hand grinder (see our manual grinder guide).

The Turin DF64 is the loudest of the three, and the Timemore 064S the quietest

Noise is the most common complaint about the Turin DF64, including from owners who like it. The 250 W motor runs at one fixed speed and makes a high-pitched whine for the 8 or so seconds an espresso dose takes. The Niche Zero turns its burrs slowly through a gearbox, so a dose takes about twice as long, and owners describe a lower, gentler sound. Niche rates the Niche Zero at 72 dB while grinding. Owners call the Timemore 064S and its 150 W motor near-silent, which matters if you grind before the rest of the house is awake.

The Niche Zero needs the least setup, and the Turin DF64 the most

The Niche Zero is ready to use out of the box. Niche says the burrs reach their best after about 10 kg of coffee, and the manual asks for a deep clean every three to six months: lift out the lower burr, sweep out the grounds and put a little food-safe grease on the dial threads. Owners praise the Niche Zero most for how easy it is to adjust, clean and return to a setting, including owners who later sold theirs.

The Turin DF64 asks for more. Owners recommend checking the burr alignment when the grinder arrives, because burrs that sit slightly crooked grind unevenly, and some units need thin shims under a burr to correct the angle. Ground coffee leaves through a short chute at the front. Owners who skip the bellows, or a drop of water on the beans before grinding, report clogs and static in the chute. Plan to brush out the chute regularly.

The Timemore 064S needs more setup than the Niche Zero and less than the Turin DF64. The burrs arrive new and slightly rough, so the grind settles after the first two kilos or so of beans. The hopper, the funnel on top that you pour the beans into, is shallow, and beans can bounce on top of the burrs instead of feeding in, which owners call popcorning. A wet bean also sticks to the hopper walls, so Timemore 064S owners go light on the drop of water. Reaching the burrs to clean them means removing several screws.

The Turin DF64 and Timemore 064S take other 64 mm burrs, and the Niche Zero keeps its original set

The Turin DF64 and Timemore 064S use 64 mm flat burrs, a size many burr makers sell, so either grinder can be fitted with burrs designed for pour-over or for light-roast espresso. On the Turin DF64, this is the main reason owners buy it, because the grinder can stay in use as their coffee changes. Each swap means checking the alignment again. Niche Zero owners stay on the original 63 mm conical burrs, because replacement sets for the Niche Zero are rare. Niche rates the original burrs for more than 750 kg of coffee, which is decades of daily espresso for one household.

The Niche Zero ships from the UK, and the Turin DF64 and Timemore 064S come from dealers in Canada and the US

Canadian buyers order the Niche Zero direct from Niche's website in the UK, and the courier collects import duty and tax on delivery. Niche ships to the US the same way. The warranty runs one year. Niche posts replacement parts with fitting instructions, and if the grinder has to go back, you pay to ship it. Owners say Niche sends replacement parts free, often after the warranty has ended.

The Turin DF64's one-year warranty is honoured by the dealer that sold it, and owners say the dealer decides how good that support is. The DF64 is sold under several names and by overseas resellers that owners report give little support, so buy it from a dealer in your country. Timemore's limited warranty covers original buyers who use the grinder in the US or Canada. Timemore's warranty terms state no length, and you pay shipping for warranty service. Stillwater sells the Turin DF64 Gen 2 and the Timemore Sculptor 064S.

Timemore has announced the 064S II, with the same burrs and a larger hopper

Timemore opened orders for the Sculptor 064S II in October 2026, with shipping quoted for early 2027. The 064S II keeps the same 64 mm burr set and changes the parts owners complained about. The hopper holds 50 g instead of about 30 g and has a shield against popcorning. The burrs lift out by hand, the grind marker sits on top of the dial, and the motor runs up to 1,600 turns a minute. The 064S II stands 28 cm tall and weighs 4.6 kg. The grind itself should match the first 064S, because the burrs are the same.

Best overall: Timemore Sculptor 064S

The Timemore Sculptor 064S is the best overall pick because it suits the most buyers. It grinds for espresso and pour-over, and owners call it the quietest of the three. Owners also praise the build quality and how little coffee stays inside the grinder. The trade-offs are the shallow hopper and the screws you remove to reach the burrs, and the 064S II changes both.

Best for milk drinks: Niche Zero

The Niche Zero suits someone who drinks lattes and cappuccinos made with medium or dark roasts and wants a grinder that works out of the box, with the dial as the only thing to set. Owners keep theirs for many years, and used Niche Zero grinders hold their resale value. If you also brew pour-over, see what Niche Zero owners pair it with.

Best for burr upgrades: Turin DF64 Gen 2

The Turin DF64 Gen 2 suits someone who enjoys setting up equipment and wants a grinder that can change with their coffee through a new set of 64 mm burrs. Against the Timemore 064S, the Turin DF64 holds a bigger dose, about 50 g against about 30 g. An espresso takes about 18 g, so the difference shows when you grind for several cups of pour-over at once. Owners also report fewer beans bouncing on the Turin DF64's burrs. The trade-offs are the noise and the routine care. To see the Turin DF64 against two other single-dose espresso grinders, read Turin DF64 vs Baratza Sette 270 vs Eureka Mignon.

For grinders at other prices, see the best coffee grinders under $1,000 and our guide to choosing a coffee grinder.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Niche Zero better than the DF64?

The Niche Zero is easier to live with: it is quieter, arrives ready to use and returns the same grind each time you go back to a dial setting. The Turin DF64 Gen 2 takes other 64 mm burrs and suits light roasts better. In milk drinks, owners find the espresso from the two grinders close.

Is the Timemore 064S good for espresso?

Yes. The Timemore Sculptor 064S has 64 mm flat burrs and a stepless dial, which turns smoothly to any point, so you can make the small changes espresso needs. Owners use it daily for espresso and pour-over.

Can the Niche Zero grind for pour-over?

The Niche Zero grinds coarse enough for pour-over, but owners consistently report a muddy cup that drains slowly. Many Niche Zero owners use a second grinder for pour-over.

What is the difference between the DF64 Gen 2 and Gen 3?

The DF64 Gen 3 is the DF64V Gen 3, a variable-speed version with a slimmer body and a magnetic chute. The Turin DF64 Gen 2 runs at one fixed speed and is the current fixed-speed DF64.

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