I used a GRAEF CM800 grinder for many years, in combination with a Delonghi Dedica with a naked portafilter. I found the Baratza for about €160 and made the switch. In terms of construction, it is fully plastic (the GRAEF is stainless steel), lightweight, and quite compact in size. Based on specifications, it is not designed to grind directly into the portafilter (it comes with two baskets for that), however, the Dedica fits into the opening (personally, I place the portafilter and hold down the button on the front). It does not have any timer or weighing method (expected at this price), but it is not a significant drawback. Retention is minimal to none (1 gr max). As a result, it is simply in a different category compared to the GRAEF when it comes to grinding for espresso. With the same coffee, you get a completely different result in the cup. Clearly superior, in every way. I honestly did not expect such a big difference. It is also very easy to clean. Its cost in Greece is significantly higher compared to other markets, however, it is perhaps the most value-for-money option for espresso. It is important that spare parts are available in Greece. If you are not at all interested in the ability to make espresso, there are cheaper options available.

I had a simple grinder of 90 euros for years. With 10 coffees, 3-4 were not very good. I switched to this one and it is much worse. Many times on the same day you need to change the grinding scale because it has no consistency. With the same coffee, of course. This has never happened to me before. With the cheap grinder I had, this almost never happened. Also, I would say that I have had very few quality coffees with the Baratza since I have had it for months. I now use the old one and as soon as I have time, I will take the Baratza for service to see if it has any manufacturing defect. If it does not have a manufacturing defect, without exaggeration, it is not worth even 30 euros.

Positives:
• One of the best options in the non-stepless grinder category in the price range up to $200.
• Conical blades.
• Consistency in grinding is stable.
• One of the fastest grinding speeds for this price range.
• Not exclusively for Espresso. Allows for grinding for drip coffee, etc.
• Not exclusively for single dosing - has a bean hopper for storage.
• Sturdy and stable construction.
• Easy to disassemble and clean.
• Includes many additional accessories in the package.

Negatives:
• Does not have an automatic timer for grinding time.
• There is a retention of 1-3g of coffee, which can be reduced with a few gentle taps from above.
• Sometimes coffee spills out of the cup due to static electricity.
• The noise level is moderate to high.
• The plastic casing for the beans is not stable during operation.
• The design could be more modern.

At the time of writing this review, I see the grinder available for €225, while the Baratza grinder (for retail) is priced at $200. Personally, I found it from an international source for €145, so the purchase was a no-brainer. With a price range of up to €200, it is an excellent choice among non-stepless grinders. The review will be updated if anything new arises.