This single-dose grinder delivers genuinely good espresso, fluffy grinds, fast workflow, quiet motor, but it comes with a maintenance tax you need to accept upfront. The chute accumulates grounds on the outside over weeks of use, requiring periodic teardowns to keep it running clean; some units clog completely, others just get messy, and the problem can surface suddenly after your return window closes. If you're the type who enjoys tinkering, the DF64 Gen 2 rewards you with low retention, a clear burr upgrade path, and strong performance on medium-dark roasts. If you want an appliance that just works without regular deep cleaning, look elsewhere.
The Niche Zero is the single-dose grinder for people who know they love traditional espresso: medium-dark roasts, chocolatey shots, milk drinks that taste like dessert. It delivers near-zero retention, whisper-quiet operation, and years of reliable service, but the conical burrs that make darker beans sing will flatten fruity Ethiopians into something polite and forgettable. Enough owners have bought a second grinder specifically for light roasts that the pattern is clear. If you're committed to classic espresso profiles and want a grinder that just works, this is still a smart buy; if you're still exploring what you like or already deep into the light roast game, the burr geometry will fight you.