Specs
| Burrs | Monster 151B (espresso, bimodal) and 151F (filter) on pre-calibrated carriers 3:32 |
| Dial | The same dial as the Niche Zero, up to 70 numbers. Zero is set about 10 clicks short of burr lock, and Lance Hedrick's grinder varied from one carrier to the other 3:32 |
| Motor | 130 W with a planetary gearbox, and it doesn't stall 3:32. About 530 rpm 15:50 |
Starting settings
No one has shared grind settings for it yet.
Cup profile
- The espresso burrs pull a creamier, more robust shot than the Zero's cone. The 151F is fine for filter 3:32.
Strengths
- The Niche workflow, low retention and very easy burr swaps 3:32.
Weaknesses
- No ionizer, so there's static, chaff and spray. There's no slow-feed disc, the lid rattles, and fitting other burrs voids the warranty 3:32.
Verdict
2023: good, but Lance Hedrick leans towards the DF83 V2 for a cleaner cup 3:32. 2024: grade B, with coffee not as good as the DF83V 21:25.
James Hoffmann's take
- In his 2024 review, blind tastings and particle analysis showed the Duo's espresso burr behaving almost exactly like the conical Niche Zero, while the filter burr made clean, sweet filter. He liked the burr swap and the factory calibration, which fixes the Zero's variation from one grinder to the next, but wanted one universal burr and a bigger catch cup 0:00 9:45 4:04.
- You need a light spray of water on the beans to stop static at the chute 5:36.
Daddy Got Coffee's take
- 2023: exceptional espresso (sweet, full-bodied and layered) and filter (bright and crisp) from separate Mazzer 151B and 151F burr sets, with almost no retention. The catch is swapping burrs every time you change method 2:54 6:05.
Kyle Rowsell's take
- In his 2023 review it was very good, though not a new benchmark. Tasted blind, the espresso burr gave textured body with better separation than the Zero and sweet, sparkling acidity. The brew burr is juicy and low in astringency on light roasts but less separated than SSP multi-purpose, and the espresso burr turns astringent on filter. It grinds 20 g in under 10 s with a Zero-style workflow. Against it are static, popcorning, a plastic lid and imperfect alignment, which is worse on the filter burr. £549 with one set, or £649 with both after a price cut 0:00.
- Later in 2023 he found both stock burrs left a drying finish, with more astringency than the Timemore 078. It needs aftermarket burrs to match a 078S as a multi-purpose grinder 4:07.
Sprometheus's take
- 2023: the filter burrs make bright, juicy, clear pour-overs, and the espresso burrs make syrupy, balanced shots and passable pour-over. Both extract into the 20s. Retention matches the Zero and popcorning is minimal. Swapping carriers is a chore, though, the carrier tolerances are loose (his grinder needed a shim), static calls for RDT and the filter burrs can't reach espresso. He'd have preferred 64 mm burrs and expects most owners to stick with one set 9:28.
- Against a Zero modded with flat burrs, the Duo is the polished, plug-and-play option. It's far faster with a longer usable range, if a little less charming 5:25.
Sources
- Daddy Got Coffee: Niche DUO Review: Flat burr BEAST with a twist... (2023-04-16)
- Sprometheus: NICHE DUO: Everything You Need To Know (2023-04-28)
- Kyle Rowsell: NICHE DUO REVIEW: Legendary Or Late? (2023-05-25)
- Kyle Rowsell: GIANT GRINDER SHOWDOWN: Sculptor 078S, Zerno Z1, Niche Duo, DF83 (2023-07-12)
- Sprometheus: FLAT BURR NICHE: Manufacturer Vs. Modification (2023-07-21)
- Lance Hedrick: ONE TO RULE THEM ALL?: Niche Duo vs DF83 V2 Review! (2023-09-29)
- James Hoffmann: The Niche Duo Review (2024-03-08)
- Lance Hedrick: Grinder Tier List (2024-09-10)
Summarised in our own words from the creators' videos, with every point linked to the moment it comes from. Notchbook isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any of these creators, so please watch the originals for full context. Sources
Dialling in from here
- Sour, thin or fast? Grind finer. Why coffee tastes sour
- Bitter, dry or slow? Grind coarser. Why coffee tastes bitter
- Espresso: how to dial in. Filter: pour-over grind size.
Compare with other grinders in the grind size chart, or see every grinder.
Notchbook is a free app that remembers the setting that worked on your Niche Duo for each coffee and brew method, and keeps a journal of every brew. Get it free on Google Play. The iPhone app is coming soon. More about Notchbook.