Specs
| Speed | About 165 rpm, the slowest of the five budget grinders Lance Hedrick tested 7:16 |
| Burr | Moonshine burrs used for espresso 7:16 |
Starting settings
These are the settings each creator gave, measured from their own grinder's zero. Use them as a starting point.
| Method | Setting | Context | Confidence | By | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over | around 10 to 11 | Good clarity with some body | approx | DGC | 2:02 |
| Espresso | around 3.5 | 18 g. Each tick is about 5 s of shot time, and half ticks work | approx | DGC | 7:46 |
| Espresso | around 3 to 4 | Slightly coarser than Varia recommends. 18 g took about 30 s to grind and the shot ran just under 30 s, rich and full with good separation | approx | DGC | 3:04 |
| Espresso | around 4 to 2 on the dial | Kyle Rowsell's rough espresso area. The exact figures are uncertain | unclear | Rowsell | 4:11 |
Cup profile
- Good at filter and espresso. Espresso shows stone fruit, and filter has a faster drawdown and a less muddy bed 7:16.
Strengths
Weaknesses
- Owners report gearbox and motor failures. Retention is high, it's slow, and it stalled for Lance Hedrick 7:16 16:00.
Verdict
In 2023 Lance Hedrick found it tasted great, but the reliability made him hesitate 7:16. His 2024 tier list gave it a B 16:00.
James Hoffmann's take
- In 2024 the VS3 Gen 2 was the weakest of the five grinders under £250 he tested. The cups were heavy and muddy, and at espresso settings burr friction dragged the stepless collar off its setting while grinding 0:32 29:49.
Daddy Got Coffee's take
- In 2024 he found great espresso and good filter for the price, with low retention using RDT. There are many reports of dead motors or stripped drivetrains, though, especially with light roasts 0:00 14:25.
Kyle Rowsell's take
- In 2022 it had the best sweetness, acidity and transparency of his budget group. It's slow, at 165 rpm and 100 W, and needs bellows and RDT. Screwing the dial tight returns it to zero reliably. Tasted blind it was muted beside a Lagom Mini, which he prefers if you can stretch to one. In 2023 it came third in blind espresso and was strong value for filter, with some owners complaining about reliability 5:07 2:03 19:45.
Sprometheus's take
- In 2023 he called it inexpensive without feeling cheap. It has 20 µm markings, runs at 160 rpm and retention measured under 0.1 g. Espresso is full-bodied and a little brighter than most cones, and filter is balanced at 18 to 22%. Play in the adjustment knob lets you drift past your setting. It whines, has an external power box, and he wonders how long the motor will last. It costs $300 6:31.
Sources
- Kyle Rowsell: The Best Budget Coffee Grinder Under $300?! (2022-12-20)
- Kyle Rowsell: VARIA VS3: Is It A Better Option than the ODE GEN 2 or LAGOM MINI? (2022-12-31)
- Sprometheus: VARIA VS3: A Capable Grinder With A Possible Dealbreaker (2023-02-03)
- Kyle Rowsell: Best Budget Espresso Grinder Showdown // OPUS vs ENCORE ESP Review (2023-02-21)
- Lance Hedrick: BUDGET ALL-AROUND GRINDERS: Overview (2023-03-04)
- Daddy Got Coffee: Varia VS3: Can It Out-Grind Its Ghost? (2024-06-15)
- Lance Hedrick: Grinder Tier List (2024-09-10)
- James Hoffmann: The Best Espresso Grinder Under £250 (2024-11-18)
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 Varia VS3 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.