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Niche Zero v Eureka Mignon XL Oro real world comparison.

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  • Niche Zero v Eureka Mignon XL Oro real world comparison.

    I now have the Niche Zero and Eureka Mignon XL Oro.

    Given there is a bit of interest in these two grinders I thought a comparison was in order.

    I won’t concentrate on the physical differences, but both seem very well built.

    The beans I used are Ocean Grind ‘Shorebreak’ from Torquay (5 weeks post roast - not stale, but they are better at 2-3 weeks) and Mornington Peninsula Roasters ‘Big Left Blend’ (2 weeks post roast). These are both medium roast blends.

    In terms of usability the Niche is simple and very easy to dial in. My first shot with the Big Left Bend was a gusher, but the second was spot on. I would like to say that this was because my barista skills are exceptional, however a complete guess is more accurate.

    The Eureka requires a little more finesse due to the small adjustment dial and I have found that it takes a couple of shots for the new setting to stabilise. Bear in mind that I don’t single dose with it because I find once the timer is set correctly there is no need to. I just purge a couple of grams in the morning and it is good to go.

    Both grinders produce fluffy grinds without any clumping. The Niche ends up with a little bit of chaff sticking to the outside of the chute.

    After trying both beans my tasting impressions are that there is no difference in a latte, which is no great surprise. I use 20g in and 30-35g out.

    With espresso (20g in and 40-42g out) there is virtually no difference, but any difference is subtle and I can’t really define it. This of course is assuming that I have the skills to be consistent - in reality any difference is probably down to me. They both produce very enjoyable shots and according to my son who only drinks espresso the Niche is slightly less ‘bold’, but gives them equal weight in terms of enjoyability. This is completely subjective and I doubt you could pick it in a double blind test.

    My initial impressions are that the Eureka is more convenient if you don’t change beans and grind size regularly. It is blazingly fast and relatively quiet, but as you can see from the picture the grinders sit in in their own amplifying auditorium, so quiet is a relative term.

    The Niche is slower and grinds at a lower pitch making it sound quieter. Weighing the beans first adds to the workflow, but I can start steaming the milk, so total time is about the same.

    The Niche dosing cup is excellent and is way better than the Rhino Gear one I have been using with the Eureka. They should sell them separately.

    I am only going to keep one grinder, but the Niche needs a few more weeks of use before I make a decision.

    The thing that might sway me is that I no longer work from home and there are no decent cafe’s close by, so the Niche will be easier to swap settings for Aeropress. My plan is to pre-grind so that I can have a decent brew at lunch time.


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  • #2
    Super comparison. Interesting that there is no discernible flavor difference. Burr size NZ 63mm conical v Oro 65mm flat. Perhaps Hoffman can taste the difference but that matters little if we can't. Wondering now about a light roast comparison... hmm. No pressure

    Comment


    • Dipendente
      Dipendente commented
      Editing a comment
      I have yet to find a light roast that I like - admittedly I have not tried any in the last couple of years. My palate is more medium to dark.

      I just made another latte with the Niche. I think the Eureka has a little more boldness, but I think the grind is a tiny bit finer. I will tighten the grind on the Niche and dose to 19g. Let’s see what happens tomorrow morning.

  • #3
    Great write up! As an aside Niche do sell their new dosing cup separately on their website now.

    Comment


    • Dipendente
      Dipendente commented
      Editing a comment
      Thanks for the info. If the Eureka stays and the Niche goes I will get one.

  • #4
    Originally posted by Dipendente View Post
    I now have the Niche Zero and Eureka Mignon XL Oro.

    Given there is a bit of interest in these two grinders I thought a comparison was in order.


    The Eureka requires a little more finesse due to the small adjustment dial and I have found that it takes a couple of shots for the new setting to stabilise. Bear in mind that I don’t single dose with it because I find once the timer is set correctly there is no need to. I just purge a couple of grams in the morning and it is good to go.

    My initial impressions are that the Eureka is more convenient if you don’t change beans and grind size regularly. It is blazingly fast and relatively quiet, but as you can see from the picture the grinders sit in in their own amplifying auditorium, so quiet is a relative term.
    Thanks for the insightful review.

    From the sounds of it, compared to the Niche, the Eureka does not seem as suited to 'single dosing' (even though their advertising literature promote low retention).

    Comment


    • Dipendente
      Dipendente commented
      Editing a comment
      It is low retention compared with my previous grinders. Without any testing I would say a couple of grams, however that is when it has been cleaned.

      If you look at the grind chamber there is virtually no room for any more that a couple of grams to hide, which is why I purge about 2g in the morning before my first coffee.

      I will be using both grinders side by side for the next few weeks to work out which one I will keep.

      It is too early to call, but the other coffee drinker prefers the Eureka.

  • #5
    After a few weeks with both of these grinders I have to admit there is no clear winner.

    I will try and be as thorough as I can with a list of pros and cons, but I probably need to lay out my usage pattern first.

    My first coffee is at around 7:30am and is a latte, the second is at around 9am in a Frank Green ceramic cup to drink in the car. This might be a long black, but is usually another latte. I don’t have the time or inclination to RDT or WDT; I just tap/settle the grounds and tamp. If they look uneven I use an OCD, but I am unconvinced that it does more than provide an even bed for tamping, which is probably better than not using it. I use the excellent Niche dosing cup with both grinders.

    I have an ECM Mechanika Profi which uses the tank because there is no easy access to plumb it in.

    To reduce channeling I pre-wet the puck for 15 seconds before switching on the pump and aim for 40g in about 30 seconds out of 19g of coffee when making espresso and 30g for a ristretto. The pre-wetting probably masks more than a few errors in my prep.

    I also grind 30g for Aeropress at work because no matter how much the staff say that the Lavazzo pods produce amazing coffee I cannot bring myself to try them.

    XL Oro:

    Pros:
    • ​​​​​​​very fast
    • consistent dose
    • fluffy, static free and even grind
    • single dose is possible
    • quiet
    • minimal stray grounds
    • makes great espresso
    • high quality build and finish
    • looks great on the bench
    • low retention

    Cons:
    • ​​​​​​​not easy to change grind from espresso to Aeropress and back again (compared with the Niche)
    • possibly too much retention if all you do is single dose
    • purging a couple of grams is required when changing grind size (and first shot of the day)
    • marginally more involved to clean than the Niche

    Niche:
    ​​​​​​​
    Pros:
    • extremely easy to adjust the grind size and dial in
    • ultra-low retention
    • no purge required (although I have had two occasions where I have had a gusher when changing back from Aeropress)
    • quiet
    • very easy to clean
    • great for single dosing
    • looks good on the bench
    • excellent dosing cup

    Cons:
    • fit and finish not as refined as the XL
    • the planetary gears have an 'agricultural' sound when it is running
    • static, whilst minimal, creates more mess and less even distribution in the portafilter than the XL
    • single dosing (when you are in a hurry or making multiple coffees)
    • grind not as even and fluffy as the XL which is probably due to the conical burrs

    Both grinders produce excellent espresso to my unsophisticated palate and according to my son who only drinks espresso, the XL is marginally better. I can also taste the difference, but I am not one for listing the differences like it's a wine tasting......

    In my very inexpert opinion the XL produces a shot with slightly brighter notes and the Niche has a bolder flavour. I will say that the Niche makes a better Aeropress than the XL which is probably due to me not purging enough through the XL when I alter the grind.

    If it wasn't for making an Aeropress at work I would say that the XL has a very slight upper hand. I go though a kilogram of beans at a time and don't change what I use until the bag is finished, so the advantages of single dosing are not much of a consideration.

    I think I need more time to decide which one to keep..........

    Comment


    • #6
      wondering if OP has decided which one to keep yet? If they're on par in the cup, then for someone who is in the market for a new grinder, XL may win in terms of cost (which can be purchased from ECS for $1000ish delivered), On the other hand NZ costs a lot more and not readily available.

      Comment


      • level3ninja
        level3ninja commented
        Editing a comment
        ECS in Canada?

      • sacsnob
        sacsnob commented
        Editing a comment
        Espresso Coffee Shop, think its based in Italy.

    • #7
      You don't mention durability/reliability of which fit and finish is a reflection. I think the heritage of the Eureka would win out in that respect.

      Comment


      • Barry O'Speedwagon
        Barry O'Speedwagon commented
        Editing a comment
        There are a lot of Niches out there, and you don't see too many problems reported. They are a very simple and efficient design. So I'm not sure I'd leap to that conclusion.

      • Dartiguan
        Dartiguan commented
        Editing a comment
        Not leaping Barry, just saying that they have only been around for a few years as a critical point to consider, and the owner noted fit and finish as a salient point. I like the Niche design, but that is an exterior feature. I don’t know anything about the motor used or components and they have been hard to obtain for many and are quite expensive as a result of relative scarcity. These are things I would consider in a purchase as factors. In comparison I have had a Rancilio Rocky for 6 years and it hasn’t missed a beat, and they have been around a lot longer. It’s convinced me it’s bulletproof, I would be genuinely shocked if I came down in the morning and it didn’t go for any reason. It doesn’t have quite the elegance of the Niche though, you’d have to admit

    • #8
      Had my Niche since October 2018 and it’s never skipped a beat to the point some months I forget to clean it as doesn’t give me a reason to think to look at it. Guessing it’s had around 40kg through it. Only reason it look to swap is if could maintain grind consistency and no retention of the niche but be a big (64mm+) flat burr just because I’d be keen to see if any difference but think this thread has put that to bed

      Comment


      • #9
        A key feature of the Niche in my opinion is its ability to easily adjust grind. This is a deal maker for many potential owners

        Comment


        • #10
          I thought I would update this thread after deciding to sell the Niche.

          In the end the Niche lost out because I found that I was only using it for Aeropress. Yes, there were a lot of things to like about the Niche, but with the XL being used for 3-4 coffees per day and the Niche a couple of times per week it was a no brainer.

          There was no light bulb moment. I just found that I preferred using the XL. Without being long winded about the differences - the coffee tastes marginally better, it is easier (or more convenient) to use and makes less mess.

          I will miss the Niche for Aeropress, but nothing much else. Another bonus is I now have more bench space in my coffee corner and my very patient tea drinking wife is happy one is gone.

          Comment


          • #11
            So the hopper dosing vs single dosing was a major factor?

            Comment


            • Dipendente
              Dipendente commented
              Editing a comment
              Yes, I suppose so, but I still weigh the dose from the XL because there is some variability. The timed dose, grind evenness and lack of static are the main contributing factors, other than the convenience of a hopper.

          • #12
            Interesting comparison, thanks for sharing.

            Comment


            • jafa1970
              jafa1970 commented
              Editing a comment
              Ditto. Appreciate the effort to provide all the detail and personal thoughts. Helpful info for the reader.
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