Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs DF DF64 Gen 2
Convenient mid-tier electric versus a single-dose espresso platform. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro at $200 grinds into the portafilter with 60 settings and timed dosing — convenient but high-retention with more fines. The DF64 Gen 2 at $399 packs 64mm flat burrs and an SSP-upgradeable platform for near-professional grind quality. Choose the Breville for convenience and budget; choose the DF64 for grind quality and upgrade potential.
Spec face-off
Bars scaled to the higher value. Coloured = wins that spec.
Full specifications
Strengths & weaknesses
Full comparison
The Smart Grinder Pro is a hopper-fed convenience grinder: 60 settings, 0.2-second timed dosing, grinds directly into the portafilter, good filter-side control. The DF64 Gen 2 is a single-dose espresso-and-filter grinder with 64mm flat burrs — diameter usually found in $600+ grinders — and an open platform that accepts SSP and other aftermarket burrs, so the chassis is effectively unlimited in upgrade potential.
Grind quality strongly favors the DF64. Its flat burrs match grinders costing 2-3x more in independent particle analysis, while the Breville's high retention (~18g in, 16g out) and excess fines undermine espresso consistency. The DF64 does have static/clumping at espresso settings that a ~$20 bellows fixes, and stepless adjustment with no numbered positions means keeping a log.
Convenience and price favor the Breville. At $200 versus $399 (more with burrs/bellows), the Breville is cheaper, grinds hands-free with timed dosing, and is friendlier for a household that values push-button convenience over ultimate grind quality. The DF64 is the choice for someone chasing espresso quality and a future-proof platform.
Buy the Smart Grinder Pro ($200) for convenient, programmable, lower-cost grinding. Buy the DF64 Gen 2 ($399) for near-professional grind quality and an upgradeable single-dose platform.