Eureka Mignon vs Niche Zero: Which Grinder Should You Buy?

Not sure which setup is right for you?

Two of the most recommended home espresso grinders at the £400-500 price point take fundamentally different approaches. The Eureka Mignon Specialita represents Italian commercial heritage scaled down for home use. The Niche Zero was designed from scratch specifically for single-dosing home baristas. Here's how they actually compare when you're making coffee every morning.

Quick answer

The Niche Zero is better for single-dosing and switching between beans. The Eureka Mignon Specialita is better for hopper-based workflows and pure espresso focus. Both make excellent coffee. Your workflow preference should guide the choice.

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What makes these grinders different

The Niche Zero was crowd-funded by home baristas who wanted true single-dosing with zero retention. It uses 63mm conical burrs, a horizontal grinding path, and a cup that catches grounds directly. The entire design serves one goal: grind exactly what you put in, with nothing left behind.

The Eureka Mignon Specialita is part of Eureka's commercial grinder lineage, scaled for home use. It uses 55mm flat burrs, a traditional vertical design, and a doser or direct portafilter mount. It's built for consistent grinding with beans in the hopper, with some retention by design.

These aren't just different products; they represent different philosophies about how home espresso should work.

Single-dosing performance

This is where the Niche dominates.

**Niche Zero:** True zero retention (0.1-0.2g). Weigh beans in, get that exact amount out. Perfect for switching between beans mid-day or using expensive limited coffees. The horizontal grinding path means gravity helps clear all grounds.

**Eureka Mignon Specialita:** Retains 1-3g typically. Needs "purging" (grinding waste beans) when switching coffees. Better suited to keeping one bean in the hopper until finished. Some owners modify with bellows or rubber gaskets to improve retention.

If you buy multiple bags at once and want to switch between them, the Niche is clearly better. If you finish one bag before starting another, retention matters less.

Grind quality and consistency

Both produce excellent espresso grinds. The difference is in character rather than quality.

Eureka 55mm flat burrs: Emphasise clarity and brightness. Individual flavour notes are distinct and separated. Some people describe flat burr espresso as "cleaner." Works excellently for medium to light roasts where you want to taste origin character.

Niche 63mm conical burrs: Emphasise body and sweetness. Flavours blend more cohesively. Traditional Italian espresso character. Works excellently for medium to dark roasts and milk drinks where body matters.

Neither is objectively better. Taste preferences vary. The difference is noticeable but subtle, the grind consistency and your brewing technique matter more.

Adjustment and dialling in

**Eureka Mignon Specialita:** Stepless adjustment with a numbered dial. Turn the collar for finer or coarser. The numbers let you return to previous settings precisely. Very fine increments are possible. Some users find the dial slightly fiddly to adjust while holding the portafilter.

**Niche Zero:** Stepless adjustment with a numbered outer ring. Larger dial is easy to turn. Numbers correspond to grind settings that can be recorded and returned to. Adjustment is slightly less granular than the Eureka but plenty precise for espresso.

Both dial in well. The Niche's larger dial is easier to adjust; the Eureka's smaller increments allow finer tuning if you need it.

Build quality and aesthetics

**Eureka Mignon Specialita:** Metal housing with Italian commercial build quality. Will last decades with minimal maintenance. Weighs about 5.5kg. Available in multiple colours. Looks professional and robust. Slightly loud during grinding (touch screen timer helps minimise grinding time).

**Niche Zero:** Engineered plastic and metal housing. Designed for home use with appropriate durability. Weighs about 2kg. Distinctive design that stands out. Near-silent grinding, much quieter than most grinders.

The Niche is quieter and lighter. The Eureka feels more industrial and is definitively built to commercial standards. Both will last years of home use.

Workflow differences

Hopper-based workflow (Eureka favoured):

Fill hopper with 250-500g of beans. Grind doses directly into portafilter as needed. Don't weigh individual doses. Slightly faster morning routine. Works best if you use one coffee until finished.

Single-dose workflow (Niche required):

Weigh beans for each dose. Pour into grinder. Grind and receive exact amount. Maximum freshness and flexibility. Slightly more steps each morning. Required for frequently switching coffees.

Many Eureka owners eventually convert to single-dosing anyway using aftermarket bellows mods and hoppers. Many Niche owners never switch beans and could have used a hopper grinder. Think honestly about how you'll actually use the grinder.

Price and value

**Eureka Mignon Specialita:** Around £350-400 in the UK. Represents excellent value for the build quality and grind consistency. Often on sale from Italian retailers.

**Niche Zero:** Around £500 direct from Niche. Occasionally appears used at £350-400. Higher initial price reflects the specialised design and true zero retention.

The £100-150 price difference reflects the Niche's single-dose specialisation. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on whether you need that feature.

Which should you buy?

Buy the Niche Zero if:

You want to single-dose with minimal waste.

You buy multiple coffees and switch between them regularly.

You grind for both espresso and filter (the Niche handles both well).

You value quiet operation, especially early mornings.

You're willing to pay premium for purpose-built design.

Buy the Eureka Mignon Specialita if:

You finish one bag of beans before buying another.

You prefer a hopper-based workflow with less weighing.

You want flat burr flavour clarity for light roasts.

You value commercial build quality and proven Italian engineering.

You want to save £100-150 for other upgrades.

Neither is wrong. They're different tools for different workflows. The coffee quality from both is excellent.

What about other Eureka Mignon models?

The Mignon range includes several models:

Mignon Manuale (~£250): Basic model without timer. Manual grinding only. Same burrs as Specialita.

Mignon Silenzio (~£300): Adds timer, quieter operation. Same burrs.

**Mignon Specialita** (~£350-400): Touchscreen timer, quietest of the range. Most popular.

Mignon XL (~£500): Larger 65mm burrs for faster grinding. Overkill for home use.

For most home users, the Specialita hits the sweet spot. The Manuale is viable if you're on a budget and don't mind manual control.

What about the Niche Duo?

The Niche Duo adds separate adjustment dials for espresso and filter, making switching between brewing methods instant.

At around £700, it's significantly more than the Zero. Worth it if you genuinely brew both espresso and filter daily. For espresso-only users, the Zero is sufficient.

Common questions about Eureka Mignon vs Niche Zero

Which produces better espresso?

Both produce excellent espresso. The Eureka's flat burrs emphasise clarity; the Niche's conical burrs emphasise body. The difference is subtle, technique matters more.

Can the Eureka single-dose?

With modifications (bellows, small hopper), yes. But retention is still higher than the Niche. If single-dosing is essential, the Niche is purpose-built for it.

Is the Niche Zero actually worth £500?

For true single-dosers who switch beans frequently, yes. The time saved and coffee not wasted pays back the premium. For hopper users, the extra £100-150 is wasted.

Which is better for beginners?

Both work well. The Eureka's hopper-based workflow is slightly simpler. The Niche's single-dosing requires weighing each dose. Neither is difficult to use.

How do they compare to cheaper grinders?

Both are significant upgrades over budget options like the Sage Smart Grinder Pro. Grind consistency improves noticeably, making dialling in easier and shots more repeatable.

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