If you've checked out my guide to the best coffee grinders you will have seen a couple of Baratza coffee grinders on my top 10 list. Still, it's only now that I'm getting round to writing a Baratza Virtuoso+ review.
If you’ve checked out my guide to the best coffee grinders you will have seen a couple of Baratza coffee grinders on my top 10 list. Still, it’s only now that I’m getting round to writing a Baratza Virtuoso+ review.
Seeing as I’m already familiar with the Seattle-based manufacturer’s products, I kind of know what to expect, quality-wise. However, I was more than interested to see how the Baratza Virtuoso+ would perform during my testing. After all, this is yet another coffee grinder that’s touted as being versatile enough to handle everything from espresso to cold brew.
I’ll share the results of my testing a little later. Still, if you’ve read my reviews of other supposed “all-rounders,” you’ll probably be taking the whole espresso claim with a grain of salt.
Incidentally, at this point I should let you know that Baratza was kind enough to send me the Virtuoso+ to play with. That said, I’ll pull no punches during my review – as always I’ll tell you exactly what I think of this popular burr coffee grinder.
Solid and Dependable
Baratza Virtuoso+
Could be a lifelong partner
High quality build
Easy to maintain
Powerful DC motor
Very consistent results
Digital timer function
Backlit grounds container
Not suitable for espresso
Baratza Virtuoso+ Review Overview
I think I’m right in saying that the Baratza Virtuoso+ was launched in 2020 as an update to the beloved original Virtuoso. For years the Virtuoso had proven itself as one of the most consistently high-performing grinders in its class, showcasing the manufacturer’s enduring dedication to quality and durability.
Still, in an effort to keep up with the Joneses, Baratza added a digital timer function, while simultaneously improving the burr set and adjustment collar. And thus, the Baratza Virtuoso+ was born.
Essentially, we’re looking at the same coffee grinder that’s been serving home coffee lovers so well for such a long time. In other words, the Baratza Virtuoso+ is a workhorse grinder that’s been designed to last a lifetime.
Sure, you may have to replace the burrs once a decade, but the manufacturer has made that particular task extremely easy to perform.
With all that in mind, the Baratza Virtuoso+ asking price of $249.95, seems more than reasonable. I mean, you can find other grinders with similar performance stats that’ll set you back a little less. But the Virtuoso+ will outlast them all.
So, is the Baratza Virtuoso+ the holy grail of coffee grinders you’ve been waiting for? Well, that depends. I’ll tell you right now that there’s a lot to love about this grinder, including a powerful motor, blazing fast grinding speed and outstanding grind consistency.
However, if you’re on the hunt for a dedicated espresso grinder you may as well skip this review altogether.
Sure, the Virtuoso+ is capable of producing fine enough and consistent enough grinds for espresso. Still, it simply doesn’t offer the requisite resolution between settings to successfully dial in espresso shots. On the flip side, if you’re looking for an exemplary grinder to pair with your drip coffee maker you can start getting excited!
Baratza Virtuoso+ Features
Now that I’ve established what we’re dealing with here, let’s continue this Baratza Virtuoso+ review by looking more closely at its main features.
Size and Design
Having recently tested out the Baratza Sette 30, I was more than happy about the weight of the Virtuoso+ as I pulled it from its box. What’s more, there’s plenty of stainless steel in evidence as well as high-quality plastic housing. Where the Sette 30 felt a little cheap, construction-wise, the Virtuoso+ is built like a tank.
As expected, the Baratza Virtuoso+ looked great sitting on my kitchen counter. I happen to love its classic, streamlined design, and its compact size meant it didn’t occupy too much space.
Up top there’s a tinted plastic hopper which you twist to make grind changes. Below that, there’s a small digital display and a dial for adjusting your grind time. Finally, there’s an anti-static grounds bin, which fits very nicely below the grounds chute.
Overall, there’s nothing too flashy about this coffee grinder. However, it does have a bit of flair up its sleeve. I’ll talk about that a little later!
User Interface
As I mentioned earlier, Baratza added a digital timer function to the Virtuoso+. You can’t blame them for wanting to stay relevant, I guess. I mean, just about every manufacturer includes a timer now. However, I’d be perfectly happy with a simple pulse button.
Regular Coffeeness readers will know that timed dosing functions kind of annoy me, seeing as I like to experiment with different coffee beans and grind sizes. And as soon as you change anything you need to readjust the timer. Which means you either wing it and hope for the best or do the right thing and pull out your coffee scale.
On the other hand, I appreciate that plenty of folks always use the same beans and seldom make grind size adjustments. And in that case, the timer function will come in very handy. Once you’ve found your preferred dose, you can simply press a button and get the same amount of coffee grinds each time.
By the way, I made sure to test this for you and can reveal that the Baratza Virtuoso+ is remarkably consistent. Seriously, once you’ve set the timer it’ll dispense precisely the same dose each time to the gram.
Bean Hopper
There’s nothing revolutionary about the Baratza bean hopper, although I will say it feels a little wobbly once it’s in place. And actually getting the thing on there isn’t as easy as you might assume. You first have to wrangle a rubber gasket onto the upper burr before situating the hopper just so and twisting it into place.
Once that’s done, the hopper serves as your grind adjustment mechanism. There’s a marker at the bottom which aligns with the clearly labeled grind settings on the collar. To make an adjustment you simply rotate the hopper, which moves the burrs with a satisfying click.
The bean hopper is UV-tinted, and holds up to 10.6 ounces (300 grams) of coffee beans. While I always recommend using a coffee storage container, I think most folks buying this grinder will want to take advantage of its generous size. Besides, there is a case to be made for the burrs performing more efficiently with more weight coming from above. So, as long as you aren’t filling the hopper and leaving beans in there for weeks at a time, I think all will be well.
Stainless Steel Conical Burrs
The Baratza Virtuoso+ comes equipped with the manufacturer’s 40mm M2 burr set, which is really good news.
I first encountered these new-and-improved burrs during my review of the Baratza Encore ESP, during which I was blown away by their performance. And during my Baratza Virtuoso+ testing I was further impressed by the particle consistency on offer across the grind size spectrum.
Speaking of, the Virtuoso+ is capable of producing consistent grinds from 200 microns to 1200 microns, according to the manufacturer. For reference, that means you can just about get away with making Turkish coffee with this grinder. Plus, you can be confident in grinding coffee beans coarse enough for French press and cold brew.
Grind Settings
The Baratza Virtuoso+ has 40 grind settings, and depending on how you’ll be using the thing you may end up using very few of them. For example, the “set it and forget it” crew will set the grinder somewhere in the middle and produce pot after pot of fantastic coffee.
However, those who like to experiment with different brew methods might end up taking advantage of the whole range of settings.
I’ve already made it abundantly clear that I don’t view the Baratza Virtuoso+ as an effective espresso grinder. Still, that’s not to say you won’t be able to get halfway decent results, especially if you’re willing to experiment with dose and extraction times. Moreover, those using a home espresso machine with pressurized filter baskets will do just fine.
DC Motor
I don’t usually like to bore you with too much technical stuff during my reviews. However, I feel like I have to make special mention of the Baratza Virtuoso+ motor.
As it happens, the original Virtuoso was one of the first home grinders to employ a DC motor. And nothing has changed with the Baratza Virtuoso+.
In a nutshell, a DC motor is much more powerful and efficient than an AC motor, providing superior torque and generating way less heat. The end result? Superior grinder performance and longevity. Good to know, right?
Backlit Grounds Bin
Remember earlier in this review when I mentioned the Virtuoso+ having a little flair up its sleeve? I was referring to the subtle LED lights that illuminate the grounds bin as the grinder is working.
To be honest, this feature is completely unnecessary. However, I love atmospheric lighting in any situation, so I fully support what the manufacturer has done here.
Getting back to the grounds bin, it has a 4.2-ounce (120-gram) capacity, so it’s certainly big enough to accommodate sufficient grinds for a larger 12-cup coffee maker. Baratza points out in its promotional material that the plastic grounds bin has anti-static properties. During my testing I paid special attention, and found that very little ground coffee remained inside. Still, I wouldn’t say it’s completely immune from static charge.
The Baratza Virtuoso+ in Use
As I’ve already pointed out, the Baratza Virtuoso+ excels in producing consistent results across the grind size spectrum. With that said, I did notice that it struggled a little at the very coarsest settings. Still, that’s not to say it won’t perform admirably as a grinder for French press.
During my testing I mainly focused on evaluating the Baratza as a grinder for pour-over preparation, as well as automatic drip machines. And let me tell you, the Virtuoso+ shines brightly in the medium to medium-coarse grind size range.
In other words, use this with your Ratio Six Coffee Maker and you’ll get some of the best coffee you’ve ever tasted. As long as you’re using high-quality coffee beans that is.
While the Baratza Virtuoso+ can’t really perform as an espresso grinder, it has more than enough resolution to keep fans of manual brewing methods engaged. Armed with my trusty Hario V60 and a bag of exceptional single-origin coffee from Bolivia, I set about brewing cup after cup, tweaking the grind each time.
I stayed roughly within the 12-17 setting range, keeping my dose the same for each brew. I have to say I was truly impressed by how the Baratza burrs brought out different facets of this beautiful light roast coffee at each setting.
During my pour-over playtime I used the Virtuoso+ as a single dose grinder, weighing out my beans beforehand. I experienced quite a bit of “popcorning” – coffee beans shooting out of the burrs and bouncing around the hopper. However, the Virtuoso+ hasn’t been designed to be used like this, so no points deducted.
That said, you can pick up an affordable single dose hopper on Amazon, which will make the Baratza Virtuoso+ even better for pour-over!
Baratza Virtuoso+ Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, taking care of the Virtuoso+ is a breeze. I’d recommend keeping an eye on the bean hopper and wiping it out from time to time. That way you’ll avoid rancid coffee oils accumulating in there. As for the ground coffee bin, feel free to give it a good rinse if you want. I’d stay away from the dishwasher though.
Cleaning the upper burr is as easy as removing the bean hopper and lifting out the burr. Then you can use the included brush to remove any dust from the blades. That’ll also give you an opportunity to brush out the grinding chamber and lower burr. Personally, I always use a vacuum cleaner for this task. Trust me, it works like a charm!
Baratza Virtuoso+ Specifications
Baratza Virtuoso+ | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Baratza |
Name | Virtuoso+ |
Type | Electric coffee grinder |
Grinder | Stainless steel conical burrs |
Grind levels | 40 |
Power | 70 watt |
Voltage | 120 volt |
Weight | 8.0 lb / 3.6 kg |
Dimensions | 13.4 x 5.1 x 6.0 in / 34.0 x 13.0 x 15.0 cm |
Suitable for | Moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, drip machines |
Accessories | User manual, grounds container, cleaning brush |
Current price on Amazon | $249.95 |
Baratza Virtuoso+ vs Other Burr Grinders
By now you’ll likely have decided whether or not the Baratza Virtuoso+ could be the coffee grinder for you. Still, it’s good to know what your options are, so let’s see how the Virtuoso+ measures up in comparison to a couple of its close competitors.
Baratza Virtuoso+ vs Encore ESP
The Baratza Encore ESP is another exceptional offering from the Seattle-based manufacturer. And at just $198.45, it’s a little more affordable than the Virtuoso+.
Featuring the same M2 burr set, the Baratza Encore ESP provides the same levels of grind consistency. Plus, it’s fast and efficient into the bargain.
While the Baratza Encore ESP also includes 40 grind settings, the manufacturer has done a sneaky clever thing with this model. The first 20 settings are calibrated differently than the upper settings, offering just 8 microns of burr movement per click. That means the Encore ESP is a legitimate all-rounder, capable of micro-adjustments for espresso as well as bigger steps for drip coffee and French press.
See Also: Baratza Encore ESP Review 2024
Baratza Virtuoso+ vs Breville Smart Grinder Pro
At $199.95, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another slightly more affordable grinder. It’s comparable to the Virtuoso+ in terms of performance, although its motor simply doesn’t measure up to what’s powering the Baratza.
Still, if it’s an affordable espresso grinder you’re after, the Smart Grinder Pro is a better option. Not only does it have 20 more grind settings to play with, it comes with cradles for both 54mm and 58mm portafilters. What’s more, the Breville grinder offers more sophisticated programmability as well as a digital dose timer.
See Also: Breville Smart Grinder Pro Review 2024
Baratza Virtuoso+ vs Others Comparison Chart
Baratza Virtuoso+ | Barata Encore ESP | Breville Smart Grinder Pro | |
---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer | Baratza | Baratza | Breville |
Name | Virtuoso+ | Encore ESP | The Smart Grinder Pro |
Type | Electric coffee grinder | Electric coffee grinder | Electric coffee grinder |
Grinder | Stainless steel conical burrs | Stainless steel conical burrs | Stainless steel conical burrs |
Grind levels | 40 | 40 | 60 |
Power | 70 watt | 70 watt | 165 watt |
Voltage | 120 volt | 110 volt | 110 volt |
Weight | 8.0 lb / 3.6 kg | 7.0 lb / 3.2 kg | 6.4 lb / 2.9 kg |
Dimensions | 13.4 x 5.1 x 6.0 in / 34.0 x 13.0 x 15.0 cm | 13.8 x 4.7 x 6.3 in / 35.1 x 12.0 x 16.0 cm | 15.5 x 6.0 x 8.5 in / 39.4 x 15.2 x 21.6 cm |
Suitable for | Moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, drip machines | Espresso, moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, drip machines | Espresso, moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, drip machines |
Accessories | User manual, grounds container, cleaning brush | User manual, grounds container with lid, dosing cup, cleaning brush | User manual, grounds container with lid, 2 x portafilter cradles, cleaning brush |
Current price on Amazon | $249.95 | $198.47 | $199.95 |
Verdict: Baratza Virtuoso+ Review
Solid and Dependable
Baratza Virtuoso+
Could be a lifelong partner
High quality build
Easy to maintain
Powerful DC motor
Very consistent results
Digital timer function
Backlit grounds container
Not suitable for espresso
We’ve all become so accustomed to buying things with short lifespans, whether they be phones, cars or coffee makers. Don’t worry – I’m not about to go on a huge rant about consumerist culture and the decline of modern civilization.
Nevertheless, I will give props to Baratza for keeping it real by producing a burr grinder like the Virtuoso+. I mean, as long as you take care of the thing, it’ll last you a lifetime, which is both refreshing and reassuring.
What’s more, the Baratza Virtuoso+ is a real performer that’ll deliver quality results for most all preparation methods. Again, refreshing and reassuring. Hold on a minute – I think I’ve just stumbled across the byline for this review!
What’s your experience with this conical burr grinder? Has it been fairly evaluated in my Baratza Virtuoso+ review? I look forward to your comments!