Baratza's Sette 270 is a countertop grinder aimed at espresso, built around 40mm conical burrs and a time-based dosing panel. Baratza sells it in the US for $399.95, and the same machine can feed a portafilter, a grounds bin or a brewer sitting under the chute.
What is the Baratza Sette 270?
The Sette 270 is an electric conical burr grinder. Baratza describes it as espresso made simpler, with hands-free, time-based dosing and macro adjustments that are fine-tuned by a stepless micro ring. The burrs are 40mm conicals turning at 650 RPM, and the bean hopper holds 300g (10.6 oz). A shut-off knob on the hopper lets you remove the hopper with beans still in it.
Grounds fall into a 120g bin, or straight into a portafilter. The convertible arms swing into a portafilter holder position, with an adjustable hook that supports the top lip of the basket. The same arms hold devices such as a V60, AeroPress, Clever Dripper or Able Kone, according to the owner's manual.
Baratza Sette 270 specs
| Burrs | 40mm conical |
|---|---|
| Burr speed | 650 RPM |
| Motor power | 200W, 100-120VAC 50/60Hz |
| Hopper | 300g (10.6 oz) |
| Grounds bin | 120g (4.2 oz) |
| Dosing | Timer, 0.1-second resolution |
| Grind speed | 2.9g/sec (setting 8E) to 4.0g/sec (setting 28) |
| Size (W x D x H) | 13 x 25 x 41 cm |
| Warranty | 1 year, manufacturer |
| Assembled in | Taiwan |
How the Sette 270 adjusts and doses
The grind has two controls. The macro ring runs from 1 to 31, and a stepless micro ring with nine indicators sits on top for small changes. Baratza says both are connected directly to the cone burr, so a change takes effect immediately. Its manual suggests starting at micro position E, getting close with the macro ring, then fine-tuning. Its starting chart lists macro settings 3 to 9 for espresso, 10 to 15 for AeroPress, 13 to 18 for V60, 15 to 25 for drip and 20 to 31 for Chemex.
Dosing is by time. Three preset buttons store grind times, set at the factory to 10, 20 and 30 seconds, and the display counts up to the target. You can pause a cycle, or hold Start for more than two seconds to grind in pulse mode for as long as you hold the button. The presets change only the time and not the grind size.
The manual also covers wear. It says that after the first few pounds of coffee the finest setting may no longer be fine enough for espresso, and a washer supplied with the grinder can be fitted under the cone burr to shift the range finer.
Baratza Sette 270 vs Sette 270Wi
The Baratza Sette 270Wi shares the same 40mm conical burrs, 300g hopper and 200W motor, but it adds a built-in scale and doses by weight. Baratza's price for the 270Wi is $599.95, which is $200 more than the 270. If you weigh your doses on a separate scale anyway, the 270 gives you the same grinding hardware for less. If you want to press Start and have the grinder stop at a target weight, the Wi is the one designed for that.
Baratza Sette 270 vs Sette 30
The Baratza Sette 30 is the $299.95 entry in the family. On Baratza's US pages it lists the same 40mm conical burrs, 650 RPM burr speed, 300g hopper, 120g grounds bin, 0.1-second timer and 13 x 25 x 41 cm body as the 270. What Baratza's Sette 30 page does not mention is the 270's stepless micro ring, its three stored dose times or the portafilter holder arms, and it quotes the grind speed at macro setting 8 where the 270 adds the micro position, 8E. On the makers' own pages, that is what the extra $100 buys: finer control within each step, repeatable presets and hands-free grinding into a portafilter. If you grind into a cup or a bin and dial in by ear, the Sette 30 has the same burrs and motor for less.
Is the Baratza Sette 270 worth it?
At $399.95 it sits in the middle of the Sette range. The case for it is the combination of a micro ring that fine-tunes within each macro step, three stored dose times, and a portafilter holder built into the grinder. The case against is that you still need a scale to confirm each dose, and Baratza prints no retention figure, so how much coffee stays inside is not something this page can tell you. Baratza rates it for a maximum of 2 lbs (1 kg) per day, which suits a household and not a busy bar.
Who should buy the Baratza Sette 270 (and who should not)
It suits a home espresso drinker who wants to grind straight into the portafilter and repeat the same dose by time, and who also brews filter or AeroPress coffee now and then, since the macro range reaches Chemex settings. It is a weaker fit for anyone who changes beans constantly and wants a single-dose hopper, for buyers who want the grinder itself to weigh each dose (look at the 270Wi), and for anyone who needs commercial duty. Browse more machines in the grinder category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Sette 270 have a built-in scale?
No. It doses by time, with a 0.1-second timer. The Sette 270Wi is the model with the built-in scale.
How many grind settings does the Sette 270 have?
Baratza lists 31 macro adjustment steps and a stepless micro adjustment ring with 9 indicators.
Can the Sette 270 grind directly into a portafilter?
Yes. The convertible arms swing into a portafilter holder position, and an adjustable hook supports the top lip of the portafilter.
How big are the burrs on the Sette 270?
They are 40mm conical burrs, driven at 650 RPM by a 200W motor.
How much coffee can the Sette 270 grind per day?
Baratza says it was designed for a maximum of 2 lbs (1 kg) per day, for home use. For espresso it suggests resting about 60 seconds after grinding a dose.
What warranty does the Sette 270 have?
Baratza lists a 1-year manufacturer warranty. In the US and Canada it covers defects in materials and workmanship, including ground shipping to and from its repair facility.
