A Comprehensive Guide to Varia Coffee Grinders

Varia Brewing offers a range of coffee grinders designed for home baristas and small commercial settings, focusing on control, precision, and build quality. This guide provides a detailed overview of Varia's main grinder models, their features, and performance to help you choose the right one for your brewing style.

At-a-Glance

The Varia grinder family covers every common brew method. The single-dose VS3 Gen 2 offers 38 mm conical “Supernova” burrs, stepless 10 µm steps, and minimal retention. The larger VS6 swaps between 58 mm flat or 63 mm conical burrs and lets you tune motor speed from 500-1600 RPM for flavor control. Varia’s compact Evo Hybrid and Hand models use the same burr geometry but trade mains power for battery or hand drive, suiting travel and light kitchens. All models share a machined-aluminium chassis, easy alignment, and a parts kit that includes a dosing cup, bellows and cleaning tools.

Varia Grinder Models

Varia's lineup includes electric, manual, and hybrid grinders, each with specific features for different coffee brewing methods and user preferences.

Varia VS3 Electric Grinder (2nd Generation)

The Varia VS3 is a compact, single-dose electric grinder designed for home use across various brewing methods, from espresso to pour-over. It operates at a slow speed to reduce heat and static buildup. Its body is constructed from die-cast and machined aluminum, with a steep 76.5° sloped design to minimize coffee retention.

• Motor and Speed: It uses a 100W DC motor with a stainless steel gearbox, operating at a slow speed of 170-190 RPM under load. This minimizes heat transfer to the coffee.
• Burrs: It comes standard with 38mm conical burrs made from high-nitrogen 420 stainless steel (HRC58), rated for ~150 kg of coffee. Upgraded "Hypernova" burrs with Titanium or plasma coatings are available.
• Grind Adjustment: The VS3 features a stepless adjustment mechanism. Users turn the hopper to make micro-adjustments, with each "click" representing a 10-micron vertical burr shift. It can go from fine espresso to cold-brew in about one and a half turns.
• Capacity and Retention: The hopper holds up to 30g of beans. With the use of the included bellows and the Ross Droplet Technique (RDT), claimed retention is less than 0.1g per 10g dose.
• Construction: The body is made from ADC12 die-cast and machined aluminum. It measures 147 x 90 x 310mm and weighs 3.5kg.

Varia VS6 Electric Grinder

The Varia VS6 is a more advanced and robust grinder designed for precision and control, suitable for prosumers and small coffee shops. It features a full aluminum body and is significantly heavier than the VS3.

• Burrs: It is a modular system that comes standard with 58mm flat burrs, with an option to switch to 63mm conical burrs. Swapping burrs takes about ten minutes.
• Adjustable RPM: A key feature is the ability to adjust motor speed between 500 and 1600 RPM, which allows users to directly influence the flavor profile of the coffee.
• Grind Adjustment: It offers stepless adjustment with a 5-micron resolution for highly precise grind size control.
• Capacity and Retention: The hopper has a capacity of 80g. The design includes a 76.5-degree slope and ionization needles to reduce static, with a claimed retention of approximately 0.3g (with the use of the knocker).
• Construction: The full aluminum body weighs 10.7kg, providing stability.

Varia Evo Hybrid Hand Grinder

The Varia Evo is a manual hand grinder that can be paired with a detachable electric motor, making it a versatile hybrid system. Built for portability and flexibility, it is constructed from space-grade aluminum alloy and stainless steel.

• Hybrid Functionality: The Evo can be used with a traditional hand crank or with a detachable 7.4V, 40W motor unit that grinds at 80 RPM. The motor is rechargeable via USB-C.
• Burrs: It uses the 38mm "Supernova" stainless steel conical burr set, providing consistent grind results for various brew methods.
• Grind Adjustment: The Evo has an external stepped adjustment with 140 steps, where each step represents a 10-micron shift, allowing for fine-tuning for different brewing styles, including espresso.
• Capacity and Portability: The grinding chamber holds 30-35g of coffee. The hand grinder itself weighs 1kg (1.24kg with motor) and comes with a travel case.

Varia Hand Grinder

For purists, Varia also offers a standard manual-only hand grinder. It is a more budget-friendly option suitable for travel or small kitchens.

• Burrs: It uses a 38mm conical stainless steel burr set.
• Drive: Fully manual operation via a hand crank.
• Adjustment: A stepped adjustment ring controls the grind size.
• Performance: It grinds smoothly but user feedback suggests it produces more fines than premium competitors like the Comandante C40, which can mute floral notes in V60 brews.

Model Comparison

*Typical US pricing mid-2025.

Key Features

Burr Engineering

• Standard “Supernova” burrs are high-nitrogen 420 stainless steel rated for ~150 kg before noticeable wear.
• Titanium- and plasma-coated upgrade sets (“Hypernova”) increase hardness to HRC 60-67 and are designed to shift the flavour balance toward cleaner cups with higher clarity.
• Burr swaps on the VS6 take about ten minutes and only require one spacer washer for the espresso-fine flat burrs.

Low Retention Workflow

• A 76.5° sloped grind chamber geometry is used in the VS3 and VS6 to minimize grounds retention.
• The VS3 includes a bellows and RDT spray bottle, helping keep retention under 0.1 g per 10 g dose. Community tests confirm 20 g in / 20 g out in most runs even without using the bellows.
• The VS6 uses ionization needles in addition to its steep slope to reduce static and retention.

Build & Ergonomics

• All models feature a CNC-machined aluminium body cut to tight tolerances (±0.02 mm on the VS3) to ensure burr alignment out of the box.
• The VS3 features a magnetic 58 mm dosing cup that docks flush and silicone feet to prevent drift during grinding.
• Noise levels on the VS3 are low enough for pre-dawn espresso grinding without disturbing others, according to long-term users.

In-Cup Performance

• Home barista tests report sweet, textured espresso and fluffy, low-clump pour-over grinds from the VS3; medium roasts are said to shine best.
• In a three-month café trial, the VS3's grind quality was found to rival machines twice its price, though its RPM is leisurely for espresso doses (≈ 34-40 seconds for an 18 g dose).
• Reddit users measured <0.1 g retention and reported zero stalls on the VS3, even on light-filter settings.
• The standard Hand model grinds smoothly but produces more fines than a Comandante C40, which can mute floral notes in V60 brews.

Pros & Cons Summary

• Pros: Consistent particle distribution, true single-dose workflow, compact footprint, affordable burr upgrades, quiet operation (VS3), high-end features like variable RPM (VS6).
• Cons: Slow espresso grind time (VS3), external power brick placement, light-roast espresso may require patience, some users report static issues (can be mitigated with RDT), and the hand model produces extra fines.

Which Model Fits You?

• Choose the Varia VS3 if: You primarily brew at home, want a dedicated and quiet electric grinder for single-dosing, and value the ability to make minute, stepless adjustments for both espresso and filter on a moderate budget.
• Choose the Varia VS6 if: You are a tinkerer or prosumer who wants to experiment with both flat and conical burrs and use RPM control to tailor body vs. clarity for any brew method.
• Choose the Varia Evo Hybrid if: You want a high-quality grinder for travel, have limited counter space, or enjoy the tactile process of hand grinding but want the option for electric assistance.
• Choose the Varia Hand Grinder if: You need a simple, budget-friendly manual grinder for travel or occasional use where portability and cost are the main priorities.

Usage, Cleaning, and Maintenance

How to Use: Dialing in Your Grind

For all Varia grinders, achieving the correct grind size is key to a good extraction. To reduce static, especially with the VS3, spray your beans with a small amount of water using the provided RDT bottle before grinding.

1. Espresso: Start with a fine setting. For the VS3, a setting around 2-4 on the collar is a good starting point. A properly dialed-in shot should take 25-30 seconds to extract. If it's too fast, adjust the grind to be finer. If it's too slow, adjust it to be coarser.
2. Filter Coffee: For methods like pour-over, begin with a coarser setting. On the VS3, a setting between 9 and 11 is a recommended starting point.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain performance and flavor clarity. Always unplug electric grinders before cleaning and never immerse the grinder body in water. Light daily brushing beats infrequent deep cleans and helps preserve burr sharpness. Run cleaning pellets through the grinder monthly to avoid oil build-up. Replace burrs when flavor flattens or retention rises noticeably.

Cleaning the Varia VS3/VS6

1. Unplug the grinder.
2. Remove the magnetic collar (VS3) or indicator ring (VS6) and unscrew the hopper.
3. Carefully lift out the outer/upper burr and any springs underneath.
4. Use the included wrench to remove the inner/bottom burr if necessary for a deep clean.
5. Use a brush, bellows, and a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to clean the grinding chamber and burrs of all coffee grounds.
6. Reassemble the components in the reverse order.

Cleaning the Varia Evo Hand Grinder

The Evo hand grinder can be disassembled for cleaning. Use the included brush to remove coffee particles from the burrs and grind chamber. An air duster can also be used to blow out fine particles. It is not recommended to wash any parts in a dishwasher.

Works Cited

1. Varia Brewing Official Website
2. Varia VS3 Coffee Grinder Gen 2 - Alternative Brewing
3. A review of the Varia VS3 entry-level grinder - Brewing With Dani
4. CoffeeSnobs forum – “VS3 three-month review” thread
5. Reddit r/espresso – VS3 retention results & Varia Hand Grinder feedback
6. Varia VS6 Modular Grinder Review - Whole Latte Love
7. Varia VS3 Grinder & Burr Upgrades - Whole Latte Love
8. Wired – “How to Clean Your Coffee Grinder”
9. The Guardian – “Make your coffee machine last longer” (maintenance advice)
10. Varia VS3 Gen 2 zero-retention details - BeanBros
11. Varia VS3 Grinder - Eight Ounce Coffee
12. Test Drive: Varia VS6 Grinder - Barista Magazine Online
13. Varia VS3 Review - The Best Entry-Level Espresso Grinder? - Syra Coffee
14. Varia VS3 Coffee Grinder Review - Basic Barista
15. Varia VS3 Electric Grinder 2nd Gen - Cremashop.eu
16. Varia Evo Hybrid Grinder Review - Coffee-Tech
17. Varia Brewing Hand Grinder - How To Clean & Maintain - YouTube
18. Varia VS3: Cleaning the Grinding Chamber - Whole Latte Love
19. Varia VS3 Review - The Best Entry-Level Espresso Grinder? - Cafe Fabrique