MY BARATZA VIRTUOSO REVIEW: A LOOK AT THE VIRTUOSO PLUS

The original Baratza Virtuoso was a longtime favorite coffee grinder.

Be it coffee drinkers or professional coffee experts, everyone loved the Virtuoso for it delivered exceptional grind consistency in a well-priced and easy-to-use package. The new Virtuoso+ model builds on that foundation and adds a few attractive new features, making it one of the best coffee grinders on the market today.

I’ve been testing the Baratza Virtuoso Plus for the past few months to bring you this hands-on review. I’m happy to report it is a fantastic coffee grinder that’s a more-than-worthy successor to the original!

The Full Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder Review

The first Virtuoso conical burr grinder was released to much fanfare in 2005, packed with features rarely seen on a home coffee grinder. It was so popular that it remained largely unchanged until 2020 when it was retired, and Baratza introduced the Virtuoso+.

The Plus model adds a digital timer, higher-precision grind settings, and a backlit grounds bin—all features we’ll explore further as I walk you through my experience with this grinder.

How We Rated It

• Design
• Durability
• Ease Of Use
• Grinding Capability
• Value For Money

4.2

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Grind Quality, Range, And Consistency

Let’s start with the basics. The Virtuoso + has 40 grind settings, ranging from 200 to 1200 microns. That’s enough to cover every brewing method, from Turkish coffee and espresso to French press and cold brew. 

In my experience, the consistency and uniformity of the grind was exceptional throughout this range. It exceeded my expectations on this front, matching some of the more expensive grinders I’ve tried (1).

I did note in testing that the grinder could clog if I used the finest settings with very oily beans. So if you like a dark roast Turkish coffee, plan on cleaning your grinder regularly. On the other hand, I had no stalling issues when grinding dense light roasts, indicating sharp burrs and a powerful motor.

Burr And Motor Design

The Virtuoso + carries over the M2 40-mm hardened steel conical burrs from the previous model. I have no complaints about that as the precise, made-in-Europe burr set is still one of the finest on the market.
The Plus uses a high-torque DC motor coupled with a gear-reduction system to rotate the conical burrs at a steady speed of 550 RPM (2).

Thanks to the conical burrs and low-speed DC motor, the Virtuoso + has a compact size and runs cooler than its competitors (3). Baratza has added a thermal cutoff switch to this model, which prevents the motor from overheating due to excessive use.

Can You Make Espresso With Baratza Virtuoso?

This is always the million-dollar question in a review of the best coffee grinders. The Virtuoso Plus grinder produces coffee grounds that are sufficiently fine and uniform to pull a shot of espresso, but 40 grind size settings aren’t quite enough to truly dial in a perfect shot, in my experience – unless you are using a pressurized portafilter.

If you plan to grind for espresso with the Virtuoso+, consider adding the optional dosing cup, which makes it easy to transfer your grounds to a 54 or 58-mm portafilter.

What is the grind rate for Baratza Virtuoso?

The Virtuoso grinder outputs at a rate of 1.3 – 2.4 g/s, depending on the size setting. It takes me about 12 seconds to produce 20 grams of ground coffee for a pour over brew.

Aesthetics And Design Features

Aesthetics shouldn’t be a deciding factor when buying quality coffee gear, but it doesn’t hurt that the upgraded Virtuoso Plus is a good-looking machine! Its sleek black body, metal accents, digital display, and LED-lit grounds bin give it a futuristic appeal that looks great in any kitchen. 

The lighting behind the 5-oz plastic grounds bin is one of the upgrades from the original Virtuoso coffee grinder. I initially thought it sounded like a gimmick—a bit of flair that looks nice in the showroom. But I’ve found that extra visibility surprisingly helpful, especially when grinding a large amount of coffee for a drip coffee maker. 

Apparently, I’m not alone. According to Baratza, previous Virtuoso owners complained about not being able to see when the bin was full, leading to the possibility of the grounds backing up into the burr mechanism and damaging it. So the LED lights were added as a protective measure. In my tests, I could grind enough for a full 12-cups carafe before emptying the bin.

Size and Weight

The Virtuoso + has a physical footprint of 4.7 x 6.3 inches, so it takes up very little room on the counter. It’s topped with a 10-ounce plastic bean hopper, making it 13.8 inches tall. I keep mine under my upper cupboards but usually slide it out to refill the hopper. At 8 pounds, it’s easy to move around.

Take a look at the table below to see how this Baratza compares to other grinder in the same range:

How Easy Is It To Use?

The most substantial improvement to this new model is the digital timer. The older model’s side-mounted timer switch has been replaced with a centrally-located timer knob, above which sits the digital display. 

The digital timer can be adjusted from 1 to 40 seconds in 0.1-second increments, giving a level of dosing control that was previously missing from the Virtuoso.

Use of the Virtuoso is simple:

1. Twist the bean hopper to set the desired grind particle size.
2. Rotate the timer knob to set a grinding time.
3. Push the knob to start grinding. 

You can also use the Virtuoso + in pulse-grinding mode by pressing down and holding the timer knob/switch for a couple of seconds. The digital display will show “P” to indicate that you’re in pulse-grinding mode. Push the button to grind and release to stop.

Cleaning And Maintenance Needs

Cleaning any grinder can be a hassle, and the Virtuoso + is no different. However, it doesn’t need to be done often, unless you are using very oily coffee beans. Once a week, I like to use a soft paintbrush to remove any coffee dust from the grounds chute.

Less often, I’ll remove the hopper to give the grinding chamber a more thorough clean following these instructions. Baratza designed this model to make the top burr easily removable for cleaning access, and the grinder comes with a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the burrs.

How Loud Is The Baratza Virtuoso?

The volume of the Virtuoso+ is very average. I tested it with a decibelmeter, and it ranged from 84 to 93 decibels, depending on the beans. It’s a bit quieter than the Baratza Encore, and substantially nicer than the notoriously noisy Baratza Sette.

Is Virtuoso Plus worth it?

The Virtuoso sits at the expensive end of the spectrum for a home grinder, but it also offers features other grinders don’t. The main reason for its price tag is the inclusion of a digital timer, so coffee lovers who want a precise grinder will absolutely get their money’s worth. It helps to know that it’s backed by a 1-year warranty, Baratza’s legendary customer service, and decades of manufacturing expertise.

How long do Baratza grinders last?

The quality of the materials used in Baratza machines is excellent. While I always prefer metal casing on a grinder, the plastic body of the grinder has a solid feel with very little flex. The sculpted metal top and base add rigidity.

The engineering inside is equally top-notch, a definite step up from typical budget home grinders. 

But don’t confuse this with a commercial machine. It won’t last decades. I’d anticipate a minimum of 5 years of use—more like 10 years if you are diligent with cleaning and maintenance.

What is the difference between the Baratza Encore and the Virtuoso?

The biggest difference between the Virtuoso and the Encore is the one you’re least likely to notice: the coffee burrs. Both grinders feature 40-mm burrs, but the Virtuoso grinder has the improved M2, while the Encore has the M3. The M2 offers better grind consistency over a wider range of sizes, particularly the finer grinds. Notably, the new Encore ESP multipurpose grinder uses the M2 burr set.

The Baratza Encore lacks the Virtuoso’s digital timer and display, so you’ll need to pair it with a coffee scale to ensure dosing consistency. The other differences are largely aesthetic. The Encore doesn’t have metal accents or a backlit grounds bin. 

The Encore is better than the Baratza Virtuoso only in its price, which is about $100 less. Watch Steven from Home Brews Coffee review the Encore ESP and Sette in the video below.

Don’t Buy The Baratza Virtuoso+ If…

• You’re on a tight budget: If you can forgo the digital display, there are several more affordable options to consider—especially if you have little interest in espresso. The Baratza Encore is a perennial favorite, as is the budget-friendly Capresso Infinity. And the new Solis Scala coffee grinder is quickly making a mark in the entry-level grinder category.
• You mostly make espresso: If you have a high-end espresso machine, a grinder with a stepless adjustment system is worth the extra cost. The Rancilio Rocky is a great pick, offering excellent durability and grind quality. Alternatively, the new Encore ESP grinder offers finer control than the Virtuoso+ while remaining an affordable espresso option.
• You want the most high-tech grinder: If you’re a serious coffee brewing nerd who loves high-tech gadgets, consider the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. It allows you to micro-adjust your grind with 60 grind settings and program custom doses for all your favorite coffee drinks.

The Verdict

The Virtuoso + Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is perfect for specialty coffee aficionados who prize a uniform grind and reliable dosing. The exquisite design of the Virtuoso, excellent grind quality, and handy features make it a winner in my books, and it has helped me enjoy many great cups of coffee.

I’d confidently recommend this solid grinder to anyone who primarily brews coffee. I love it for batch brewing, pour overs, French press coffee, and my Aeropress. If you’re more of an espresso enthusiast, I suggest spending a bit more on a dedicated espresso grinder.

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