(checked 2026-10-11)Very small sample (94 ratings) on the ZCG595 listing.
Food & Wine's best overall grinder and an upgrade pick at Wirecutter and Serious Eats, with stepless adjustment from espresso to cold brew. But it's still messy at espresso settings, and its young Amazon listing shows 39% 1-2 star ratings, with clogging and quality-control complaints.
Top complaints
- Clogging, retention and QC reports
On Amazon, clogging and retention are negative aspects and quality control is mixed, with some owners saying it doesn't work properly or beans stick in the hopper. This conflicts with Wirecutter and Serious Eats, which measured very low retention.
- Still messy, especially for espresso
Wirecutter says it's still somewhat messy despite an ionizer: pulling the tight bin sends chaff into the air, and fines land on the counter from the dosing cup. Food & Wine says static is an issue at espresso settings unless you spritz the beans.
Source: Wirecutter, Food & Wine - Pricey, and not for espresso purists
Food & Wine lists the price as its main con, and Wirecutter notes it costs twice as much as the Encore. Serious Eats says serious espresso drinkers may want more precision.
Source: Food & Wine, Serious Eats
What owners love
- Espresso to cold brew
Stepless adjustment with 40 of its 60 steps (plus half-steps) in the espresso range. Wirecutter says it made one of its favorite pour-overs, and Food & Wine says it grinds admirably across the board.
Source: Wirecutter, Food & Wine - Accurate timer and single-dose mode
Wirecutter found the timer accurate to a tenth of a second and retention usually under half a gram. Serious Eats found timed doses accurate within a few tenths of a gram.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats - Sturdier than the Encore
Food & Wine notes substantially more metal inside and out and fully removable burrs. Build quality is a positive aspect on Amazon.
- You only brew drip (the Encore costs half as much)
- You're a serious espresso hobbyist wanting extreme precision
- You want a proven track record
- One grinder for espresso and filter coffee
- Fine-tuning shots with stepless adjustment
- Single-dosing or timed grinding
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Food & Wine: Best overall coffee grinder (October 2026). Cons: pricey, and static when grinding fine for espresso.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick for more control and a dedicated espresso range; its flaw is that it's still a little messy.
- Serious Eats: Best coffee grinder for espresso, but serious espresso fans may want something more precise.