Let's Compare the DF64 and DF54

We’ve had so many people ask us questions about the latest DF64 and the DF54 and which one we’d recommend, that we knew we had to create a blog post comparing the both of them!

Hop on any Reddit thread and you’ll see so many questions about both grinders. Rising in popularity quite quickly, the DF lineup is praised for being quality grinders at an unbeatable price. Users appreciate the power, ease of use, and low price point, giving you your endgame grinder. 

I’ve been using the DF64 and DF54 for a few months now to grind for espresso and pour over, and can share that the grinders live up to the hype! In this blog, I’ll share my honest review of them and talk a bit about who I think would benefit from purchasing either of them! We had quite a few questions from folks online, so I’ll be addressing those as well. 

Overview of the DF64 Gen 2 Single Dose Coffee Grinder

Arguably our most popular grinder, the DF64 Gen 2 is an elevated grinder that incorporates all the learnings from the first generation, as well as the DF64V and DF83. With an improved 250W motor, a plasma generator to reduce static, and premium additions like a dosing cup, bellows, and more. Ultimately, this is a grinder that is robust enough to deliver quality grinds between the espresso to pour over range, and gives you the range needed to perfectly dial in your beans. 

What do we love about it?

• Stepless adjustment and a wide range to dial in everything from espresso to filter beans
• 64mm burrs and a 250W motor, giving you a fast and powerful grind
• We upgraded the burrs to the DLC option (“Diamond-Like Coating”) to ensure they stay sharp up to 10x longer than standard stainless steel burrs.

In using the DF64 for a few months, this grinder truly stacks up against all other ones. I love how easy it is to adjust your grind size as you’re able to easily identify the grind increments (as compared to something like the Eureka lineup) and work between benchmarks to identify your perfect grind. While this grinder is my top choice, I do find that I have to spend a bit more time on my puck preparation, especially WDT, to ensure there are no clumps in the grind, and I do have to RDT my beans prior to grinding to cut down on the static. 

Overview of the DF54 Single Dose Coffee Grinder

The newest addition from DF comes the compact yet robust DF54 Single Dose Coffee Grinder. This grinder contains the same great features as the DF64, such as low retention, plasma generator, and premium additions like a dosing cup, wooden lid, and premium finish, all in a condensed size. The 54mm burrs still rival other grinders on the market, and the 150W motor gives enough power to give you the grind you need. Still capable in the espresso to pour over range, this grinder stacks up as an affordable option for any coffee lover. 

What do we love about it?

• Compact size allows you to grow your coffee bar without sacrificing counter space
• A quieter grind due to a smaller motor size
• Improved grind chute that directs the grinds into the dosing cup

The DF54 has been my go-to grinder due to the size and ease to which I can dial in my espresso. Although I love having the wide range on the DF64, but there’s something about the condensed range that allows me to dial in that much easier. Plus, in that price range, there’s no way you’d be able to beat the quality and diversity of this grinder. There is a noticeable difference in the grind time between the DF54 and 64, and I still have to continue to concentrate on my puck preparation to ensure static-free, clump-less grinds. 

Alright, Let’s Compare Them!

There are a few important considerations for each of these grinders, and in using them for a few months, we can share a few experiences that you wouldn’t have otherwise known about (plus, we keep it pretty real over here, so we have no issues in diving into this comparison!) 

#1: Price point

Arguably, this is one of the biggest considerations when purchasing a grinder. With a $250 difference between the DF64 and DF54, people are wondering, “are you really getting what you paid for?” I would say that with the increase of price with the DF64, you’re getting better quality grinds due to the burr size, burr material, motor size, and increased range to dial in your beans. Especially with our upgraded DLC burrs, this grinder is built to last. If you can invest more upfront, the DF64 is a robust grinder that will give you exactly what you’re looking for in a grinder. 

The DF54, however, is an incredible grinder due to its price point. It rivals any flat burr grinder with upwards of 50mm burr sets due to the design of delivering consistent grind sizes in a user-friendly format. As an initial purchase with any espresso machine or pour over setup, I really recommend the DF54 due to its price range and ease of use. 

#2: Burr Quality

This is where the DF64 really starts to stand on its own. With the opportunity to upgrade burr sets, this grinder can withstand any bean you throw at it! Each DF64 from us has the benefit of the DLC burrs, which are 10x more resilient than standard stainless steel burrs, meaning more consistent grind size for longer. The bigger your burr set is, the faster, more consistent, and better grind you’ll get, so anything bigger than 50mm means you’ll get the best of the best (we even wrote a blog post about this!)

#3: Noise vs. Speed Considerations

While it’s hard to compare each grinder without getting into decibel comparisons, we’ve found that the DF54 is comparatively quieter than the DF64 due to a smaller motor. While they are quieter, the speed of the grind is faster on the DF64 than on the DF54 due to the burr size. So, it’s a question of if you’d like a quieter grind for a longer amount of time, or a louder grind for a shorter amount of time!

#4: Cleaning and Serviceability

WIth anything, if you take care of it, it will take care of you! Grinders are no exception: make sure you pick up a bottle of Grindz for easy cleaning and ensuring the oils stay off your burrs, or contact our service department for some tips on how to clean it (or bring it into the shop, we’ll take care of the rest!) 

DF grinders are relatively easy to disassemble to clean! Here’s our process for cleaning your grinder:

1. Start by taking off the bellows
2. Unscrew the pointer at the back
3. Rotate the top counterclockwise and pull the top off (this will take quite a few rotations, ensuring you’re being gentle with the unit!)
4. Take the collar off, ensuring the rubber seat stay exactly where they are
5. You may remove the anti popcorn lid to get a better clean
6. Take a clean, dry brush and start brushing away any coffee residue on the top and bottom burrs. You can push the grinds on the bottom burrs towards the sides, as those will end up in the chute and clear out once you turn on the unit. A vacuum might be helpful for the bottom burrs!
7. To reassemble, locate the black mark on the collar/top burr, and ensure it aligns with the one on the bottom burr/unit. Gently push down to ensure everything fits.
8. Drop the collar on top
9. Start to rotate the collar gently back clockwise for a snug fit. Ensure you don’t overtighten, as this will strip the thread, leading to wear that will need to be replaced.
10. Rotate the unit back to it’s zero point, screw the pointer back on, and reassemble the bellows
11. Run the motor to clean out those additional grinds we brushed away
12. Your grinder is ready to use!

TL;DR, Who do we Recommend Each Grinder for?

The DF64 Gen 2 is recommended for people who are willing to pay for a quality grinder that they can continue to invest in through burr upgrades. With larger set burrs, a bigger motor, and a wide adjustment range, this grinder can continue to grow with you on your barista journey

If you’re just starting out, the DF54 is an economical choice for anyone purchasing their first coffee set up and wants a great grinder at an affordable price. With many of the benefits of the DF64, such as a larger burr set compared to any other grinder at this price range, a powerful motor, and features such as the plasma generator to get you the best grinds possible, this grinder is a no-brainer choice. 

So, what are your thoughts? Let us know the comments down below!

Happy Brewing, everyone!