The Breville Dose Control and Dose Control Pro are both high-quality burr grinders, but they differ primarily in precision, user interface, and build. The Dose Control Pro features a more advanced digital display for precise, timed dosing and a slightly more robust construction, while the standard Dose Control offers a simpler, more straightforward dial-based timer at a lower price point.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Breville grinder for your home barista setup.
Breville Dose Control
The Breville Dose Control is a reliable, entry-level conical burr grinder designed for home espresso enthusiasts. It focuses on providing consistent grind quality with straightforward, manual controls, stripping away complex features in favor of ease of use and affordability, making it a popular choice for beginners.
- What it is: A durable conical burr coffee grinder focused on delivering a consistent grind for espresso with simple controls.
- Key features: Stainless steel conical burrs, 60 grind settings, dose timer adjustable via a simple mechanical dial in one-second increments.
- Price: $200 - $250
- Style: Minimalist and functional with a compact footprint, featuring a simple dial and button interface. Available in classic neutral finishes.
- Materials/Construction: Hardened stainless steel conical burrs with a solid plastic housing and metal accents.
- Pros: More affordable entry point. Simple and intuitive to operate without a complex digital interface. Provides excellent, consistent grinds for the price. Compact size fits easily on most countertops.
- Cons: Lacks the fine-tuned precision of the Pro model. The mechanical timer is less precise than a digital one. Build quality is solid but less refined than the Pro. Smaller bean hopper capacity.
This grinder is an excellent fit for the home user who wants to step up from a blade grinder to achieve consistent espresso shots without needing advanced programming or features.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/coffee-grinders/bcg450.html
Breville Dose Control Pro
The Dose Control Pro is Breville's more advanced grinder, offering enhanced precision and control for the serious home barista. It builds on the foundation of the standard model with a digital LCD screen, more accurate dosing, and a slightly larger capacity, all wrapped in a more refined package.
- What it is: An advanced conical burr grinder for espresso with a digital interface for precise, programmable dosing.
- Key features: Stainless steel conical burrs, 60 grind settings plus an adjustable upper burr for an extended range, backlit LCD screen, dose timer adjustable in 0.2-second increments.
- Price: $250 - $300
- Style: Sleek and modern, with a clear digital display that gives it a more high-tech look. Designed to complement Breville's line of espresso machines.
- Materials/Construction: Hardened stainless steel conical burrs with a combination of robust plastic and metal for the housing. The fit and finish feel slightly more premium than the standard model.
- Pros: High-precision dosing with 0.2-second increments. Clear digital display is easy to read and operate. Slightly larger bean hopper. Adjustable upper burr allows for extended grind range customization. More robust and refined build quality.
- Cons: Higher price point. The additional features may be unnecessary for casual users. Digital screen adds a layer of complexity compared to a simple dial.
The Dose Control Pro is made for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with brew variables and demand precise, repeatable results for their daily espresso.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/coffee-grinders/bcg820.html
Breville Dose Control vs. Dose Control Pro Comparison
Grind Settings & Precision
Both the Dose Control and the Dose Control Pro feature 60 main grind settings manageable with a large collar, making it easy to switch between fine espresso and coarser drip grinds. Both use the same high-quality stainless steel conical burrs, ensuring consistent grind particle size at their core.
The key differences are in dose timing and range control. The standard Dose Control uses a manual dial that adjusts the grind time in one-second increments. In contrast, the Dose Control Pro features a digital LCD screen that allows you to adjust the time in razor-sharp 0.2-second increments. This precision is significant for dialing in the perfect espresso shot, where small changes can have a big impact. Additionally, the Pro has an adjustable upper burr, giving users the ability to extend the grind range even further for specific needs. For absolute control, the Pro has a clear advantage.
User Interface & Experience
The daily user experience is where these two grinders diverge most visibly. The standard Dose Control is incredibly straightforward - you set your grind size, turn the timer dial to your desired duration, and hit the start button. It's direct and requires no programming.
The Dose Control Pro, with its backlit LCD, offers a more polished experience. The screen clearly displays the grind time, number of shots/cups, and grind setting. This immediate feedback makes it easier to achieve repeatable doses without guesswork. While more complex, the Pro's interface is still intuitive and is a benefit for anyone who enjoys tweaking their coffee recipe and saving specific settings.
Materials & Construction
Both grinders are well-built with a plastic chassis and stainless steel burrs, but the Pro model feels a bit more refined. The materials and finishes on the Pro have a slightly more premium feel, and the overall construction seems more robust, justifying its "pro" designation. The standard Dose Control is still solid and durable for everyday use, but when placed side-by-side, the better fit and finish of the Pro version are noticeable.
Capacity & Dimensions
In terms of countertop space, both grinders are almost identical, with a compact footprint that fits well in most kitchens. The primary size-related difference lies in the bean hopper capacity. The Dose Control Pro has a slightly larger hopper (around 8 oz), allowing you to grind more beans before needing a refill. This is a small but convenient advantage for households that go through a lot of coffee.
Price & Value
The standard Dose Control typically sells for around $200-$250, while the Dose Control Pro sits in the $250-$300 range. That $50 difference gets you the digital screen with ultra-precise timer adjustments, a more adjustable burr system, a larger hopper, and a more refined build.
For a beginner or someone who is perfectly happy with a "good enough" espresso shot every day, the standard Dose Control offers fantastic value and will be a huge step up from any blade grinder. However, for the hobbyist who wants to perfect their technique and control every variable, the additional investment for the Pro's precision is easily justified and represents excellent value in its category.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both grinders from Breville deliver a quality grind, but they are built for slightly different users.
Choose the Dose Control if:
- You are buying your first serious burr grinder and want to stay on a budget.
- You value simplicity and prefer a straightforward manual dial over a digital screen.
- You make coffee daily but don't need absolute granular control over your grind time.
- You want a reliable, no-frills grinder that consistently performs well.
Choose the Dose Control Pro if:
- You are a home barista who loves experimenting and "dialing in" the perfect espresso shot.
- Precision is your top priority - the 0.2-second increments are a must-have for you.
- You appreciate the immediate feedback and ease of use that a digital LCD screen provides.
- You plan to grind frequently, and a slightly larger hopper and more robust build are appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Dose Control and Dose Control Pro?
The main difference is the user interface and precision. The Dose Control Pro has a backlit LCD screen that allows you to set the grind time in precise 0.2-second increments, while the standard Dose Control uses a manual dial to set time in 1-second increments. The Pro also has a slightly more robust build and a larger bean hopper.
Are the burrs the same on both models?
Yes, both grinders use high-quality, durable stainless steel conical burrs to deliver a consistent grind. The Pro model does feature an adjustable upper burr, which allows for advanced users to extend the overall grind range.
Which Breville grinder is better for a beginner?
The standard Breville Dose Control is an excellent choice for beginners. Its simple, manual operation is less intimidating than a digital interface, it's more affordable, and it still provides the consistent grind quality needed to make great espresso.
Can these grinders be used for methods other than espresso?
Yes. While they excel at fine grinds for espresso, their 60 grind settings provide a wide enough range to be used for other brew methods like drip, pour-over, or French press. The simple collar adjustment makes it easy to switch between settings.
Is the Dose Control Pro worth the extra money?
If you're a dedicated espresso enthusiast who enjoys perfecting your technique and having maximum control over a key variable like dose amount, then yes - the Pro version's precision is absolutely worth the extra cost. If you prefer a more straightforward process, the standard model offers better value.
What is the bean hopper capacity for each grinder?
The grinders have similar capacities, but the Dose Control Pro's hopper is slightly larger, holding around 8 ounces of beans. This is a minor but convenient feature for those who brew multiple shots a day.
How do you clean the Breville Dose Control grinders?
Both models are designed for easy cleaning. The hoppers and grinding cradles are removable. The upper burr can be easily taken out, which allows you to use a brush to clean out old coffee grounds and oils from inside the grinding chamber.
Do these grinders come with a warranty?
Yes, both the Dose Control and Dose Control Pro typically come with a 1-year limited product warranty from Breville. Policies may vary by retailer, so it's always best to check at the time of purchase.
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