At this price the usual alternatives are a cheap blade grinder, a hand grinder, or stepping up to a more established electric burr grinder. Blade grinders chop beans unevenly, which gives a muddy cup that is bitter and sour at the same time. A burr grinder crushes beans between two surfaces to a much more even size, and that evenness is where the improvement in the cup comes from.
Against a hand grinder, the Wilfa gives you speed and no arm work. Against pricier electric burr grinders, it gives up some build quality and finish, and it is not built for espresso. What you keep is the part that matters for filter: a decent burr set and a broad grind range for the money.
If you are weighing it against the Baratza Encore, the Encore costs a little more, has a long-standing reputation for durability and available spare parts, and is a popular choice for people who may later want to grind finer. The Wilfa is the cheaper way in. Details of the Encore are further down this page.
Grind quality: where it earns its reputation
The Svart Aroma uses a flat burr set and offers a broad range of grind settings. In use, that translates into clean, even particles that suit filter coffee, cafetiere, pour-over and AeroPress. Coarse settings for a cafetiere leave far less fine dust than a blade grinder would, so the cup is cleaner and there is less silt at the bottom.
For a typical filter machine or pour-over, the mid-range settings are the sweet spot. Expect to spend the first few bags finding your preferred setting, then leave it alone. Consistency from one day to the next is one of the things we like most: once you have it dialled in, it stays dialled in.
- Best for: filter coffee, pour-over, AeroPress and cafetiere.
- Good for: moka pot users who want a medium-fine grind and are prepared to experiment.
- Not for: espresso shots.
Where it falls short: espresso
The most common mistake people make with the Svart Aroma is buying it for espresso. It does not grind fine enough to get a proper espresso shot with any control. You can push it towards the fine end, but you will not have the fine, stepped adjustment that espresso needs, and shots will run fast and taste thin.
If espresso is your main interest, you are better off putting the money towards a grinder designed for it, or buying a machine with a built-in grinder. Our Sage Bambino Plus review covers a popular espresso machine and explains why pairing it with a proper espresso grinder matters: https://www.kitchen-kit.co.uk/sage-bambino-plus-review/
Living with it day to day
Day to day the Svart Aroma is a simple machine. Controls are straightforward, the body is plastic rather than metal, and it does not pretend to be anything grander. It is reasonably quiet for an electric burr grinder, though no grinder is silent, so you will still hear it in an open-plan kitchen first thing in the morning.
Static is minimal compared with many alternatives, so grounds tend to fall where you want them instead of clinging to the container and worktop. A small brush is enough to keep the burrs and chute clean. Because it is plastic, expect it to feel lighter than a metal-bodied grinder, and treat it as an appliance you will use daily rather than a showpiece.
- Pros: excellent value, even grind for filter, broad range of settings, low static, easy to use.
- Cons: not suitable for espresso, plastic body, not the quietest grinder on the market.
Is the Wilfa Svart worth it?
For filter-coffee brewers upgrading from a blade grinder, yes. It is a genuine step up in the cup for not much money, and it is easy to live with. For espresso drinkers, no: you would be buying the wrong tool.
One practical note on availability: we could not find the Svart Aroma listed on amazon.co.uk at the time of writing, so you may need to buy from a specialist coffee retailer or check for stock elsewhere. If you would rather buy from Amazon, the Baratza Encore below is the closest widely available alternative for the same job.
For more options in this price range, see our best burr grinders under £200 UK 2026 guide.
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Encore is the alternative most filter-coffee drinkers cross-shop with the Wilfa. Amazon lists it with 40 grind settings, a 550RPM motor and a design intended to last for years with spare parts available. It was around £139.95 in stock when we checked, with a 4.2 star average from 48 ratings. Check the live listing for the current price and stock.
Choose the Encore if you want a longer-established grinder with parts support and you are happy to spend a little more. Choose the Wilfa if you want the lowest cost route into burr grinding for filter coffee. Our full Baratza Encore review is here: https://www.kitchen-kit.co.uk/baratza-encore-review/
FAQ
Can the Wilfa Svart be used for espresso?
Not properly. It does not grind fine enough or offer fine enough adjustment for consistent espresso shots. It is designed for filter, cafetiere, pour-over and AeroPress.
What is the difference between the Wilfa Svart Aroma and Precision?
Both are Wilfa burr grinders aimed at filter coffee. The Precision is the more refined sibling, with finer control over the grind. The Aroma is the simpler, cheaper model, and for most home filter brewers it does the job well.
Is the Wilfa Svart better than a blade grinder?
Yes, for coffee. A burr grinder produces far more even particles than a blade grinder, which makes for a cleaner, more balanced cup and more consistent results from day to day.
Is the Wilfa Svart noisy?
It is reasonably quiet for an electric burr grinder, but it still makes noise. It is unlikely to bother you in the day, though you may notice it early in the morning in a small home.
Is the Wilfa Svart worth the money?
For filter coffee, yes. At around £110 it gives you even grounds, a broad grind range and simple controls. If you want espresso, look elsewhere.
New to home espresso? Start with our first home espresso setup guide.
