Niche Zero In Depth

Complete teardown of a Niche Zero #CoffeeGrinder. See the component quality, build quality, and mechanical design. The #NicheZero is criticized for being too lightly built. Is it really? You're about to find out!

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Audio capture: Zoom H-5
Audio edited with WaveLab Elements 10.0.70
Video Capture: Panasonic HC-X920
Video edited with DaVinci Resolve 17.4.2
Still images edited with Gimp 2.10.240

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Production Assistant: Leo Greene

Music:
Kalimba Relaxation Music by Kevin MacLeod
Acid Trumpet by Kevin MacLeod

Additional footage courtesy of:

[wiredgourmet]

Errata: I meant to say "a tenth of a millimeter or so" at 06:02 Bloody decimals :)

[luiznoe]

Great!! You are doing an awasome job, going MUCH further than every other "coffee enthusiasm" here in youtube.

[eddyindia]

I appreciate how much time and resource and R&d you put in! Note that you tear down the gear box and showed us mortals the craftsmanships inside. The amount of dedication is phenomenal.

[benf]

I genuinely believe this is one of highest quality channels for coffee on youtube. No brand worship or unnecessary bs. Your subscriber count is gonna skyrocket one of these days!

[caramelslice]

This is your wheelhouse. No one, breaks down products like you do. Couldn’t love these videos more if I tried.

[SophiepTran]

5 tenths total runout on a sliding fit bearing is considered over spec by most for this market. It often requires special attention by the machinist. Many of these parts are mated and probably custom machined, justifying the price. This explains why they can't keep up with production demand. It seems you're buying a meticulously made, custom assembled machine instead of a mass produced production device. Having worked in aerospace and military, this fit and finish is incredible to see in a consumer product and quite rare actually. That's probably why it's such a popular grinder. I've been holding off buying one and looking at cheaper alternatives but this video had made me understand the value of this grinder. Not only will it function well but it will do so for a long time with repeatable results. It's something I can probably pass down to one of my sons should they wish it.

[youtwosheds]

Just found this video. Well done, and thanks for the idea of teflon tape on the threads. I’ve had my Niche for three years, but last year the threads on the funnel failed (galling). Niche sold me improved replacement parts at a very reasonable price, and I’m still a happy Niche user.

[rnstyip]

You can really see the design thinking behind the Niche. It's a well thought out piece of machinery.

[orrinbelcher]

Amazing, wonderful and superbly done video beyond measure. Thank you, for all the excellent and hard work you do for us coffee lovers. Greatly appreciated.

[MRANcze]

I own this grinder for 3 years now and still love it.
Thank you for your video, it was interesting.
I have 57, 3mm portafilter from home Lelit, dosing cup really fits unpleasantly too tight when used directly, but I am using dosing ring because of WDT, so this issue is easily fixed. 🙂

[Nodde]

You're like a less abrasive, equally knowledgeable AvE! Thanks so much for sharing your investigation!

[immakiku]

Great post! More product reviews (not just in coffee space) need to do this. It shows effort and real use.

[zguy]

Thanks for the video, the Niche really seems like the best BIFL easy to use home grinder. There are other grinders that might have slightly better performance but you’re trading lots of quirks, ease of use and build quality for that.

[giovannibolton]

When you think about it, a lot of large youtube channels posting "reviews" are really just posting adverts - there's very little testing, analysis, comparison with competitors, evaluation of key review principles like value, build quality, or suggested improvements. This channel is a total exception to that - nice to see well rounded analytical reviews!

[bidlis]

im impressed by the slight hate on the dosing cup, so many people enjoy it very much especially for its size.. all in all very nice video, thank you

[cheyannei]

It's kind of unusual to see the proper plastics and metals picked where appropriate. So many products are designed as if steel is steel, or plastic is plastic, completely blind to the tradeoffs of each grade or variety.

I think the only material choice I'd have changed is the wood, but I don't know what I'd change it to. Wood is so particular to your locality; I don't think there's anything as water-resistant that'd be as widely available.

[ditchuk]

A superb technical analysis of the grinder and saves me tearing down mine from curiosity. Thank you!

[davethetaswegian]

Very interesting. My Niche Zero is a couple of years old now, never given me any trouble and a pleasure to use. Nice to know it really is well built on the inside.

[cogent]

You have been lucky. My Niche was one of the first to be delivered . It was used lightly for just under 4 years before failing with a burnt-out motor and a fried PCB. I never misused it or let it run on for a long time. (Although there is no auto cut-off feature to prevent that). So it has cost me £125 a year to own the Niche. Looks aren't everything. Durability is more important. Will I buy another Niche? Hmmmm..

It would be interesting to know if other early adopters have had a similar experience to mine.

[TomJones-txpb]

Great video. I was horrified by the coffee getting everywhere inside the takedown of another popular brand. I've been using a Niche for several weeks, and get little static with the beans I am using. If I am using a 51mm portafilter for low doses, I place a 51mm dosing cup inside the Niche dosing cup and grind into that. Works great with no spill. The Niche dosing cup is left in place to catch any grinds that later drop from static cling. I am very pleased to see that with the Niche the grounds only go where they should. You could also mention the RMP and gearing ratios.