Ariete Coffee Grinder: What This Italian Brand Brings to the Table

Ariete is an Italian appliance brand owned by the De'Longhi Group, and their coffee grinders combine retro Italian design with budget-friendly pricing. If you've come across an Ariete grinder online, you were probably drawn in by the vintage look and the surprisingly low price tag. The question is whether the grinding performance matches the aesthetic appeal.

I spent time testing an Ariete grinder after a friend brought one back from Italy, and I also researched their full lineup to give you a complete picture. Here's what I found: Ariete grinders are stylish, affordable, and serviceable for basic coffee needs, but they make some tradeoffs that matter if you care about grind precision.

Ariete's Coffee Grinder Models

Ariete offers a small lineup of coffee grinders, primarily sold in Europe. They're available in the US through Amazon and specialty kitchen retailers, though availability can be spotty.

Ariete Vintage Line (Model 3017)

This is the grinder most people picture when they think of Ariete. The 3017 has a retro 1950s design with a rounded body, chrome accents, and color options like pastel green, beige, and light blue. It uses flat steel burrs with 15 grind settings and has a 150-watt motor.

The hopper holds about 80 grams of beans, and the catch container sits at the base. There's a simple dial on the front for grind size and a dose selector for 1-5 cups. The whole unit weighs about 3 pounds and takes up minimal counter space.

The Vintage 3017 typically sells for $40-70, which makes it one of the cheapest electric burr grinders you can find. At that price, the retro design is essentially a bonus on top of basic burr grinding capability.

Ariete Pro Grind (Model 3017A)

A slightly updated version of the Vintage with a more powerful motor and a few extra grind settings. The differences are minimal. If you see both models available at similar prices, go with whichever color you prefer.

Ariete Grind & Brew Models

Ariete also makes combination machines that grind and brew in one unit. I'd skip these. Combination machines always compromise on either the grinder or the brewer, and usually both. A separate grinder and brewer will outperform any combo unit at the same total price.

Grind Quality: How the Ariete Actually Performs

The Ariete Vintage uses flat steel burrs, which is a solid choice for a budget grinder. Flat burrs generally produce a more uniform grind than conical burrs at the same price point. But "budget flat burrs" still means you're getting entry-level precision.

What I Noticed in Testing

Medium grind (drip coffee): Settings 7-10 produced a workable medium grind for drip machines. Consistency was reasonable, with maybe 15-20% of the particles falling outside the target size range. For a $50 grinder, that's acceptable. My drip coffee tasted clean and balanced, noticeably better than pre-ground.

Coarse grind (French press): Settings 12-15 gave me a coarse grind with some variance. I found more fines than I'd like for French press, resulting in slightly muddy cups. Using a slightly shorter steep time (3 minutes instead of 4) compensated well enough.

Fine grind (moka pot): Settings 1-4 produced a fine grind suitable for moka pot brewing. The motor worked harder here, and the grind took about twice as long. The results were acceptable for moka pot, but I wouldn't push it finer for espresso. The motor isn't built for that.

Espresso: I tried it. I don't recommend it. The finest setting isn't fine enough for proper espresso extraction, and the burr quality doesn't support the precision espresso demands. You'll get under-extracted, watery shots.

The Static Problem

Like most budget electric grinders with plastic catch containers, the Ariete generates static electricity that causes grounds to cling to every surface. The catch container, the chute, the exterior of the grinder. It's messy.

The fix I use with any grinder that has this problem is the Ross Droplet Technique. Add a single drop of water to your beans before grinding (literally one drop, from a fingertip). It dissipates the static charge and the grounds fall cleanly. Works perfectly with the Ariete.

The Design Factor: Why People Actually Buy Ariete

Let's be honest about what drives Ariete grinder sales. Most people buying this grinder could get better grind quality from a Baratza Encore or even a manual Timemore C2. They buy the Ariete because it looks fantastic on their counter.

And that's a valid reason. Kitchen appliances are in your home, on your counter, visible every day. If a grinder that looks like it belongs in a 1960s Italian cafe makes you happy, that has real value. I'd rather someone buy an Ariete they actually use every day than a Baratza they hide in a cabinet because it looks boring.

The Ariete's design language is consistent with the Italian retro-chic movement in kitchen appliances. Smeg does the same thing at a much higher price. If you like the Ariete aesthetic but have a bigger budget, Smeg's grinders offer better grind quality with a similar visual appeal. If the Ariete's $50 price point is what you need, the design is an excellent bonus.

Ariete vs. Other Budget Grinders

Here's how the Ariete stacks up against its direct competitors in the under-$75 category.

Ariete vs. Cuisinart DBM-8

The Cuisinart has more grind settings (18 vs. 15), a larger hopper, and wider retail availability. The Ariete has a more attractive design and flat burrs (the Cuisinart uses conical). Grind quality is roughly equivalent. Choose based on whether you value aesthetics (Ariete) or settings range (Cuisinart).

Ariete vs. Krups GVX2

Both use flat burrs, which is interesting. The Krups has 17 settings, a cup quantity selector, and a drawer-style catch container. The Ariete has the design edge and weighs less. Performance-wise, they're very close. The Krups is louder, the Ariete is prettier.

Ariete vs. Mr. Coffee Burr Grinder

The Mr. Coffee is usually the cheapest electric burr option at $25-40. It uses conical burrs with 18 settings. The Ariete grinds more consistently due to its flat burrs, but the Mr. Coffee offers more settings. If you just need the cheapest functional burr grinder, Mr. Coffee wins. If you want something that looks good, the Ariete wins easily.

For a broader comparison including mid-range and premium options, see our best coffee grinder recommendations.

Availability and Parts

One practical concern with Ariete grinders is that they're primarily a European brand. This creates a couple of issues for US buyers.

Replacement parts are harder to find compared to US-focused brands like Baratza or Cuisinart. If the burrs dull after a few years, sourcing replacements might require ordering from European retailers with international shipping.

Warranty service can be complicated. The De'Longhi Group does have US service centers, but the Ariete brand specifically gets less support than De'Longhi's own branded products. Read the warranty terms before buying.

Voltage. Some Ariete models sold in Europe are 220V. If you're buying from a European retailer, make sure you're getting a 110V version for US outlets. Most Amazon US listings are correctly sourced, but double-check, especially from third-party sellers.

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Ariete Grinder

Single-dose your beans. Don't fill the hopper and let beans sit. Weigh out just what you need for each brew and load only that amount. This keeps beans fresh and prevents stale oils from building up in the hopper.

Use the mid-range settings. Like most budget grinders, the Ariete performs best in the middle of its grind range. The extreme fine and coarse settings produce more inconsistency. Settings 5-12 are the sweet spot.

Clean it regularly. Run a brush through the burr chamber weekly and wipe down the catch container after each use. Budget grinders with tighter tolerances clog faster than premium ones. Cleaning pellets work well here too.

Don't over-fill the hopper. Cramming 80 grams into the hopper when you only need 30 means beans sit exposed to air and light. Load only what you'll grind immediately. See our top coffee grinder picks for models with better hopper designs.

FAQ

Is the Ariete coffee grinder available in the US?

Yes, through Amazon US and some specialty kitchen retailers. Availability fluctuates, and certain colors sell out frequently. Make sure any listing you buy is a 110V version compatible with US outlets. The Vintage 3017 in beige and pastel green are the most commonly stocked colors in the US market.

Can the Ariete grinder make espresso?

Not well. The finest setting produces a grind suitable for moka pot but not fine enough for proper espresso. Even if you could get it fine enough, the 15 grind settings don't allow the micro-adjustments needed to dial in espresso. Use it for drip, French press, pour-over, or moka pot.

How does Ariete compare to Smeg grinders?

Both are Italian brands with retro design language. Smeg grinders cost $150-250 and offer better burr quality, more grind settings (30+), and a more powerful motor. Ariete grinders cost $40-70 and deliver basic burr grinding with great aesthetics. If design matters and budget is limited, go Ariete. If you can spend more, Smeg gives you better performance with similar style.

How long does the Ariete grinder last?

With daily use and regular cleaning, expect 2-4 years of reliable service. The motor is the weak link, as the 150-watt motor works harder than more powerful grinders and may burn out sooner. The burrs themselves should last well beyond the motor's lifespan. Treat it gently at fine settings to prolong motor life.

The Bottom Line on Ariete

The Ariete coffee grinder is the best-looking grinder you can buy for under $75, and it grinds well enough for daily drip coffee and French press. It's not the best performer in its class, and parts availability is a concern for US buyers. But if you want a grinder that sparks a little joy every time you walk into your kitchen, the Ariete delivers that in a way that few competitors can match at this price.