HARIO V60 Electric Grinder Review — 39 Grind Settings Tested

The HARIO V60 Electric Coffee Grinder Compact N (EVCN-8-B) is the updated successor to the EVCG-8B-J. The key improvement: 39 grind settings instead of the previous model's limited coarse-step system, combined with a new conical stainless steel burr for improved uniformity.

This review covers real-world use — the grind quality, setting precision, daily workflow, and whether the upgrade over the older EVCG-8B-J is worth the additional cost.

Specifications

Specification	Detail
Burr type	Conical stainless steel
Grind settings	39 steps
Bean hopper	~40g
Grounds container	~15g
Dimensions	W12.5 × D12.5 × H27cm
Weight	~870g
Cord length	1.5m

EVCG-8B-J vs. EVCN-8-B: What Changed?

Feature	Previous (EVCG-8B-J)	New (EVCN-8-B)
Grind settings	Coarse step adjustments	39 steps
Burr material	Ceramic	Conical stainless steel
Grind uniformity	Good	Improved
Adjustment precision	Approximate	Fine-grained control
Price	~¥11,000	~¥14,300

The most impactful change is grind step resolution. With the old model, users frequently hit a gap between settings — one step too fine, the next too coarse. The 39-step system closes this gap, enabling 1–2 step micro-adjustments for methods like AeroPress and espresso where small grind changes have large taste effects.

39 Grind Settings in Practice

Setting range	Best for
1–8 (ultra-fine to fine)	Espresso, moka pot
9–16 (fine to medium-fine)	AeroPress, drip machine
17–25 (medium)	V60 pour-over (primary use case)
26–33 (medium-coarse)	Chemex, cloth filter
34–39 (coarse)	French press, cold brew

For V60 pour-over, the effective range is roughly settings 17–23. Start at 20 and adjust based on extraction time — target 2:30–3:00 total for a standard V60 recipe.

Conical Stainless Steel Burr

The switch from ceramic to conical stainless steel burr brings three practical benefits:

Improved uniformity: The conical geometry forces beans through a consistent gap, producing a tighter particle size distribution. For V60 brewing — where fast water flow amplifies any inconsistency in the grounds — this translates directly to a cleaner, more even cup.

Durability: Steel burrs are more resistant to chipping and wear than ceramic under extended daily use. Ceramic burrs can develop micro-chips over time that slightly affect grind quality.

Lower friction heat: Compared to a blade grinder, the conical burr generates significantly less heat, protecting volatile aroma compounds in the beans.

Daily Usability

What Works Well

Compact footprint: At 12.5 × 12.5cm, the Compact N lives up to its name. It fits on a small counter alongside your V60 dripper and kettle without dominating the space.

Simple operation: Dial to set grind level, flip the switch, done. No app, no screen navigation, no complexity. Anyone can use it on the first try.

V60 compatibility: The grounds container is designed to sit directly under a V60 dripper — a thoughtful detail that makes the grind-to-brew workflow seamless.

What Could Be Better

Small hopper: At ~40g, the hopper holds just enough for 1–2 sessions. You'll be loading beans fresh every time — which is actually ideal for freshness, but inconvenient if you prefer pre-loading a week's supply.

Static discharge: Like all conical burr grinders, the EVCN-8-B produces static that clings grounds to the container. A gentle tap on the container side after grinding reduces residue.

Motor noise: The electric motor is moderately loud — comparable to other home grinders in this class, but enough to wake light sleepers if used early in the morning.

Previous Model EVCG-8B-J: Still Viable?

The EVCG-8B-J remains on sale at approximately ¥11,000 — about ¥3,300 less than the new model.

Choose the previous model if:

• You only brew V60 pour-over and don't need espresso-range settings
• You're buying your first electric grinder and want to try before upgrading
• Budget is the primary consideration

Choose the new EVCN-8-B if:

• You want precise grind control across multiple brew methods
• You take your V60 brewing seriously and dial in recipes
• You're buying a grinder to keep long-term

Final Verdict

The HARIO V60 Electric Grinder Compact N (EVCN-8-B) is a meaningful step up from its predecessor. The 39-step grind range and conical stainless burr together solve the two main complaints about the old model: coarse adjustment jumps and inconsistent particle distribution.

For V60 pour-over enthusiasts, this grinder is purpose-built for you. The workflow from bean to dripper is elegant, the grind quality is solid for the price, and the compact design fits naturally into a minimal pour-over setup.

If you're currently using a blade grinder or the old EVCG-8B-J and want better grind consistency for your pour-over, the EVCN-8-B is worth the upgrade.