Saeco CA6804/47 Black Coffee Grinder Accessory for Espresso Machines - Perfect for Home Baristas & Coffee Enthusiasts

I watched this grinder go up and down in price over a couple of weeks, which I thought was odd--it was as if I was watching gas prices on Amazon. Odd, but, that being beside the point, I was able to wait till the prices came down to under $50, and got it under their super-saver shipping as well.First of all, there is NO DATA ANYWHERE ON THE PLANET that tells you how much the upper hopper holds. Well I'm here to tell you that it holds 2 1/4 cups of beans (which gets me through about 3 mornings' worth of 8-cup brews before refilling). I don't know what that volume equals when it comes to ounces, so be happy at least there is this. I swear, you will not find anything about how much volume the upper hopper holds--not even from Phillips themselves. It's not printed on the box, in the pamphlet, online, nowhere. I found that odd, honestly, as there are specs on how much the lower (grounds) hopper holds...so what is the big state secret on the bean specs? Weird, I tell ya.Now, apparently Phillips is very concerned about safety with this little appliance, so you can't overfill the bean hopper, as the bowl-like lid that covers it, has a little button it must push in order for the machine to work. ALSO, there's another little safety button the lower (grounds) hopper has to engage as well. I don't know of many tragedies that have happened with grinders, but I guess they have their data. Since, without both of these little buttons engaged, your machine will sit there an smirk at you....but your fingers are forever safe.Which brings me to the lower (grounds) hopper. Reduced-static they say? HA! No such thing if it is made out of plastic....and this one is. Granted, it's a little LESS static, but, not enough to make it a feature. I have found coffee dust in the oddest places with this machine--mostly to the sides, towards the back. You REALLY have to make sure the grounds bin is IN PLACE...like REALLY IN PLACE, and still, there is no guarantee you won't be cleaning up coffee dust off of your counter. I've never had that with my other coffee grinders, so I find this to be rather annoying. How hard is it to contain the one product it is designed to contain?Another comparison I've done in my head with my past grinders is the noise level. This one is definitely quieter, if not a bit on the shrill side. And it's not fast. At all. It grinds, and grinds, and grinds, and grinds...*zzzzz.....and then it finally stops to what you are thinking should be an overflowing grounds hopper (that would account for the coffee dust all over the place), but no, it measures it out perfectly. I have used both an oily dark roast bean as well as a dryer, medium-roast bean and the results are the same. It is very easy to adjust both grind and volume with the large *click-feel knobs on the machine.I like that it takes up a small footprint, is quiet(er) than most grinders, and does a consistent grind. I have played with the grind knob just to see what the difference is in it's grind types, and it is noticeable--so I would suspect it would be good for your espresso, as well as your French press. I would think about what kind of coffee machine you are going to pair this with--a $120 Cusinart drip or a $40 Bodum French press? That I can see...but pair this machine next to your $1,000 Rancilio Espresso machine? I don't think so. Opt for the fancy grinder befitting to a coffee machine of that stature.And as for all those people that are gassing about stuff made in China, well, get over it. Everything that is 'affordable' is made in China. European or even US-made products are extremely limited, and expensive. You can't compare small items such as this to the auto market--we are infatuated with cars--some people getting new ones costing thousands every year, but a $50 coffee grinder, you expect it to last a decade. LIttle out of sync? I think so.All in all, I'm happy with it.PRO's:Cost;Small counter footprint;Quieter (somewhat, if not more shrill) than most;Easy to adjust for both grind and volume.CON's:Coffee dust scatter;Mislabeled as 'reduced static';No info on bean volume.I recently bought this grinder to replace my