We're checking out the Baratza booth and looking at two new products that they are offering -- the Esatto and the Vario-E.

What’s especially interesting is that the Esatto isn’t a standalone grinder -- instead it’s a $150 add-on for the Tested-favorite Virtuoso and Virtuoso Preciso grinders. To convert your existing grinder to weight-based dosing, you simply slide the grinder into Esatto’s long tray, screw it into place, connect the grinder’s power to the Esatto, and lock the grinder in the on position. The Esatto’s scale slides into the bottom of the grinder’s hopper bin and comes with a new, slightly smaller hopper that rests entirely on the scale. The Esatto includes three configurable presets, so whether you’re making espresso, a press pot, or a pourover, grinding precisely the right amount of coffee is only two buttons presses away.

The Vario-E trades time-based dosing on the ultra-adjustable Vario for weight-based dosing. However, the Vario-E's scale is directly integrated in the grinder—obviating the need for a long tray to store the grinder’s power cord. Both the Esatto and the Vario-E promise to let you dose to within +/-0.2g--although in the floor demo I saw, the precision was better at slower grind rates. While I’m excited about the prospect of being able to skip weighing my beans every time I prepare coffee, I have a few reservations about Baratza’s early efforts. First, the Esatto’s tray is fairly deep. At 12.25 inches deep, it will prevent you from pushing your grinder up against the wall. I’m also disappointed that Baratza won't have a portafilter hopper for these new weight-based dosing solutions. The wide variation on portafilter weights and sizes prevents that, but weight-based dosing seems like a natural fit for espresso.

Here's our video look at Baratza's booth and their grinder lineup.

Will Smith is one of the guys you see all the time at Tested. In addition to loving technology, Smith is a die hard coffee and espresso fanatic. Videos are reposted with permission from Tested.