Eureka Atom Overview A step up in size and power from the Eureka Mignon is the Atom. Though it’s not as impressive as when Einstein split the actual atom, this baby can sure split a bean. Similar to the Mignon, the Atom is stepless, and its easy-grip knob glides between fine and coarse grinds in a twist or two. Features and Performance The Atom’s portafilter catch can be adjusted to fit any portafilter, and easily lifts off so you can slide the included grounds container into place. We love this functionality, but we have to say that it’s impractical to make the switch back and forth if you’re brewing for both every single day. In that case we’d recommend picking up another grinder for coarse brews, and dedicating the Atom to espresso. Speaking of espresso, the Atom can be programmed to dispense a single or double shot at the press of a button, and, of course, manual grinding is always an option too. Programming the Atom is much easier than many other grinders we’ve seen. There’s no menu, none, just select a shot and press plus or minus to make adjustments within 1/10th of a second. Color us impressed. Speaking of color, choose between white, black, and chrome, whichever is suited to your tastes. Personally, we like the shiny one, but the black one gives us an Atari vibe, and the white one reminds some of us how much we love our Macs. So, what we’re saying is, you really can’t go wrong. Why You Should Get It The Atom is equipped with a speedy 450 watt motor and 60mm burrs, and we were amazed at just how quiet it is during grinding. One of our favorite things about the Atom is the fact that you can lift off the burrs for cleaning without having to calibrate them once you’re done. Meaning, no need to dial back in your grind afterwards, because the grind setting is adjusted using the bottom burr, which stays locked in place. Extra-fluffy grounds disperse evenly into the middle of your portafilter, with little to no spillage short of that of an overflowing basket. In all, we think the Atom is not only intuitive and versatile, it has a great vibe. For those in need of a bit more power and capacity, take a look at the Zenith; or, for the space-conscious, the Mignon is a great fit.
