Timemore’s Sculptor 064S and 078S are compact, single-dose flat-burr grinders with variable RPM and a rotary knocker that genuinely helps keep retention low. In use, the 064S is the “small, nimble, all-purpose” pick; the 078S adds burr size and motor headroom that make light roasts and daily espresso dialing easier. If you want flat-burr clarity, consistent shots, and a clean bench without going full prosumer, these two land in the sweet spot. Official specs and pricing back this up: 064S at $599, 078S at $799, both stepless and built for espresso and pour-over; the non-S 078 is brew-only and stepped.

Timemore Sculptor 064S vs 078S

Prices reflect current list on Timemore USA. Ratings are snapshot community averages and may vary by marketplace.

Sort by Price: Low → High Price: High → Low Rating: High → Low Model: A → Z Filter All variants All-purpose (espresso + filter)

Model	Burrs & size	RPM / Motor	Adjustment	Brew scope	Dimensions / Weight	Notable features	Price	Rating	Buy
Sculptor 064S All purpose	64 mm flat, multi-purpose	800–1200 rpm, brushless	Stepless	Espresso & pour-over	≈ 22.6 × 10.2 × 25.7 cm • 4.1 kg	Single-dose, rotary knocker, magnetic lid & cup	$599	4.3/5	Buy on Amazon
Sculptor 078S All purpose	78 mm flat, multi-purpose	800–1400 rpm, 400 W brushless	Stepless	Espresso & pour-over	≈ 26.1 × 11.8 × 29.4 cm • 6.8–7.9 kg	Single-dose, rotary knocker, magnetic lid & cup	$799	4.3/5	Buy on Amazon

What they are (and what matters)

If you strip away marketing and focus on the things that change your cup, three elements matter most on the Sculptor line. Burr geometry and motor control dictate grind behavior under load. The daily workflow decides whether you keep using the grinder after the honeymoon period. The adjustment system determines how quickly you can land and repeat a target.

The 064S uses 64 mm flat burrs driven by an adjustable 800 to 1200 rpm brushless motor. The 078S scales up to 78 mm flats with a 400 W drive and a wider 800 to 1400 rpm window. The larger burrs and higher motor power on the 078S give you more torque at fine settings, faster grind clearing, and a little extra sweetness on dense light roasts because the motor holds speed instead of bogging. Variable rpm lets you tune texture. Lower rpm usually trims fines and boosts clarity in pour-over. Higher rpm adds body and can help espresso shots pack together more predictably when you want richer texture.

Both grinders are built for single dosing. You drop a measured dose into the throat, set rpm, grind, then use the magnetic cup and lid to keep everything clean. The rotary knocker at the spout is not a gimmick. A few firm twists dislodge clingy fines so more of your dose ends up in the cup and less in the chute. This lowers exchange retention, keeps the counter tidy, and tightens dose-to-cup variance. If static is high where you live, a light RDT spritz before grinding pairs well with the knocker and keeps cleanup to a quick brush.

The 064S and 078S use stepless collars that let you make very small moves for espresso without jumping past the sweet spot. This is ideal when you change beans often or chase tight shot time windows. The non-S 078 is stepped and aimed at brew users. If espresso is part of your routine, the S variants are the ones to buy. Zeroing is straightforward. Bring the burrs to the first audible touch with the grinder off, set your reference mark, and work outward to your normal ranges for espresso and filter.

Who they’re for

• Home baristas who single-dose, brew espresso and filter, and want a tidy, repeatable workflow over modding and endless burr swaps.
• Light-roast drinkers who need torque and usable RPM range. The 078S is the safer pick here.
• Apartment users who need a quieter flat-burr grinder. Community feedback consistently notes a subdued pitch and fast grind-to-cup routine.

Know thy self before you commit

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Workflow Minimalist

Coffee routine

One or two espressos on weekdays, pour-over on weekends. Single-dose only.

Beans

Medium to medium-light from local roasters; rotates often.

Constraints

Limited counter space; hates mess and retained grounds.

Success metric

Shot times within a couple of seconds and a clean counter.

Fit

Sculptor 064S. Stepless collar + rotary knocker keep dose-to-cup tight without extras.

Suggested RPM

900–1000 (espresso); 950–1100 (filter).

Budget posture

Wants premium function without boutique pricing; pays for reliability.

Light-Roast Extractor

Coffee routine

Daily straight shots and bypassed Americanos with light Nordic-style roasts.

Beans

Dense, lightly developed; chases clarity and high extraction yields.

Constraints

Previous grinder stalled or produced excess fines at espresso settings.

Success metric

Sweet shots without bitter tails at ~1:2 to 1:2.2 ratios.

Fit

Sculptor 078S. 78 mm burrs, 400 W motor, and wide RPM window handle dense beans.

Suggested RPM

950–1150 (light-roast espresso); 900–1000 (clarity-focused pour-over).

Budget posture

Will spend if the improvement is obvious and dialing is faster.

Quiet-Hour Apartment Brewer

Coffee routine

Early espresso and an afternoon V60; thin walls.

Beans

Mostly medium roasts with occasional light seasonal releases.

Constraints

Noise, bench vibration, and cleanup time.

Success metric

No complaints from housemates, no static snow on the counter.

Fit

064S or 078S at mid–low RPM; brushless drive + short grind cycle keep pitch subdued.

Suggested RPM

850–950 (espresso); 900–1000 (pour-over).

Budget posture

Pays a modest premium for quiet and clean workflow.

Milk-Drink Everyday

Coffee routine

Two to four milk drinks daily, mostly medium roasts.

Beans

Medium to medium-dark blends for body and sweetness.

Constraints

Needs fast grinding and repeatable micro-adjustments back-to-back.

Success metric

Even flow at 1:2 in ~25–32 seconds with minimal puck drama.

Fit

078S for faster clearing at fine settings and rounder body at higher RPM.

Suggested RPM

1000–1200 (espresso for body); ~950 (filter on off days).

Budget posture

Comfortable at upper midrange if consistency improves.

Variety Pack Sampler

Coffee routine

Small doses across multiple coffees weekly; loves side-by-side testing.

Beans

From fruity naturals to classic washed lots.

Constraints

Hates exchange retention and cleaning chutes.

Success metric

Dose variance near zero; quick swaps without purging grams.

Fit

064S single-dose workflow + magnetic cup + knocker = very low exchange retention.

Suggested RPM

900–1050 depending on bean and brew method.

Budget posture

Price sensitive but pays for real retention control.

Upgrading From Entry Conical

Coffee routine

Espresso first; starting to care about pour-over clarity.

Beans

Medium to medium-light; notices muddiness on current grinder.

Constraints

Wants a clear step up in separation without a learning cliff.

Success metric

Cleaner, more layered shots and brews with the same recipes.

Fit

064S is the value step into flat-burr clarity with stepless control.

Suggested RPM

950–1050 (espresso); 950–1100 (filter).

Budget posture

Midrange ceiling; prefers strong stock performance over burr tinkering.

Remote-Work Brewer

Coffee routine

Two small espressos before noon; one filter during calls.

Beans

Medium roasts with occasional limited-release light roasts.

Constraints

Needs low mess and minimal cleanup between meetings.

Success metric

Grind, knock, pull, go—no brushing the counter every time.

Fit

064S for compact footprint and reliable single-dose routine.

Suggested RPM

900–1000 (espresso); 950–1050 (filter).

Budget posture

Pays for convenience that saves minutes per brew.

Light-Roast Tinkerer, Time-Poor

Coffee routine

Experiments with profiles and ratios but has short brew windows.

Beans

Bright, high-elevation lots that punish weak grinders.

Constraints

Needs torque and a quick path to a usable dial-in.

Success metric

Repeatable 1:2 shots at moderate yields without channeling.

Fit

078S adds burr diameter and RPM range that make fine-range moves forgiving.

Suggested RPM

950–1150 (most light-roast espresso); adjust in ~50 RPM steps to chase texture.

Budget posture

Will pay more if dialing time drops and sink shots disappear.

How to map personas to daily life

• 064S: Everyday clarity

  Mostly medium roasts, small kitchens, value a clean bench and repeatable shots. The 064S delivers flat-burr clarity with low mess and quick dialing for both espresso and pour-over.

• 078S: Light-roast control

  Daily espresso on dense light roasts or higher volumes. The 078S adds torque, wider RPM control, and slightly sweeter results at fine settings.

• Shared spaces

  Noise sensitivity in apartments or offices. Use mid-to-low RPM, a light RDT, and the rotary knocker. Either model stays quiet and tidy enough for thin walls.

• Milk-first routines

  Two or more milk drinks daily and a preference for body. Run the 078S near the top of its RPM band for richer texture before steaming.

Common objections (and how they’re resolved)

“I want to swap burrs later.”

“I only brew filter.”

“I live in a small apartment.”

What coffee they suit best

• 078S: excels with light to medium roasts where extraction consistency and clarity matter. The 400 W motor and 78 mm set hold rpm on dense beans; Timemore’s guidance also notes lower rpm cuts fines for cleaner brews, higher rpm adds body.
• 064S: ideal daily driver for medium and medium-dark espresso and pour-over; it still handles light roasts, but the 078S gives you more headroom and slightly “bigger” shots at similar ratios. Specs show the 800–1200 rpm window and all-purpose intent.

Benchmarks vs the competition

Full-width element. Mobile view stacks cards in a single column. Ratings and prices are snapshot values and vary by marketplace.

Sort by Rating: High → Low Price: Low → High Price: High → Low Model: A → Z Filter All Flat Conical

Product	Price	Rating	Burrs & size	Motor / RPM	Adjustment	Why it’s in the mix	Where Sculptor wins	Where it wins
Timemore Sculptor 064S Buy on Amazon	$599	4.3/5	64 mm flat	Brushless • 800–1200 rpm	Stepless	All-purpose single-dose flat for espresso & filter with variable rpm	Cleaner single-dose workflow, built-in knocker, rpm control	Tidy routine and clarity at this size and price
Timemore Sculptor 078S Buy on Amazon	$799	4.3/5	78 mm flat	400 W brushless • 800–1400 rpm	Stepless	Higher torque flat for light roasts & daily espresso with wide rpm range	Power at fine settings, faster clearing, very low exchange retention	Sweetness on dense beans and easier dialing at fine
DF64 Gen 2 / DF64V Buy on Amazon	$360	4.4/5	64 mm flat	DF64V: variable rpm • Gen 2: AC	Stepless	Same burr size & single-dose layout at a lower street price; huge burr ecosystem	Out-of-box workflow, integrated knocker, stable rpm control on Sculptor	Lower price & unmatched aftermarket burr options for tinkerers
OXO Brew Buy on Amazon	$109	4.5/5	Conical, single-dose	Quiet drive • fixed rpm	Stepless	Simple espresso workflow with syrupy body & low retention	Flat-burr clarity & adjustable rpm for both espresso and filter	Classic conical texture and the most frictionless shot routine
Eureka Mignon Specialita Buy on Amazon	$769	4.6/5	55 mm flat	Quiet AC motor	Stepless micrometric	Compact hopper grinder with quiet operation & timer dosing	Cleaner single-dose swaps & lower retention for dose-to-cup	Hopper convenience & timer dosing for repeat shots
Breville Smart Grinder Pro Buy on Amazon	$199	4.7/5	64–78 mm class flat • boutique machining	Wide rpm window	Stepless	Premium build and rpm control at a far higher price	Similar rpm control & results for less money and easier delivery	Top-tier fit/finish with upgrade paths

How they actually perform

Workflow and retention

A clean, repeatable routine is what makes these grinders easy to live with. In practice the steps are simple: weigh your dose, give the beans a single light RDT spritz, drop them in, set rpm, grind, then give the rotary knocker two or three decisive turns before you lift the magnetic cup. That sequence keeps exchange retention low and the bench clean.

Several independent tests and long user threads converge on the same outcome: near-zero exchange retention when you combine light RDT with the knocker. Kaffeemacher measured about 0.1 g temporary retention on both the 064S and the 078S and called the purge design clever with an efficient grind path. Community logs echo 0 to 0.1 g with RDT and a few knocks. Without RDT in dry indoor air you may see static and a short trail of fines. That shows up as 0.2 to 0.4 g until you knock, then dose-to-cup tightens again. Oilier dark roasts tend to behave well even without RDT; very light naturals benefit most from the spritz.

Two clarifications help when you evaluate retention claims:

• Exchange retention versus total retention: exchange is what contaminates the next dose. Total is what remains in the grinder before you knock. The Sculptor design keeps exchange low when you use the knocker correctly.
• Consistency over time: after the first one or two seasoning doses, retention behavior settles. If you clean and reassemble, expect one calibration dose to reseat fines and return to normal.

If you often switch coffees, the single-dose layout plus low exchange retention means you can change from espresso to pour-over or from a washed to a natural without purging grams. That saves coffee and time, which matters more than the headline number.

Video: Timemore Sculptor 074 – Hands-on

Espresso and filter results

Owners and reviewers describe sweet, structured espresso and clean filter cups from both S models. The 078S brings a touch more sweetness and steadiness at fine settings because the larger burrs and higher available torque hold rpm under load. That shows up as calmer flow at the same ratio and a slightly thicker mid-palate. The 064S carries more of a clarity-first signature with medium roasts and gives up little unless you push very dense light roasts daily.

Variable rpm is not a gimmick. It is a cup-shaping tool if you use it deliberately.

• Espresso starting points: 900 to 1000 rpm for medium roasts balances clarity and body. Push to 1050 to 1150 when you want more texture or when you are pulling light roasts that resist flow. If you see clumpy pucks on very low rpm, raise speed 50 to 100 rpm before changing grind.
• Filter starting points: 900 to 1000 rpm favors clarity and separation on V60, Origami, and flat-bottom baskets. If a coffee tastes thin, move up 50 to 100 rpm before altering grind size. The change in particle tail often fills the body without muddying the cup.

On the bench, dialing is straight-forward. The stepless collar lets you make the quarter-millimeter moves espresso needs. Once you mark your espresso and filter ranges on the collar, you can bounce between them reliably. With light roasts the 078S is the safer pick because it clears faster and stalls less at very fine settings. With medium roasts or mixed use the 064S lands a high-value balance of clarity and speed.

Video: Timemore Sculptor 064S – Hands-on

Noise, speed, and ergonomics

The brushless drive has a subdued tone for a flat-burr grinder. At mid rpm the sound is steady and short in duration. Community notes from apartment users report early-morning grinding without complaints. Lower rpm reduces pitch and perceived loudness. The knocker adds a brief, dull sound that is less sharp than a bellows pop.

Speed is quick for single-dose flats. The 078S is the faster of the two, especially at fine espresso settings where torque matters. The 064S is no slouch at typical home doses and feels immediate in daily use. Both clear well after two to three knocks when you follow the RDT-then-grind routine.

Ergonomics are mostly right with one caveat. The rpm dial sits on the back of the machine, which is not ideal if your grinder lives against a wall. Two simple fixes work: leave a hand’s width to reach the dial or angle the grinder a few degrees on a thin mat so you can roll it out to adjust. The magnetic lid and cup feel secure. The cup height matches standard 58 mm funnels and dosing rings, so you can invert cleanly into a portafilter. The chute stays tidy with light RDT. If you skip RDT in very dry conditions, keep a small brush by the spout to sweep a light snow of fines. Periodic housekeeping is minimal: vacuum the throat and wipe the chute after a few hundred grams, then deep-clean and re-zero only after a full tear-down.

Put simply, both grinders reward a disciplined routine. Use light RDT, choose rpm with intent, and knock with purpose. The cup quality holds up, the counter stays clean, and you spend more time drinking coffee than coaxing a finicky setup.

Community and marketplace feedback

An honest read of what owners praise, nitpick, and occasionally flag.

Common praise Recurring nitpicks Outliers Common issues & fixes

• Finish and build feel “premium” for the price; stepless adjustment on S variants is smooth and predictable. Several owners highlight how easy it is to hit and repeat espresso targets.
• Low mess and dose-to-cup accuracy with light RDT plus the rotary knocker. Many reports land in the 0–0.1 g variance range in normal conditions.

• Static and fines cling vary by bean and humidity. Some users see cling in the catch cup and along the spout even with RDT; others call it minimal. Results genuinely vary.
• Button feel and lightweight cup: a few reviews mention a slightly wobbly power button and a cup that feels less substantial than the chassis.
• Back-mounted rpm dial placement can be inconvenient when the grinder sits flush against a wall.

• A handful of posts report higher retention (for example ~0.5 g) or intermittent rpm dips. These are uncommon, but frequent enough to note. Most trace to dry static conditions, technique, or an individual unit that needs support.

• Static and clingy fines. Do one light RDT spritz, grind, then twist the knocker a few times before removing the cup. This workflow is what drives the 0–0.1 g results most users report. In very dry air, use a slightly heavier RDT or place an anti-static mat under the cup.
• Mess around the spout/cup. It is usually static rather than a “fines catcher.” Keep the cup centered and flush to the chute; brush if needed. Some owners note occasional cling inside the metal cup on oily beans—RDT and a couple of extra knocks help.
• Dial calibration / alignment anxiety. The S models are stepless. If you removed the pointer or face-plate, recalibrate by closing to a gentle burr chirp at zero, then set your marker. Do not overtighten face-plate screws—over-torque can warp the plate and nudge alignment.
• RPM dips or instability. With an empty grinder, rpm should be steady. Small rpm drops under load are normal. If you see large swings at idle or severe hunting, contact Timemore support to evaluate the control board or sensor.

FAQs

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Can 064S and 078S really do both espresso and pour-over?

Yes. Timemore classifies both S models as all-purpose; the 078 (non-S) is the brew-only option. The S models are stepless for micro-adjustment.

What rpm should I use?

Start near the middle: ~1000–1100 rpm for 078S and 900–1000 rpm for 064S. Lower rpm tends to reduce fines and emphasize clarity; higher rpm can add body. Adjust by taste and flow.

What retention should I expect?

With a light RDT and a few knocks, community and lab testing commonly report ~0–0.1 g. Without RDT/knocker or on very dry days, you may see more.

How do they compare in noise?

Both use brushless motors and are quieter than many consumer flats. Several reviewers remark on the subdued pitch and short grind time.

Do they accept third-party burrs?

Timemore focuses on its own burr sets (multi-purpose and Turbo). Some owners experiment, but this platform isn’t marketed as an open burr playground like DF64. If burr-swapping is your priority, evaluate carefully.

The decision

• Pick Sculptor 078S if you want the most forgiving, all-purpose single-doser for home: more burr, more motor, better for light roasts, and still compact. It’s the safer long-term bet if espresso is daily.
• Pick Sculptor 064S if you want nearly the same cup quality in a smaller chassis at lower cost, and you mostly brew medium roasts with some pour-over. The variable rpm plus knocker delivers a clean, repeatable workflow.

Bottom line: In this price class, nothing combines flat-burr clarity, variable rpm, and consistently low retention as neatly as the Sculptor pair. If you value tinkering and aftermarket burrs, the DF64 remains the obvious pick. If you want classic conical texture and a dead-simple routine, the Niche Zero still charms. For clean, modern, single-dose flats with rpm control that fit in a kitchen, 064S and 078S hit the brief—day in, day out.