HeyCafé Grinders: Complete Buddy, Jack, H1 and HC Guide
HeyCafé occupies an unusual place in the grinder market: it is a Chinese-founded commercial grinder manufacturer with its own product-development history, a worldwide service network, and the backing of Hemro Group, the same group behind Mahlkönig, Ditting and Anfim. Its current line is compact—seven professional grinders—but covers four distinctly different jobs: on-demand espresso, doser espresso, flexible all-purpose grinding, and high-output retail or laboratory grinding.
This guide covers every current HeyCafé grinder listed by the manufacturer as of September 2026, explains the models that have been retired, and matches each type with comparable grinders available from Espresso Outlet. Current products and specifications can change by voltage and market, so confirm the exact electrical version before ordering commercial equipment.
HeyCafé history: from Shanghai startup to Hemro brand
HeyCafé was founded in Shanghai in 2006 and describes itself as the first Chinese company to develop and manufacture coffee grinders. Its first HC-600 appeared in 2007. In 2010 the company introduced the TITAN, built around what HeyCafé called a patented “Bottom-Setting” adjustment system. Manufacturing moved from Shanghai to Changzhou in 2011.
The pivotal corporate change came later. HeyCafé entered a strategic partnership with Hemro Group in 2016 and became wholly owned by Hemro in 2018. That relationship matters to buyers because Hemro is a grinder-focused organization with brands spanning specialty retail, laboratory, café and espresso applications. HeyCafé now says it works through distributors and service partners in more than 50 countries. Read the manufacturer’s official company history.
HeyCafé’s position is not “budget home grinder.” Its current products are commercial machines designed around cast bodies, service documentation, replaceable parts and defined workflows. The value proposition is professional capability at an accessible point within the commercial market.
Complete current HeyCafé grinder lineup
| Model | Primary role | Burrs | Rated output | Hopper | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buddy | On-demand espresso | 64 mm flat hardened steel | 2.5–3.0 g/s | 1.5 kg | Touchscreen and timed recipes |
| Buddy Doser | Doser espresso | 64 mm flat hardened steel | 2.5–3.0 g/s | 1.5 kg | 5–10 g dispensing chamber |
| HC-600 2.0 ODG | On-demand espresso | 64 mm flat hardened steel | 2.5–3.0 g/s | 1.5 kg | Four recipes and proven HC platform |
| Jack | Compact all-purpose | 64 mm flat hardened steel | 1.5–3.0 g/s | Approx. 250 g | Single-dose-friendly, broad range |
| H1 | Commercial all-purpose | 64 mm flat hardened steel | 2.5–3.0 g/s | 380 g | 100–900 μm range and setting display |
| HC-880 LAB | Retail/lab bulk grinding | 84 mm flat hardened steel | More than 450 g/min | 1.3 kg | Full-height shop grinder |
| HC-880 LAB S | Compact retail/lab grinding | 84 mm flat hardened steel | More than 450 g/min | 1.3 kg | Shorter, lighter LAB format |
Output figures are manufacturer laboratory ratings and vary with coffee and grind setting. The seven-product count follows HeyCafé’s current grinder collection; the separate “all grinders” archive also shows discontinued products for support.
Buddy: the modern on-demand espresso model
The HeyCafé Buddy is the clearest expression of the brand’s current espresso direction. Its German-made 64 mm flat hardened-steel burrs are rated at 2.5–3.0 grams per second. A 3.5-inch touchscreen controls two programmable timed recipes plus manual grinding, while barista and flush modes support normal service and purge work.
The 1.5 kg hopper, 350-watt motor and 13 kg net weight signal a commercial countertop machine rather than a home single doser. Its adjustable hands-free fork, removable spout and flapper, stepless adjustment and sealed cast-aluminum body are all practical workflow features. At 350 × 210 × 610 mm, hopper clearance should be checked under shelving.
Best for: a café wanting a straightforward 64 mm electronic grinder for a house espresso. Closest Espresso Outlet comparisons: the Mazzer Super Jolly V Pro for an established 64 mm commercial platform, or the Fiorenzato F64 EVO PRO W when grind-by-weight dosing and a more advanced commercial interface are priorities.
Buddy Doser: traditional dispensing for fast service
The Buddy Doser shares the Buddy’s 64 mm burrs, 2.5–3.0 g/s rating, 350-watt motor, 1.5 kg hopper and 13 kg chassis. The difference is the dosing system: ground coffee accumulates in an aluminum dispensing chamber that portions approximately 5–10 grams per pull. Its static tamper can mount on either side.
A doser makes sense where operators intentionally grind ahead and value rapid mechanical portioning. It is less attractive for a low-volume bar rotating coffees, because coffee held in the chamber is not as fresh as a dose ground directly into the portafilter. The Buddy and Buddy Doser should therefore be chosen by workflow, not by an assumption that one is simply a higher-tier model.
HC-600 2.0 ODG: the long-running workhorse
The current HC-600 2.0 ODG connects directly to the HC-600 introduced near the beginning of the company’s history. “ODG” denotes on-demand grinding. The present version uses 64 mm flat hardened-steel burrs, a 350-watt motor, a 1.5 kg hopper and a published speed of 2.5–3.0 g/s.
Four programmable selections—single, double, triple and jog—give it one more stored dose than many entry commercial grinders. The 350 × 210 × 570 mm chassis is slightly shorter than the Buddy and weighs 11.5 kg. It also offers four factory colors: black, white, silver and red. The Buddy brings the newer touchscreen experience; the HC-600 emphasizes familiar controls and a mature mechanical platform.
Closest alternatives: the Mazzer Super Jolly V Pro is the natural 64 mm comparison. For higher duty and larger burrs, step up to the Ceado E37S or Compak E8 OD.
Jack: the compact allround and single-dose option
The Jack is not a smaller Buddy. It is a 64 mm all-purpose grinder meant to travel from Turkish-fine settings through French press. HeyCafé lists 1.5–3.0 g/s across that broad range and 1.7–2.2 g/s at espresso settings. A small, approximately 250 g hopper and purge unit allow a single-dose-style workflow.
At only 138 mm wide, 245 mm deep and 380 mm tall, the 6.2 kg Jack is the easiest current HeyCafé to place in a tight coffee bar, training room or serious home setup. Its height-adjustable tray accepts different dosing vessels, and spout/flapper access simplifies cleaning. The tradeoff is lower power and output than a dedicated high-volume espresso grinder.
Closest alternative: the Compak PK100 Single Dose also prioritizes changing coffees and broad brew-method flexibility, but is a much larger 98 mm platform. For a compact home single doser, Espresso Outlet’s home grinder collection provides less costly options, though they are not direct commercial equivalents.
H1: a narrow commercial all-purpose grinder
The H1 replaced the H123 in May 2020. It retains a 138 mm-wide footprint, 64 mm flat hardened-steel burrs and an unusually broad published particle-setting range of 100–900 microns. Unlike the Jack’s compact single-dose approach, the H1 uses a 380 g hopper, a start/stop portafilter system and an LC display that visualizes the grind setting for repeatability.
Its 200-watt DC motor is rated at 2.5–3.0 g/s. Cooling ribs surround the cast-aluminum chamber, and the supplied tray can be exchanged for an adjustable portafilter support. A café serving espresso plus several brewed-coffee methods may value one repeatable backup grinder more than several narrowly specialized machines.
HC-880 LAB and LAB S: retail and laboratory grinders
The HC-880 models are bulk grinders, not espresso grinders designed to dose into a portafilter. Both use 84 mm flat hardened-steel burrs and are rated above 450 grams per minute, with a 1.3 kg hopper and 550-watt motor. Their wide stepless range is intended for cupping labs, roaster sample work and grinding retail bags at settings from very fine to coarse.
The HC-880 LAB measures 450 × 180 × 685 mm and weighs 26 kg. The LAB S reduces height to 585 mm and weight to 23 kg while retaining the same published burr size, hopper, motor and output. The S is chiefly a packaging choice for lower clearances; it is not a lower-capacity burr system.
For comparison, review Espresso Outlet’s commercial grinder collection. Espresso-focused models such as the Ceado E37S or Compak E8 are powerful, but their portafilter workflow is not a substitute for a bag grinder. Match the machine to the container, grind range and batch size you actually need.
Current model selector
- Choose Buddy for touchscreen timed espresso dosing.
- Choose Buddy Doser for a traditional chamber-and-lever dispensing workflow.
- Choose HC-600 2.0 ODG for a proven on-demand 64 mm platform with four recipes.
- Choose Jack for compact, low-retention all-purpose or frequent coffee changes.
- Choose H1 for repeatable all-purpose commercial grinding with a larger hopper.
- Choose HC-880 LAB for full-size retail, cupping or production-sample grinding.
- Choose HC-880 LAB S when you need LAB performance under lower shelving.
Discontinued and legacy HeyCafé grinders
HeyCafé deserves credit for keeping retired models visible in an official service archive. The discontinued list includes the H123 and H5 Home; the original HC-880; HC-600 2.0 S/T/AD; HC-600 ODG V1/V3; HC-600 S/T/AD; HC-700 AD; multiple TITAN I and TITAN II on-demand and dispensing variants; and AROMA II/V2. These are not part of the current seven-grinder sales collection.
Suffixes generally described workflow: ODG for on-demand, while S, T and AD identified manual, semi-automatic and automatic doser fill behavior on dispensing families. “V1,” “V2,” “V3” and “2.0” mark revisions. A used grinder’s full name and voltage matter because parts can differ between revisions. Start with HeyCafé’s official current-and-legacy archive, then confirm the serial number with an authorized distributor before buying parts.
What to check before buying
- Electrical specification: confirm voltage and frequency for your country; never assume an imported machine is compatible.
- Workflow: choose on-demand, doser, single-dose/allround or bulk grinding before comparing burr diameter.
- Peak duty: size for the busiest 15 minutes, not daily average drinks.
- Clearance: the Buddy is 610 mm tall and the HC-880 LAB is 685 mm tall.
- Local support: identify the distributor, warranty process and burr availability before installation.
- Coffee rotation: large hoppers work well for a house coffee; smaller hoppers and purge systems suit frequent changes.
HeyCafé grinder FAQs
Is HeyCafé owned by Mahlkönig?
No. HeyCafé and Mahlkönig are separate brands owned by Hemro Group. Their product designs, positioning and model lines remain distinct.
Where are HeyCafé grinders made?
HeyCafé began in Shanghai and moved its factory to Changzhou, China, in 2011. The company describes itself as a China-based grinder developer and manufacturer.
How many current HeyCafé grinder models are there?
The official current grinder collection lists seven: Buddy, Buddy Doser, Jack, HC-880 LAB, HC-880 LAB S, H1 and HC-600 2.0 ODG.
Are all HeyCafé grinders for espresso?
No. Buddy, Buddy Doser and HC-600 2.0 ODG are espresso-focused. Jack and H1 are allround grinders. The HC-880 LAB models are retail/laboratory bulk grinders.
What is the difference between Buddy and Buddy Doser?
Buddy grinds a programmed timed dose directly into the portafilter. Buddy Doser fills a chamber that dispenses approximately 5–10 grams per lever action.
What is the difference between Buddy and HC-600 2.0 ODG?
They share 64 mm burrs, a 1.5 kg hopper and similar output. Buddy uses a 3.5-inch touchscreen with two programmed recipes; the HC-600 offers single, double, triple and jog selections in a shorter chassis.
Can the Jack grind for espresso and filter coffee?
Yes. HeyCafé specifies a range from Turkish through French press. Its small hopper and purge unit also make coffee changes easier than on a full-size espresso hopper grinder.
Did the H1 replace the H123?
Yes. HeyCafé announced the H1 as the H123 replacement in May 2020. The H123 remains in the archive for documentation and parts support.
Is HC-880 LAB S less powerful than HC-880 LAB?
Not according to the published core specifications. Both list 84 mm burrs, more than 450 g/min output, a 1.3 kg hopper and 550 watts. LAB S is shorter and lighter.
Can an HC-880 LAB be used as the primary espresso grinder?
It can grind fine coffee, but its bag/bin bulk workflow is not designed for timed portafilter dosing. A dedicated espresso model is normally more efficient at the bar.
Are old TITAN grinders current products?
No. TITAN variants appear in HeyCafé’s legacy archive. Buyers evaluating a used unit should verify the exact generation, electrical version and parts support.
Does Espresso Outlet sell HeyCafé grinders?
Not as a regular new grinder line at the time of writing. The comparisons above point to currently listed Espresso Outlet alternatives with similar use cases.
Official sources and further research
- HeyCafé — About Us and company history
- HeyCafé — Current grinder portfolio
- HeyCafé — Buddy specifications
- HeyCafé — Jack specifications
- HeyCafé — H1 specifications
- HeyCafé — HC-880 LAB specifications
- HeyCafé — Current and discontinued grinder archive
Last reviewed: September 2026. Specifications are based on manufacturer-published information. Availability, voltage options and configurations vary by market.