Grinder w/ babies in the house [$700]

Grinder w/ babies in the house

Fallen deep into the rabbit hole and need some help.

I currently use a Breville Bambino Plus with pre-ground(!!!) coffee. We make two espressos a day, both milk based. There is no depth or nuance to our coffee palette (hence the pre-ground) but know we can be doing better. I’m looking for a balance of

• quiet: we have two under two and I’d love to not wake anyone up or be subjected to a shrill screech during my most cherished moment of the day

• easy workflow: my wife thinks pre-ground is the pinnacle of convenience and is reticent to even subject herself to a grinder so I’d like it to feel the least like an added step possible

• not too ugly: wife picky about looking at a hopper on the counter or a big black plastic box all day.

Budget: $700

So far I’ve been between the Niche Zero in white, and the DF64. It seems as though the DF64 is considered to be loud/shrill but is otherwise a really good grinder, whereas the Niche is representing less value for money in 2025.

All suggestions welcome!