Burr Grinder!!!
I was in the same situation about 1 year ago. I didn't want to spend more than $50, so I settled on a Cuisinart grinder that's nearly identical to the Krups you're considering. Problem is they don't grind worth a crap for decent espresso, and that's all I grind for. I had to grind on the finest setting and tamp with ALOT of pressure just to get a 12-14 second shot and the taste left something to be desired. I cleaned it really well and got a refund. I did alot of research on grinders in the $150 range and it came down to 2. The Capresso Infinity and the Solis Maestro Plus. After looking at the build quality, reviews, features, etc. I went with the Infinity. I bought the brushed chrome model for $140+tax, but the ABS plastic model can be had for $90. They're identical except for the housing. The metal units have a zinc housing that offers a little less static and a beefier feel, but they operate and perform the same. From reviews I've seen even the plastic housing units have no problems with static. The Infinity is well built, has really nice conical burrs that have excellent upper/lower support (a problem with the Maestros), is super easy to clean, easy to adjust and will grind for anything you'll ever need, from coarse to powdery fine and consistent on any setting. I've had mine for about 6 months and it works great, being used 2-3 times daily. Every 1/2 pound or so I remove all parts and vacuum thoroughly and have it assembled in seconds. Another good thing is that when putting everything back together after cleaning/inspection you can go right back to the position used before. Some grinders require a bit of finesse to find the "sweet spot". After many years of use burrs will eventually wear out and require replacement. This is true with all grinders. With the Infinity, both burrs can be easily replaced for a decent price. Give the $90 Infinity a good look. You won't be disappointed. One more thing, the only complaint from some owners is the lack of settings. It offers 16 marked settings, which is fine for most grind methods. If you need to fine tune the grind for espresso simply hold the bean hopper between marked settings when grinding to fine tune it for anything you desire. Works just like a stepless grinder. Later!
