Mazzer Mini Grinder Review: Small in Size, Big on Power!

In today’s Mazzer Mini grinder review I’ll be looking at one of the most popular coffee grinders on the market. In fact, a case could be made for the Mazzer Mini being the best espresso grinder out there.

Originally released as a commercial coffee grinder for smaller cafes, the Mazzer Mini is now also popular among home baristas. And given the continued rise of prosumer espresso machines, the Mazzer Mini grinder keeps selling like hot cakes.

So, is this enduring grinder all it’s cracked up to be? And can it compete with the new generation of prosumer espresso grinders? Let’s dive into this Mazzer Mini grinder review and find out!

Overview: Mazzer Mini Grinder Review

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Mazzer is a legendary company. Based in Venice, Italy, these guys have been in the grinder game since the 1940s, and their products are known for achieving the highest standards in performance and durability.

What’s more, Mazzer has a longstanding partnership with espresso machine giant La Marzocco.

As I already mentioned, the Mazzer Mini grinder was designed for small-scale commercial use. However, it’s emerged as a popular favorite among those with a fancy prosumer espresso machine at home.

To be honest, this comes as absolutely no surprise to me. After all, the Mazzer Mini boasts a compact footprint, superb levels of performance and extremely rugged construction. In other words, this awesome espresso grinder will deliver the goods day in, day out for decades if treated well.

During my time working in cafes, I used Mazzer grinders extensively. And while I haven’t had my hands on the Mazzer Mini, all the manufacturer’s grinders share the same design language and operation, with only small differences here and there.

So, I can tell you that the Mazzer Mini grinder is simple to use and definitely feels professional. And thanks to its commercial-grade burrs, powerful motor and stepless grind adjustment system, it could be the best coffee grinder to help you achieve espresso perfection.

Costing around $700, the Mazzer Mini Espresso Grinder isn’t cheap. However, it’s certainly worth the investment if you’re serious about espresso preparation.

Mazzer Grinder Comparison: Mini Variations

Before going any further, I should point out that there’s a handful of Mazzer Mini variations currently available.

The original Mazzer Mini is the grinder I’m discussing in this review. Known as the Mazzer Mini Timer, this is the most affordable version, and features a simple timer switch that can be set for up to 60 seconds. And once the ground coffee is in the doser, you use a lever to dose your portafilter.

Seeing as the manufacturer is constantly looking for ways to improve its products, it was only a matter of time before a couple of updated Mini grinders hit the market. Both of these versions feature a dosing funnel rather than a manual lever, and each has electronic controls for more accurate timer-based dosing.

It almost goes without saying that the electronic versions will cost more than the original. With that said, they do come equipped with substantially larger burrs.

Mazzer Mini Espresso Grinder Features

Now that we’ve cleared all that up, let’s continue with this Mazzer Mini grinder review by examining its standout features.

Size and Design

I’m not sure that I’d call the Mazzer Mini an attractive piece of kit. Especially in comparison with other popular prosumer grinders like the Eureka Atom 65 and the Baratza Sette 270Wi. Still, I’m sure plenty of folks will appreciate its straightforward aesthetic and minimalist vibe.

Besides, the Mazzer Mini grinder is built like a tank, as evidenced by its solid metal construction. In fact, apart from the plastic bean hopper, all the grinder’s parts are made of stainless steel or die-cast aluminum. Suffice to say, the Mini looks impressive, despite its rather diminutive size.

Speaking of, the grinder is 18 inches (46 centimeters) tall, meaning it should fit under most kitchen cabinets. However, if space is an issue you can opt for a shorter hopper, which cuts the grinder’s height to just 16.5 inches (42 centimeters).

Motor

As we’ve established, the Mazzer Mini grinder is premium to the max, offering a level of performance you won’t find in regular domestic coffee grinders. So, it’ll come as no surprise to learn that the Mini is equipped with a powerful 250-watt motor.

What’s more, the Mazzer motor has been designed to run at just 1400 RPM, which prevents excessive heat buildup as the grinder is doing its thing.

Needless to say, this kind of attention to detail is what makes the Mazzer Mini grinder really stand out from the competition.

Burrs

The heart and soul of the Mazzer Mini grinder is its 58mm stainless steel flat burr set.

When it comes to flat vs conical burr coffee grinders, it’s generally accepted that flat burrs offer superior performance in a commercial setting. As it happens, flat burrs produce better grind consistency, which means you’ll end up with a cleaner, more complex shot of espresso.

On the other hand, conical burrs produce more fines, which can end up creating a heavier, more syrupy espresso.

Incidentally, both electronic Mazzer Mini grinders come with 64mm burrs, which means quicker grinding with minimal heat transfer. Still, the original Mini’s 58mm burrs will be more than suitable for home use.

As you may know, flat burrs do come with the disadvantage of higher grind retention than their conical counterparts. Still, seeing as this is a doser style grinder, that shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.

Mazzer Grinder Settings

One thing I’ve always loved about using Mazzer grinders is the awesome stepless grind adjustment system.

As with all Mazzer grinders, the Mini features a beefy “floating collar” for making grind changes. And while you have to use a little muscle to move the thing, you’re able to choose from an almost infinite number of settings.

Trust me when I tell you that you’ll be able to dial in your grind size with the utmost precision.

By the way, the Mazzer Mini is capable of grinding for all coffee brewing methods, from Turkish to cold brew. Then again, going really coarse before trying to come back to your ideal espresso setting can be a real challenge.

The “espresso range” indicator on the collar will help, but I’d recommend using the Mazzer Mini as a dedicated espresso grinder rather than an all-rounder.

Bean Hopper

The Mazzer Mini comes with a rather large plastic bean hopper that’ll hold over 1 pound (454 grams) of coffee.

That’s great if you’re going to use the Mini in a high-volume commercial situation. However, it’ll likely feel like overkill for home use. Especially seeing as you don’t want to store coffee beans in the hopper. Anyway, I’d recommend opting for the short hopper, which has a capacity of around 11 ounces (320 grams).

I should also mention the bean hopper’s nifty built-in trapdoor, which makes switching coffee beans a breeze. Props to the Mazzer design team!

Mazzer Mini Grinder Doser

While many home baristas are in love with the idea of owning a single dose coffee grinder, there’s a lot to recommend a doser style grinder like the Mazzer Mini. This is especially true if you plan to use the Mini in a commercial setting.

Here’s how it works: the Mazzer Mini grinds directly into a large doser chamber, with the amount depending on how you’ve set the timer. Then, you use the lever to dose a set amount of coffee into your portafilter. Oh, and you can set the grinder to dose 5-8 grams of coffee per “pull” of the lever. This way, you can quickly and accurately dose your portafilter with your desired dose of coffee.

If you’re pulling multiple shots of espresso back-to-back, the doser will be super efficient. However, the whole system could feel quite redundant for home use. Plus, you run the risk of leaving unused coffee grounds in the doser, which will quickly go stale.

How to Use the Mazzer Mini Grinder

Using the Mazzer Mini grinder is actually very straightforward. That said, if you haven’t used a grinder with a dosing chamber before, it might take some getting used to.

Start by adding coffee beans to the hopper, making sure the trapdoor is open before grinding. Once that’s done, you can adjust the amount of ground coffee the doser will produce with each pull of the lever. I won’t go into details about how to do that, but you’ll find the info in the user manual.

When you’re ready to pull a shot of espresso, start the grinder by turning the timer switch on the side. Ground coffee will be dispensed into the dosing chamber, and once the grinder has finished doing its thing, place your portafilter on the fork.

Now it’s time to begin pulling the lever to dose your portafilter. Now, although the Mazzer Mini is very consistent, I’d definitely recommend checking your dose using a coffee scale. Especially if you’ve changed the grind size or started using new espresso beans.

Incidentally, you might find that adjusting the grind size requires a bit of muscle, seeing as the collar is rather stiff. To make things easier, I’d recommend making changes when the grinder is running. Oh, and you can use the included pin by screwing it into one of the holes on the side of the collar. Trust me, that’s definitely the way to go.

Finally, remember to only make very small adjustments as you’re dialing in your espresso grind. The Mazzer Mini is super sensitive, and it’s easy to get lost.

Mazzer Mini Grinder Cleaning

As I mentioned earlier, the Mazzer Mini grinder will last for a really long time if treated well. And by that I mean regular cleaning and maintenance. Then again, if you’re going to spend $700 on an espresso grinder, I imagine you already plan on keeping the thing in tip top condition!

The most important thing to take care of on the daily is cleaning the dosing chamber. Although it can be a little fiddly, daily cleaning will prevent stale coffee grounds and oils building up in there. I’ve always used a brush to clean out the doser, pulling the lever and brushing at the same time to empty the chamber. However, a small vacuum cleaner will do an even better job.

If you’re buying the Mazzer Mini for home use, you won’t need to worry about changing out the burrs very often. Still, you should inspect the burrs on a regular basis, and give them a good clean while you’re at it.

As it happens, removing the burrs on a Mazzer grinder is quite an involved process. I’m not saying it’s particularly difficult, just that it requires specific instructions. Suffice to say, I’ll leave that to this Mazzer Mini burr replacement tutorial!

Mazzer Mini Technical Specifications

	Mazzer Mini Espresso Grinder
Manufacturer	Mazzer
Name	Mazzer Mini Timer
Type	Electric coffee grinder
Grinder	58 mm stainless steel flat burrs
Grind levels	Stepless
Power	250 watt
Voltage	120 volt
Weight	22.5 lb / 10.2 kg
Dimensions	18.0 x 6.3 x 13.3 in / 45.7 x 16.0 x 33.8 cm
Suitable for	Espresso
Accessories	User manual, cleaning brush

Mazzer Mini Grinder vs Other Grinders

Now that we’re familiar with what the Mazzer Mini brings to the table, let’s see how it measures up in comparison with a few of its siblings.

Mazzer Mini vs Mazzer Philos

Costing around $1,000, the Mazzer Philos is an absolutely stunning single dose coffee grinder. Featuring vertically oriented 64mm flat burrs and promising zero retention, the Philos has been designed as a versatile commercial grinder.

What’s especially cool is the ability to switch between stepped and stepless grind adjustments. That means you can use the Mazzer Philos to accurately dial in espresso shots or as a grinder for any other brewing method.

Mazzer Mini vs Mazzer Super Jolly

While the Mazzer Mini grinder is somewhat of a crossover device, the impressive Mazzer Super Jolly is most definitely intended for mid-sized cafes.

One of the manufacturer’s most popular offerings, the Super Jolly features a digital control panel for setting up on-demand grinding. Plus, you’re able to set the dose for both single and double shots. Like the Mazzer Mini, the Super Jolly has a stepless micrometic grind adjustment system. However, its 64mm flat burrs are much larger and more efficient.

Overall, the Mazzer Super Jolly might feel like overkill for home use. Still, if you can afford its roughly $1500 asking price, it’s certainly worth considering.

Mazzer Mini vs Mazzer Major

The Mazzer Major V is an impressive commercial espresso grinder that’s been designed for use in high-volume commercial environments. And thanks to its huge 83mm flat burrs and powerful 650-watt motor, it’ll certainly be capable of delivering the goods.

Another electronic Mazzer grinder, the Major V certainly looks the part. Plus, it features a double cooling fan to protect your coffee during rushes.

If you’re on the lookout for an espresso grinder that’s about as good as it gets, I’d definitely recommend checking out the Mazzer Major V. Just be prepared to pay at least $1,500 for this powerful model.

Verdict: Mazzer Mini Grinder Review

It’s easy to see why the Mazzer Mini is such an enduringly popular coffee grinder. Its rugged construction, superb performance and relatively affordable price tag make it a great choice for professional baristas as well as home enthusiasts.

Still, this might not be the best choice for home baristas unless they make a lot of espresso each day. With that in mind, you should think carefully before buying the Mazzer Mini for your kitchen. After all, there are plenty of exceptional home grinders out there.

Mazzer Mini Coffee Grinder FAQ