That sounds promising when the German grinder manufacturer launches its own single dosing grinder for home use. It’s a remarkable moment, because Mahlkönig, nearly 15 years ago, was where “single dosing” as we know it today really began. Back then, a young Australian named Matt Perger ground his competition coffee for the Brewers Cup and Barista Championship on a grinder that Mahlkönig itself mainly regarded as a grain mill. The legendary EK43. That grinder went on to conquer cafés around the world.
Today, many years later, single dosing has become an integral part of the home espresso world. Mahlkönig, once a pioneer – albeit unintentionally – became a trailblazer almost by accident, and has since largely missed the single dosing trend for home users. But this summer, that finally changed. Mahlkönig delivered: with the Mahlkönig X64 SD, it’s finally here. Since then, we’ve been testing the grinder from the Swiss-German company extensively. One important note upfront: the X64 SD model is not made in Hamburg but produced in Mahlkönig’s Chinese manufacturing facility.
Whether this grinder, which enters the market at a competitive price of 499 euros, can shine under the scrutiny of our test protocol – you’ll find out in this review.
Design and Build Quality
The first impression was – unusual. Anyone familiar with the clean, industrial lines of the EK43, E65 or X54 will probably pause when seeing the X64 SD for the first time. The compact body looks rather stocky, the curves almost playful. We thought the same as many others: does a Mahlkönig really look like this?
But once the grinder was on our test bench, our impression shifted. What might have looked like plastic in photos turned out to be a solid aluminium housing, giving the grinder a satisfying weight of over 4.5 kg. Everything feels well made – from the high-quality silicone bellows to the thoughtful magnetic mounts. Despite its compact dimensions – 14.3 cm wide, 25 cm tall and about 26 cm deep – it stands rock solid on the counter.
Still, we couldn’t shake a rather amusing association that grew during testing: with its rounded body and central grind adjustment knob, it reminded us of a frog cyclops, a figure from Greek mythology. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it – a likeable, if quirky, character for any home coffee bar.
Buy the Mahlkönig X64 from a trusted partner
Looking for a reliable retailer for the Mahlkönig X64 SD? We recommend one of the following specialist shops. We personally select and visit businesses we know provide good advice and service. Ordering through them won’t cost you more, but we receive a small commission that helps fund future test machines: Mahlkönig X64 SD at Stoll Espresso.
Technical Data Overview
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Burrs | 64 mm flat burrs |
| Speed / 18 g | Approx. 7.0 seconds |
| Speed / 10 sec | Approx. 35.0 grams |
| Noise level | 81.0 dB |
| Temporary retention | 0.6 g |
| Total retention | 0.9 g |
| Grind consistency | Theoretically good |
| Price (RRP) | €499 / CHF 499 |
Everyday Use
The grinder is designed simply: no display, no gimmicks, no menus. Grind, press the bellows, done. We like that approach – but there are a few details to be aware of.
The adjustment dial uses a small planetary gear that translates the rotation. This allows for very fine, precise adjustments. You can almost feel the internal gearing reduce your movement – a clever solution for fine-tuning.
However, the scale itself is quite small. The printed dots and lines are spaced far apart, meaning even a tiny movement can translate into several seconds of extraction difference. We don’t recommend adjusting all the way to the next tick mark – staying between the lines and moving in quarter steps allows for much greater precision. We would have liked to see more intermediary markings here.
Positive: the zero point is easy to recalibrate. Anyone who opens and cleans their grinder regularly can find it again quickly. Negative: you have to do it after every cleaning.
Grind Quality: Where the X64 SD Shines
Let’s get to the main point: the taste in the cup. And here it’s simple – espresso from the Mahlkönig X64 SD is excellent. In our tests using our Mano espresso, the results were consistently impressive. We got complex, dense, fruity espressos with silky texture and a long, pleasant aftertaste. Darker roasts like Apas or Compadre also performed very well.
What stands out most is its versatility. It’s a true all-rounder. With modern, lighter roasts, it draws out bright fruit notes at shorter shot times, while also excelling with more traditional profiles. With darker roasts, it delivers body and clean notes of marzipan and chocolate. That ability to bridge both worlds is rare in this price range.
Another hallmark Mahlkönig trait: very little clumping. Even at fine espresso settings, the grounds remain loose and fluffy. That makes distribution in the portafilter easier and helps ensure even extraction.
This strong in-cup performance reveals a clear design philosophy. Mahlkönig seems willing to compromise on exterior form, acoustics, and workflow details to hit the sub-€500 price point. But not on its core strength – grind quality and resulting flavour. The X64 SD may have quirks, but in the cup, it delivers.
Limitation: those chasing absolute clarity with ultra-light roasts will find better options. The X64 SD offers a well-balanced grind distribution that bridges classic Italian profiles (Compadre), transitional roasts (Mano), and bright, complex specialty coffees (purple and orange line).
Under the Microscope: Particle Distribution and Mechanical Precision
To back up our taste impressions with data, we analyzed the X64 SD’s grind distribution. The results confirm what we tasted: this grinder performs superbly.
The espresso particle curve shows a typical bimodal distribution – two peaks. The “fine peak,” representing the smallest particles, sits around 33 µm. The main extraction peak was measured at approximately 210–215 µm. This narrow distribution produces clarity for bright roasts while retaining enough spread for balanced, full-bodied classic espresso. That’s the foundation of its versatility.
Our repeatability test was particularly impressive. We ground espresso at one setting (T4) and measured the distribution. Then we changed settings for a ristretto and a lungo. Finally, we returned visually to the original T4 mark and repeated the test (T7).
The result: the T7 main peak landed at 214.61 µm – just a few microns off the original 209.49 µm from T4. That’s near-perfect mechanical consistency. It proves the paradox of this grinder: mechanically, it’s extremely precise. The planetary gear and burr mount are impressively accurate; the only weakness is the visual scale. It’s a shame such good mechanics hide behind such a poor indicator – but it shows the core of this grinder is sound.
The Achilles Heel: Retention
For any single-dosing grinder, minimal retention is key. Here, the X64 SD reveals its biggest weakness. Our measurements showed total retention of 0.9 g – consisting of 0.3 g permanent and 0.6 g temporary retention.
The 0.6 g temporary figure matters most in daily use. It’s the amount of old coffee that mixes into each new dose. For a grinder marketed as single-dosing, that’s on the high side. The best performers manage between 0.1 and 0.3 g.
In practice, this means that if you often switch between very different coffees – say from a fruity natural to a nutty washed – you’ll taste the carryover. To avoid flavour contamination, purge a couple of beans from the new coffee before grinding your full dose. It adds a small step but keeps flavours clean.
Speed and Noise: Small, Fast, and Not Quiet
Besides grind quality, the X64 SD impresses with speed. It takes around 7.0 seconds for an 18-gram dose, roughly 35 g in 10 seconds – fast for a home grinder and ideal for quick morning workflows.
But that speed comes at an acoustic cost. At 81.0 dB, it’s loud – slightly above what we consider comfortable. And it’s not just loudness, but the tonal character: the grinder sounds and feels a bit “off-balance,” especially as it winds down.
It’s worth clarifying that this doesn’t indicate poor burr alignment. Our particle analysis proves otherwise: the distribution is excellent. The sound stems from the motor and housing design, not mechanical misalignment, and has no effect on grind quality.
Our Verdict: Excellent Value with Character
After extensive testing, the Mahlkönig X64 SD leaves a mixed but ultimately positive impression. It’s a grinder of contrasts: strong cup performance, solid particle distribution, and mechanical precision that’s rare at this price point.
But there are compromises in workflow: a frustratingly vague grind scale, relatively high retention for a single-doser, some mess at the chute, and a loud, slightly uneven sound profile.
Ultimately, it’s about priorities. In terms of taste performance per euro, the X64 SD is excellent value. For €499, you get a grinder that produces espresso on par with far more expensive machines.
And one last, important point: buying from an established Swiss-German company brings peace of mind. In a market flooded with direct imports, the X64 SD offers CE certification and proper service support – an underrated advantage that rounds off the overall package.
