The Mazzer Philos impresses as a heavy, versatile single-dosing grinder for filter and espresso with interchangeable burrs, precise grinding performance, despite some inconsistencies.
We subjected the grinder to a six-month intensive test, tested it in the lab, measured particle distributions, and also evaluated it under real conditions at the Swiss Coffee Festival. In this article and video, we summarize our findings. Of course, we also share our workarounds for the consistency issues we observed with the Mazzer Philos.
Buy Mazzer Philos
The following specialty stores sell the Mazzer Philos, and we recommend purchasing from them. All of them offer the option to adjust the machine's offset.
Germany: [Partnerlinks] Stoll Espresso
Switzerland: [Partnerlinks] deon
We look for specialist partners who we know provide good work and good service, and we are in close communication with the mentioned retailers. The links are so-called affiliate links. If you order through one of these links, you won't pay a cent more – but we receive a small commission, which we invest directly in new test equipment.
We are still looking for competent partners in the DACH region.
A Material Statement
On the one hand, the Philos boasts high-quality material selection and manufacturing. The inner piston is milled entirely from stainless steel, and the outer casing is predominantly made of anodized aluminum. In combination with the 400-watt motor, the Philos weighs an impressive 12.5 kilograms. On the other hand, some plastic parts stand out negatively and tarnish the overall high-quality appearance. These include the on/off button, the lid of the bean hopper, and the "clack" mechanism for removing coffee grounds from the coffee spout. These parts appear to be of low quality, and visible manufacturing edges and marks are noticeable on the plastic parts.
While this detracts from the overall positive impression, it does not significantly compromise the grinder's overall quality. The Philos is available in silver and black versions.
In our region, the Philos operates at 50 watts and 1600 revolutions per minute. Mazzer itself offers two 64-mm burr sets suitable for the Philos: The I189D are specifically recommended for espresso, while the I200D are intended by the manufacturer as an all-round solution for espresso and filter coffee. We can already confirm these specifications, and we will go into more detail in the video and further down in the article.
The burrs are positioned vertically in the grinder and each secured with three screws. Burr replacement is possible without tools. However, the two wing nuts are initially tightened so firmly that opening them poses a risk of injury.
Our test grinder was delivered with good alignment. The entire inner and front pull-out part is guided very precisely into the grinder and has no play. This part holds the front burr. Particularly striking is a large pre-breaker, which, according to Mazzer, functions less as a pre-breaker and more as a "guide" for the coffee beans to the burrs.
As a specialist dealer for the distribution of the Mazzer Philos, we recommend Stoll Espresso*.
Usability and Retention
Mazzer has placed the grind setting on the back of the Philos. This makes access difficult for people in wheelchairs and also for users if the grinder is placed further back on a countertop or under a hanging kitchen unit.
There are understandable reasons for this placement, yet it impairs usability. However, one advantage of the design is that the grind setting remains fixed even when the grinder is opened and cleaned from the inside. Incidentally, the originally stepped grinder can be converted into a stepless version by removing a gear ring located under the grind adjustment cover. The steps of the Philos are relatively fine: per step, the burrs move 0.6 micrometers apart, which results in a change in extraction time of just under two seconds for espresso.
The grinder impresses with minimal static issues, making it a positive exception among single-dosing grinders. The bean hopper effectively reduces "popcorning." In addition, the grinder features a sliding mechanism that allows the hopper to be closed. This eliminates the need for the unsightly plastic lid.
We measure a temporary retention of 0.1 grams and a permanent retention of 0.5 grams. In practice, the permanent retention can empty into the temporary retention, creating a certain play. In the front part of the grinder, there is a hidden cleaning spout that serves to empty the grind chute. However, this was rarely used in our test, as re-poking coffee grounds after using the "clack dispenser finisher" was too time-consuming and could not be seamlessly integrated into the workflow. We could easily live with a temporary retention of 0.1 grams, provided the effective output quantity was correct.
The Mazzer Philos is easy to open and easy to clean.
Consistency Issues
Even though we consistently measured very consistent extractions and grinds with the Philos, consistency issues regularly arose. We attribute one reason for this to the release of permanent retention. It regularly happened that the grinder dispensed 18.5 grams of coffee instead of the 18 grams entered. This only caught our attention because we had made a habit of always checking the dosage after grinding. This deviation occurred even though our process remained unchanged. In these cases, a larger portion of the permanent retention detached from the grinder and increased the amount of coffee. During the next grinding process, the retention refilled, so only 17.5 grams were dispensed – meaning 0.5 grams were missing. The result was irregular espresso extractions until we began to strictly control the output quantity and either re-grind coffee or reduce the weight.
From our perspective, however, this is only one factor explaining the occasional consistency issues with the Philos. The second lies in the geometry of the dosing cup. While the grinder itself shows only minimal static problems, these are clearly present in the dosing cup. Coffee sometimes sticks to the edges and the corners at the bottom of the cup.
However, the main problem with the dosing cup lies elsewhere: despite WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) and careful puck preparation, the cup consistently led to massive channeling for us. The reason for this is that the cup sinks completely into the portafilter, instead of – like many other dosing cups – resting lightly on the rim of the portafilter thanks to side wings. This creates craters down to the bottom of the portafilter, and even with the greatest care, we regularly found channeling at the rim.
Although the dosing cup fits perfectly into the grinder due to its magnetic mechanism and size, we stopped using it anyway. Instead, we first transferred the coffee into another dosing cup before pouring it into the portafilter. You can also find a dosing cup alternative in our shop.
Speed and Temperature
The Mazzer Philos grinds 18 grams of coffee in 15.2 seconds. It takes a little longer until all beans are completely ground and the last bit of coffee has been knocked out. Nevertheless, with a maximum grinding speed of 22.4 grams in 10 seconds, the grinder shows a remarkably high speed for a single-dosing grinder. The ground coffee hardly heats up – we measure an average temperature of 31.86 °C.
Our test model is noticeably loud when it is switched on but not yet grinding. This difference is particularly noticeable compared to the grinder of our esteemed YouTube colleague Lance Hedrick. Our Philos sounds more like the grinder used by our equally esteemed YouTube colleague Aramse.
However, as soon as beans are added to the grinder, it is relatively quiet compared to other models. We measure a volume of 78.1 decibels. We rate a volume below 80 decibels as very quiet and thus pleasant for daily use.
Espresso and Filter Performance and Particle Distribution
We enjoyed numerous excellent espressos ground with the Mazzer Philos. Both burr variants delivered good results.
Burr Comparison
I189D: The I189D espresso burrs convinced us with dense, full-bodied, yet balanced espressos. The acidity was reduced, and the pleasant bitterness harmonized well with the taste profile. Especially with medium and darker roasts, the burrs brought out the flavors of the roast well into the cup. However, with more complex or lighter roasted coffees, there was a slight lack of clarity.
With the I189D burr, our Apas espresso tasted very good to us. It is a medium roast, chocolatey, and well-balanced.
I200D: These burrs emphasized the individual character of the coffees more clearly and delivered clearer results. However, this sometimes came at the expense of body. The extracted coffees, when optimally prepared, were more elegant and complex. However, the balance of flavors was harder to achieve than with the I189D burrs and often less suitable, especially for medium and darker roasts.
Filter Coffee
For preparing filter coffee, we always opt for the I200D burrs. Some of the best filter coffees of the past year were prepared by us with the Mazzer Philos and these burrs. The grinder impressively brought out the clarity and complexity of the flavors. Both complex specialty coffees and accessible classics like our "Amigo" were excellently extracted. The Mazzer Philos has proven to be an excellent filter coffee grinder and will certainly be used frequently in this capacity.
Particle Distribution
Our particle distribution measurements confirm the quality of the burrs. While the I189D burrs provided a good but not particularly narrow main peak of 206 micrometers, the I200D burrs achieved a significantly narrower and higher main peak of 188 micrometers. Interestingly, the fine peaks of the two burrs hardly differed. The main peak of the I189D shifts slightly to the left, as the higher uniformity of the ground coffee allows for a finer grind.
The reproducibility of the grinding results also convinced us, even after recipe changes between different coffee beverages. This was evident in both our extraction experiments and our particle distribution measurements. The main peak width differed by only 3 or 4 micrometers between the two burrs after we switched from espresso to ristretto, then to lungo, and back to espresso.
Challenges
The biggest challenge lies in the grind adjustment, which is located on the back of the grinder and is difficult to see. Nevertheless, the grinder remains very consistent in the repeatability of noted recipes – especially when using the stepped adjustment.
Conclusion on the Mazzer Philos
A final conclusion on the Mazzer Philos requires a comparison with other grinders as well as a classification of the price. The Mazzer Philos currently costs around 1,099 Euros. This price is remarkable given the high-quality materials and is only possible because Mazzer, as an established grinder manufacturer, focused on higher production volumes from the outset. For these 1,100 Euros, you not only get a powerful grinder but also, in all likelihood, a grinder that will last forever. Our three old Mazzer grinders have been in use for over 15 years and will probably last many more years.
Admittedly, there are some components of the Mazzer Philos that could be of higher quality. These include the plastic grind dispenser finisher, the lid, and the quickly scratching resting surface for the dosing cup. However, these parts can be replaced if necessary.
However, in its core area, the Mazzer Philos is excellent. It grinds excellent coffee with both burr sets offered by Mazzer. The I189D burrs should be the ideal choice for many, especially for lovers of medium roasts. The I200D burrs, on the other hand, deliver excellent results, especially for filter coffee and more complex coffees. We were particularly impressed by the clarity that the grinder enables in filter coffee.
The consistency problems of the Philos are regrettable, but can be easily remedied by the workarounds we suggested. Replacing the dosing cup and weighing the coffee after grinding ensure a consistent process without outliers.
The Mazzer Philos is a powerful and high-quality single-dosing grinder that does not have to hide behind more expensive models on the international market in terms of quality. Many of these models are significantly more expensive due to import and tax costs. Given its availability, ease of repair, and durability, we would always recommend the Philos from a trusted dealer in the DACH region.
Recommended specialist dealers for Mazzer and the Philos
*We search for specialist partners who we know provide good work and good service. We are in close contact with the retailers. These are affiliate links. If you order through this link, it won't cost you more, but we receive a small commission, which we invest in new test equipment.
Your experiences with the Mazzer Philos
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