The Mazzer Philos: A Prosumer’s Dream Grinder
Remember when single dosing meant spending a fortune on a grinder that could maybe make you a decent espresso and maybe make you a passible filter coffee? It was a trade-off. We all knew that a decent espresso grinder struggled with filter and vice-versa. And don’t even get me started on the grind size consistency between the two!
For a while, the gold standard for all-around grinding was the Mahlkonig EK43. You saw it in cafes, and maybe a few well-heeled prosumers even had one sitting on their kitchen bench. It was the pinnacle for a long time, and all because a bloke won the WBC with one. The EK could crush beans all day, giving you incredible uniformity and incredible static at the same time! And you know what? The espresso was fantastic. The filter was fantastic- but the mess!
The EK was big. It was expensive. And honestly, it wasn’t built for single dosing. You had a huge hopper sitting on top. The retention was a real issue. For home baristas looking for a single dosing workflow, it was a powerful and ultimately incredibly frustrating beast.
Enter the Mazzer Philos. It’s a single dose, all-around grinder built specifically for us: the prosumers. The people who are passionate about coffee, who are willing to invest in quality equipment, and who want the best possible experience without breaking the bank or taking up an entire corner of their kitchen.
And here’s the shocking truth: after a solid round of testing, and comparing it side-by-side with the TC beloved (but admittedly unwieldy) EK43, the results are in.
The Mazzer Philos with clarity burrs is not just a great single dose grinder. It might be the best all-rounder on the market, period. And in the cup, for both espresso and filter, the Philos with these burrs consistently delivered results that were, frankly, better than the EK43, better than the E65S GBW and line ball with the E80S GBW, but without the retention.
Let that sink in for a second. An EK43-slayer for a fraction of the price and footprint.
Let’s talk about the Philos a little before we get into the juice of the comparison. First off, it’s beautiful. Mazzer, being Mazzer, didn’t skimp on the build quality. The body is solid aluminium, giving it a real, reassuring (heavy!) weight and feel. It has a surprisingly compact footprint. It’s significantly smaller than an EK43 and actually smaller than many high-end single dose grinders. The design is sleek, modern, and looks fantastic on a counter. It fits in.
The workflow is a dream. You have an integrated hopper that holds around 25g of beans, plenty for a typical single-dose event. The grind adjustment is precise and easy to use. It’s not quite as easy to jump between vastly different grind settings as with the EK43, but for most people, the range for espresso and filter will be well within a manageable section of the adjustment ring. It also has a really well-designed anti-static system and a direct-grind chute that virtually eliminates retention. Weighing in, weighing out: it’s consistently within 0.1g. This is single dosing done right.
And then we have the burrs. The Philos is available with two different burr sets, but we’re here to talk about the "I200D Clarity" burrs. These are a special set of burrs that Mazzer developed specifically for high extraction espresso and filter coffee. They aren’t the standard burrs that Mazzer uses. They’re a significant upgrade.
What makes them special? These burrs are designed to produce a more uniform grind size, with fewer fines. This means you can achieve a higher extraction rate without creating bitterness or over-extraction. And for single dosing, consistency is key. The more consistent the grind, the more consistent and delicious your coffee will be.
So, how does it perform in the real world?
Let’s start with espresso. I was expecting the Philos to be good. But I wasn’t expecting it to be better than my EK43. But it was. Consistently. It was every bit as good as the E80S GBW.
The espresso from the Philos had a depth and complexity that was truly stunning. The body was rich and textured, and the sweetness was incredible. But it was the clarity and balance that really impressed me. The acidity was vibrant and clean, not sharp or overwhelming. The flavours were distinct and articulate. This was, without a doubt, some of the best espresso I’ve ever tasted.
And what about filter coffee? This is often the weakest point for espresso grinders. They struggle to produce the coarse, consistent grind needed for a good V60 or Chemex. But again, the Philos with clarity burrs was a game-changer. The filter coffee from the Philos was consistently better than the EK43.
The filter coffee from the Philos had a level of clarity and separation that was truly exceptional. The acidity was sparkling and bright. The sweetness was incredible. The body was clean and light. It was, in short, everything I want in a good filter coffee.
So, why is the Philos so much better than the EK43?
Firstly, I think it comes down to the burrs. The Mazzer clarity burrs are, frankly, better for single dosing. They are designed specifically to minimise fines and maximise extraction, which is exactly what you want when you are grinding one dose at a time. The EK43 burrs are designed for massive volume and high speed, which is a different beast entirely. The reality is that the EK is a repurposed (incredibly staticy) bag grinder.
Second, the overall design of the Philos is just better for the home user. It’s more compact, the workflow is cleaner, and it’s easier to use. The EK43 is a professional grinder, built for cafes and prosumers with a whole heap of space alike, but I just can't understand why a cafe these days would bother? The Philos is a prosumer grinder, built for people like us. It shows in every aspect of its design. It can easily hold its own on the cafe bench as well. This is serious kit.
And finally, there’s price. The Philos with clarity burrs is less than one third the price of a new EK43. That is a no-brainer level of price difference and you are getting a better grinder for your money. That’s a win in anyone’s book.
In conclusion, the Mazzer Philos with clarity burrs is a truly exceptional grinder. It is, without a doubt, the best single dose all-rounder I have ever used. The results in the cup, for both espresso and filter are consistently better than the EK43. It’s smaller, easier to use, and more affordable than the EK43. If you are a prosumer looking for a single dose grinder that can do it all, then the Mazzer Philos is the grinder you should buy. My rating 9.5/10 (because nothing scores a 10).