Mahlkönig

Mahlkönig – German engineering from Hamburg

You place the portafilter in the fork of the E64 WS and let go. The integrated scale beneath the cradle registers the tare weight, and the motor starts – rich, deep, beautiful. The ground coffee falls directly into the portafilter. The scale measures in real time, stopping at exactly 18.0 grams. Not 17.8, not 18.2. A perfect landing, without a dosing cup, without transferring. You twist the portafilter from the fork into the machine. What you've just done is at the core of what Mahlkönig has been able to do for a hundred years: build grinders that deliver professional café precision.

Mahlkönig is a German brand from Hamburg, founded in 1924. Today, the company is one of the most important manufacturers of café and roastery grinders worldwide. The EK43 has been the benchmark grinder in the specialty coffee scene for years, the E80 family is found in thousands of cafés around the globe, and with the X64 SD and the E64 WS, Mahlkönig brings professional 64mm grinding technology in two different philosophies to the home kitchen counter. Coffee Coaching Club is a partner of Mahlkönig Switzerland – the relevant assortment is directly available, delivery in a few days, showrooms in Bern and Zurich.

What makes Mahlkönig special

Three things. First, the engineering from Hamburg: Mahlkönig grinders are designed for decades of café use – hundreds of shots a day, reproducible, repairable. Second, the burr geometry: flat burrs with characteristic particle distribution that produce clarity and separation of aroma notes in the cup. Third, the workflow technologies – Grind-by-Weight (GbW), Grind-by-Sync (GbS), Disc Distance Detection (DDD), and Portafilter Detection. These are not marketing gimmicks, but noticeably faster and more precise daily operation at the machine.

Grind-by-Weight means: integrated scale in the grinder, gram-accurate dosing in real time, without a separate scale. Grind-by-Sync goes a step further: a separate Mahlkönig Sync Scale under the espresso machine measures the actual shot weight and extraction time, sends feedback to the grinder, which automatically readjusts for the next round. Adaptive consistency over hundreds of shots. Disc Distance Detection (DDD) shows you the physical distance between the burrs to within a micron (0.001 mm) – reproducible grind settings even across shift changes or bean changes. This is our observation, one of many.

Mahlkönig models at a glance

Mahlkönig X64 SD (Single-Dose Home Grinder)

Mahlkönig's single-dose home grinder. 64mm flat special steel burrs from the Mahlkönig factory in Hamburg, P64 motor with 1950 RPM idle speed. Stepless micron adjustment from approximately 120 to 1,500 µm on a scale of 0 to 12 – with a built-in grind guide in the lid (0-2 espresso, 2-7 filter, 7-12 coarse) for intuitive orientation when changing beans. Output 2.5 to 6 g/s depending on grind setting, minimum 3 g/s on espresso setting. Burr lifespan around 500 kg in median setting. Under 65 dB – whisper-quiet even at six in the morning.

The core of the philosophy: Zero Retention. No beans left in the hopper, no ground coffee oxidizing between shots – just the daily dose, freshly poured. Includes bellows, stainless-steel dosing cup with funnel, and anti-popcorning lid. Compact footprint. For home baristas who frequently switch between beans, brew light roasts with varying recipes, or want maximum freshness per shot.

Mahlkönig E64 WS (Grind-by-Weight + Grind-by-Sync for home)

The professional home grinder for hopper operation. Presented at HostMilano 2025, Mahlkönig's first home grinder with Grind-by-Sync. 64mm flat steel burrs (identical to those of the X64 SD), 1950 RPM idle, more than 3 g/s output. The key feature: integrated digital scale with 0.1 g accuracy directly under the height-adjustable portafilter cradle. You place the portafilter in the cradle, the scale registers the tare weight, and the grinder stops precisely at your target weight. Grinding directly into the portafilter via the Ball-Joint Spout – no dosing cup, no transferring.

Plus Portafilter Detection: multiple portafilters taught, the grinder automatically recognizes which one is inserted. Electric grind adjustment via DDD in micron steps, stepless. Grind-by-Sync via separate Mahlkönig Sync Scale under the espresso machine. Under 65 dB, 6 kg, 39 cm height, 250 g hopper. Retention around 4 g. For home setups with one main bean, who want professional café technology in a home footprint.

Mahlkönig E65W GbS and E65T GbS (Commercial Grind-by-Sync, 65 mm)

The current commercial family for compact café setups. Both models feature 65mm flat steel burrs, electric grind adjustment via DDD accurate to 0.001 mm, Sync System integration, and cloud-based Mahlkönig Sync App (iOS, Android, Desktop). E65W GbS operates with Grind-by-Weight (high-precision load cell under the portafilter support, 6,000 measurements per second in real time). E65T GbS operates with Grind-by-Time and an intelligent algorithm that automatically corrects grinding time when grind settings change. Sync communicates wirelessly with compatible La Marzocco AV/ABR machines. For small to medium-sized cafés, roastery lab setups, or home baristas with commercial demands.

Mahlkönig E80W GbS and E80T GbS (Commercial Grind-by-Sync, 80 mm)

The commercial flagship segment. 80mm flat steel burrs, patented Disc Distance Detection to 0.001 mm, cloud-based Sync System, illuminated adjustable spout, dual-fan system for active temperature management. E80W GbS with Grind-by-Weight (high-precision scale). E80T GbS with Grind-by-Time and intelligent correction. For high volumes in specialty cafés, multi-location setups, and places prioritizing consistency across baristas. The E80W GbS and E80T GbS replace the older E80S GbW in the current lineup.

Mahlkönig E80 Supreme

The older commercial flagship before the GbS generation. 80mm flat steel burrs, 420W motor, 1450 RPM, output 6-7 g/s – a double dose in about 2-3 seconds. Patented Disc Distance Detection to 1 micron, 3.5-inch display, two grinding times plus manual mode, illuminated spout, dual-fan temperature management. Still available and remains a reliable choice for cafés without Sync requirements.

Mahlkönig EK43 S and EK OMNIA

The icons for filter coffee and specialty roasting. The EK43 has been the benchmark grinder in the specialty scene for over a decade. The EK43 S is the more compact version of the original: 98mm burrs made of premium cast steel (64-66 HRC, glass bead blasted), 1450 RPM, 1300 W, output 19-21 g/s. Burr lifespan around 6,000 kg in median setting. Dimensions 23 × 68 × 41 cm, 24.5 kg, 800 g hopper. The EK OMNIA is the more modern evolution with updated housing and operating interface. For specialty cafés, roasteries, or home enthusiasts. This is not a casual filter grinder – this is the filter grinder.

Single-Dose or Grind-by-Weight

The Mahlkönig home family covers both philosophies. The X64 SD operates single-dose – you weigh the daily dose, pour it in, and the grinder grinds it completely with Zero Retention. Maximum freshness per shot, easy bean changes. Separate scale required. The E64 WS operates with a hopper and Grind-by-Weight – you pour beans into the hopper, and the grinder doses gram-accurately in real time. Fast workflow, no separate scale. Beans remain in the hopper (250 g capacity). Both approaches are legitimate. If you often switch between beans: X64 SD. If you use one main bean daily: E64 WS. Those who want it, know why.

Alternatives in the single-dose segment: Varia (exclusive Swiss importer) or Weber Workshops with interchangeable burrs and variable speed – different philosophy, different prices.

Who Mahlkönig is for

Mahlkönig is suitable for anyone who values German engineering and workflow efficiency. Home baristas who prefer single-dose with uncompromising freshness: X64 SD. Home baristas who prefer professional Grind-by-Weight technology with Sync connectivity: E64 WS. Cafés and roasteries that need consistency over volume: E65 and E80 family. Specialty-level filter coffee: EK43 S or EK OMNIA. If you're looking for single-dose with interchangeable burrs and variable speed: Weber Workshops EG-1 or Option-O Lagom P80. If you're looking for single-dose at different price points: Varia VS3, VS4 or VS6.

What goes well with it

Mahlkönig grinders unleash their potential on stable espresso machines. La Marzocco Linea Micra, Mini R or GS3 are classic combinations. Rocket, ECM or Profitec also harmonize well. For manual lever extraction: Flair Espresso. For puck prep: Normcore or Weber Workshops. Precision baskets: IMS. With the X64 SD, a scale for weighing the daily dose: Acaia Lunar or an affordable option from the Normcore Collection. For airtight bean storage: Airscape. For precise brewing water: Apax Labs. For cleaning: Urnex.

Frequently asked questions

Which Mahlkönig grinder is right for me?

For single-dose at home with Zero Retention and bean changes: X64 SD. For professional technology at home with Grind-by-Weight and Sync connectivity: E64 WS. For small to medium-sized cafés with Sync integration: E65W GbS or E65T GbS. For high-volume commercial: E80W GbS or E80T GbS. For cafés without Sync requirement: E80 Supreme. For filter coffee and specialty roasting: EK43 S or EK OMNIA.

What is the difference between X64 SD and E64 WS?

Both have 64mm flat steel burrs from Hamburg and 1950 RPM idle. The X64 SD is single-dose: Zero Retention, bellows, dosing cup with funnel, no hopper. The E64 WS operates with a hopper and integrated scale under the portafilter fork (Grind-by-Weight), plus Grind-by-Sync connectivity. X64 SD for frequent bean changes, E64 WS for fast workflow with one main bean.

How does Grind-by-Weight work on the E64 WS?

Integrated scale under the height-adjustable portafilter fork. Place the portafilter, the scale registers the tare weight, the grinder grinds directly into the portafilter via the Ball-Joint Spout and stops exactly at the target weight (accuracy 0.1 g). No dosing cup, no transferring, no bean loss.

What is Grind-by-Sync and how does the Mahlkönig Sync Scale work?

A separate scale (Mahlkönig Sync Scale) under the espresso machine measures shot weight and extraction time, sending feedback wirelessly to the grinder. If there are deviations, the grinder automatically adjusts the grind size or dosage for the next shot. Adaptive consistency, without manual dialling in for minor changes.

What is the difference between E65W, E65T, E80W and E80T?

W stands for Grind-by-Weight with integrated load cell (gram-accurate real-time dosing), T for Grind-by-Time with an intelligent correction algorithm. The number indicates the burr size: 65 mm for compact café setups, 80 mm for high-volume. All four feature a complete Sync System, DDD, and cloud-based app.

Which espresso machines work with the Sync System?

The Sync System currently communicates wirelessly with compatible La Marzocco AV and ABR machines. Mahlkönig is gradually expanding compatibility. Without a Sync partner, the GbS grinders function as full-featured Grind-by-Weight or Grind-by-Time models with DDD and app control.

What is Disc Distance Detection (DDD)?

Mahlkönig's patented technology for grind size detection. A sensor measures the physical distance between the burrs to within a micron (0.001 mm) and displays it. Grind settings are exactly reproducible – even after shift or bean changes. Installed in E64 WS, E65W GbS, E65T GbS, E80W GbS, E80T GbS, and E80 Supreme.

Why is the EK43 so well-established in the specialty scene?

The EK43 has been the benchmark grinder for filter coffee in the specialty scene for over a decade. 98mm flat burrs made of premium cast steel produce a particularly narrow particle distribution – clean separation of aroma notes, vibrant acidity, clear sweetness. For years, an EK43 or related Mahlkönig grinder has been on stage at international barista championships.

Can I see Mahlkönig grinders before buying?

Yes. Mahlkönig grinders are in daily use at the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). You are welcome to bring your own beans – experiencing single-dose, grind-by-weight, and grind-by-sync live explains the workflow benefits better than any description.

How are Mahlkönig grinders delivered in Switzerland?

Home models (X64 SD, E64 WS) can be ordered directly online. Commercial grinders (E65W/T GbS, E80W/T GbS, E80 Supreme, EK43 S, EK OMNIA) are discussed before purchase – weight, installation, and Sync Scale integration vary. Delivery throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. Click and Collect Bern and Zurich. Financing available through Heylight.