Mazzer Philos Single Dose Coffee Grinder Overview

It's time to introduce you to the Mazzer Philos: a fresh chapter for one of the most respected names in the coffee industry. There's an old saying about not judging a book by its cover, but sometimes, you just know. That was our first impression of the Mazzer Philos. The moment we unboxed it, we had a feeling this grinder would be something special. Spoiler: we were right.

The Philos marks Mazzer's first-ever dedicated single-dose grinder, an elegant distillation of over 75 years of grinder design expertise. It's a machine that strips away unnecessary extras to perfect the fundamentals. What results is a grinder that feels premium, not because it's flashy, but because everything about it works beautifully. If you've been searching for your endgame single-dosing grinder, the Philos just might be it. 

Standing Apart From the Pack

What makes the Philos different? Let's start with the obvious: it's made by Mazzer. That alone carries some serious weight. But more importantly, the Philos shows what happens when Mazzer applies its deep, commercial-grade knowledge to the home coffee world.

Precision Burrs

Inside, you'll find a pair of newly designed 64mm burrs, engineered specifically for the Philos. The I200D burrs (come pre-installed) are tuned for clarity and balance, while the I189D burrs deliver a more classic, full-bodied flavor ideal for darker roasts. The I200D set, in particular, reminds us of the coveted Mazzer SSP MP burrs, but in our experience, they've taken things up a notch.

Zero Grind Retention?

Then there's the design choice that really sets this grinder apart: vertically oriented burrs. This isn't just for looks—it dramatically reduces grind retention. In our tests, the Philos retained as little as 0.1 grams. Pair that with the chute knocker and a clever little tool Mazzer calls the Dose Finisher, and you've got a grinder that stays remarkably clean between doses. Switching between espresso and pour-over? It's not a problem for the Philos whatsoever. 

Mazzer clearly thought about the small frustrations that coffee people actually deal with. The Dose Finisher snaps neatly into place when not in use (no more losing it in the drawer), and the grinder opens effortlessly for burr swaps or cleaning. Just pop off the faceplate, loosen two wingnuts, and you're in. Because the grind adjustment mechanism sits behind the rear burr, your setting stays perfectly in place when you reassemble. It's just one of those details that makes you appreciate how much thought went into the design.

An All-Purpose All-Star

We love an "all-purpose" grinder that doesn't compromise, and the Philos is the first one in a long time that truly nails it. Switching between espresso and brew grind settings is fast, consistent, and repeatable. Once you've dialed in your espresso at, say, 20 on the dial, and your pour over at 70, you can move between them freely and expect spot-on results every time.

The grind adjustment is exact (6-micron increments) and feels incredibly solid. You can make that change if you prefer stepless adjustment, but the stepped dial is so satisfying to use that you may not want to.

Even the small things have been done right. The polished metal hopper is beautiful, but you can skip it and single-dose directly under the lid. The magnetic catch cup locks neatly into the base (without sticking to random metal objects), and there's built-in cable management—a small but welcome touch for anyone who appreciates a clean setup.

Final Thoughts

What's so refreshing about Philos is that it isn't trying to reinvent the grinder. It's not chasing gimmicks or digital bells and whistles. Instead, it's an exercise in perfecting simplicity—everything you need and nothing you don't.

Coffee tech seems to be trending in an increasingly complicated direction, with markups for features you won't use or even need. The Philos feels refreshingly honest: a power switch, a dial, and flawless coffee.

It's been too long since a grinder created this much excitement among the Clive team. The Philos feels like more than just Mazzer's first single-dose grinder; it feels like the start of a new era for one of espresso's most trusted names.

If you've been waiting for a grinder that balances form, function, and heritage in one sleek package, the Philos might just be the one for your daily ritual.