Mahlkönig E64 WS reviewed: why it's our best-selling grinder and what makes it special

Searching for the best espresso grinder usually ends in the same debate: spend more on the machine, or fix the grind first? For many home baristas, the Mahlkönig E64 WS settles it. It weighs every dose to 0.1 g, adjusts the grind electronically, and can fine-tune it automatically to keep your extraction on target.

It also sits first in our UK grinder range when sorted by sales. This review covers what it does, what it costs, and who should buy it.

What the Mahlkönig E64 WS Actually Is

The E64 WS is Mahlkönig's espresso grinder for home use. It runs 64 mm flat burrs in special steel, a 200 W motor, and a 250 g bean hopper. Three features set it apart:

• Grind-by-Weight: the grinder weighs each dose itself, to 0.1 g
• Electronic, stepless adjustment: fine grind changes with settings you can repeat
• Grind-by-Sync: automatic grind correction when paired with a compatible machine or the Mahlkönig Sync Scale

Most grinders ask you to manage dose and grind size by hand. This one takes over both jobs, which is why it suits people moving up from an entry-level machine with a built-in grinder.

Grind-by-Weight: The Scale Is Inside the Grinder

Inconsistent dosing is one of the quiet causes of sour or bitter shots. A gram too much or too little changes flow rate and taste, and you never see it happen.

With Grind-by-Weight, you set a target dose and the grinder stops when it gets there. In practice that means:

1. Repeatable doses: the same weight every shot, without a separate scale step
2. Less waste: no grinding extra beans "just in case"
3. Easier dialling in: with dose fixed, grind size becomes the only thing you adjust
4. A faster routine: less to do before the morning shot

If you are still comparing options, our grind-by-weight grinders category shows the alternatives side by side.

Electronic Adjustment and Grind-by-Sync

Electronic, stepless adjustment

The E64 WS uses electronically controlled, stepless adjustment rather than a manual collar. Stepless means you are not locked into fixed notches, and the electronics make it simple to return to a setting you have already found. Keep a note of the number that suits each bag of beans, and you can return to it at a glance.

Grind-by-Sync

Grind-by-Sync is the headline feature. When the grinder is paired with a compatible espresso machine, or with the Mahlkönig Sync Scale, the two communicate in real time. If a shot runs too fast or too slow, the grinder adjusts the grind size to bring extraction back into range.

Two points to keep in mind. First, the E64 WS grinds well for any espresso machine, but Grind-by-Sync only works with compatible machines or the Sync Scale. Second, pairing and software updates run through the Mahlkönig Sync app.

A Typical Morning With the E64 WS

Here is an illustrative example of what a session looks like. You open a new bag of speciality beans, and the first shot runs fast and tastes thin.

With a conventional grinder, you would weigh beans, change the setting, grind, pull another shot, and repeat. With the E64 WS, the dose is already fixed at, say, 18 g, so you change one thing: the grind. You make a small electronic adjustment, pull the next shot, and save the setting you land on.

Add the Sync Scale and part of that correction happens automatically. The result is fewer wasted shots and a recipe you can repeat tomorrow.

Burrs, Noise and Everyday Practicalities

A good burr grinder espresso setup depends on even particle size, and the 64 mm flat burrs are built for that job. Mahlkönig also describes quiet operation, which matters if you grind before the rest of the house is awake.

Before ordering, check these details:

• Colours: black or white
• Voltage: the UK listing is the 220 V version
• Size: the product page lists 505 mm wide, 485 mm deep and 335 mm high, with a net weight of 5.8 kg, so measure your worktop space first
• Hopper: 250 g capacity

Is the Mahlkönig E64 WS the Best Espresso Grinder for You?

It is an excellent fit if you already own a capable machine, drink espresso daily, and want repeatable results without extra gadgets. It is less suitable if you only drink filter coffee, have very limited worktop space, or want to spend well under £500.

Here is how it sits against other grinders in our UK range:

Still deciding between hopper and single-dose workflows? Our guide to single dose vs hopper grinding will help.

Price, VAT and Delivery

The E64 WS costs £890.00 on our UK site, with 20% VAT included, and is shipped within 24 hours. Orders over £300 qualify for free UK shipping, so the grinder ships free. The Sync Scale is an optional extra at £230. Warranty terms are on our warranty page.

Final Verdict: A Strong Contender for the Best Espresso Grinder

The E64 WS earns its place by removing the two biggest sources of inconsistency at home: dose and grind. Grind-by-Weight handles the first; electronic adjustment handles the second. If you want the best espresso grinder for a serious home setup and the price fits, it is hard to ignore.

Ready to buy an espresso grinder that does the heavy lifting? Shop the Mahlkönig E64 WS or browse all barista coffee grinders at Espresso Coffee Shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to weigh beans before grinding with the E64 WS?

No. Grind-by-Weight doses each shot automatically to 0.1 g. You set the target weight and the grinder does the rest.

2. Does it work with any espresso machine?

Yes, for grinding. Grind-by-Sync, however, only works with compatible machines or the Mahlkönig Sync Scale.

3. How does the grind adjustment work?

It is electronically controlled and stepless, with repeatable settings. You can return to a setting you have already used for a given bean.

4. What should I check before ordering?

Confirm you want the 220 V UK version, choose black or white, and measure your worktop against the listed dimensions of 505 x 485 x 335 mm.

5. What warranty and support come with it?

Warranty terms are published on our warranty page, and our team can answer pairing and compatibility questions before you buy.