Mythos Coffee Grinder: The Cafe Workhorse You Keep Hearing About
The Mythos is a line of commercial espresso grinders made by Simonelli Group (the same company behind Nuova Simonelli and Victoria Arduino). If you've had a great espresso at a specialty coffee shop in the last decade, there's a solid chance it was ground on a Mythos. These grinders are built for high-volume environments where consistency and speed matter more than anything else.
I've used the Mythos One and Mythos 2 extensively while visiting different cafes and at barista events. The first time I tasted a shot from a Mythos-equipped setup, the difference in clarity compared to my home grinder was striking. But these are commercial machines with commercial price tags, so let me explain what makes them special and whether a home user should even consider one.
The Mythos Lineup
Simonelli Group has released several versions of the Mythos over the years. Here are the ones you'll encounter most often.
Mythos One
The original breakout model that put the Mythos name on the map. It uses 75mm flat titanium-coated burrs, a climate control system to manage heat, and gravimetric (weight-based) dosing on some versions. The Mythos One became a standard fixture in specialty cafes worldwide and is still in use at many shops today.
Mythos 2
The updated version with improved electronics, a quieter motor, and better dosing accuracy. The 75mm burrs carry over from the Mythos One, but the motor and control board are redesigned. The Mythos 2 also refined the Clima Pro temperature management system, which I'll explain in detail below.
Victoria Arduino Mythos MY75
The newest generation, branded under Victoria Arduino rather than Nuova Simonelli. It features the same 75mm burr platform with a completely redesigned body, improved noise reduction, and enhanced gravimetric dosing. This is the one you'll see in newly opened specialty cafes.
Clima Pro: Why Temperature Control Matters in a Grinder
The Mythos grinders are famous for their Clima Pro system, and for good reason. During grinding, friction between the burrs and the coffee generates heat. In a busy cafe pulling 200+ shots per day, that heat builds up and can raise the temperature of the coffee grounds by 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the first grind of the morning.
Why does that matter? Warmer grounds extract differently than cooler grounds. The same grind setting and dose will produce a faster, more bitter shot as the burrs heat up. Baristas in high-volume shops constantly chase this drift by adjusting their grind throughout the day.
Clima Pro addresses this by actively heating the burr chamber to a consistent target temperature (usually around 104 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit) from the moment the grinder turns on. Instead of starting cold and warming up during service, the Mythos maintains a stable temperature throughout the entire day. The result is dramatically more consistent extraction from the first shot to the last.
I've seen the impact firsthand during a busy Saturday morning rush at a cafe. Shots pulled at 7 AM tasted nearly identical to shots at 11 AM, which is not something you can say about most grinders without temperature management.
Grind Quality and Burr Performance
The 75mm flat titanium-coated burrs in the Mythos produce an exceptionally uniform grind for espresso. The particle distribution is tight, with minimal fines and very few oversized particles. This translates to even extraction, clean flavor profiles, and the ability to push lighter roasts without harsh acidity or sourness.
Speed
The Mythos grinds an 18-gram dose in about 3 to 4 seconds. That speed is necessary in a cafe where every second at the grinder adds up across hundreds of drinks, but it also means less heat generation per dose compared to a slower grinder that keeps the beans in contact with the burrs longer.
Retention
Retention on the Mythos One is moderate, around 2 to 3 grams depending on the grind setting. The Mythos 2 and MY75 improved on this with better chute designs and sweep functions. For cafe use, retention is managed by constant throughput. For home use, it's a bigger concern since you might not grind again for hours, leaving stale grounds in the chamber.
Should a Home User Buy a Mythos?
This is the question I get asked most, and my answer is: probably not, unless you fit a very specific profile.
Reasons to Consider It
- You pull 6+ espresso drinks daily and want cafe-level consistency
- You've already maxed out what prosumer grinders can offer and want the next level
- You found a used Mythos One at a reasonable price (they show up on the secondhand market as cafes upgrade)
- You're setting up a home coffee bar that doubles as a small business
Reasons to Skip It
- The price. New Mythos grinders run $2,500 to $4,000+, which is the cost of an entire high-end home espresso setup.
- The size and weight. The Mythos One weighs about 28 kilograms (62 pounds). It's a large, heavy machine designed for a commercial counter, not a kitchen.
- The noise and power. These grinders run on more powerful motors than home units, and they need adequate electrical capacity.
- Overkill for low volume. If you're making 1 to 3 drinks per day, the Clima Pro temperature management doesn't even matter because the burrs don't have time to heat up.
For most home users, a prosumer grinder like the Eureka Mignon XL, Ceado E37S, or Lagom P64 will get you 90% of the Mythos experience at a fraction of the cost and footprint. Check our best coffee grinder guide for recommendations that balance quality and practicality for home use.
Buying a Used Mythos
The used market for Mythos grinders is active, especially as cafes upgrade from the Mythos One to the Mythos 2 or MY75. Used Mythos One grinders sell for $800 to $1,500 depending on condition, age, and whether the burrs have been replaced.
What to Check on a Used Unit
- Burr wear: Ask for the approximate number of kilograms ground. At 75mm, burrs typically last 800 to 1,200 kilograms. If the grinder has been in a busy cafe for 3+ years, the burrs may need replacing ($100 to $200 for the set).
- Motor condition: Listen for unusual sounds during operation. A healthy Mythos motor is loud but smooth, not grinding or rattling.
- Dosing accuracy: If it's a gravimetric model, test the dose accuracy with a scale. The built-in scale should be within 0.2 grams of your reference scale.
- Clima Pro function: Verify that the temperature control system is working. The display should show the burr chamber temperature rising to the target after power-on.
FAQ
What's the difference between the Mythos One and Mythos 2?
The Mythos 2 has a quieter motor, improved dosing electronics, a refined Clima Pro system, and better noise insulation. The burr set is the same 75mm titanium-coated flat burrs. The Mythos 2 also has a slightly smaller footprint and updated user interface. In the cup, the difference is subtle. Both produce excellent espresso grinds.
How loud is the Mythos grinder?
Louder than home grinders. The 75mm burrs and commercial motor generate significant noise during the 3 to 4 second grind cycle. In a cafe environment, it's background noise. In a quiet home kitchen at 6 AM, it will wake up everyone in the house. The Mythos 2 and MY75 are somewhat quieter than the original Mythos One.
Can the Mythos grind for pour-over or filter coffee?
It can, but it's not designed for it. The burrs are optimized for the espresso range, and coarser settings produce less uniform particles. Some cafes use the Mythos for batch brew, but a dedicated filter grinder like the Mahlkonig EK43 is the standard for that purpose.
How often should the burrs be replaced?
Simonelli Group recommends replacing the burrs after 800 to 1,200 kilograms of coffee, depending on the roast level. Darker roasts with more oils wear burrs faster. At home volumes (20 to 30 grams per day), the burrs would last decades. In a cafe grinding 5+ kilograms per day, replacement every 6 to 12 months is typical.
For a broader look at grinders across all price points and categories, our top coffee grinder roundup covers everything from beginner to commercial-grade.
My Take on the Mythos
The Mythos is the gold standard for commercial espresso grinding, and for good reason. The Clima Pro system, 75mm flat burrs, and build quality set it apart from everything below it. But for home users, it's more machine than most people need. If you stumble across a well-maintained used Mythos One for under $1,000, it's a killer deal. Otherwise, put that budget toward a prosumer grinder and a great espresso machine instead.