Victoria Arduino Grinder: Everything You Should Know About the Mythos Line
Victoria Arduino grinders, specifically the Mythos series, are some of the most popular commercial espresso grinders in the world. Walk into any serious specialty coffee shop and there's a good chance you'll see a Mythos sitting next to the espresso machine. The brand is owned by the Simonelli Group (the same company behind Nuova Simonelli), and their grinders are engineered with one goal: consistent espresso in high-volume environments.
I've worked with the Mythos One, Mythos 2, and the newer Mythos MY75 across different cafe settings. Each model has distinct strengths, and the line has evolved significantly over the years. I'll walk you through what makes Victoria Arduino grinders different from the competition, what each model offers, and whether any of them make sense outside a commercial setting.
The Mythos Lineup: Which Model Does What
Victoria Arduino has refined their grinder line over the past decade. Here's what's currently available and how they compare.
Mythos One
The original Mythos One launched in 2014 and quickly became a cafe staple. It uses 75mm flat titanium-coated burrs, weighs about 28 kg, and has a unique feature called Clima Pro technology, which actively heats the grinding chamber to maintain a consistent temperature. This reduces the temperature drift that causes grind size changes throughout the day.
The Mythos One grinds a standard 18g dose in about 3.5 seconds. It's timed dosing with a touchscreen interface. Retention is moderate at around 1.5 to 2.5 grams. It's louder than some competitors (around 74 to 76 dB), but not unusually loud for a commercial grinder.
Mythos 2
The Mythos 2 arrived as an update with a few improvements. The touchscreen interface is more responsive, the sound dampening is better, and the clump crusher mechanism in the discharge chute does a better job breaking up clumps before they hit the portafilter. The burr set and motor are essentially the same as the Mythos One.
The biggest practical improvement is the stepless grind adjustment collar, which is smoother and more precise than the original. Dialing in is easier and holds its position better throughout the day.
Mythos MY75
The MY75 is the newest model and represents the biggest leap forward. It uses 75mm flat burrs (hence the name) with a new geometry designed for higher extraction yields. Victoria Arduino claims up to 22% extraction at typical espresso parameters, which is high for a flat burr grinder at this grind range.
The MY75 also includes grind-by-weight technology on some variants, putting it in direct competition with the Mahlkonig E80S GBW. The dose accuracy is within 0.2 grams in my testing, which is very good. The price is steep at around $3,000 to $4,000 depending on the configuration.
Clima Pro: Does Temperature Control Actually Matter?
This is the feature that makes the Mythos unique. Every other grinder on the market lets the grinding chamber warm up gradually during use, which causes the metal to expand and subtly changes the effective grind size. On a busy morning, a grinder can shift enough that your first shot at 8 AM and your 50th shot at 10 AM taste noticeably different.
Clima Pro heats the grinding chamber to a stable target temperature (adjustable, typically set between 35 and 45 degrees Celsius) from the moment you turn the machine on. The chamber stays at that temperature regardless of how many doses you grind.
Does it work? In my experience, yes. On a busy Saturday pulling 200+ shots, the Mythos stayed more consistent than comparable grinders without temperature management. The shots at noon tasted like the shots at opening. The improvement is most noticeable with lighter roasts, which are more sensitive to temperature-induced grind changes.
That said, it's a bigger deal in commercial settings than at home. If you're pulling 4 shots per day, the grinder never gets warm enough for thermal drift to matter.
Grind Quality and Flavor Profile
The titanium-coated burrs on the Mythos produce a slightly different flavor profile than pure steel burrs. I find Mythos shots lean toward body and sweetness, with a round mouthfeel and less brightness than what you'd get from a grinder like the Mahlkonig EK43.
This makes the Mythos a great match for medium and dark roasts. For light, fruity single-origin espressos, some baristas prefer grinders with a "cleaner" cut that preserves more acidity. It's a matter of taste preference, not quality. Both approaches produce excellent espresso.
Particle Size Consistency
The 75mm burrs produce a tight particle distribution, though not quite as tight as larger 80mm or 98mm burrs. In practice, this means your shots will be even and repeatable, but you might notice a touch more body and less definition in complex single-origin coffees compared to a Mahlkonig E80S. For most cafes running blends, this difference is academic.
Maintenance and Reliability
The Mythos line is built for durability. The motors are commercial-grade, and I've seen Mythos One grinders running perfectly after 7 to 8 years of daily cafe use.
Regular Maintenance
- Daily: Purge stale grounds before the first dose. Wipe the chute and portafilter fork.
- Weekly: Remove the top burr carrier and brush out retained coffee. Takes about 10 minutes since the Mythos burr carrier is heavier than most.
- Monthly: Run grinder cleaning tablets. Check the Clima Pro temperature settings.
- Every 12 to 18 months: Replace burrs at high volume (10+ kg daily). The titanium coating extends burr life compared to bare steel.
Common Issues
The most frequent complaint I hear about the Mythos One is the touchscreen becoming unresponsive after a few years. A replacement screen costs about $150 to $200 and is a straightforward swap. The Mythos 2 and MY75 use improved screens with better longevity.
The Clima Pro heating element can also fail, though it's rare. When it does, the grinder still works perfectly as a non-heated grinder, you just lose the temperature consistency feature.
Pricing and Value
- Mythos One (refurbished): $1,200 to $1,800
- Mythos 2 (new): $2,200 to $2,800
- Mythos MY75 (new): $3,000 to $4,000
For cafes, the Mythos 2 at around $2,500 is the best value. You get the improved adjustment collar, better clump crushing, and more responsive controls at a reasonable premium over the original. The MY75 is worth it only if you want grind-by-weight or the new burr geometry.
For home users, these grinders are oversized and overpriced for typical use. A quality home grinder in the $500 to $1,000 range will produce excellent espresso without the commercial bulk. Check our best coffee grinder and top coffee grinder roundups for home-appropriate options.
FAQ
Can I use a Mythos grinder for pour-over coffee?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. The burr geometry is designed for espresso fineness, and the coarse end of the adjustment range doesn't produce great results for filter brewing. You'd need a separate grinder for pour-over.
How loud is the Mythos compared to other commercial grinders?
The Mythos One runs at about 74 to 76 dB. The Mythos 2 is slightly quieter at 72 to 74 dB due to improved sound dampening. Both are comparable to the Mahlkonig E65S and quieter than the Mahlkonig Peak.
Is the Clima Pro feature necessary?
For a busy cafe, it provides a meaningful improvement in shot consistency throughout the day. For home use or low-volume settings, it's unnecessary since the grinder won't generate enough heat to cause significant drift. Think of it as a feature that matters above 50 shots per day.
Do Victoria Arduino grinders work with 54mm portafilters?
The portafilter fork is adjustable and primarily designed for 58mm portafilters, which is the standard commercial size. Some users have adapted it for 54mm portafilters with aftermarket forks or modifications, but it's not an official configuration.
Who Should Buy a Victoria Arduino Grinder
The Mythos line belongs in specialty coffee shops that value shot consistency throughout busy service periods. The Clima Pro technology, combined with excellent burrs and commercial-grade build quality, makes it a reliable daily workhorse. If you're opening a cafe or upgrading from an entry-level commercial grinder, the Mythos 2 is my top recommendation in this lineup. For home espresso enthusiasts, spend less and get a grinder scaled to your actual volume.