The Eureka Mignon Specialità is one of the most popular espresso grinders in the mid-range entry-level category. It can be found in many households and overall does a good job as an espresso grinder. In this espresso grinder test, we take a look at the Specialità and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses in comparison with 23 other grinders.
In the meantime, Eureka has launched a new "Specialità Smart" on the market. However, our test showed that you're better off and even cheaper with the "old" Specialità without "smartness".
The Specialità is just one of many. How it compares to the Magnifico, XL, Zero, and Libra is shown in our Eureka comparison.
Specialized Retailer Eureka Specialità
We search for specialized partners for you, knowing they provide quality work and good service. We maintain close contact with these retailers. These are affiliate links. If you order through this link, it won't cost you more, but we receive a small commission that we invest in new testing equipment.
- Germany: Stoll Espresso, Bohnendealer, Lücke Technik, Die Röster
- Switzerland: deon
- Austria: Bohnendealer, Die Röster
Eureka Specialità from the top-side. Compact and with small grind adjustment.
There is a new article about the Eureka Specialità, as some users are experiencing display issues.
External Facts About the Eureka Mignon Specialità
Small and compact, that's the Eureka Mignon Specialità. Next to an espresso machine, it doesn't stand out, but rather takes a back seat due to its small depth. Many things about the Eureka Mignons are well made, particularly the external main body, display, and stand. However, all Mignons (Perfetta, XL, Specialità) have one thing in common. The plastic bean hopper and lid fit rather snugly on the grinder, and especially the lid can develop a crack with careless use.
- Grinding discs: Disc burr mechanism, 55 mm diameter
- Weight: 5.6 kg
- Width: 120 mm
- Height: 350 mm
- Depth: 180 mm
- Bean hopper: 250 gram capacity, plastic
The portafilter holder can be adjusted, allowing portafilters from La Marzocco, ECM, Rocket, or Ascaso to be clamped in without any issues. However, the holder is not robust enough that the portafilter can simply be released during grinding. The vibration causes it to shift and can even slide out of the holder. Holding it in place is definitely advisable.
The Eureka Mignon Specialità is available from many good specialty retailers. It's best to visit your local specialty shop. In online retail, the espresso grinder is available in Germany at Stoll or Coffee Circle, for example. We've seen prices between 450 and 520 euros. In Switzerland, you can get the grinder in Basel from us, in Bern at Electras, and in Zurich, for example, at the Kaffeewerkstadt for around 650 CHF.
Core Competence: Fine and Good Espresso Grinding
The Eureka Mignon Specialità not only delivers espresso-fine coffee powder but also a good particle distribution. The main peak is good compared to many grinders in the same price class, and the fine fraction also belongs to the better mid-range. This makes the Specialità well suited for brewing delicious espresso in all its facets.
We achieved corresponding results with both lighter and darker roasts. A blind tasting comparison with other espresso grinders in the same price class follows.
While the grinder delivered good results across the various extractions and showed very reproducible results even without adjusting the grind setting (see table above: Test 2: X50=307 Micron, Fine peak=18.8%, Coarse peak=233 and Test 3: X5=309, Fine peak=19.5%, Coarse peak=234), the results when adjusting and resetting were less convincing.
The basic setting of the Eureka Mignon Specialità is simple and quick to perform. Unfortunately, the reproducibility when adjusting and returning to the same grind setting is not as good. This is mainly due to the small grind adjustment wheel.
Grind Setting with the Eureka Mignon Specialità
The grind setting of the Eureka Specialità is done via the small rotary wheel located on top of the grinder. In principle, this is simple! However, even the smallest adjustments result in a significant change in the grind setting. Since the grind setting is responsible for the flow rate of the espresso, it determines the quality of the shot.
Nevertheless, with careful adjustments, the grind can be set well and the results are, as discussed above, generally good. However, it is more difficult to repeat defined recipes and switch the grind setting in between. Most espresso grinders in the Specialità's price range are not well suited for this. Since many households have different beverage preferences, we still examine this criterion.
In our test, we perfectly dialed in the espresso and attempted to mark and note the grind position. Then we pulled a ristretto and café crème (T5 and T6). After that, the grind setting was supposed to be returned to the same position based on the previous visual marking. This is visible in the particle distribution curve T7, which deviates significantly more from T4 than desired. While this grinding and subsequent extraction are still in the espresso range, they are no longer at the same grind setting as T4.
If we compare the data from espresso measurements 2, 3, 4, and 5, we can draw the following conclusion: The Eureka Mignon Specialità is excellent at reproducing its own results from shot to shot. It sets very high standards here. So once an espresso is dialed in, you only need to make minor adjustments, for example if the coffee ages. The grinder is less suitable for quickly switching from one coffee to another and back to a previously noted recipe.
Not a strength of the grinder: the portafilter holder.
Retention, Speed and Performance
With only 2.7 grams of coffee, the Eureka Specialità has a small retention and belongs to the best espresso grinders in the test in this category. This is an essential factor, because old coffee that gets stuck somewhere in the grinder and comes out during a later grinding session can have a significant flavor impact depending on the amount. At 2.7 grams, this dead space in the Specialità is exemplarily small.
As for speed, the Specialità sits in the lower-middle range. It's not quite as slow as a Niche Zero or Mazzer Electronic, but slower than, for example, the ECM S64. In 10 seconds, the Specialità grinds 21.3 grams.
What's really positive is the low noise level. We measured 78.9 decibels. Grinders that stayed below the 80 dB threshold, we rated as "quiet". For comparison: a Lelit PL72 reaches a proud 86.4 dB with our measurement method.
To assess grinder performance under load, we performed 6 shots at 30-second intervals and measured the ground coffee temperature at the outlet each time. The Eureka Specialità averaged 37.2° Celsius with an increase over the shots of 1.1 degrees. This puts it in the higher range, like many grinders with flat and smaller burrs. We detected no sensory changes due to heat, but we do not recommend using the grinder in a high-frequency environment.
Eureka Mignon Specialità
Single Dosing, Grind Amount Consistency and Usability
The dosing setting of the Eureka Specialità is intuitive and really easy to perform. Via the touch display, the grind amount is set using plus and minus buttons for 1x or 2x dosing. This makes it easy to set the dosing amount. We really liked this aspect of the grinder's usability.
Deductions are given for the overly sensitive grind setting control. The grind adjustment wheel is simply too small, the jumps when adjusting are too large, and so finding the right grind setting is not as easy as it could be.
The grinder's consistency is also good. Once the target amount is set, the grinder grinds the desired amount with good reliability. In our case, we calculated a standard deviation of 0.11 grams over 10 shots. Excellent!
The grinder repeats this good performance in the "Single Dosing" test as well. For this, we dose 18 grams into the bean hopper, which was previously emptied. At the same time, we purge the grinder and then begin the test. The 18 grams are fed in, ground, and the output is measured. Many grinders "eat" beans in the process. This is surprisingly actually the rule. The Eureka Mignon Specialità delivered the input amount time and again with a deviation of at most 0.1 grams. This makes the grinder in principle very suitable for use with "Single Dosing".
However, it should not be overlooked that using it as a single dosing grinder only makes sense if different recipes can be set quickly and precisely. But since that is not one of the grinder's top abilities, the most popular use case for single dosing is only possible to a limited extent. However, if you like to dose fresh coffee and grind it without storing it in the bean hopper (which you really shouldn't do anyway), you can still use the grinder well this way.
Conclusion on the Eureka Mignon Specialità
Looking at all the influencing factors, it can be said that the Eureka Mignon Specialità is a really good grinder for getting started in the world of espresso. It has some weaknesses when it comes to adjusting different recipes and grind sizes. However, quite different grinders struggle with that, and for many home baristas this is not an important criterion. We also hear repeatedly in our courses that at home people mainly work with a favorite blend, or consume an entire package of espresso as a whole before switching beans. And the Specialità is very well suited for that.
The consistency, the low retention, and comparably low noise level make the grinder a reliable partner in everyday use. It makes it easier for many to get started with preparing delicious espresso. One reason why the Specialità is also used as an espresso grinder in our coffee academies in Switzerland and Germany.
Learn more about coffee: our courses
If you want to learn more about coffee, we look forward to welcoming you in Basel or on the Lower Rhine, for example in our Home Barista Courses.
If you prefer to learn more from home, you'll find a format in our Online Home Barista Course. In over 30 videos, barista professional Michel Aeschbacher explains the most important tips for adjusting and maintaining an espresso machine.
