At a side event during Host in Milan in October, Mahlkönig introduced the new Mahlkönig Xenia and the accompanying E64 WS Home grinder. With the acquisition of Xenia Espresso, Mahlkönig has not only added a new product but an entire machine platform to its portfolio. The combination marks the company's entry into the home espresso segment – with a clear focus on precision and synchronization.
Learn more about synchronization between grinder and espresso machine in this article: Grind-by-Sync: Grinder and Machine in Dialogue – Revolution or Expensive Gimmick?
The Machine: Mahlkönig Xenia Dual Boiler
The Xenia is based on the well-known dual boiler concept by Holger Dreissig. Technically, it remains a standalone system with thoughtfully designed details. Inside, two stainless steel boilers work together – one for brewing, one for steam. Both can be controlled independently. Additionally, the machine features an actively heated brew group, which allows it to reach operating temperature much faster.
A three-point heating system ensures stable temperatures even during multiple consecutive shots. The Xenia is equipped with a proprietary brew group that promises precise electronic control combined with high energy efficiency.
Additional features such as programmable heating cycles, an espresso-only mode for energy savings, or individually adjustable pressure and flow profiles underline the modern approach.
The Grinder: Mahlkönig E64 WS Home
Alongside the machine, Mahlkönig introduces the new E64 WS Home. For the first time, it brings grind-by-weight technology with an accuracy of 0.1 g (manufacturer claim) to the home market – and for under 1,000 euros. At its core are 64 mm burrs, electronically controlled grind adjustment, and a load cell. The goal: reproducible results without manual fine-tuning.
The abbreviation WS stands for "Weight & Sync" – and points to the key innovation. Combined with the Xenia, a networked system emerges in which grinder and machine communicate with each other.
Grind-by-Sync: Machine and Grinder in Dialogue
With so-called Grind-by-Sync, the Xenia measures central parameters during a shot – such as flow rate, time, and extraction behavior – and sends this data to the grinder. If the extraction deviates from the target values, the grinder automatically adjusts the grind setting.
With this, Mahlkönig enters a new phase: The combination of grind-by-weight, electronic grind adjustment, and machine syncing is the technology of the hour in the home segment, but so far only works on prototypes with two other manufacturers – namely Quick Mill in collaboration with Eureka and nunc.
Assessment
The combination of the Xenia as an open, sensor-equipped machine and the E64 WS Home as a precise, networked grinder forms a well-thought-out ecosystem. Whether this interaction actually works as smoothly in everyday use as the presentation promises remains to be seen. From a functional perspective, however, the package is a logical step – and a clear signal that the home market is increasingly moving toward integrated systems.
One more word on the assessment: As an espresso machine, the Xenia promises to be a much more fitting counterpart in terms of synchronization than the Quick Mill espresso machine in the Tio setup with the Eureka grinder. While in the Italian pairing the next espresso shot is triggered by adjusting the grind setting, the Xenia can theoretically also influence the shot during extraction if it measures a higher flow rate.
Whether and how control is intended here and how well the pairing functions will only be revealed by a detailed test. We look forward to it – and are curious to see.
