Eureka Mignon Silenzio – Review / Test

Coffee grinders – a crucial topic for anyone who wants to make serious espresso at home. But also a pretty expensive one. The selection is huge, the price range seemingly endless. So: How much do you need to spend? And what should you look out for?
After some back and forth, we decided on the Eureka Mignon Silenzio. Why? That’s exactly what this article is about.

Eureka – probably the best-known European manufacturer of coffee grinders – is based in Italy and offers a wide range of models. They come in countless colors and versions. However, online shopping isn’t always ideal – many models are often sold out or hard to find. Still, with a bit of searching, you’ll find what you need.
It was important for us not to buy a grinder made in China. Especially nowadays, I’m glad to support European products – and, if needed, it's easier to get spare parts.

First, the fundamental question: Weigh beans every morning and fill them manually – or simply store them in the hopper and go?
Both have their pros and cons. If you want maximum freshness and precision, single dosing is the way to go. If you prefer convenience, a traditional bean hopper – like the Silenzio has – is a good choice. For us, it was quickly clear: convenience wins.

The Silenzio grinds by time, not by weight. That means: you set the grind duration with a knob – and hope it roughly matches. Of course, that’s not super precise. If you want exactly 18.0g, you’ll usually have to fine-tune it manually (using the button under the chute).
But: For home use, it’s totally sufficient. And if you want more precision, you’ll need to spend quite a bit more – for example, for the Mignon Specialita or models with built-in scales.

We bought our Silenzio used – for about half the price of a new one. And honestly: I see no reason to buy a grinder like this new. They usually sit dry, safe, and clean in a kitchen. The only question is: how much wear on the burrs?
But even then: If you’re drinking two or three cups a day, there’s no need to worry. To really wear out the grinder, you’d have to run it all day like in a café – which is very rare in a household.

It’s quiet. Not whisper-quiet, of course, but pleasant – you don’t have to stop talking while it grinds. That’s gold in the morning when you don’t want to be blasted with noise.
Also: It just works. Beans in, tasty coffee out. No gimmicks, no app, no bells and whistles – perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to tweak endlessly.
Cleaning is straightforward too. With a few tools, you can reach the burrs. There are plenty of videos online showing how. After a few kilos of beans, it’s worth doing – but it’s a quick job.

The fine adjustment of the grind size is... let’s say: takes some getting used to. The small dial is not easy to read and continuously adjustable, so there are no defined points for orientation. Of course, you’ll find your setup – but if someone messes with it, you’ll have to start over.
Also, the timer setting is more guesswork than science. The knob is small, and the output often varies by a few tenths of a gram. If you want exact dosing, you might prefer the Eureka Mignon Manuale (no timer, purely manual adjustment anyway), or the Specialita (with display).

For us, it was the right choice. The Eureka Mignon Silenzio looks great, grinds quietly, reliably, and well – and costs much less used than many other grinders on the market. Sure, there are areas that could be better. But overall: very solid. And most importantly: great coffee, every day.