In this post, we’ll be comparing two Mahlkonig grinder titans: the new Mahlkonig E80 Supreme vs Peak. These are both excellent grinders for a variety of situations, but which is better for you?

To answer that question, we’ll be looking at the following:

  • What similarities the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme and Peak share.
  • Differences between these two grinders and what they mean.
  • Our advice on how to decide which grinder is right for you.

Let’s jump right in.

Quick Summary

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme 

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme On-Demand Espresso Grinder

What the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme brings to the table is pure speed. Able to grind up to 6-7 grams of coffee per second, you’ll have no problem flying through whole lines of customers. That’s what makes this grinder perfect for busy coffee shops and restaurants. 

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Mahlkonig PEAK

Mahlkonig PEAK Espresso Grinder

The Mahlkonig Peak is a well-loved classic in Mahlkonig history. Its dual ventilation system is a match made in heaven with businesses that have a high demand for espresso. No matter how busy the rush gets, this grinder can stay perfectly cool. 

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Similarities

Burr Type

The burrs might just be one of the most important parts of your grinder – if not the most important part. Your burrs are the grinding discs inside the grinder, and their design can impact the flavor of your drinks and the speed at which the beans are ground.

Both these Mahlkonigs use flat burrs, which is standard with many commercial-level grinders. Flat burrs are two circular discs that sit on top of one another inside the grinder. They’re well-known for producing consistently sized particles.

However, they’re also known for the sweet taste they draw out of your beans. Some say that you can taste chocolatey notes in drinks produced by flat burrs. 

Burr Size

Aside from their shape, the next most important thing about burrs is their size. Larger burrs are generally better because their increased surface area allows them to grind a greater amount of beans with fewer revolutions.

Why does this matter? Because the fewer times your burrs need to turn, the less friction is produced, which lowers the risk of your coffee being burnt in the grinder. 

The Peak and E80 Supreme both have massive 80mm burrs. With such large burrs at your disposal, you can be sure your coffee beans will be kept cool even during long days of grinding. It’s a difference you can literally taste.

Newest Mahlkonig Grinder: Mahlkonig X54 Home Coffee Grinder

Illuminated Workspace

Picture the perfect coffee shop or restaurant in your mind. Chances are, you’re not imagining something with bright fluorescent lights like what you’d find in an office. You’re probably picturing an establishment with mood lighting you can relax in.

In these kinds of settings, it can be difficult for employees to see what they’re doing. The E80 Supreme and Peak both have solutions to that issue: illuminated spouts.

With lights situated around the spouts on either grinder, baristas will always be able to see what they’re doing as they craft unforgettable beverages. This lighting helps ensure that each drink is the best it can be, and it promotes workplace safety. 

Adjustable Spout

Both the E80 Supreme and Peak have adjustable spouts. You can tweak the height of the spouts so that either grinder can grind directly into the center of any size portafilter.

Grinding directly into your portafilter aids in evenly dispersing the grounds in the basket. This results in a balanced extraction and flavor. 

Hands-Free Grinding

You’ve probably heard the expression that time is money. The lesson you’re supposed to take from it is that you should be using your time as efficiently as possible. 

With some grinders, this isn’t possible because you need to stand in front of them, holding a portafilter in place the entire time. Luckily, this is not the case for either of the Mahlkonigs in this comparison.

They each have convenient portafilter forks. You can quite literally set it and forget it by putting the portafilter in the fork and letting the grinder take care of the rest. 

Hopper Options

The Mahlkonig E80 Supreme and Peak both allow for some customization when it comes to hopper size. Each has a larger standard hopper and a smaller short hopper.

If you anticipate having constant lines of customers and needing to grind almost continuously, then you have the option of picking the standard hopper. Its larger size means you can keep a bigger supply of beans inside it, leading to fewer refills.

However, if you’re short on space or have cabinets that are situated low on the walls, you may not have room for the standard hopper. In that case, you can go with the smaller short hopper to save on room.

Cooling Systems

Are you going to need to grind coffee beans nonstop throughout the day? Then you’re at risk of scorching your beans in the wrong grinder.

That’s precisely why the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme and Mahlkonig Peak each have cooling systems built right in. During extended grinding sessions, your blends will be protected from unpleasant-tasting burns, ensuring each beverage you hand to your customers is as delicious as the last. 

Stepless Grind Adjustment

Planning to provide a variety of specialty drinks to your customers? You’ll need to have precise control over every step of the process, including grinding the beans. 

That’s why these Mahlkonigs have stepless grind adjustment systems. The best way to explain what that means is to compare it to the alternative: a stepped grind adjustment system. In a stepped grind adjustment system, you have a limited number of fineness settings to choose from based on notches the manufacturer built in.

Stepless grind adjustments, like the systems included on the Mahlkonigs, do away with the pre-set notches. Instead, they have a scale that you can choose any setting on. It gives you the flexibility you need to grind the perfect fineness for any blend. 

This is why professional baristas around the world love stepless grinders. 

Differences

Dimensions

Put these two grinders right next to each other, and you might notice one particular difference: their size. The E80 Supreme is 9.5 inches wide, 13.4 inches deep, and 24.8 inches tall. On the other hand, the Peak is 9.5 inches wide, 12.6 inches deep, and 21.7 inches tall with the standard hopper.

The increased height on the E80 Supreme comes from the larger hopper capacity. Thus, if you’re dead set on the standard hopper but you need something more economical in terms of space, you’ll likely prefer the Peak. It’s shorter than the E80 Supreme.

However, if you’re all right with getting the short hopper, you can get either one of these grinders in a slightly more slimmed-down size. 

Grinding Speed

If you’ve got a line of customers at the counter, you’re going to be concerned about how fast your grinder can prepare fresh shots. When time is of the essence, the E80 Supreme is the clear winner in this comparison.

This is thanks to the fact it can grind approximately twice as fast as the Peak. The Peak has a grinding speed of 3.5 grams per second at the most, whereas the E80 Supreme can grind up to 7 grams per second.

That’s double the espresso ground in exactly the same amount of time. With speed like that, you’ll blaze through orders at a lightning-fast pace on the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme. 

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme Disc Distance Detection

We’ve mentioned previously that having as much control as possible is important in high-end coffee shops and restaurants. You need the ability to make precise adjustments when you’re offering a wide variety of specialty drinks. 

The Mahlkonig E80 Supreme ups the ante drastically when it comes to making precise adjustments. It has patented Disc Distance Detection technology. This design monitors the actual distance between the burrs down to an amazingly accurate 1 micron. 

After you’ve decided on a specific fineness, you can save that setting based on the accuracy of the Disc Distance Detection. It’s just another feature that guarantees your espresso will be consistent in quality for every order.

Mahlkonig Peak Color Options

For some businesses, it’s important that a certain look is maintained. If that sounds like your establishment, you might find the color options the Mahlkonig Peak comes in appealing.

You can choose a suave black that matches with just about anything or a bright, stylish white that will undoubtedly draw your customer’s eye. First impressions matter. With the Mahlkonig Peak, you have a bit more flexibility to ensure you make the right impression from the get-go.

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme Quiet Grinding

If you’ve ever tried to relax or work in a coffee shop, you’re probably familiar with the roar of the grinder. You get used to the noise in time, but there’s no denying that it can be a bit disruptive for some people.

The Mahlkonig E80 Supreme is perfect for preserving your atmosphere. Because it operates more quietly, your customers will be able to relax and unwind in your business without being disturbed by its noise. 

Mahlkonig Peak Reduced RPM

Grinders operate by having rotating burrs that break down beans inside them. The problem with this rotation, however, is that the faster it is, the more friction is produced. More friction means more heat, which puts your beans at risk of being singed.

You don’t want your customers to have beverages that taste burnt. The Mahlkonig Peak safeguards you from that possibility with its reduced RPM. With its phenomenally low idle speed of 900-1,100 RPM, you rest assured your espresso and coffee will never have that unpleasant scorched taste.

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme High-Resolution Display

Some of the best grinders have an unfortunate look that seems outdated. This is certainly not true with the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme, thanks to its high-resolution display.

All the information you need to operate the grinder is displayed on the gorgeous, crystal-clear screen. Plus, at 3.5 inches, it’s more than large enough for your employees to easily read without having to squint or get too close. 

So, Which is Better?

The truth is, both the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme and the Peak are fantastic grinders. Either one can benefit medium to large business that serve coffee and espresso to customers.

It’s difficult to choose between them. However, there are a handful of qualities you can home in on to help you make the choice.

You can start by considering approximately how many drinks you make on a daily basis. If your business often has lines of customers at the counter, you need to be able to push out drinks as rapidly as possible. For that, you’ll want the breathtaking speed of the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme.

When conserving space is the most important consideration, you’ll probably want to go for the Mahlkonig Peak. It’s a bit shorter than the E80 Supreme, so it can fit in slightly tighter spaces.

Likewise, the Mahlkonig Peak is probably the machine for you if you want a bit more versatility in the appearance. Because it’s sold in either black or white, you have the option of picking a color that suits your business’s atmosphere more appropriately.

On the other hand, think about the types of drinks you’ll be offering. If you’re a specialty coffee shop, you only stand to gain by having the precision of the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme’s Disc Distance Detection technology at your disposal. 

Here’s our suggestion for you:

Specialty coffee shops and businesses with an extremely high volume of orders should consider the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme. It’s worth noting that the Peak could also work in these types of establishments, but the E80 Supreme is simply faster.

Home espresso enthusiasts or businesses with a medium to high volume of orders will do well with the Mahlkonig Peak. 

If you have any questions about either of these grinders, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 888-978-5224 for further assistance. 

For the lowest prices online, be sure to check them both out in our store:

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme

Mahlkonig PEAK
Tony Barlow

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Tony Barlow, with over a decade of experience in the coffee industry, is the go-to technical sales expert at Majesty Coffee. He's passionate about helping businesses find the right espresso equipment for their needs.