Nuova Simonelli MDXS Grinder Review
5 / 5
Have you been trying to decide if the Nuova Simonelli MDXS grinder is appropriate for your home or business? We’ve written this guide to provide you detailed information on this grinder, as well as some other Nuova Simonelli grinders.
Here is what you can expect to learn:
- How the MDXS’s features will affect you in your regular use of the grinder.
- An overview of the different configurations of this grinder.
- Nuova Simonelli background and history.
- Potential alternative options to the MDXS.
- Which settings this grinder is best for.
Let’s take a closer look at the grinder’s features…
Quick Summary
Many baristas are already aware of Nuova Simonelli as a company that makes gorgeous espresso machines. What they might not know is that the company also produces inventive espresso grinders like the MDXS. This grinder has a large-capacity bean hopper and durable flat burrs that make it an excellent pick for medium businesses of all kinds that serve espresso.
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Key Features and What They Mean
Doser and Doserless Grinding
There are two different versions of the MDXS grinder, and one is a doser grinder while the other is doserless. Let’s examine what this means so you have a better understanding of whether this grinder is right for you.
Imagine a doser grinder as being like a two-step grinder. Rather than dispensing the grounds directly into your basket, the grinder drops them into an attached container. A lever on the side of the container allows you to dispense this pre-ground coffee into your portafilter.
The biggest benefit to a doser grinder is convenience. All the coffee is essentially ground in advance for you to quietly and quickly dispense to yourself as necessary. The drawback, however, is that unless you use the grounds fast, they are at risk of growing stale.
Then there’s the doserless version. A doserless grinder is also called an on-demand grinder because the coffee is ground right into your portafilter’s basket.
The best part of a doserless grinder is that you’re getting fresh coffee in the right amount every time as you need it. This reduces waste and, of course, boosts flavor.
Read Also: Best Commercial Espresso/Coffee Grinders
Stepless Grind Adjustment
Experienced baristas around the world love stepless grind adjustment. In a nutshell, this design allows you to make adjustments to the fineness of your grind in the smallest possible increments.
Why does this matter? The answer is control. Rather than being limited to a small number of fineness settings, you’ll be able to choose any setting you need for just about any brewing method and blend.
Stainless Steel Flat Burrs
Generously sized 65mm burrs in the Nuova Simonelli MDXS help your grinder speed through doses of coffee in a short amount of time. While 65mm isn’t the largest burr size out there, these burrs are still more than big enough to meet the needs of a small to medium business.
Additionally, we’d like to point out that these burrs are made from steel. Since they’re made from metal, they’ll last you for a remarkably long time before you need to be concerned about replacing them.
We couldn’t wrap up this section without also discussing their shape. The burrs in the MDXS are flat, which means they’ll excel at producing a uniform grind.
Related Article: Best Espresso Grinders Under $1500
LED Illumination
A barista’s job is one that demands the utmost accuracy and precision. They need a clear line of sight on the espresso at all steps in the process, from grinding to brewing. If the lighting is lacking, then you’re at risk of producing low-quality drinks.
The MDXS has LED lights built into it for that reason. These lights will provide plenty of lighting for employees to work by around the grinder, so they can always monitor the development of each drink.
Portafilter Holder
If you were to look at the front of the Nuova Simonelli MDXS, you’d notice a little portafilter holder. This holder makes it possible for the machine to hold your portafilter in place for you, which means you’re able to work on other things while the grinder is on.
Because you or your employees will be able to multitask, your productivity will increase. That can reduce your customers’ wait time or ensure you’ve got your all-important espresso as soon as possible in the morning.
Sound Insulation
Most people would probably say one of the worst things about any espresso grinder is how loud it can get. If you’ve spent much time in a coffee shop, then you’ve heard the deafening roar of a grinder before.
You won’t need to get ear plugs with your purchase of the MDXS. The grinder has been built to run more quietly than many alternatives, so you can run it without fear of giving yourself a headache every time.
Further Reading: Mahlkonig K30 Air Review
Die-Cast Aluminum Body
One quality that demonstrates the Nuova Simonelli MDXS’s reliability instantly is its die-cast aluminum body. No one wants to buy an appliance that seems flimsy, and the MDXS is anything but.
Because of its die-cast body, you can trust that its internal components are well-protected. This is one grinder you can anticipate years of faithful service from.
Different Configurations
We mentioned at the beginning of this post that there are two configurations of the MDXS grinder. The first one is the on-demand version, which simply means it doesn’t have a doser container.
The MDXS grinder is the better option for you if you want to be sure you’re getting the freshest coffee and espresso each time. Additionally, it may be better for businesses that aren’t likely to go through espresso as quickly, since you won’t have to worry about using up a doser of grounds ASAP.
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The other version of the MDXS is a doser grinder. As you can see, there is a chrome-colored doser container attached to the front panel.
You’re able to grind a stock of coffee in advance, such as during your downtime, to access later when you’re busier. For that reason, this configuration of the MDXS grinder may be best for businesses that rapidly go through espresso, as you’ll want to use the grounds in the doser as fast as possible.
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Comparable Alternatives
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable alternative to the Nuova Simonelli MDXS, the E37J is a great option. Not only is this grinder under $1,000, but it’s quite powerful.
It has fairly large 64mm flat burrs, an on-demand grinding design, and even buttons you can program doses into. This might just be one of the most beginner-friendly stepless grinders out there, thanks to its programmability.
Here are some other important E37J features:
- Steady lock burrs that will lock your chosen fineness setting into place for total consistency.
- A touchscreen display that looks appealing and is easy to use.
- Built-in shot counter that helps you keep track of your expenses.
- A portafilter fork to hold your basket in place for you the entire time.
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The Compak E5 is another grinder designed with the ultimate level of consistency in mind. Like the MDXS model, it has flat steel burrs that will guarantee a balanced extraction every time.
It also has an adjustable portafilter holder. You’ll probably make drinks of various sizes, and that means your portafilters might also vary in size. Due to the adjustability of the holder on the Compak, you should be able to accommodate just about any portafilter regardless of its size.
These are some other noteworthy qualities it has:
- Fast grinding that allows it to produce 14 grams of coffee in just under 5 seconds.
- Stepless grind adjustment for total control over the grind texture.
- A powerful 650-watt motor that won’t break a sweat during long days of use.
- An LCD touchscreen that’s a pleasure to operate.
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About the Brand
Are you wondering whether or not you can trust Nuova Simonelli? Here’s the answer: you absolutely can.
Nuova Simonelli is easily one of the most experienced manufacturers in the espresso industry today. They were created in 1936 and have striven to constantly improve the world of coffee and espresso gear since their inception.
Ideal Grinder Applications
The two configurations of the MDXS grinder are more alike than they are different, so either one could likely thrive in conditions the other could. That’s why we think both would be great for small to medium commercial settings, like specialty coffee shops, offices, and restaurants.
The one difference here is the doser and doserless designs on either one. Grab the Nuova Simonelli MDXS On Demand Grinder if you’re concerned about reducing waste and want to produce the freshest espresso possible. On the other hand, the Nuova Simonelli MDXS doser grinder is the better option for you if you want the convenience of pre-ground coffee and feel confident you’ll use it quickly.
What Customers Say
While we don’t have customer reviews on the two MDXS grinders in this guide, we have received feedback regarding our other Nuova Simonelli products. We’re often told that anything made Nuova Simonelli exceeds expectations, and customers are largely pleased with the quality of their gear.
Because of this, we feel confident in recommending the MDXS grinders.
Pricing Information
We want to be sure our customers are getting the best deals, so our coffee and espresso gear is priced appropriately to suit a range of budgets.
That being said, our Nuova Simonelli MDXS on Demand grinder is in our store for $1,327.50 while the Nuova Simonelli MDXS doser grinder is in the store for $1,012.
You can also find the Compak E5 for $1,057 and the Ceado E37J for $999 in the Majesty Coffee store.
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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.
