If you're even considering the Mini, avoid all disappointment and get it.
Positive Product Points
Built solid throughout with no real oversights. The grind quality noticeably improves espresso. Its components are built to last -- including the doser. The last home grinder you may ever need.
Negative Product Points
Steep price puts it out of reach for many (though it's ultimately cheaper to just get the Mini first rather than spending the money to upgrade your way there). Requires high-quality espresso equipment to fully experience its potential. Beans sometimes stick to one side of the hopper just above the locking slide. Going "doserless" isn't yet an option.
Detailed Commentary
This machine towers a bit over my other countertop espresso equipment. But why not? This machine has earned bragging rights.
The Mazzer Mini is incredibly sturdy from top to bottom -- a sort of small commercial-grade machine that gives a nod to fanatical home users. Paired with good-quality home espresso equipment, it has become an essential part of making home espresso better than all but a select few commercial establishments in my San Francisco area (which isn't nearly as impressive as it sounds on the surface).
The Mini delivers a very even, consistent grind, and the limitless (within range) grinding adjustment gives any Coffee Geek perfectionist plenty to work with. The adjustable doser can take a good beating -- though some might prefer the option to grind directly into their portafilter with the precise amount of beans. The doser cover provides easy brush access to expel those "foul" minute-old grinds, but access to brush out the hopper takes a little more effort.
Noise levels are relatively low -- even for a machine that looks and operates like many of the grinders you'd find at a corner cafe. It also comes with a coffee pressing device to help with any rapid-fire shots from a standard 58mm portafilter.
The combination of quality, consistency, sturdiness (this chunk of metal and plastic tips the scales a bit), and even aesthetics (even with its size, it easily passed spouse inspection for countertop-worthiness) make it a purchase I am most pleased with -- despite its price.
Buying Experience
White Eagle Foods was quite knowledgeable about the Mini and made ordering an enjoyable experience without disappointment. At the least, I'd recommend them to anyone in the continental U.S.
