Mavo Phantox Pro Review: A Hidden Gem

It’s been a while since I’ve come across a manual grinder in the budget category that truly captures the spirit of balance. The Swedish call it lagom — just the right amount, not too little, not too much. The Chinese have a similar concept in zhong yong, the idea of finding harmony through moderation and avoiding extremes.

The Mavo Phantox Pro embodies this philosophy. It lands squarely in the mid-budget space, where many grinders start to blur together. Most are capable, but few stand out. This one does, not by chasing extremes, but by understanding exactly what it should be.

I bought the Mavo in late 2024, so I have had quite some time to get familiar with it. In this review I’ll tell you everything you need to know to decide whether this grinder is worth your attention.

Mavo is a relatively new brand on the scene that hadn’t really done much to stand out until recently. I vaguely recall another manual model from them with an uncanny similarity to the Timemore C2 from a few years back, but that’s about it.

However, last year the Phantox Pro arrived with considerable hype from China.

Leading up to this review, it was hard for me to discern whether this was just due to clever guerrilla marketing or actual feedback from real users. The rumor I kept seeing repeated online was that the grinder was like a mix of the Comandante C40 and ZP6. Sounds almost perfect, right?

However, the enthusiasm didn’t really carry over to Western markets, where initial reception seemed rather lukewarm.

After some time with the grinder, I actually think the comparison does make sense in a certain way — just not the way you might think. But more about that later.

What I will say upfront is that I think this grinder will appeal to a lot of people, especially a very specific crowd: the light roast pour-over lovers who also dabble in modern espresso.

This grinder handles both tasks well, which is uncommon for light roast espresso, where many grinders struggle – especially conical manual grinders.

Design and Build Quality

The Mavo made an excellent first impression. It arrived in a rather nice packaging with a cloth bag, brush, and instructions included. It didn’t feel like an OEM product from some second-rate brand, but more like something with proper intention behind it.

There’s also a plastic anti-popcorn disk that allows you to use an electric drill instead of the included hand crank. Thoughtful touch, I haven’t encountered before from other brands.

There’s even a small sticker on the grinder that says “warm prompt” instead of “warning prompt,” which is both endearing and slightly amusing.

The CNC machining throughout the aluminum body is superb, with finishing that competes with grinders costing much more. At around 614 grams including the handle, it balances a good substantial feel with travel-friendly portability.

The grinder looks quite nice in the “starlight silver” color on my unit (in real life it’s a bit more golden than silver, as far as I can tell). I specifically, chose this color, because I have an overdose of minimalist, matte black grinders in my collection.

But I have to admit that the black version also looks pretty sweet. A touch I like here is that this version uses a different wooden color on the handle compared to the golden-version, so it matches the aesthetic better.

The handle feels elegant, and at the same time it seems both sturdy and very different from what most other brands use. It also integrates an aluminum anti-popcorn disk that looks quite a bit more premium compared to the plastic disk most of the competitors use.

The etched lines covering most of the grinder provide both grip and something to set the grinder apart. The body of the grinder is not as wide as certain rivals, so handling the grinder is comfortable in daily life. There’s also an included rubber band that can be attached for extra grip, but I haven’t found it necessary to use.

While something like the Comandante C40’s feels a bit more rugged, and 1Zpresso K-Ultra feels more racy and purposeful, the Mavo Phantox Pro is almost of a similar build-quality, and even better in certain aspects, for example the handle and CNC work on the body.

The grinder brings just enough design innovation to the table to seem unique, but overall it still follows the typical template of manual grinders today: Cylindrical steel barrel, stabilized axle with 3 ball bearings, heptagonal steel burr.

This is a design, we have seen in many iterations before, and it is one that tends to last. So I feel pretty confident about the long-term prospects.

One point that should be mentioned is the screw-on catch cup. In a time when many grinders use magnets, this might seem like an outdated solution. Still, the threaded cup has a clear advantage: it stays firmly in place during grinding, avoiding the annoying problem of cups falling off, which sometimes happens with magnetic ones.

This is especially a worry on smaller grinders like the 1Zpresso X-Ultra, where the cup can pop off mid-grind, because the grip zones and handle zones aren’t clearly demarcated.

Adjustment System

The external adjustment system provides 120 total settings which is definitely more than enough. I think you’ll be able to get all your grinding needs covered on just the first rotation. I grind espresso around setting 1.0-1.5 and pour over in the zone from 7-11.5.

11 is already rather coarse, like French press or cold brew-coarse, but you can actually access an even coarser grind on the second rotation, which theoretically can take you up to an 18.5.

(It’s a bit unorthodox, but instead of finishing the rotation at 10 like many other grinders, the system continues to 11 and full rotation at 0 like a clock).

Each click represents 16.7 microns of burr movement, offering sufficient control for precise dialing across all brewing methods.

It’s a fine level of adjustment, if you ask me. More precise than the Comandante and K Ultra, but behind an espresso-specific grinder such as 1Zpresso J-Ultra. Totally adequate for daily use.

The single-rotation coverage from espresso to cold brew eliminates the confusion of tracking multiple turn, which can be cumbersome with something like the X-Ultra.

Calibration: Set and Forget

Another area where the Phantox Pro does things differently is calibration. The grinder arrives calibrated from the factory. Unlike with other brands, you’re not meant to change this willy-nilly.

This is because, the Phantox Pro isn’t supposed to be calibrated to “true zero” where the burrs lock, but rather a bit further away. This gives you a more appropriate range where you can both grind espresso and pour over on “the same rotation” so to speak and ensures that you don’t cause harm by rubbing the burrs. Even at factory setting you can grind fine enough to choke all espresso machines.

Pro tip: I have often mentioned that “deep cleaning” manual grinders is not really that important since grinding is in itself a self/cleaning process. So there’s really no reason for frequent disassembly.

The same goes for calibration to zero or to “chirp”. It’s not important and won’t make the grinder more “consistent” contrary to what you might read on online. The only thing it will do is to change the arbitrary numbers shown on the dial, and as such will have no impact on the actual flavors in the cup.

The only time you’d need to recalibrate is if you accidentally pull out the adjustment ring and forget its position. Mavo specifically warns against removing this ring during regular use, and I’d echo that advice.

The brand has posted a calibration video on YouTube that walks you through the process step by step. The instructions are a bit rough around the edges, but the visual demonstration is easy enough to follow.

Removing the cone burr is easy enough, but you need to use the included hex key to open up the grinder, unlike other brands such as 1Zpresso, where burr removal is tool-free.

When you reassemble the grinder you need to align the square end of the axle and the square end of the burr stopper. This is a bit cumbersome, and could easily be improved by using a more obvious shape. But overall, it’s a minor detail.

A unique Burr

Most dual-purpose grinders today share the same heptagonal conical burr style that emphasizes bright acidity. The Comandante C40 was arguably the first one to employ this design, but now we have seen this burr in various permutations from K-Ultra to Lagom Mini to Outin Fino. While some are better than others, they do share a lot of DNA flavor-wise.

This burr design has many pros, but also a few cons worth pointing out.

While these typical heptagonal burr designs tend to emphasize acidity and brightness, the Phantox’s burr geometry — while also heptagonal — delivers a different flavor profile.

The Mavo uses a 45mm burr heptagonal burr set designed in-house by Mavo.

It appears similar to the other heptagonals at first glance, but the geometry is actually very different in both inner and outer burr design. The inner cone is larger than most of its manual competitors, and the outer burr actually looks quite fascinating with a special criss-cross pattern I haven’t encountered before.

Flavor wise, it offers a slightly softer, rounder acidity presentation with a bit more room for complexity compared to the typical heptagonal.

This specific burr geometry is unique to the Phantox, meaning you won’t find this exact flavor profile anywhere else. This cone burr is actually larger than many competitors, including the C40 and K-Ultra, and contributes to a relatively fast grind speed.

Pour Over Performance

When it comes to pour over, the grinder consistently delivers good results. The large burr set with its unique cutting geometry produces uniform particles with a relatively low level of fines. Grinding 15-16 grams typically takes 20-30 seconds, which is on par with the fastest grinders out there. The body is not difficult to hold and handle, so even folks with smaller hands shouldn’t be scared away.

The flavor profile is excellent. It’s relaxed with a good balance of sweetness and acidity, but still room for plenty of details. I find that mid-notes and florality are particularly enjoyable with this grinder.

My testing included a wide range of coffees: light roasted washed beans from Scandinavian roasters and medium-light roasts with funky processing from Asian roasters. I tested across common pour-over ratios (1:15 to 1:17) and also pushed it up to 1:20 for no-bypass brews.

All of these styles and brewing methods worked well. Funky and medium roast coffees are not overly transparent like they can be with some ultra-clarity focused grinders. This one offers just enough blending to be forgiving.

The grinder is pretty flexible with a good range for dialing in: grind setting 7 gives a sweet, blended cup, while coarser settings around 10-11 reveal more acidity and clarity.

In side-by-side testing, the Phantox Pro doesn’t quite reach the level of flagship manual grinders that have set the current standard. In blind tastings, the verdict is pretty clear: the ZP6 and K-Ultra are usually about 5 to 10 percent better.

Compared to the K-Ultra, the Phantox offers less of that lively fruit character with smooth transitions between acidity layers, and the ZP6 still presents its crystal-clear flat profile more convincingly.

Against grinders in its own price range, such as the Timemore S3 and 1Zpresso X-Ultra, the Phantox feels more competitive. In direct comparisons, no grinder consistently comes out ahead.

However, I’ve noticed that as cups cool, the Phantox’s flatter, more neutral profile begins to shine, often ending up as the more balanced and enjoyable option.

When the cups are hot, however, the differences in quality aren’t discernible consistently.

The S3 typically emphasizes sweetness, pulling out plum notes and producing a slightly juicier cup. The X-Ultra feels more dynamic, sometimes even dramatic, by leaning into acidity or highlighting certain mid-range flavors.

The Phantox tends to stay balanced, though balance doesn’t always equal the most exciting cup.

However, even at slightly higher TDS, the Phantox maintains balance a little better than the two other grinders. It responds well when pushed in different directions.

If you’re a serious taster who prefers a focused, clinical profile, the Phantox is probably the stronger choice.

For daily enjoyment, though, all three grinders are fairly close. If I were to use a headphone analogy, the S3 would have more bass, the X-Ultra more treble, and the Phantox would sit right in between. They’re all in the same league. And it’s a very good league to be in.

However, after conducting a bunch of blind tests I can see why people would say that the grinder is like a mix of the ZP6 and Comandante C40.

The overall cup profile does have a nice mix of the flavor stage from the ZP6 and a bit less intense acidity compared to the typical heptagonal (which the C40 embodies). It’s like a flatter EQ that doesn’t emphasize any parts of the brew at the expense of others. But I have to stress that this description is about style, and not quality.

Espresso flavor

Now when it comes to espresso, this is where the Phantox Pro reveals its special character…

There’s been debate about the Phantox Pro’s espresso suitability, so let me be clear about my verdict: it’s not ideal for traditional espresso beans.

Yes, it can easily grind fine enough, but with medium-dark roasts, shots exhibited a somewhat bizarre thin and fluffy side, lacking the dense body many expect from a proper espresso. When I first tasted a shot from the grinder, I had to chuckle because the profile was simply ridiculous in a sort of fun way. For traditional espresso styles, this simply isn’t the grinder you want.

But flip the script to light and light-medium roasts and everything changes. For light roast espresso, this might be the best hand grinder I’ve used. At least the most unique one. It delivers good flavor separation, nuanced acidity, and that soft cup profile without the harsh astringency or sourness common in other hand grinders, or conical grinders in general. I think it’s a unique flavor profile that is much closer to unimodal flat burrs, than the average espresso grinder.

The grinding action takes about 40-45 seconds for a 16-gram dose, and it’s typically a few seconds faster than the already very snappy K-Ultra here. This is likely due to the bigger cone burr. So strong performance here.

The ergonomics while grinding are pretty good, especially if you also use your non-dominant hand to facilitate a faster grinding. Imagine creating the number 8, a circle with each hand, if seen from birds eye view. It requires a bit of practice, but after some time it becomes muscle memory.

The external adjustment makes dialing in straightforward with clicks that will move the shot around 3-8 seconds depending on your specific basket, pump pressure, coffee roast etc. You should be able to dial something in – don’t worry.

The flavor profile definitely isn’t about producing syrupy, traditional espresso shots. Instead, it’s about accessing the complex qualities that make light roast espresso compelling when done right. For those who already love pour over and enjoy light roasts, but want to occasionally explore espresso territory, this grinder bridges both worlds well.

Classic heptagonal grinders do an okay light roast shot, but it’s always coming with a hint of astringency and an acidity that needs to be tamed. The Phantox Pro is incredible because it can zoom in on the mid-palate flavor notes here, and diminish all the stuff you don’t want. In a way, it’s similar to SSP MP just with a bit less intensity.

Probably, the only other manual grinder on this level for modern espresso would be the Millab M01, however, from a UX point of view, it’s just much nicer (and faster) to grind on the Phantox Pro.

Practical Considerations

Retention and Static

Retention is negligible, which is typical for manual grinders — there are no chutes or nooks and crannies where retention can accumulate. For espresso grinding, a quick RDT (spritz of water) helps mitigate any static buildup. In practice, it’s clean and consistent.

Market Position and Alternatives?

In the mid-budget range, this is the grinder I’d recommend for light roast pour over fans who also dabble in modern espresso. It offers excellent value within its bracket, especially when considering performance and build quality.

Compared to other grinders in this price range like the Timemore Chestnut S3, the Phantox offers much better espresso capabilities, and to my taste buds also delivers a slightly more balanced filter coffee.

Personally, I also find it more enjoyable and charming than the X-Ultra, although that grinder is smaller and more minimalist, which will appeal to some. If you have small hands, the X Ultra wins on ergonomics.

If your budget stretches higher, the K-Ultra still feels more refined in user experience and can edge it out in flavor separation, especially for high-acidity pour over profiles. It also handles more traditional espresso roasts better. But I’d take the Phantox Pro for modern espresso, turbo shots etc. For clarity lovers, the ZP6 is also sharper and more focused, but due to its lack of espresso capabilities it’s a different value proposition.

Final Verdict: A Grinder with Character

In a market increasingly filled with competent but similar options, the Mavo Phantox Pro takes a different approach. While most manufacturers chase the same bright and snappy pour over profile, Mavo has created something with its own personality that also works amazingly well for a new generation of espresso lovers.

It’s not perfect for everyone. Traditional espresso fans seeking dense, syrupy shots should look elsewhere – even the classic heptagonal handle those better. But for the growing community of coffee geeks who love light roasts, appreciate nuanced extraction, and want one grinder that handles both pour over and modern espresso equally well, this is my top choice in the medium price-range.

The Phantox Pro has charm and originality without compromising on the basic UX. The downsides such as the calibration and disassembly are in the grand scheme of things pretty small.

For many modern coffee geeks constrained by a budget, this is probably the ideal grinder.

Check Price