Short on time? The IZpresso JX-Pro tops the list of the best manual coffee grinders.
Properly ground beans are the key to the best cup of coffee. But, to get well-ground beans, you’ll need to have a great grinder.
Now, as a coffee fiend myself, I wouldn’t recommend just any grinder. I’d recommend a manual grinder that’s portable and gives you full control over your beans’ consistency.
In this guide, we’ll check out the best manual coffee grinder on the market. Plus, we’ll go over a short buying guide to help you choose the right one.
Buckle up!
Top 11 Best Manual Coffee Grinders
- 1Zpresso JX-Pro (Best Overall)
- Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill (Best for Beginners)
- Timemore Chestnut C2 (Best for Pour-Over and French Press Coffee)
- Normcore V2 (Best for Consistency)
- Comandante C40 MK3 (Best High-End Coffee Grinder)
- Vevok Chef Stainless Steel (Most Budget-Friendly)
- VSSL Java (Best for Hikers)
- Zassenhaus Santiago (Best for Turkish Coffee)
- Timemore Chestnut G1 (Best Design)
- Lido 3 (Biggest Capacity)
- Porlex Mini (Best for Traveling)
IZpresso JX-Pro
IZpresso JX-Pro is a consistent and quick-to-use manual coffee grinder. All you have to do is pop your beans in the grinder, wind the handle, and you’re getting smoothly ground beans.
This machine can accommodate various brewing methods thanks to the fact that it has more than forty clicks per rotation. This allows dial precision in grinding espresso beans, depending on your preferences.
With its 35-gram coffee ground capacity, the JX Pro is big enough for those of us who go through multiple cups a day.
Plus, its 48-mm stainless steel conical burrs mean you get a consistent grind. The result? Great-tasting, consistent coffee.
Plus, you won’t experience difficulty gripping the rubber center and wooden knob handle. The ergonomics make it super comfortable to grip, even if you’re making lots of drinks at a time.
Just note that this machine is a bit tricky to calibrate. As a result, it may be better for those with a bit of coffee experience.
Pros
- Has forty dial settings, so it allows maximum grind precision
- Has 48-mm conical burrs, so it creates smooth and consistent grinds
- Can hold up to 35-gram, so it’s great for making multiple cups of coffee
- Sufficient coffee beans capacity
Cons
- It’s challenging to calibrate, so it’s better for those with a bit of coffee experience
- Beans can get stuck inside the adjustment ring, so you have to clean it out regularly
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mills is an update from the company’s Skerton design. This model converted transparent plastic on both ends to natural olive wood and BPA-free plastic.
The rubber feet at the bottom provide more grip for the grinder and can prevent it from slipping while grinding.
From the grinder’s top, you can see a hole that opens into the main chamber. This feature allows you to load beans quickly without the need to take the entire top off.
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill is a ceramic burr grinder, so its burrs are corrosion and rust-resistant.
Cleaning the grinder is not my favorite thing. But what I like about this particular grinder is that each part is easy to detach, so it’s easy to wash it by hand.
The grinder’s main compartment had a 30-gram coffee bean capacity. And for its grinding consistency, it does an excellent job of achieving coarse sea salt-like coffee grounds (perfect for pour over or cold brew coffee.)
The one downside is that the coffee beans can pop out of the hole in the lid. As a result, this can make a bit of a mess while you’re grinding.
Pros
- Has ceramic conical burrs, so it’s rust-resistant
- Minimalist design, so it’s easy to use
- Has removable parts, so it’s easy to clean
- Excelling grinding power and consistency, so it’s particularly good for pour-overs
Cons
- Coffee beans can pop out of the small hole on top while grinding, so you can make a mess while grinding
- It’s simple, so it might not be a good pick for coffee pros
Timemore Chestnut C2
Timemore Chestnut C2 hand grinder isn’t great for fine grinds, but it does have coarse to medium coffee grind settings. That makes it excellent for French Press and pour-overs.
What I love about this grinder is that it’s lightweight, which makes it perfect for traveling. It only weighs 430 grams with a length of less than 20 cm.
The model is also easy to handle due to its textured surface that gives you a better grip on the grinder.
And the best feature is that Timemore Chestnut C2 is one of the quickest manual coffee grinders.
This grinder can hold up to 25 grams of beans. That’s enough to make two large cups of java. Still, that’s a bit smaller than many other manual grinders, so it’s better for small households or individuals.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable, so it’s great for travel
- Textured surface offers an easier grip, so it’s ergonomic
- Perfect for medium to coarse coffee grounds, so it’s ideal for French Press and cold brew coffee drinkers
- Quick to grind, so you can have your coffee in no time
Con
- Minimal bean capacity, so it’s better for individuals vs large households
Normcore V2
The first thing I noticed about the Normcore V2 hand grinder is its elegant design and outstanding build quality. Its material is aluminum alloy, and there’s no plastic.
It also features a silicone band that wraps the entire grinder in the middle. The band has an anti-rotational knob for easier gripping.
For smoother and stable grinding, the grinder has an aluminum-supported steel shaft. It also has a rolling bearing made of stainless steel.
On the end of the grinder’s handle is a walnut knob, allowing effortless rotations.
The main power of this grinder is its 38-mm conical burrs which can create smooth grinding with lower surface friction.
The burrs are either made of titanium or stainless steel. I suggest the titanium burrs, which are more rust-resistant than stainless steel.
On the downside, the Normcore V2 hand grinder has a 25-gram coffee bean capacity. It’s enough if you’re only making coffee for yourself.
Pros
- It’s a lightweight and portable hand coffee grinder, so it’s great for travelers
- Made of stainless steel and no plastic, so it’s long-lasting
- Suitable for all manual brewing methods, so it’s great for coffee drinkers who like varied flavors
- It’s affordable, so it’s great for those on a budget
Cons
- The grinder’s top can come off easily, especially during grinding, so it can make a mess
- 25-gram capacity means you can only make about 2 cups of coffee at the time
Comandante C40 MK3
The Comandante C40 MK3 manual grinder comes in various finishes in a number of colors. As a result, it’s excellent for those who want an aesthetic piece of coffee gear. Plus, every grinder features a crank knob made from pure oak wood.
An outstanding feature of this manual coffee grinder is the Nitro Blade Burr. This device is made of high-nitrogen and high-alloy stainless steel.
The nitro blade burrs are sharp and guarantee precision with cutting and grinding your beans. Moreover, the nitro blade burrs ensure the grinder always yields uniform-sized coffee grounds.
This grinder has a 40-gram coffee bean capacity. So, you can grind enough beans at once to make coffee for you and a friend (or just multiple cups for yourself).
On the flipside, this hand coffee grinder is tough to adjust. So, while you can grind lots of beans at once, you’re going to have a hard time getting the grind consistency just right.
Pros
- Nitro blade burrs offer efficient cutting and grinding, so you get good grind consistency
- Large coffee bean capacity, so it’s ideal for big households
- Easy to grip handle, so it’s ergonomic and easy to use
- It comes in different finishes, so it looks cool in your kitchen
Cons
- It doesn’t have an ultra-granular adjustment feature, so it can be tough to adjust
- It’s not dishwasher safe, so you have to wash it by hand
- Slower than other manual coffee grinders, so it can take a while to brew your coffee
Vevok Chef Stainless Steel
For its low price, Vevok Chef Stainless Steel manual grinder is a great travel-friendly manual coffee grinder.
Vevok Chef offers a lot of uniformity in grinding coffee beans. In other words, you get consistent coffee flavors in every cup.
And, with its six precise adjustment settings, this grinder works well for coarse and fine ground coffee. That’s a nice feature for those who like everything from drip coffee to cold brew.
Vevok Chef is stainless steel conical burr grinder, so it’s efficient for cutting and grinding.
It has a 48-gram coffee bean capacity inside the glass container and another 20 in the hopper. This means you can grind for plenty of cups before having to refill it.
What I like the most is that this hand grinder is quiet. It’s great if you want fresh ground coffee early in the morning and still keep the peace in the house.
Just keep in mind that this machine is a bit tough to clean. And, it takes a while to grind your beans, which can be a pain if you’re in a rush.
Pros
- It’s an affordable hand coffee grinder, so it works well for those on a budget
- It has six adjustable settings, so it’s good for precise grinding
- Is made of stainless steel, so it’s durable
- Has a large capacity, so it’s good for bigger families
Cons
- It takes time to grind, especially when you prefer finer settings, so it’s not ideal for those who want fast coffee
- It doesn’t come with a brush, so it can be tough to clean
VSSL Java
VSSL Java manual grinder stands out because of its durable design, compact size, and cute copper-colored accents.
Moreover, the grinder’s crank transforms into a carabiner you can fasten to your bag. That becomes handy when you’re always on the go. In fact, it’s a favorite with hikers because you can clip it to your daypack without worrying about it getting buried in the bottom of your sack.
It also has well-labeled grinding dials, so adjusting the grind settings is easy. This is a stainless steel burr grinder, so grind sizes are consistent.
On the downside, with its 20-gram coffee bean capacity, the VSSL Java hand coffee grinder is just enough for single use. Also, it’s quite expensive, so it’s not ideal for those on a budget.
Pros
- Super portable, so it’s great for those on the go
- Durable build, so it works well for camping and other rough settings
- Consistent in grinding beans, so you get consistent brews
- Has an extended handle, so it’s easy to use
Cons
- It’s expensive, so it’s not ideal for those who need to save money
- Small capacity, so you can’t grind lots of coffee at once
Zassenhaus Santiago
The classic Zassenhaus Santiago manual grinder features a retro and aesthetic design. It’s shaped like a box with a small drawer where you’ll retrieve your ground coffee. You’ll find it in a natural or back stain finish made of European beechwood.
This grinder’s hopper and crank are on the top, with the top’s lid sliding open when you need to add coffee beans. This isn’t a must-have feature, but it does look pretty cool if you want to impress your friends!
Its ultra-fine grind setting is ideal for making espresso or Turkish coffee. And because of its high-grade steel conical burrs, you can guarantee coffee grounds to be uniform and consistent.
With its 30-gram weight and unique shape, the Zassenhaus Santiago hand coffee grinder is not the most portable. So, it’s best used in a traditional kitchen setting. If you are searching for a portable grinder, you will need to look elsewhere.
Pros
- It has a unique design, so it’s aesthetic
- It offers an ultra-fine setting, so it’s ideal for Turkish coffee or drip coffee maker
- High-grade steel burrs, so you get uniform coffee grounds
- Has a convenient sliding door, so it’s easy to add more coffee beans
Con
- It’s heavy and clunky, so it’s not very portable
Timemore Chestnut G1
The Timemore Chestnut G1 manual grinder won the Red Dot Design Award back in 2017. It surely caught my attention!
The grinder’s body consists of aluminum alloy. And because it’s lightweight, it’s ideal for bringing during camping or travel.
It also has stainless steel burrs, a crank arm, and a driveshaft. These components allow this grinder to be durable and long-lasting.
Timemore Chestnut G1 has a rounded-square shape, so it’s comfortable to hold while grinding.
It features two ball bearings which help maintain the grinding mechanism’s stability.
With its 38-mm steel conical burrs, grinding is more precise. You can also purchase titanium burrs for better longevity.
This grinder also has a stepped adjustment setting, making it easy for you to achieve your desired grind size.
The only downside to this device is that you’ll have to use micro-adjustments if you want to dial in your grinder. That can make calibrating a bit tricky.
Pros
- Extensive grind range, so it’s great for most brewing methods
- 38-mm titanium burrs, so it’s durable
- It offers a stepped adjustment setting, so you get lots of grind precision
- Has ball bearings, so it’s super stable
Con
- You need micro-adjustments for more defined dialing in, which can be a bit of a pain
Lido 3
Lido 3 is a manual grinder by Orphan Espresso, a famous company that produces high-quality coffee grinders. It’s a travel grinder, but most argue that its size and bulky design are not the most portable option.
This manual coffee grinder is made of plastic, but it’s not flimsy. You can still get a premium feel, especially with its neoprene carry pouch.
Lido 3 also offers consistent and uniform grinding with its settings. It’s also versatile, allowing you to make smooth pour-over or French press coffee.
This grinder has more capacity than the other machines on the list. It can hold up to 70 grams of coffee beans. So if you’re planning to make big batches of espresso, Lido 3 might be your best bet.
However, that does make it way too big for most people to throw into a suitcase. Plus, it’s on the heavy side, so if you’re packing light, this can be another nuisance.
Pros
- It’s affordable, so it works well for those on a budget
- It can hold a large capacity of coffee beans, so it’s great for larger households
- Uniform grind settings, so you get consistent coffee
- Has multiple settings, so it’s ideal for most brewing methods
Cons
- The plastic material becomes flimsy after a year of use, so it’s not very durable
- It’s heavy, so it’s not travel-friendly
Porlex Mini
Porlex Mini is the most travel-friendly manual grinder on the list. And don’t think that its small size compromises its grinding consistency. Coffee experts love this product because of its durable design and efficiency in grinding.
With the grinder’s stainless steel body, you can guarantee durability and longevity.
Porlex Mini offers a cylindrical shape that’s easy to grip. It also makes this grinder easy to pack and stash anywhere. And with its weight of only 8 ounces, it can fit perfectly in your Aeropress.
It has 13 settings, allowing you to achieve your preferred grinding consistency.
Also, Porlex Mini is self-contained. You don’t need to worry about the grounds scattering on your counter.
Just be aware that this machine, although great at consistent grinding, is small. If you drink a lot of coffee, you’ll be doing a lot of grinding!
Pros
- Has 13 grind settings, so you can dial in your coffee type pretty easily
- Durable and sturdy, so it’s long-lasting
- It’s small, so it’s good for travel
- Easy to grip cylindrical shape, so it’s ergonomic
Con
- It has a small grinding capacity, so it’s not good for those who drink lots of coffee
- It has no window, so it’s tough to know when to refill it
Best Manual Coffee Grinder: The Buying Guide
Knowing you need a manual coffee grinder is one thing. Choosing the best one is another.
Let’s look at a few essential factors to consider when getting a manual coffee for your needs.
Getting A Durable Build Quality
Although a grinder’s build quality tends to be a minor concern, it’s still as important.
A grinder’s construction dictates its durability and longevity. And it also helps determine whether it’s lightweight enough to be brought anywhere.
For the best build quality, avoid grinders with plastic. This material can get worn out after some time. Plus, it’s not durable enough to withstand accidental falls or damage to the product.
If you want a lightweight material, choose grinders made of aluminum alloy. Aside from being portable, it’s also pretty durable and can easily protect your grinder from damage.
An even more durable material than aluminum alloy is stainless steel. It offers the most sturdy construction, but it’s not the lightest material.
Intended Holding Capacity
Manual coffee grinders are smaller than most electric ones, which means they have smaller capacities. That doesn’t mean you can’t find them in various sizes.
Choose whether you want a grinder for big or smaller batches. Remember that this can also affect its overall size and the space it occupies on your countertop.
For instance, if you prefer on-the-go coffee grinders, expect them to have smaller capacities than those heavier ones.
Knowing how many people you’re making coffee for also matters. If you belong to a household where everyone loves a cup, it might be better to choose a coffee grinder with a bigger capacity.
Achieving the Best Grind Settings
Grind settings might be the main feature to consider. They dictate the uniformity and consistency of the machine’s grinding capacity. Plus, they’ll help you achieve the desired texture and coffee flavors.
If you want a grinder ideal for most brewing methods, you need one that can adjust from fine to coarse grind. After deciding your brewing method, the next thing to ask is the number of options you need.
If you’re an adventurer, a grinder with various grind size settings is ideal. That gives you more options to experiment with.
The more settings, the better control you have over your coffee beans. That also gets more uniform grounds for a flavorful cup of joe.
The Verdict
The best manual coffee grinder is the IZpresso JX-Pro, thanks to its multiple grind settings and lightweight design. It’s great for use at home and on the go.
However, if you’re not convinced, you can always look for a different one. Just remember to consider build quality, grind settings, and coffee bean capacity when looking for a manual grinder. That way, you can find the perfect device.
Now, with all that info, what are you waiting for? It’s time to pick up a manual coffee grinder and experience the magic of fresh beans!
