Best Manual Coffee Grinder in 2024: Get Cranking!

Until fairly recently, searching for the best manual coffee grinder wouldn’t have turned up much worth discussing. In fact, you’d have been faced with a bunch of mills that looked like they belonged in your Grandma’s spice cupboard.

Well, I’m happy to report that things have changed for the better. These days, the market is saturated with high-quality hand coffee grinders. And thanks to all that competition, it’s possible to find premium models at truly reasonable prices.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a guide to the best manual coffee grinders out there. As an added bonus, I’ll walk you through the main things to consider before buying. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get right to it!

Best Manual Coffee Grinder at a Glance

Here’s a sneak peek at the best manual coffee grinders I’ll be reviewing today:

1

Best Overall

1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder

Fantastic build quality

Extremely consistent

Works fast

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2

Best Performing

Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade

Looks great

High-quality design

Very consistent

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3

Best for Travel

Porlex Mini

Very compact

Easy to clean

Very affordable

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4

Best for Espresso

Kinu M47 Simplicity

Ideal for espresso

Durable build

Stepless grind adjustment

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5

Best Budget

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

Stainless steel construction

Low price

Easy to use

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6

Hario Skerton Pro

Rubber base

Uniform grind size

Easy to use

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7

Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro

Sturdy and compact

Great value

Fantastic burrs

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8

Zassenhaus Santiago Manual Coffee Mill

Ideal for Turkish coffee

Attractive design

Nifty grounds drawer

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Why Choose a Hand Coffee Grinder?

Here’s a question: how are classical music and coffee preparation similar? Well, just as you can’t get sweet sounds from an antique Stradivarius without investing in a good bow, trying to make tasty coffee without a decent grinder is next to impossible.

So, if you’ve bought a fancy pants drip coffee maker and were hoping to get by with your old blade grinder, you’ll be disappointed. Still, investing in a good electric burr coffee grinder can involve a serious financial outlay. And that goes double for a grinder that’ll complement your boutique home espresso machine.

That’s where a hand coffee grinder comes in. As I already mentioned, manual grinders have come a long way in recent years. In fact, there are models that absolutely kill it when it comes to espresso. And the best part? You’ll pay a fraction of what you would for a high-end electric espresso grinder.

Of course, you’ll be putting in all the work to actually grind the beans. Still, you might be surprised by how easy-to-operate and efficient some manual grinders can be. Additionally, grinding coffee by hand produces minimal heat, so your coffee is going to taste a lot sweeter and cleaner.

In my opinion, the cherry on top is the fact that hand grinders are so portable. That means I never have to suffer through terrible hotel coffee when I’m traveling. Believe me, owning a manual coffee grinder can change your life!

What to Look for in a Hand Coffee Grinder

As I mentioned earlier, there’s an almost overwhelming amount of manual coffee grinders to choose from. Seeing as I don’t actually want you to feel overwhelmed, let’s take a look at a few things to consider as you’re looking for the best manual coffee grinder.

Price

As with any purchase, it’s tempting to get carried away and spend more than you should. Believe me when I tell you I had to put my credit card well out of reach as I was researching this guide!

Fortunately, it’s easy to find a good hand grinder at a very reasonable price. I’m talking well under $100. At that price point you can expect a grinder that’ll produce surprisingly consistent results for manual brew methods.

Of course, it’s also easy to find drool-worthy models suitable for espresso-level grinding that cost much more. With that said, you can find a hand grinder for around $300 that’ll compete with an eye-wateringly expensive commercial electric grinder.

Materials

It should come as no surprise that the quality of a grinder’s materials increases with price. However, many more affordable manual grinders feature solid, durable construction. Essentially, you’ll want a device that’ll last for years, so it might be worth investing in a more well-made grinder.

Another aspect worth considering is the burr material. Obviously, high-quality engineered stainless steel is preferable, seeing as it’ll stand the test of time. However, there’s a lot to be said for ceramic burrs, which often stay sharp for the duration.

Capacity

Depending on how much coffee you’ll want to grind at a time, the grinder’s capacity is worth considering. A larger manual grinder will usually allow you to grind enough coffee for your needs. With that said, if you’re looking for a compact travel grinder, expect to sacrifice capacity in favor of portability.

Grind Consistency

There’s just no getting around it, using an uneven grind will result in either under- or over-extracted coffee. That’s why you should aim to buy a grinder that’ll provide a uniform grind size for your preferred brew method.

Unsurprisingly, the more expensive the grinder, the more likely it will be to perform well in this area. Still, that’s not to say that more affordable options can’t deliver. Oh, and check out my coffee grind size chart if you want to go deeper into the subject.

Versatility

Another important factor to consider is how you’ll actually be using the grinder. For example, it’s fairly easy to find an affordable grinder that’ll produce consistent results for drip coffee and pour over.

However, if you like to drink espresso in the morning, followed by French press in the afternoon, you’ll need more grind adjustment settings. Plus, you’ll need a grinder that grinds with precision at either end of the spectrum.

Finally, you may want to consider a grinder with stepless adjustments for espresso preparation. That way you’ll be able to make micro-adjustments without relying on pre-set levels.

The 8 Best Manual Coffee Grinders

Now that you’ve got a clearer idea of what to look for in a hand grinder, let’s get down to business! I’ve gathered eight wonderful models, and I’m fairly confident you’re about to find the best manual coffee grinder for your needs.

1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder

PROS

• Great value for money
• Superb grind consistency
• High-quality build
• Works quickly

CONS

• Rather large

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Based in Taiwan, 1Zpresso has been making a lot of noise in the specialty coffee industry over the past few years. The manufacturer has been dominating the manual coffee grinder sector by producing a range of fantastic options. Plus, there’s a definite focus on build quality and precision, as well as affordable prices.

Take the 1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder for example. Costing just $139.00, this awesome grinder offers ridiculously good value for money.

Not only is the JX grinder really solidly built and easy to use, it offers incredible grind consistency. That’s all down to the 48 millimeter stainless steel burrs with 120 grind settings. Thanks to their larger size, the burrs work really quickly. Still, the stepped adjustments with 25 microns between each setting means this grinder might not be the best for espresso.

With that said, the 1Zpresso JX is ideal for a range of manual brewing methods, including Chemex, French press and AeroPress. Ultimately, it was a no-brainer decision to name the 1Zpresso JX “Best Overall” manual coffee grinder.

Related: 1Zpresso J-Max Review

Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade

PROS

• Very high quality
• Beautiful design
• Super consistent
• Ideal for all brew methods

CONS

• Very expensive

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If you’ve read my guide to the best burr coffee grinders, you’ll already know how much I love the Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade. In fact, it’s hard for me to convey just how much joy I get from this thing. At the end of the day, my coffee always seems to taste better when I’ve used this hand grinder.

With that said, quality like this comes at a price; you’ll have to shell out $369.50 for this manual coffee grinder. Still, it’s worth every penny in my opinion.

For starters, this is just about the most beautiful coffee grinder you could hope for. And it’s available in a variety of different colors. Far from being just a pretty face, the Comandante features 39 millimeter Nitro Blade burrs. These are incredibly strong and sharp, ensuring high levels of precision across the grind spectrum.

Ultimately, the Comandante is as effective for espresso as it is for French press and cold brew. As a bonus, the cranking mechanism is advanced enough that you’ll feel no pain when grinding!

The only downside is that the grind adjustment mechanism is stepped, with 35 total settings. So, if you’re using this grinder for espresso, I’d recommend the Red Clix Mod which doubles the grind settings.

See Also: Comandante Grinder Review

Porlex Mini

PROS

• Inexpensive
• Ideal for travel
• Durable construction

CONS

• Limited capacity
• Can struggle for consistency

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I’m a huge fan of the Porlex Mini, and there was never any question about naming it the best manual coffee grinder for travel. This compact wonder has accompanied me on many a camping trip, and has never failed.

For starters, the Porlex Mini’s rugged stainless steel construction means I can just toss the thing in my backpack and go. What’s more, its removable cranking arm fits neatly in the hollow of an AeroPress. How cool is that!

In terms of performance, the Porlex’s ceramic burrs provide a consistent grind for AeroPress and drip. However, this might not be the best option for French press lovers. The Porlex Mini will definitely struggle for consistency at the coarser end of the spectrum.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the manufacturer isn’t lying when it says “Mini!” Seeing as the Porlex Mini has such a limited capacity, you might get frustrated if you want to prepare coffee for friends.

Ultimately, this hand grinder is ideal for solo travelers or adventure-bound couples, and only costs $60.99.

See Also: Porlex Mini Review

Kinu M47 Simplicity

PROS

• Ideal for espresso
• Rugged and durable
• Easy to use
• Stepless grind adjustment

CONS

• Large and heavy
• Substantial investment

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If you imagined that a high-end espresso setup would involve dropping big bucks on a grinder, think again. As it happens, the Kinu M47 Simplicity is the best manual coffee grinder for espresso for good reason. In fact, you’ll have a hard time finding any coffee grinder that offers such precision and grind consistency.

Sure, the Kinu M47 Simplicity is still quite expensive, but its $318.60 is a fraction of what you’d spend on most electric espresso grinders.

Thanks to its rugged stainless steel design, the M47 Simplicity feels bomb-proof. That said, there are some plastic parts.

What really sets this hand grinder apart is its stepless grind adjustment system, with clearly marked settings. Each setting moves the 47 millimeter stainless steel burrs by the tiniest of fractions, which is why the M47 Simplicity is so effective for espresso.

With that said, you’re free to use this manual coffee grinder for any brew method – it’ll produce exceptional results every time.

Interestingly, there’s no bean chamber involved. Rather, you feed beans into the top funnel. However, that shouldn’t take much getting used to. Although I’m a huge fan of this grinder, it’s probably not the best option for travel, given its large size.

See Also: Kinu M47 Hand Grinder Review

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

PROS

• Affordable price tag
• Quiet in operation
• Easy to change grind settings

CONS

• Quite slow
• Limited grind levels

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There are tons of cheap hand coffee grinders out there, but not many that can really deliver. Enter the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, which is surprisingly effective, given its $27.98 price tag.

Don’t get me wrong, the JavaPresse is far from perfect. For starters, the cranking arm is prone to coming loose during grinding. Plus, you only have around 15 grind settings to choose from. However, if all you need is a simple device for drip or pour-over, the JavaPresse is just the ticket.

I actually really like this grinder’s stainless steel design, and its clickable grind adjustment dial is easy to use. Plus, the JavaPresse has around a 40 gram capacity, which isn’t bad at all. However, you will get a work out if you’re grinding larger amounts – the JavaPresse is notoriously slow.

With all that said, one of the best things about the JavaPresse is its quietness during operation. Those ceramic burrs are super effective at keeping noise levels to a minimum, so early risers won’t have to worry about waking the whole house!

See Also: JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder Review

Hario Skerton Pro

PROS

• Great value
• Easy to clean
• Works well for pour-over

CONS

• Rather large
• Not great for coarse grinds

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The original Hario Skerton is a budget-friendly hand grinder that’s been around for years. Still, it definitely has issues, which is why I definitely recommend going with the Hario Skerton Pro instead. Anyway, at just $47.50, this grinder won’t exactly break the bank.

The Skerton Pro includes a bunch of upgrades, including improved burrs, a better grind adjustment system and a more ergonomic design. What’s really great about this manual grinder is its size – the bulbous grounds collection jar holds up to 100 grams.

However, compared to other grinders on this list the Skerton Pro is rather difficult to keep hold of while you’re grinding. What’s more, the ceramic burrs don’t do a great job for really fine or coarse grinds. That said, if you’re looking for a budget hand grinder that’s ideal for automatic drip or pour-over coffee makers, the Hario Skerton Pro will really deliver.

Related: Hario Skerton Plus Review

Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro

PROS

• Minimalist design
• Lightweight and portable
• Easy to use
• Great value

CONS

• No micro-adjustments

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Take a look at the Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro and you might feel a little underwhelmed. But although this manual grinder has a fairly minimalist design, it feels solid and weighty in your hand.

Thanks to its compact size and textured aluminum construction, the Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro is a joy to use. Plus, its super sharp stainless steel burrs make short work of grinding.

As it happens, the Timemore is capable of producing extremely uniform grounds, which makes its $89.00 price tag seem all the more reasonable.

Thanks to its stepped adjustment dial, you’ll be able to remember your favorite settings. What’s more, you’ll get uniform results across the grind size spectrum. The only downside is that dialing in for espresso could be tricky seeing as you can’t make micro-adjustments.

See Also: Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro Review

Zassenhaus Santiago Manual Coffee Mill

PROS

• Distinctive design
• Ideal for Turkish coffee
• High-quality components

CONS

• Not portable
• Small capacity

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If you’re on the lookout for the perfect foil to your Turkish coffee maker, the Zassenhaus Santiago Manual Coffee Mill could be a dream come true.

Featuring a distinctive retro design, this beauty will definitely enhance your kitchen. Plus, its durable stainless steel conical burrs are widely regarded to produce a super even grind for Turkish coffee.

The Zassenhaus Santiago is made from European beechwood, and is available in a variety of colors. I love this manual grinder’s boxy shape – the crank arm sits up top and there’s a little grounds drawer at the bottom. Still, unlike other models on this list, the Santiago might not be great for travel.

Costing $159.95, this hand grinder isn’t cheap. However, if you’re determined to rock it old-school, it’ll be worth the investment!

Best Manual Coffee Grinder Comparison Chart

Decision Time

As we’ve seen, there’s never been a better time to look for the best manual coffee grinder. By now, my hope is that you’ve found a model that’s going to work for your needs.

With that said, don’t overthink it! After all, there are more important things to worry about than which hand grinder to commit to. Like which kind of coffee beans you’re going to try next.

Anyway, seeing as there are so many affordable options out there, what’s to stop you buying more than one?

Best Manual Coffee Grinder FAQs