The Best Manual Coffee Grinders Of 2022
Evannovostro/Shutterstock By Anita Surewicz/Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 11:27 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. There’s nothing easier than stocking up on pre-ground coffee or having a roaster grind your beans. However, this may not be the best approach. Not many realize this, but the aroma and flavor of coffee start to deteriorate just 30 minutes after grinding (via Coffee Bros). This is the reason some coffee connoisseurs grind only as much coffee as they use for each brew.
Manual coffee grinders are perfect for everyday or casual home use. Unlike many electric coffee grinders, they are usually highly portable and easy to store. Manual coffee grinders are also more affordable and convenient than their electric counterparts. After all, they don’t require batteries, long cords, or power outlets. Last but not least, hand grinders are relatively quiet, which means that you’ll be able to grind your favorite roast at any time of the day — even when your loved ones are still sleeping. Ready to level up your coffee game? Keep reading to learn more about the best manual coffee grinders of 2022.
How we selected products
Akira Kaelyn/Shutterstock
Manual coffee grinders come in different shapes and sizes. What grinder you opt for should depend on both your lifestyle and coffee preference. While some manual grinders are better at producing fine coffee for espressos, others are more suited for delivering coarser grounds for the French press. Each manual coffee grinder also comes with a different hopper capacity, which is something to keep in mind if you’re planning to make large batches of coffee.
When selecting the best coffee grinders, we looked at both community and expert reviews, as well as a variety of criteria. Aside from grind settings and hopper capacity, we took into account production materials and design — most manual grinders are made from a combination of stainless steel, aluminum, wood, glass, and plastic. And these often affect their durability and ease of use. We also looked at each grinder’s portability, burr quality, and grind consistency. Last but not least, we took into account each grinder’s price since for many people, value for money is a paramount consideration when buying kitchenware. All prices are accurate as of this article’s publishing date.
Best manual coffee grinder for espresso
Orphan Espresso
Specifically designed for espresso, the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder comes with a 48-millimeter Swiss-made conical steel burr that’s precise enough to produce a fine grind size. The Black Ink Coffee Company, which gave the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T 4.3 out of 5 stars, highlighted that the grinder delivered precision no matter how coarse or fine the grind.
Made almost entirely from plastic, the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T’s transparent body lets you see your grounds as they are being produced. It also comes with a 70-gram capacity and features a foldable crank handle. While most other grinders have pre-determined grind settings, the Orphan Espresso LIDO E-T offers step-less adjustments for maximum customization. The grinder is also relatively fast, letting users grind between one and three grams of coffee per second. The Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder has been praised by reviewers, with one Prima customer saying, “I’m loving my Lido E-T. Makes quick work of grinding beans … Perfect for espresso. I love the portability of it. It is a little large, but I like the feel of it. I currently use it strictly for espresso but I like knowing that it has the capacity to grind for larger brews.”
Purchase the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder from OE Hand Grinders for $185.
The Best Manual Coffee Grinders Of 2022
Evannovostro/Shutterstock
By Anita Surewicz/Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 11:27 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. There’s nothing easier than stocking up on pre-ground coffee or having a roaster grind your beans. However, this may not be the best approach. Not many realize this, but the aroma and flavor of coffee start to deteriorate just 30 minutes after grinding (via Coffee Bros). This is the reason some coffee connoisseurs grind only as much coffee as they use for each brew.
Manual coffee grinders are perfect for everyday or casual home use. Unlike many electric coffee grinders, they are usually highly portable and easy to store. Manual coffee grinders are also more affordable and convenient than their electric counterparts. After all, they don’t require batteries, long cords, or power outlets. Last but not least, hand grinders are relatively quiet, which means that you’ll be able to grind your favorite roast at any time of the day — even when your loved ones are still sleeping. Ready to level up your coffee game? Keep reading to learn more about the best manual coffee grinders of 2022.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Manual coffee grinders are perfect for everyday or casual home use. Unlike many electric coffee grinders, they are usually highly portable and easy to store. Manual coffee grinders are also more affordable and convenient than their electric counterparts. After all, they don’t require batteries, long cords, or power outlets. Last but not least, hand grinders are relatively quiet, which means that you’ll be able to grind your favorite roast at any time of the day — even when your loved ones are still sleeping.
Ready to level up your coffee game? Keep reading to learn more about the best manual coffee grinders of 2022.
How we selected products
Akira Kaelyn/Shutterstock
Manual coffee grinders come in different shapes and sizes. What grinder you opt for should depend on both your lifestyle and coffee preference. While some manual grinders are better at producing fine coffee for espressos, others are more suited for delivering coarser grounds for the French press. Each manual coffee grinder also comes with a different hopper capacity, which is something to keep in mind if you’re planning to make large batches of coffee.
When selecting the best coffee grinders, we looked at both community and expert reviews, as well as a variety of criteria. Aside from grind settings and hopper capacity, we took into account production materials and design — most manual grinders are made from a combination of stainless steel, aluminum, wood, glass, and plastic. And these often affect their durability and ease of use. We also looked at each grinder’s portability, burr quality, and grind consistency. Last but not least, we took into account each grinder’s price since for many people, value for money is a paramount consideration when buying kitchenware. All prices are accurate as of this article’s publishing date.
When selecting the best coffee grinders, we looked at both community and expert reviews, as well as a variety of criteria. Aside from grind settings and hopper capacity, we took into account production materials and design — most manual grinders are made from a combination of stainless steel, aluminum, wood, glass, and plastic. And these often affect their durability and ease of use. We also looked at each grinder’s portability, burr quality, and grind consistency. Last but not least, we took into account each grinder’s price since for many people, value for money is a paramount consideration when buying kitchenware. All prices are accurate as of this article’s publishing date.
Best overall manual coffee grinder
1Zpresso
Best value manual coffee grinder
Hario
Best manual coffee grinder for a splurge
Comandante
The Comandante C40 Nitro features a wood veneer wrap, a glass jar base, and a wooden handle. And, as its name suggests, the manual grinder can hold 40 grams of coffee grounds. The grinder is also simple to use, featuring a knob with 35 settings that adjust the grind size by 25 to 30 microns per click. The Comandante C40 Nitro isn’t the best choice when it comes to grinding speed, however, with Asser Christensen from The Coffee Chronicler saying that it took him 50 seconds to grind 20 grams of coffee.
So is the Comandante C40 Nitro worth its price? Well, it depends. According to Chris Clark from Brew Coffee At Home, while there are cheaper manual grinders offering similar quality, the Comandante C40 Nitro is a classic for a reason. He says, “Comandante grinders are revered among coffee professionals for … their build quality and consistency. So, if you can afford a Comandante coffee grinder, it won’t let you down in either reliability or grind quality.”
Best manual coffee grinder for travel
VSSL
So how does the VSSL Java fare with caffeine lovers? Kate MacDonnell from Coffee Affection believes that while the grinder is on the pricier side and can be tricky to clean, it’s also very elegant and functional. “It’s compact, sturdy, and thoughtfully designed, with excellent stainless steel burrs and a comfortable handle,” she says. Joe Plenzler from Task & Purpose agrees, saying, “It works smoothly, grinds consistently, is built ruggedly, and looks cool. I recommend it for travelers, car campers, climbers, rafters, and cyclists.”
Best designed manual coffee grinder
TIMEMORE
The Timemore Chestnut G1 has received consistent praise from critics. Chris Clark from Brew Coffee Home calls it “a fantastic product that positively demands the consideration of anyone looking for a high-end hand grinder,” saying that the grinder’s only drawbacks are its small capacity and weight. Meanwhile, the writer for Coffee With Conscience refers to the TimemoreChestnut G1 as “an award-winning, lovingly and beautifully crafted coffee grinder … that will consistently impress you with delicious, creamy, freshly brewed coffee every time.”
Best manual coffee grinder for espresso
Orphan Espresso
Specifically designed for espresso, the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder comes with a 48-millimeter Swiss-made conical steel burr that’s precise enough to produce a fine grind size. The Black Ink Coffee Company, which gave the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T 4.3 out of 5 stars, highlighted that the grinder delivered precision no matter how coarse or fine the grind.
Made almost entirely from plastic, the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T’s transparent body lets you see your grounds as they are being produced. It also comes with a 70-gram capacity and features a foldable crank handle. While most other grinders have pre-determined grind settings, the Orphan Espresso LIDO E-T offers step-less adjustments for maximum customization. The grinder is also relatively fast, letting users grind between one and three grams of coffee per second. The Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder has been praised by reviewers, with one Prima customer saying, “I’m loving my Lido E-T. Makes quick work of grinding beans … Perfect for espresso. I love the portability of it. It is a little large, but I like the feel of it. I currently use it strictly for espresso but I like knowing that it has the capacity to grind for larger brews.”
Purchase the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder from OE Hand Grinders for $185.
Made almost entirely from plastic, the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T’s transparent body lets you see your grounds as they are being produced. It also comes with a 70-gram capacity and features a foldable crank handle. While most other grinders have pre-determined grind settings, the Orphan Espresso LIDO E-T offers step-less adjustments for maximum customization. The grinder is also relatively fast, letting users grind between one and three grams of coffee per second.
The Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder has been praised by reviewers, with one Prima customer saying, “I’m loving my Lido E-T. Makes quick work of grinding beans … Perfect for espresso. I love the portability of it. It is a little large, but I like the feel of it. I currently use it strictly for espresso but I like knowing that it has the capacity to grind for larger brews.”
Purchase the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder from OE Hand Grinders for $185.
Best stainless steel manual coffee grinder
JavaPresse
Best heavy-duty manual coffee grinder
ROK
In terms of aesthetics, the ROK features an open hopper and a bamboo cup for the grinds. Unlike most other hand coffee grinders, however, the ROK isn’t portable. Rather it’s designed to sit on your kitchen bench — and we will go as far as saying that it may just become the centerpiece of your kitchen.
Best manual coffee grinder for a gift
Zassenhaus
Best retro manual coffee grinder
Kalita