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Quiet, compact, and grind coffee evenly—that's why we love these manual coffee grinders.
A hand coffee grinder is one of the finest items of coffee equipment. It emphasizes its owner's great tastes, their coffee brewing skills, and their desire for the best coffee.
If you want to brew delicious, aromatic coffee every time, you are probably wondering which manual coffee grinder to choose.
The answer isn't simple. Not every coffee grinder will give you the results you want.
But don't worry—the Urban Bean Coffee team has compiled a list of the best manual grinders. Each coffee grinder on the list perfectly grinds coffee and has its own distinctive features.
The best part?
We have prepared a buying guide to help you choose the hand grinder that is right for you.
BEST OVERALL
Hario
This is an excellent choice for those who drink a lot of coffee. This grinder has a large hopper capacity and provides an even grind at a fraction of the cost.
Key Features
• It's made from the famous Hario glass, BPA-free plastic, and stainless steel
• Bean hopper hold up to 3.5 oz (100 grams) of coffee beans
• Easy to change the grind setting
BEST RELIABLE
1Zpresso Q2
You don't need to buy more than one grinder for different types of coffee, because the 1Zpresso manual grinder has more options than most grinders to adjust the grind.
Key Features
• 40 grind settings for any brewing method
• Easy to use and clean
• Uses a stainless steel conical burr to create a consistent grind
BEST DESIGNED
Akirakoki
The Akirakoki top is made entirely of cast iron, the solid wood body is carved from a single piece of wood to ensure durability and reliability, and the cast iron burr is of the highest quality.
Key Features
• Made from durable materials
• Bean hopper hold up to 3 oz (85 grams) of coffee beans
• The grind is easily adjustable from fine to coarse
How to Choose a Hand Coffee Grinder?
Before starting the review, we want you to be aware of the fundamental things to consider when choosing a manual coffee grinder:
Body material
Modern manual grinders are mainly made of three materials: plastic, steel, and ceramic.
Most cheap models are made of plastic. However, some more expensive models are also made of plastic; high-quality ABS plastic will last longer than regular plastic.
The advantage of ceramic burr grinders is their beautiful and elegant appearance, but the material itself is not very durable, and can easily break and crack if not handled carefully.
Ceramic or steel burrs
The material from which the burrs are made affects the taste of the coffee, the evenness of the grind, and the longevity of the grinder.
Steel burrs are quite durable and don't absorb odors. However, steel grinds off faster and, for durability, high-quality burrs are coated with special materials like titanium, which greatly increases the cost of the coffee grinder. And coffee from cheap grinders with steel burrs very quickly begins to acquire a metallic taste.
Ceramic burrs are strong (comparable to diamonds!), remain sharp for a long time, and grind coffee better than steel burrs. However, ceramic burrs are fragile, so dropping the grinder may damage the burrs.
Our team recommends ceramic burrs. They ensure an even, high-quality grind. Just be sure not to drop a grinder with ceramic burrs.
Flat or conical burrs
Conical burrs are two cones located inside one another. The outer cone is stationary, and the inner one rotates at very high speeds, which means you can grind a large volume of coffee in a short time.
Conical burr grinders are 10-15% more expensive than flat burr grinders, but they last longer, are more durable, run very quietly, and don't often overheat.
Flat burrs are like washers. Their edges are connected by means of special notches. The beans are ground between the two burrs.
Flat burr grinders are fast, but are also noisy and break down faster. If you purchase a flat burr grinder from a brand with a good service network, the burrs can easily be replaced.
Grind setting
Changing the grind allows you to grind the coffee for a variety of brewing methods, from French press (coarse grind) to espresso (fine grind). There are two adjustment options: stepped and stepless.
The stepless adjustment is smooth—just turn the screw and the grind size will change. In the stepped version, each step is set to a different size.
There is not much difference between the adjustment options. Therefore, when choosing, use other parameters as your main guidelines.
Capacity
You should pay attention to the volume of the grinders and the amount of coffee that you need. Usually, you will need 7-8 grams of ground coffee per 100 ml of water. By simple calculations, you can determine the container capacity you need.
The Best Manual Coffee Grinders
1. Hario - Top Pick
The Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill is the most recognizable hand grinder on the market. This model boasts a soft rubber base to prevent slipping, a silicone coating to prevent coffee debris from flying out, ease of use, and powerful grinding methods.
9.7
/ 10
The tapered ceramic burrs are designed to stay sharp for years and never rust. These burrs grind coffee with perfect precision, creating a uniform grind at various grind size settings.
The grind size adjustment ring is on the top of the Hario coffee grinder and can be locked in place. Unlike many downward-facing knobs, this system makes it easy to change the grind setting.
The Hario Skerton is made from the famous Hario glass, BPA-free plastic, and stainless steel.
The Hario manual coffee grinder has a capacity of 100 grams and is larger than most similarly sized hand grinders, but you can replace the grounds container with any size container of your choice if you wish.
2. 1Zpresso Q2 - Best Reliable
This grinder uses a stainless steel conical burr to create a consistent grind. All you have to do is hold the cylinder and turn the handle to grind your coffee.
9.5
/ 10
1Zpresso hand grinder has more options than most grinders for adjusting the coarseness of the grind. It allows you to choose from 40 settings, making it the most versatile model. You won't need to buy more than one grinder for different types of coffee from drip coffee to French press.
The 1Zpresso hand grinder is easy to clean. You can disassemble it to dust it off without having to re-calibrate the product.
It doesn't take long to grind coffee with 1Zpresso Q2 manual coffee grinder. It'll only take between 12 and 40 seconds, which is comparable to an electric model of a similar size and faster than most manual coffee grinders.
3. Porlex - Best for Camping
The main feature of this product is that you don't need a lot of experience to use it. It has strong, tapered burrs and offers a wide range of grinding sizes. This travel grinder is able to satisfy the needs of every coffee lover.
8.9
/ 10
The Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder comes with an extended 7-year warranty, which should keep you worry-free when it comes to built-in mechanical defects.
In addition, its small size means this is the best manual coffee grinder for camping.
The grinder itself is made of stainless steel, and the handle is ergonomic and rubberized, which ensures the perfect coffee grinding process. It also offers high-performance grinding (up to 20 grams at a time).
The Porlex Mini can handle fine, medium, and coarse grinds, which means it goes well with a wide range of coffee makers.
4. Akirakoki - Best Designed
The Akirakoki is made entirely of cast iron, the solid wood body is carved from a single piece of wood to ensure durability and reliability, and the cast iron burr is of the highest quality.
9.0
/ 10
This grinder provides incredibly precise grinding control. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy the brewing process, the pleasant aroma, and the perfect start to the day.
The Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder does not need a battery, electricity, or a plastic cable, and you can use it on your next camping trip, hike, or other outdoor adventure.
Start your day by enjoying every step of making a great cup of coffee with the Akirakoki manual coffee grinder.
This coffee grinder also lets you grind nuts to complement your salads or create great homemade cookies. There is also the option of chopping herbs and spices, making it the perfect addition to your kitchen.
5. Lido 2 - Best for AeroPress
Designed to provide quality grinding for home coffee drinkers at an affordable price, with a dual-axis bearing system and an external infinitely variable grind consistency setting, the Lido 2 Manual Espresso & Coffee Grinder may be the last grinder you will ever have to buy.
8.7
/ 10
The Lido's Etzinger 48mm Swiss burrs grind coffee with incredible precision. They are ideally matched to a bronze biaxial bearing system that prevents burr vibrations.
The stepless grind setting knob is located on the outside of the device, allowing you to dial in the grind setting without disassembling the grinder.
The grinder body is made of ABS resin, bronze, stainless steel, and rubber, which are the most durable materials for a coffee grinder.
The Lido 2 is a product that will last a very long time, possibly for a lifetime. The special screwdriver allows the chopper to be disassembled for quick cleaning with the included natural bristle brush.
This manual coffee grinder for espresso machine caters to the needs of everyone who likes to enjoy the perfect cup of coffee at the start of their day.
Are Manual Coffee Grinders Better Than Electric Grinders?
In order to decide which grinder is best for you, you need to take into account your individual wishes and lifestyle. Consider the following points:
Frequency of use
If you like to drink a cup of coffee just once a day or less, the hand grinder may suit you perfectly, but electric models will do better with large volumes.
The need to keep quiet
If you need to be quiet while grinding coffee (for example, if you don't want to wake up your loved ones early in the morning), it's best to purchase a hand grinder.
Time
If you don't want to spend a lot of time making coffee, then the electric models are for you, as they will grind your coffee beans in a matter of seconds.
Kitchen decor
Electric coffee grinders have a modern design that will look good in new kitchens, but sophisticated retro models of hand coffee grinders will fit perfectly into classic interiors.
Electricity usage
When you need to make coffee in places where there is a permanent or temporary lack of electricity, you should choose a manual grinder over an electric grinder.
Availability of storage space
Most electric coffee grinders require more space than manual models. Plus, it's worth adding that unlike manual grinders, electric grinders can burn your coffee during grinding.
What's the bottom line?
Both types of grinders have advantages and disadvantages. Some buyers prefer to have both a manual and an electric grinder and choose one to use depending on the circumstances.
For example, if you want to drink coffee alone, you can use a hand grinder; if you want to treat many guests to a cup of coffee, turn on an electric coffee grinder.
FAQ
How long do manual coffee grinders take?
On average, a standard manual grinder takes just over one minute to grind enough coffee for a large cup of coffee. You’ll have to exert a bit of effort. More expensive manual coffee grinders models can grind coffee a little faster. Typically, grinding enough beans for 2 or 3 cups will take you about 40 seconds.
Are manual coffee grinders worth it?
A great coffee grinder will give you an incredible coffee-making experience. And don’t forget that thanks to the hand grinders, your drink will be more aromatic and tasty. Another advantage of manual grinders is that you can determine the flavor and strength of your coffee, so you can brew coffee that just as good as the coffee in your favorite coffee shop.
How do manual coffee grinders work?
Coffee grinders work like a mill: The beans, falling between the burrs, are crushed and ground into small particles. All you have to do is load the beans, turn the handle, and get ground coffee. Note that it will take between 1 and 6 minutes to grind one portion of beans.
Sources:
- Ceramic Vs. Steel Burr Grinders - Know Your Grinder
- The Advantages of a Hand Grinder - Driftaway Coffee