Best manual coffee grinder 2023 - Our top picks


best manual coffee grinder

If you're looking for the best manual coffee grinder, we've got you covered right here with our top picks.

For dedicated coffee lovers looking to brew exquisite coffee in their homes, grabbing a standout manual coffee grinder can make a real difference and can work very well with one of the best budget coffee machines.

While we understand some people may prefer to buy pre-ground coffee, there are some real benefits to freshly grinding your own coffee beans, as well as the art of making a brew at home.

The best manual coffee grinders offer a wide range of adjustments allowing you to produce coarse or fine grinds depending on your personal preference.

Manual coffee grinders also provide excellent portability and don't require electricity which makes them an ideal companion for camping, fishing, days out and more.

They are also considerably cheaper than high-quality electric coffee grinders giving you some excellent bang for your buck.

Although, we have of course included some more premium models for the more serious home baristas.

So, with that being said, let's get straight into it!

Best Manual Coffee Grinder

Best Manual Coffee Grinder All-Rounder - Timemore C3

Best Manual Coffee Grinder, Timemore C3
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Colour(s): Black, White | Item Dimensions: 14.7 x 5.2 x 15.9 cm | Weight: 430 grams | Capacity: 25g of coffee beans | Material: Aluminium alloy, Stainless Steel

If you're looking for a fantastic all-rounder when it comes to manual coffee grinders, the Timemore C3 could be the choice for you.

First off, if you're looking for speed and efficiency, this grinder takes less than a minute (roughly 55 seconds) to turn 18 grams of coffee beans into a smooth powder.

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If you're someone that enjoys the process of making your own coffee but doesn't want to wait too long for your morning fix this could be for you.

The black outer shell of the coffee grinder features a 3D lattice pattern which not only looks great but also makes it much easier to grip while you're grinding.

The Timemore C3 even comes with various settings allowing you to adjust the consistency of the ground coffee from fine to coarse.

Best Manual Coffee Grinder Budget Choice - Hario Mini-Mill Slim PLUS

Best Manual Coffee Grinder, Hario Mini Mill Plus
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Colour(s): Black | Item Dimensions: ‎10.16 x 17.78 x 7.62 cm | Weight: 300 grams | Capacity: 24g of coffee beans | Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic

If you're on the hunt for a top-notch manual coffee grinder but don't want to break the bank, the Hario Mini-Mill Slim PLUS may be worth considering.

This grinder is compact, lightweight and should be easy to assemble which makes it simple to clean and put back together.

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In terms of capacity, you're getting up to 24 grams of ground coffee beans, which should be enough for 1 - 2 cups, depending on how strong you like your brew.

There are various settings included here so you can adjust between a coarse and fine grind, plus thanks to the see-through bottom you can easily measure the amount of coffee you want.

The Hario Mini-Mill Slim PLUS is a real winner in our eyes.

Best Manual Coffee Grinder Lightweight - Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder

Best Manual Coffee Grinder, Henry Charles Coffee Grinder
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Colour(s): Silver | Item Dimensions: ‎22.4 x 6.4 x 6.1| Weight: 281.23 grams | Capacity: 30g of coffee beans | Material: Stainless Steel

If you're looking for a brilliant lightweight choice, the Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder may be for you.

Weighing a mere 281 grams, this coffee grinder offers excellent portability and should be great to travel with, making it ideal for situations such as camping trips or hiking.

When it comes to grinding, this device features a professional-grade ceramic burr which promises to deliver consistent, high-quality grinds every time.

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Ceramic materials are extremely hard, and so are very resistant to abrasion, which is how the grind stays the same same, even after processing many kilos of beans.

The Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder should also be incredibly easy to clean thanks to the smart design that allows for all of the parts to be easily removed.

Best Adjustable Manual Coffee Grinder - 1Zpresso J-Max Manual Coffee Grinder

Best Manual Coffee Grinder, 1Zpresso
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Colour(s): Iron Grey | Item Dimensions: ‎20 x 6 x 19.5 cm | Weight: 762 grams | Capacity: 40g of coffee beans | Material: Aluminium

The 1Zpresso J-Max manual coffee grinder offers a whopping 400 click settings, allowing you to adjust the level of grind with acute precision.

This coffee grinder is also extremely durable being estimated to grind between 100 and 200kg of coffee for general use.

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It is also easy to clean and even comes with a free cleaning brush and can be easily dismantled without the need for tools.

The burr has been specially calibrated to ensure there are no wobbly parts or parts that come loose.

If you're looking for quality and precision in your morning coffee routine, this model from 1Zpresso could be for you.

Best Premium Manual Coffee Grinder - Comandante C40 MK4

best manual coffee grinder, Comandante C40
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Colour(s): Black, Walnut, Liquid Amber, American Cherry, Red Sonja, Alpine Lagoon, Sunset | Item Dimensions: ‎16 x 6 cm | Weight: 740 grams | Capacity: 40g of coffee beans | Material: Stainless Steel, Wood Veneer

If you're after an outstanding premium manual coffee grinder, we think the Comandante C40 MK4 is definitely worth considering.

First off, this coffee grinder boasts a unique Nitro Blade made from high-nitrogen martensitic stainless steel which is designed to deliver superb results.

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This grinder also offers varying settings allowing you to easily adjust to your prefered result, whether you're wanting a coarse or finer grind.

You're also getting both a brown glass and clear polymer-glass jar which are each capable of holding up to 40 grams of coffee beans and are incredibly easy to clean.

The Comandante C40 MK4 also comes in a wide range of colours allowing you to bring some personal touches to your kitchen or match your current decor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are manual coffee grinders worth it?

The question you're asking here is whether it's worth the effort to get a manual coffee grinder instead of simply buying pre-ground coffee. Well, maybe some of you are working on a schedule that can't spare a minute, but if you really love coffee, we'd say it's worth the investment.

For years people have been delving into the differences in flavour between pre-ground coffee vs. whole bean, and it turns out that there is very much a difference, so if you're wanting to be a bean connoisseur, then you can't be dealing with pre-ground coffee.

Manual coffee grinders are one of the cheapest options to enter the practice of brewing your own coffee. It only costs a handful of takeaway coffees, before you've paid the price for one of our options.

What should I look for in a manual coffee grinder?

There are a few key things to look out for when picking out a manual coffee grinder.

For instance, we'd say to keep an eye out for the different grind settings on offer and the quantity there are. Some grinders will give you the choice as to whether you'd like to have a coarser blend, or something finer.

In addition, you'll want to look out for the amount of coffee a grinder can hold. The more coffee it can grind, the more efficient a grinder is, arguably.

Moreover, maintenance is key, so make sure you get a grinder that can be kept clean easily.

How much should I spend on a manual coffee grinder?

Generally speaking, a manual coffee grinder is likely to run you between $30-50 for more of a budget choice, and up to $100 for more of a premium choice that can bring with it a more stylish design, a higher quality construction, and potentially more options for grinding.

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