Best Manual Coffee Grinder (Review And Buying Guide)

Grinding coffee beans by hand has a beautifully mystical quality to it. Indeed, for others, it seems to have become a ritual, pulling them even closer to their beloved beverage.

The finest manual coffee grinders can provide the same high-precision burr grinding as their electric equivalents, but without the noise and inconvenience of an electric motor. This makes them excellent for camping vacations and long road journeys when a good cup of coffee could be difficult to get.

Our team sifted through the data, studying dozens of the most popular and well-reviewed hand coffee grinders along the way. The results are in, and we’re going to give you a short summary of the year’s top 10 grinders.

Stay tuned after the review for a digital conversation on what makes a great grinder and how you can learn to shop for one yourself.

10 Best Hand Grinders

Porlex 345-12541 Jp-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

If you enter best manual coffee grinder into your search bar, one of the first results will be for the PORLEX JP-30, one of the most popular, well-reviewed, and talked about hand coffee grinders ever. Its sleek and simple form makes it both magnificent and incredibly modest, making it the ideal addition or accent for the contemporary kitchen. You also have the extra perk of being able to brag about owning a Japanese manual coffee grinder, which is sure to turn some heads.

The Porlex JP-30’s grind settings are readily adjustable by removing the bottom section of the stainless steel cylinder, exposing a white wing nut. The tightness of this nut determines the coarseness of the coffee grinds generated. Small clicks indicate whether the grind is growing tighter (fine grind) or looser (coarse grind).

Overall, it’s easy to understand why this model has become so popular. It’s a sturdy and dependable appliance at a reasonable price, and the sleek stainless design adds an artistic touch to the kitchen.

Because of the increased popularity of Japanese-made coffee grinders, several counterfeit items have lately appeared on the market. Keep in mind that all Porlex goods are manufactured in Osaka, Japan. If one of these has a manufactured in China tag, it is not a genuine Porlex.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 30 grams
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic burrs
• Variable (from powder to french press) number of grind settings
• The best feature is that it is a really sleek and simple hand grinder that would look great in any kitchen.

Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

What is a coffee enthusiast to do when life calls them to the road for a long period of time? While it is true that finding a coffee shop is not difficult these days, the really committed bean-heads will want to be able to assure access to the most holy of drinks. What is the solution? Get a manual grinder that is not only portable but also excellent at producing a clean and uniform grind at any time.

The PORLEX tiny is a smaller and more compact version of the JP-30 that we previously discussed. The only major difference between the two is size, with the JP-30 holding around 30 grams of beans and the Porlex Mini holding just 20 grams. It may not seem to be a significant difference, but having to make one cup of coffee rather than two may be significant.

Porlex opted to make one big change when releasing the mini, and it is an update that they have subsequently extended over to their other products. The crank arm attachment is significantly more durable than in prior generations, which will undoubtedly increase the longevity of your grinder.

With roughly 120 spins, average users report being able to produce enough coffee grinds for a single cup. That may seem sluggish to someone who hasn’t had their coffee yet, but the slower pace is only a trade-off for the model’s portability.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 20 grams
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic conical burrs
• Variable (from powder to French press) number of grind settings
• Best feature: It is very portable, making it ideal for camping and road excursions.

 

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder with Adjustable Setting – Conical Burr Mill

We may as well begin with the big one. Every JAVAPRESSE coffee grinder includes a ticket redeemable for a FREE bag of coffee. That’s a really good price, given that some coffee bags are more costly than the grinder itself. The JavaPresse, which costs roughly $20, is one of the most cost-effective solutions to transition to manual grinders without sacrificing performance.

Indeed, the unique and ingenious ceramic combination burrs found on this grinder have been developed to outlive stainless steel burrs by up to five times, and their team has done the testing to prove it.

The readily removed hand crank is an excellent feature that improves portability. We’d rather keep it on and proudly show our new manual grinder in the kitchen.

While some reviewers have mentioned that the plastic piece beneath the burrs is less durable and more prone to breakage than other components, far more users have reported very positive interactions with JavaPresses customer service, specifically stating that they will send you a replacement grinder if you are unhappy for any reason.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: Cup
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic Combo
• # of Grind Settings: 18 click-settings for each coffee type
• The best feature is that every JavaPresse coffee mill purchase includes a voucher for a free bag of coffee!

 

 

Shanik Premium Quality Stainless Steel Manual Coffee Grinder

The comfortable and aesthetically pleasing black silicone handle is the first thing you’ll notice about the SNANIK Premium Quality Stainless Steel grinder. While the most of the grinders we’ve looked at so far have maintained a clean, pure-metal appearance, Shanik has done a fantastic job of distinguishing their product with this minor improvement.

But it’s not just about appearances. The silicone grip really works extremely well at holding everything in place when grinding. Some of the other steel grinders might move around a lot, particularly if you have any moisture on your hand. While the grip is just slightly more difficult to clean, it adds an added degree of stability that the user will undoubtedly enjoy.

The grind selector is the same basic Screw & Dial arrangement, with a single pressure screw controlling how coarse the grind will be. This technique is not as exact as the adjustment dials on an electric grinder, but they are generally equivalent.

I appreciate how the base serves as a convenient measuring cup for the raw beans.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: ~35 grams
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic
• # of Grind Settings: Adjustable Turn Dial
• The best feature is the effective and fashionable black silicone grip.

 

Wheroamoz Manual Coffee Grinder

Though we have had some difficulty pronouncing the business name, the guys over at WHEROAMOZ have created a beautiful little manual hand grinder here, and their success is mirrored in the number of 5 star reviews that it has received since its introduction. It is one of the top five most cheap grinders, and it is likely one of the tiniest and most compact.

The main distinctions between the Wheroamoz grinder and the other goods on this website are A.) the handle design and B.) the material used to manufacture the grind chamber.

In terms of the handle, the designers chose appearance above substance, resulting in a handle form that is maybe a little too ornate for its own good. While the fold-up mechanism works well and allows for even simpler storage, it is not always able to establish a solid rhythm.

Unlike glass or stainless steel, the grind chamber is constructed of plastic. While this may cause a tiny increase in static cling, it has no effect on the quality or uniformity of the grind and is undoubtedly one of the primary reasons for the lower pricing.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: <1 ounce
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic
• # of Grind Settings: Variable Dial
• The best feature is that it is the most cheap hand crank coffee grinder on our list.

 

Fumao Hand Coffee Grinder Wooden Coffee Mill with Ceramic Burr

It’s not often that you see a wooden coffee grinder, but we have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of these in the coming years. The FUMAO hand coffee grinder is not only one of the most aesthetically appealing goods in our evaluation due to its stitchless wood construction, but it is also one of the most well-built grinders we have ever encountered.

Fumao’s decision to use iron rather of stainless steel may have been motivated by the grinder’s overall robustness. Cast iron is exceptionally sturdy, while being more costly and more difficult to clean. Its combination with the molded wood is the ideal formula for a high-quality hand grinder that will last for decades.

But how effective is it? The circular grinding operation is very smooth. We discovered that the grind adjustment dial is not as finely tuned as it is on other stainless steel grinders, but it is simple to use and learn how to make on-the-fly changes.

The Fumao wood grinder is a little more expensive than the others, but it has a distinct style that you won’t find anywhere else.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 3 oz
• Burr Construction Material: Cast Iron
• # of Grind Settings: Adjustable Dial
• The strongest and most aesthetically attractive feature is the stitchless solid-wood molding.

Mueller Austria Manual Whole Bean Coffee Grinder

 

While the overall design and operation of the Mueller Austria Manual Whole Bean Coffee Grinder is very similar to some of the grinders we’ve already looked at (most notably, the JavaPresse mill above, which is nearly identical), there are a couple of things that set them apart and are worth looking at.

For one thing, the grind settings on this machine seem to be finer tuned than on the JavaPresse. This results in a tiny but visible boost in grind consistency, albeit you must pay close attention to the nuances of each grind.

This one is also a few dollars less expensive, but we’re not sure why given that both units are virtually completely composed of stainless steel.

Mueller does have an advantage over JavaPresse in terms of return policy, which says that if you are not pleased with your coffee grinder for any reason, you may return it for a no-questions-asked refund or replacement. If nothing else, this demonstrates their confidence in their goods. After all, with that type of assurance, why not give it a shot?

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: Cup
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic Burr
• # of Grind Settings: 18 click grind settings
• Best feature: All Mueller Austria items come with a full, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee.

Khaw-Fee HG1B Manual Coffee Grinder with Conical Ceramic Burr

This grinder has defied the competition by foregoing the cylindrical stainless steel tubes used by so many other firms in favor of a shorter glass design. The glass gives off a vintage look, similar to what you’d see at a hip coffee shop. It’s also almost as static resistant as stainless steel for the grind chamber, so you won’t have to worry about grinds being lost due to static cling.

The grind settings operate in a manner similar to those of cylindrical type grinders. To reach the correct grind size, a nut underneath the burrs may be tightened or loosened, but there is also a little latch that functions to lock the nut in place. We can’t claim that this approach is any more secure than the latchless variants, but it doesn’t seem to harm.

In terms of grind settings, it would be useful to include internal markings for recommended coffee types. As it is, the setting is reset every time you pull the grinder apart for cleaning, and returning to that same position is tough.

We did locate one user review online that recommended the following grind settings for the KHAW-FEE HG1B, based on a fully tightened nut beginning position:

• turn counter-clockwise: Fine Grinds (Espresso)
• Counterclockwise turn: Medium Grinds (Drip Coffee)
• turn counter clockwise: Coarse Grind (Cold Brew)

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: ~ 1 Cup
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic burr
• # of Grind Settings:
• Best feature: Its impressively smooth and silent functioning making it ideal for noise-sensitive early-risers.

 

Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill -“Skerton Pro”

The HARIO Skerton Pro manual coffee mill’s best feature is that the grind chamber can be removed and replaced with any regular mason jar. This is a simple and easy solution to expand the capacity of your grind chamber if you’re grinding coffee for everyone at the campground.

The grind chamber, on the other hand, is far from the most significant component of a grinder. To fully assess if the Skerton Pro belongs on any top ten lists, we needed to look at how it actually performed.

The results have been released. This Hario grinder is quick and somewhat consistent, though not as consistent as some of the more expensive cylindrical ones. The design incorporates a burr stabilizer plate, however there is no evidence that this contributes or detracts from the overall grind uniformity.

The Hario costs a few dollars more than some of its rivals, but it is clear upon unpacking that you are receiving a durable and dependable Japanese burr grinder, which often costs a little more than their Chinese or German-made equivalents.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 100 grams
• Burr Construction Material: Ceramic
• # of Grind Settings: Variable Adjustment Screw
• The best feature is the very long-lasting Japanese-style construction.

Hand Ground Precision Manual Coffee Grinder

The penultimate hand grinder on our list is also the most costly, but it is also one of the highest-quality versions we’ve seen. The java developers at HAND GROUND made a few critical choices that set this grinder apart from the others. Yes, the advances come at a cost, but the genuinely discriminating coffee consumer will want to hear what we have to say about this one.

Take note of the side-mounted handle. This is the only manual coffee grinder that has this feature. The side mount not only offers a more natural grinding action than top mounted models, but it also enables the user to steady the grinder from the top down, resulting in one of the smoothest and least shaky grinding experiences available.

The consistency here is critical to its ranking towards the top of our list. A clever and unique camera lens-style adjustment knob is the simplest that anybody has yet created, allowing you to obtain the same grind uniformity time after time.

The main disadvantage here is the cost, but if you want a proper cup of coffee even while you’re on the road, you don’t have much of a choice.

Key Specifications

• Bean Hopper Capacity: 100 grams
• Burr Construction Material: 40mm conical ceramic
• # of Grind Settings: 15x
• The innovative adjustment dial design ensures the most consistent grind of any portable coffee grinder.

 

Buyers Guide: What to Look For in a Manual Coffee Grinder

If you currently have an electric coffee grinder and want something a bit more portable, you’ll need more than just luck to select the perfect choice. There are hundreds of manual grinders available, and not all of them will do your beloved morning routine justice.

To assist you, we’ve put up a complete guide on what you should look for when purchasing a coffee grinder, portable or otherwise.

Burr Grinders: What’s the Big Deal?

Even if you already have a superb coffee machine, anybody who has spent their whole life purchasing pre-ground coffee may want a brief explanation of what a burr is and why it is so vital to creating the fabled ideal cup of coffee.

The issue is, for a long time, coffee grinders were only fancy cutters rather than true grinders. Big metal blades slashed the bean into all kinds of shapes, resulting in a grind that could scarcely be termed uniform. These blade grinders are still available in certain versions on the market, therefore it is important to educate yourself on the differences.

A burr is merely a conically formed metal plate in the case of coffee grinders. When two of these burrs are placed together, they may grind in tandem with one another. When a bean is put between them, it is crushed to a uniform degree determined by the distance between the two burrs. The finer the grind, the closer the burrs are.

The fundamental benefit of a burr type grinder is consistent grind consistency, which is the only method to get consistent extraction. According to this research, extraction characteristics have a significant impact on both the taste and caffeine content of your daily cup of coffee.

Why Manual Coffee Grinders Aren’t Just for Camping

It may seem evident that the only time you would need a manual coffee grinder is if there is no power available. After all, if you’re seeking for a portable grinder that can also function without power, it stands to reason that you already have a great electric coffee grinder at home, as well as a nice home espresso machine.

The reality is that a hand-crank grinder has many advantages than merely mobility. with fact, some expert baristas only use manual grinders because they feel that the absence of heat buildup that may occur with electric machines results in greater taste.

The most evident advantage is the reduction in noise. Hand grinders generate practically no noise, unlike electric coffee grinders, which are among the loudest machines in the kitchen, so you won’t have to worry about waking up the family for an early morning cup of coffee.

On a more spiritual note, several users have stated that the physical process of grinding the beans rapidly became a type of ritual, one that they would not consider abandoning now that they had discovered it.

Bean Hopper Capacity

Manual coffee grinders, on average, have a lesser hopper capacity than their electric equivalents. This is most likely due to the mobility component, which is vital to manufacturers as they strive to advertise to an increasingly mobile audience.

Larger bean hoppers allow you to produce more coffee without having to reload. While this is useful, particularly if you’re just preparing coffee for one person, it’s not technically required to obtain more than one fantastic cup of coffee in approximately the same amount of time.

lesser hoppers have the benefit of forcing you to grind lesser quantities at a time, which helps to keep your coffee as fresh as possible.

Conical Burr Construction Material

Conical burrs used in hand grinders are nearly completely made of ceramic these days, and every grinder on our list uses ceramic as the primary building material. This is not to argue that other varieties of burr do not exist. ones with stainless steel burrs, iron burrs, and even some lower-cost ones with aluminum burrs are available.

Ceramic burrs are excellent at regulating heat accumulation, which may result in off-flavors from overheated beans. They are less costly than most metals, albeit not as long-lasting. They are unquestionably the most readily cleanable material for making a burr, which has a direct impact on how excellent your coffee will taste.

Coffee Grind Settings

Most manual coffee grinders use the same fundamental mechanism for modifying grind settings. This method consists of a basic plate and threaded rod combination. The plate is screwed to the bottom burr, and the rod is threaded through a nut. The nut may be tightened or loosened, causing the plate to move up or down. This alters the actual distance between the burrs, allowing for varying consistencies.

There is a significant range in how effectively these adjustment settings operate and whether you will be able to get the same precise level every time. Many models, in fact, have no method of marking how tight the nut is, so attempting to replicate a prior setting is like to flying by darkness.

The finest manual coffee grinders have notched pre-set burr distances and even make a little click when you enter that setting. This is the greatest method to achieve consistency while easily transitioning from cold brew to the sorts of espresso grind needed by even the finest cappuccino machines.

 

Hand Crank: Top Mounted vs. Side Mounted

All of the models we examined, with the exception of the Hand Ground Manual Coffee Grinder, feature a top-mounted hand crank. As a result, the circular grinding movement might be fairly difficult from the top down. It also makes it difficult to gain a strong grip on the grinder for stability, particularly with tall cylindrical grinders like the Porlex.

Side-mounted hand cranks allow for more natural hand movement, which may frequently result in quicker and more effective grinding. It also enables the user to steady the grinder from the top down, which helps to reduce wobbling.

Q: What are the major grind differences between a hand coffee grinder and an electric coffee grinder?

A: There shouldn’t be much of a difference between manual and electric grinders in terms of performance. After all, the actual operation of grinding the bean is significantly more dependent on the shape and style of the burr than on the source of power.

Hand-powered machines, on the other hand, are less stable than electric countertop grinders due to their smaller and more bare-bones structure. This refers to both the cranking mechanism and the method of altering the grind settings.

Manual coffee grinders, on general, do not provide the same uniformity as electric equipment, however there are occasional outliers.

One of the most noticeable distinctions is the volume of the grinders. If you are not the one holding the grinder, manual grinders are nearly quiet. Electric grinders, on the other hand, are roughly as noisy as smoothie blenders (and employ similar motors).

Q: Can a manual coffee grinder make coffee for french press?

A: Whether manual or electric, practically every coffee grinder on the market is intended to offer fresh coffee grinds suitable for a wide range of coffee types. You can typically achieve what you need by modifying the grind settings, from coarse grinds for cold brew coffee and french press to fine powder-like grinds for espresso.

Q: How easy to clean are manual coffee grinders?

A: Manual coffee grinders are much simpler to clean and maintain than automated coffee grinders since there are no electrical components to contend with. The ability to rinse the whole grinder from top to bottom makes removing sticky or extra grinds a snap. Furthermore, the widespread use of ceramic burrs over steel burrs has made cleaning the generated oil from the burr surface simpler than before.

Cleaning your burr grinder on a regular basis is critical if you want the greatest operating and cleanest-tasting coffee. It doesn’t take long, and in most situations, all you need are a few q-tips and a basin of soapy water.

The most difficult aspect is reassembling everything in the exact sequence, so pay close attention to where each component goes. Taking photographs along the road is an excellent strategy to keep your frustrations at bay.

Conclusion: Best Manual Coffee Grinder of the Year

When putting up a new product list, we often have a tough time picking a winner, but in the case of manual coffee grinders, the evidence is nothing short of compelling.

The Hand Ground Precision Manual Coffee Grinder has the most consistent grind and the smoothest functioning of any grinder we tested. The side-mounted grind crank is convenient and effective, and the overall functioning is sturdy and smooth.

While the Hand Ground grinder is essential for true coffee connoisseurs, it is not the only option to enjoy a delicious cup of Joe on the move. The Porlex JP-30 is our recommendation for the greatest overall value. It is one of the most stylish grinders available, works well, and is reasonably priced for anybody looking to make cafe-style coffee in the comfort of their own homes.