We carry an incredible amount of hand grinders at our shop. In this blog post, we're narrowing it down to our top 6 picks for a hand grinder, and there are some pretty amazing grinders featured here!
But first: why hand grinders?
Great question. We love hand grinders because they are typically a cheaper alternative to grinding your beans compared to an electric grinder, giving the same great quality at a lower price (and a bit more elbow grease!) These grinders feature conical burrs, and while we’ve shared quite a bit about burrs on this blog, we love how well they perform to give a more complex yet integrated taste to your coffee. Our final mentions are their portability, relatively low-sound operation, and reliability make them a perfect choice for beginner baristas to absolute pros.
So: here are some of our favourites!
For absolute entry-level grinders, it’s hard to beat the Hario Mini-Slim Plus Grinder ($49). While we wouldn’t recommend it for espresso, it does have a large grinding chamber, is under $50, and is relatively easy to adjust the grind size with noticeable differences in each click!
Who do we recommend this for? Beginners who want to elevate their French press or pour over, who are either just starting to commit to the barista life or those who may be on the fence (also makes a great gift!)
For folks who are getting more serious and have a bit of a larger budget, the 1ZPresso Q Air ($93) is a fabulous grinder that can do everything from brewed coffee to pour over. With a 15-18g ground capacity, heptagonal 40mm steel burrs, and 30 clicks per rotation (with 25 microns between each setting), this will give you great coffee at a fraction of the price.
Who do we recommend this for? Baristas with a budget under $100, folks who travel and need something small to carry around, and our Aeropress lovers (this grinder fits right into the chamber for easy grinding!)
For another great entry hand grinder, the Timemore Chestnut C3s ($120) checks a lot of boxes for folks, making it a great versatile tool on your brew bar. This is an updated version of their previous grinder, the Chestnut C2; with upgraded S2C 660 burrs for better cutting performance, an all-metal, aluminum alloy body, and a dual-bearing design to give more uniformity, this grinder seriously performs!
Who do we recommend this for? Home brewers who do it all, from French press to espresso and everything in between!
For espresso folks who want a hand grinder that will give you the most complex espresso possible, the 1ZPresso J Ultra ($285) is specially designed for espresso. We particularly recommend this one because if you’ve ever had to hand grind espresso, you’ll know that it’s tough! Good news is that this grinder is specifically designed to make fine grinding easier and better. With hexagonal 48mm coated burrs, 100 clicks per rotation and 8 microns between each setting, and an ergonomical design, get ready for the best espresso ever (seriously).
Who do we recommend this for? Espresso-focused folks who want to hand grind their beans, but also have other brewing methods they enjoy!
Now, the best hand grinder for pour over? It’s gotta be the 1ZPresso ZP6 Special ($290), a hand grinder specifically designed to bring out the highest clarity of flavours for a pour over brew. Featuring hexagonal 48mm stainless steel hexagonal burrs with a finer adjustment-dial design, the options for dialing in any coffee are endless. With an ergonomically designed handle and body, plus a large chamber capacity, this makes it an incredible choice for pour over lovers.
Who do we recommend this for? Folks who want the absolute best grind for their daily pour over.
We can’t finish this list without mentioning the grinder that is truly in a league of its own; the Commandante C40 MK4 ($375 - $425). What makes this grinder so great, you ask? Besides the cult following, the pairing of Nitro Blades with an advanced burr set design makes this an unbeatable grinder. This high-nitrogen martensitis steel is incredibly difficult to work with; but, when “dialed in,” it’s incredibly tough, long-lasting, and performs beautifully no matter what you’re brewing with.
Who do we recommend this for? Baristas who only want to brew with the best of the best when it comes to hand grinders.
So, what do you think? Are there any grinders you love that made it or didn’t make it onto this list? Let us know in the comments down below!
Happy Coffee-ing!
