Best Manual Coffee Grinders in 2020
A good cup of coffee isn’t easy to come by and if you are big on caffeine, you’re probably picky about your grinds. Manual coffee grinders are a great asset for someone who is always on the go and hopefully, you can find one that suits your needs. This post focuses on reviewing the best products on the market and what you should consider when buying a coffee grinder.
Best Manual Coffee Grinders
Rating | Product | Price | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Hario Skerton Coffee Mill | ||
2. | The HandGround Coffee Grinder | ||
3. | Zassenhaus Santiago Coffee Mill Grinder | ||
4. | Porlex Stainless Steel Mini Hand Grinder | ||
5. | ROK Coffee Grinder |
How to buy a manual coffee grinder
Size and consistency
Particle size relates to how fine or coarse you like your coffee. You may choose to go with a small particle size or large particle size grinder, depending on your brewing method. An important element of particle size is consistency. The important thing is to ensure that all the particles are of the same size because an inconsistent particle size only leads to an inconsistent cup of coffee.
Blade grinders
They use a sharp blade to hack up the coffee into small pieces. And while you have little control over particle size and consistency, the good news is that you can improve the grind quality. The best thing about blade grinders is that they are affordable and readily available. Despite their flaws, their small size makes them a great option for those who are starting to learn how to grind at home.
Hand grinders
Hand grinders make a great investment for someone who is interested in manual brewing on a small scale. They are an economical and practical option for brewing a cup or two at a time. Hand grinders are similar to burr grinders, with the only difference being that a small nut is used to adjust the grind size.
Burr grinders
Compared to blade grinders, burr grinders produce more consistent coffee. They use a set of ceramic burr or metal to crush coffee beans. Depending on the preferred consistency, you can use flat or conical burrs and once the right particle size is achieved; the ground coffee falls into the hopper. The main downside of burr grinders is that they are expensive, but the extra cost is worth it.
Best manual coffee grinders reviewed
Hario Skerton Coffee Mill
This is our personal favorite and one of the sold grinders among travelers. It is reliable, more so when purchased with an upgrade kit. It produces consistent coffee and is incredibly versatile. In addition to travelling, the Hario Skerton Coffee Mill is great for home use.
PROS
- Easy to use and clean
- Great for consistency across all ranges
- A cost effective solution based on performance and cost
- Small, lightweight and portable
CONS
- Separate kit is required for French press
- One has to be extra careful due to the glass exterior
Zassenhaus Santiago Coffee Mill Grinder
If you want an expertly crafted manual grinder for espresso, the Zassenhaus Santiago will prove a worthy investment. Its 25 year no break warranty is a clear testimony to the high quality grind capabilities. Since it is smaller than standard burr grinders, this is a great option for those who love to travel. Its size allows for added style, which includes the beautiful mahogany veneer exterior. The grind size dial is another major highlight that allows for a variety of grind settings.
PROS
- Has conical burrs that protect the integrity of the ground beans
- Wide variety of grind settings
- Comes with a 25-year warranty on the grind mechanism
CONS
- Pricey
- Grind setting doesn’t have numbers, making it difficult to achieve the same results
The HandGround Coffee Grinder
What makes the HandGround Coffee Grinder exceptional is that it delivers consistency on par with a good electric burr grinder. You simply throw the beans into the hopper, set the grind setting and turn the handle. It doesn’t feel like an arm workout as someone would expect. You will love that it offers fifteen grind settings, allowing for almost any brewing method. However, you won’t be able to brew super-fine or Turkish coffee but that is common among hand coffee grinders. With the Handground, you get to choose a grind setting and use it again and again. You don’t get this with many hand grinders.
PROS
- Ability a grind setting for preferred brew method
- High quality and beautifully designed
- Large hopper that eliminates the need for refilling mid grind
- Grinds through beans easily
CONS
- Pricey compared to other hand grinders
- Slightly larger than other models, making it less portable
ROK Coffee Grinder
The ROK coffee grinder comes with a polished aluminum exterior that gives it a modern look. It is probably the best when it comes to performance and this is attributed to two things. It is easy to use and produces quality grinds. The quality of the coffee produced is just as good as what you’d get with an electric burr grinder. You can grind the beans with just one hand and at half the time compared to traditional models.
PROS
- Beautiful design
- Outperforms more expensive burr grinders
- Easy to use
- Superior barista experience
CONS
- Average performance at the coarser range
- Small hopper size makes cleaning a little difficult
- Expensive compared to manual grinders
Porlex Stainless Steel Mini Hand Grinder
Travelling coffee fanatics will love what the Porlex Mini Grinder. It features a cylindrical shape, making it an ideal option for backpacking and other outdoor adventures. The grinder fits nicely into the Aerospace thus making packing convenient. The stainless steel makes it nearly indestructible and easy to clean. This grinder is also adjustable and produces accurate grinds for different brewing methods.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Versatile features to achieve the perfect grind
- Made of stainless steel and holds temperature well
- Portable design for the traveling coffee enthusiast
CONS
- Small capacity and can’t be used for more than two cups per grind
- Features aren’t designed for complex use
Conclusion
As much as we love all of the above coffee grinders, the Hario Skerton certainly takes the crown. The hand grinder allows for various brewing methods and is easy to use. More importantly, it delivers exceptional performance and consistency.
If you prefer coffee makers, then check our review: Best Budget Friendly Coffee Maker
