Best Manual Coffee Grinders For 2024: Get Your Grind On! (Beginners Hand Coffee Grinder Guide)

Last updated on November 27th, 2023 by Jules Winnfield

best manual coffee grinder

Do you love you some coffee goodness? Maybe you are a coffee aficionado with an exquisite palate and know the exact flavor profile you want every morning. Or maybe you are a beginner coffee student still experimenting on which methods will produce the perfect cup of coffee nectar for you. 

Either way, the coffee Gods (or experts) have decreed that one of the best ways to unleash a delicious cup of fresh coffee is to brew with your own grounded coffee beans. 

But then a slew of headache inducing questions about how to grind your own coffee pop up. Questions like how do you pick the right coffee grinder, which type of ground is best for the type of coffee you want, how do you work the thing to get the best course or fine coffee ground, and is grinding your own coffee beans really worth it. 

Not to worry my fellow coffee luster. In this in depth buying guide, we will will tackle these questions. In fact we spent 50+ hours reviewing and meticulously researching the best manual coffee grinders available in the market so you don’t have to. We are focusing on manual coffee grinders (coffee mills) in this article for the situation where you are traveling and cant take your electric coffee grinder with you.

We have condensed them into the 10 best manual coffee grinders available. So whether you want coffee grounds for a fresh pour over coffee or a rich espresso with crema that delights, by the end of this article you will find the best manual coffee grinder that works for you.

Keep reading or jump straight into our number 1 pick on Amazon below.

1ZPresso Q2
Light, compact, easy to use, portable; built with stainless steel conical burrs for the highest quality grind for the price.

Last update on 2024-04-22


Are Manual Coffee Grinders Any Good?

Let’s start with the basics. Manual coffee grinders are small tools used to grind coffee beans. Manual means they don’t use electricity and require your own physical effort to grind. This means less heat production and better retention of flavors and freshness. In general, they are great for portability and ease of use. You can travel with them and basically grind coffee beans anywhere anytime you like.

But the drawbacks are you have to manually put in work which may turn into a second early morning workout if you have 2-3 people to make coffee for. Also, manual work means less speed and less coffee grind quantity. But many of the newer models aren’t that difficult and many coffee enthusiasts report enjoying the coffee grinding experience as therapeutic in the morning! (my wife is NOT one of them!)

best manual coffee grinder(2)
Manual coffee grinders offer more flavorful grinds while being easy to carry and more bang for your buck compared to buying your coffee.

How Do I Choose A Manual Coffee Grinder? What Should I look For When Buying?

Criteria #1: How big is it?

If you are looking for a manual grinder that you can easily pack for traveling than size is a consideration. Cylindrical shaped coffee grinders tend to be better for portability and traveling. Bulkier machines are more suited for home use. Although they may take up precious counter top space too.

Criteria #2: How much coffee does it grind?

Smaller manual coffee grinders means easy to carry and portable, but also less coffee it can grind at a time. If you are grinding coffee beans for a camping group then it means more work. But if you are willing to trade capacity for a bit of convenience, then consider that as you go through our list of top options.

Criteria #3: How does it grind?

Manual coffee grinders either come as blade or burr grinder. The general consensus is while blade grinders are usually cheaper in price, burr grinders are better for a more consistently even coffee grind. This means a more consistent extraction of flavors. Either way you will want to focus on a brand that produces quality coffee grinders using high quality materials.

Coffee Grinder Burr or Blade
The differences between a blade vs a burr grinder can alter the taste and quality of your brew

Criteria #4: What quality materials are the grinders built with?

Burr grinders come shaped as flat or conical and made either with ceramic or stainless steel. Ceramic produces less heat, meaning a more traditional flavor profile, and may be better for home use. Stainless steel burrs produce more heat but make more fine even coffee grinds, are easier to clean and maintain, and thus more travel friendly.

Most people, including myself, would recommend using the stainless steel because of the smoother grind, durability, and simpler maintenance. But ceramic works just as equally well as you will see from one our picks. So honestly, ceramic vs steel won’t really matter that much if you invest in an overall good high quality manual coffee grinder in the first place.

Criteria #5: How many grind settings does it have?

Does your manual coffee grinder have multiple settings? Can it switch between a course ground for your full flavor French press all the way over to a fine ground for your creamy espresso? If you want to be able to experiment and find the best tasting coffee that works for you, you need a coffee grinder that will produce precise and consistent results more often than not. This lets you replicate your coffee each time so you can gradually make more changes to improve its flavor.

Also consider that it may be alot of work to grind your coffee beans into the fine consistency needed for an espresso for example. In that case, it may be worth considering an electrical coffee grinder instead. Something else to think about I know!

Criteria #6: How easy is it to use?

One of the drawbacks of manual coffee grinders is the physical labor required to grind your coffee beans. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be HARD labor! So looking for coffee grinders that have a longer handle and even bearings in the grinder can mean more leverage and less energy use.

Criteria #7: Does it come with extra designer features?

If you appreciatte the old school coffee grinder look and get satisfacttion from the vintage looks of certain coffee grinders, then you’ll want to pay attention to that as well. For most coffee enthusiates, design features like wooden frames and unique finishes can be the cherry on top of a nice coffee grinding experience. And as you’ll see from one of our picks, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice function either.

Criteria #8: What is the price?

Lastly you should consider the pricing. Manual coffee grinders range in all kinds of price levels. But generally they are cheaper than their electrical friends. But once again, a quality grinder can make or break you whole coffee drinking experience, so I wouldn’t go too cheap or overly expensive.

Why do You Care? Is it Really Better to Grind Your Own Coffee?

With all the time it can take to grind your own coffee beans, its probably a reasonable question to ask: Why does grinding your own coffee beans matter and is it worth it? Short answer: It depends on how much you care about the taste of your coffee.

Coffee beans have their own specific flavor taste profile. When you grind coffee beans, the flavor is released via oils and gaseous organic compounds. The longer coffee grounds sit after being grounded, the more of its flavors are slowly emitted via these organic compounds and oils into the air.

This is why brewing a cup of pre bought coffee grounds like Folgers will never be as fresh tasting as a cup of coffee you brewed the exact same way using your own grounded coffee beans. There is more flavor and aroma in your coffee beans. So actually the best part of waking up is your own coffee grounds in your cup!

For more info on the best coffee beans for espresso, check out our full guide and review.

Coffee Grinder Guide

So in summary, milling your own whole coffee beans means more freshness, flavor and scent. But pre-ground coffee means more convenience and time saving. So it really depends on your situation.

There are however options such as coffee makers with built in grinders that can help give you the best of both worlds as well.

Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Manual Coffee Grinder

It can be a challenge looking through the long list of manual coffee grinders to pick one out. So many options actually makes it more difficult to choose. And while everyone has specific features they may be looking for – multiple grind settings for different types of coffee or burr vs blade grinders – there are a few that stand out in the market worth considering.

We determined which manual coffee grinders would make our top 10 list by looking at the different advantages and features they provide. We also paid close attention to the reviews for each product to get a pulse on their real life usefulness and if in fact they are stellar hand coffee grinders.

#1. 1ZPresso Q2 Manual Coffee Grinder (Best Quality)

1Zpresso Q2 S Manual Coffee Grinder Heptagonal Version, Foldable Handle, Mini Slim Travel Sized Fits in the plunger, Assembly Stainless Steel Conical Burr, Numerical Adjustable Setting

If you asked what is the hands down the best manual coffee grinder money can buy, most would throw the 1Zpresso Q2 into the top of that list. Known for its impeccable build and quality materials, this coffee grinder consistently delivers fresh flavorful tasting results that converts previously non coffee believers into raving zealots! Why?

  • Very travel friendly – coming in at just over a 1 lb. and 6 inches long, the 1ZPresso Q2 is light and portable. Camping trips would be a lot more enjoyable with this manual coffee grinder.
  • Comfortable grind – the 1Zpresso Q2 is made with high quality material including an easy to hold and turn handle as well as double bearings that make coffee grinding almost effortless.
  • Built with quality materials – Designed with a sleek look, this stainless steel conical burr grinder is tops on the list in terms of high grade quality material. It even has a 1 year guaranteed warranty.
  • Has multiple adjustable grind settings – so if you want course grounds for your French press or medium ground for your Aeropress, then the 1Zpresso Q2 delivers. It comes with a dialer to adjust the settings how ever you like. Although some reviews have mentioned it can be a little confusing to use.
  • Makes only 20g or 1 cup of coffee per grind – One of the few drawbacks, is the 1ZPresso has a limited capacity. If you are traveling with a group, then it means lots of grinding to get enough coffee ground in everyone’s cup.
  • Price is a bit on the higher end – Even though 1ZPresso has great features and raving reviews, I don’t too much like the higher price tag. You could easily get yourself an electrical coffee grinder that whips up 10X the amount of coffee grinds without any effort for the same $100. But then you wouldn’t be as portable and mobile. So it may be worth the price.

Final Thoughts: The 1ZPresso Q2 manual coffee grinder is a definite contender for your coffee making toolbox. It’s light, compact, portable, easy to use and built with high quality materials. The stainless steel conical burr inside makes for a quiet and effortless grind.

While home use could be difficult due to the limited capacity, the quality of coffee you get from it on the road makes the price worth it and stands as our number 1 best quality coffee grinder for 2023.

1ZPresso Q2
Light, compact, easy to use, portable; built with stainless steel conical burrs for the highest quality grind for the price.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#2. Javapresse Manual Coffee Grinder (Best Budget Manual Coffee Grinder)

JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder - 18 Adjustable Settings, Portable Conical Burr Grinder for Camping, Travel, Espresso - With Hand Crank

If you’re looking for a manual coffee grinder that everyone is talking about, then the Javapresse may be your answer. Featured in publications, like Forbes, Inc. Entrepreneur, and Success, the buzz around the Javapresse is humming. And for good reason. Why?

  • Built in multiple adjustable grind settings – With over 18 different click grind settings, the Javapresse can recreate any kind of coffee you may be in the mood for. Aeropress, French press, drip, take your pick! Depending on how many clicks you turn the knob, you can grind for a coarse (13-18 clicks), medium coarse (10-12 clicks), medium (7-9 clicks), medium fine (4-6 clicks), or extra fine (1-3 clicks) grind.
  • Small, portable, and light – The Javapresse is super practical, being only 7 inches long, weighing less than 1/2 lb, making it easy to hold, and pack for camping or traveling.
  • Makes enough coffee grounds for 2 cups of brew – The capacity here is a little larger which means less coffee grinding and more sipping and enjoying.
  • Not the best build of quality material – While this is an example of a ceramic conical burr manual grinder that stands head to head with our best stainless steel conical burr grinders on this list in terms of ease of use and results, there have been many reports of the Javapresse just not lasting. However, their sublime customer service is what brushes those bad feelings away.
  • Takes 5-10 minutes to make a fine grind – Because its a ceramic burr mill grinder, you will get a better taste profile vs blades. But it will also take longer. If you are in a rush out the door than the Javapresse may not be ideal if you want fine coffee grounds for an espresso.
  • Affordable price tag – Coming in at around $40, the Javapresse is a very budget friendly option.

Final Thoughts: The Javapresse manual coffee grinder is a reasonable option to consider. When you think about the easy to carry, small, lightweight travel size, the unique flavors produced, and the moderately easy to grind and clean features, multiple grind settings with an affordable price tag, it starts to stand out.

If you are concerned about the less superior quality build and don’t want to spend too much time grinding for your espresso than you may consider other options.

For more info, see this full review of the JavaPresse manual coffee grinder.

Sale
Javapresse Manual Coffee Grinder
Small, light weight, easy to travel size with affordable price tag; perfect started grinder.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#3. Vevok Chef Manual Coffee Grinder (Best Value)

VEVOK CHEF Manual Coffee Grinder Hand Coffee Grinder 6 External Adjustable Setting Stainless Steel Conical Burr Coffee Mill Portable Hand Crank Coffee Bean Grinder Fine for Espresso

What if you are like me sometimes and you don’t want to be bothered with all the overwhelming details of a coffee grinder. You want great tasting coffee and you’re looking for a coffee grinder that will give you the best results for the best price tag period.

Honestly, I don’t think you have to look anywhere else beyond the Vevok Chef manual coffee grinder. It is probably the highest quality coffee grinder you can get in the $60 price range, which is why we ranked it as our best value coffee grinder. What else threw it into this ranking?

  • Built like a stainless steel fortress – The quality of this coffee grinder is more than impressive when you consider that everything from the handcrank, to the spring, the shaft, the grinder, and down to the bearings are made of high grade stainless steel.
  • Easy effortless grinding – If you have weaker hands, you wont even notice that you are grinding away with the Vevok. Built with a wooden handle for an easy grip, bearings in the grinder, and 3 inch steel handcrank, the leverage you get makes operating this manual grinder very smooth.
  • Stainless steel conical burr grinder – This Vevok’s 5 axis stainless steel grinding core may generate a little more heat compared to its ceramic counterparts, but for the tradeoff, you get impeccable durability and reliability. This means uniform, even coffee grounds every single time for whatever style of brew you prefer.
  • Super light, compact, and travel friendly – At about 7 inches long, and 2 inches wide, the Vevok makes a great companion for travels, camping, and hiking on the go.
  • Not as many adjustable settings – While I do like, the simplicity of choosing which grind settings you want (just twist between 1-6), it may be a little to basic for the coffee connoisseur who craves more customization in their coffee grounds.
  • Makes about 1-2 cups of coffee grounds at a time – That’s not alot. But if you consider that most manual coffee grounders of this quality, and this size make about the same amount, you feel better. Add on the fact you can purchase extra coffee ground glass containers to store your coffee on the go, then you feel MUCH better!
  • Great price for the value – To get this kind of coffee grounder quality and build, you would typically have to spend $90-100.

Final Thoughts: Whether you are brewing a creamy Turkish cup of coffee, a full flavored French Press, or a simple Chemex pour over, the Vevok Chef Manual coffee grinder checks the boxes for a great coffee grounder you’re looking for.

It’s easy to use. Compact, easy to travel and carry on the go. Built strong and durable, and delivers great coffee flavors. And overall, just a great bargain and value for what you will pay for it. Tack on the high reviews for their on point customer service, and its no wonder, the Vevok was a high ranker on our list.

Sale
Vevok Chef Manual Coffee Grinder
Compact, built with strong durable materials, with stainless steel conical burrs; Best combo of quality and value.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#4. Timemore Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder (Best Manual Coffee Grinder for French Press)

TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder Capacity 25g with CNC Stainless Steel Conical Burr - Internal Adjustable Setting,Double Bearing Positioning,French Press Coffee for Hand Grinder Gift

Does the idea of grinding perfectly uniform coffee grounds for your favorite French press, while looking stylish even if you have small and weak hands sound too good to be true?

Then I would like for you to suspend your disbelief for a brief moment to consider the Timemore Chestnut manual coffee grinder. Seriously, this thing has been engineered to be a small but effective piece of machinery to tackle your coffee grinding tasks. Why?

  • Built with high quality material – The Timemore is built with quality material, including an aluminum casing as well a stainless steel conical burr grinding core. The milling blades are sharpened with a higher hardening rating, making for near instant grinding or cutting of your coffee beans with almost no effort on your part.
  • Very easy to rotate and grind – We also like the shaping of the handle to get a good non slip grip. Add that to the double bearings built into the handle grinder mechanism which reduces friction, and you get more coffee grinding force to mill consistently uniform grounds with less manual labor.
  • Adjustable settings are available – Whether you want course grounds for your French press or medium fine grounds for your Aeropress, the Timemore has all the settings to do it. And it does it pretty accurately too.
  • Easy to carry and travel with – At 1.5 lb and about 8 inches long, the Timemore makes coffee grinding either at home, in the office, or out camping pretty convenient. The size also makes it easy to hold for even the smallest adult hands.
  • Can only make 1-2 cups of coffee per grind – One drawback is the Timemore coffee grinder has a limited 25g capacity, making it not ideal for larger groups who are desperately giving you the zombie eye as they wait for coffee to revive them!
  • A little pricier compared to other manual grinders

Final Thoughts: If you are looking for the best manual coffee grinder for medium to course coffee grounds in your French Press, the Timemore C2 stands as a huge contender.

It’s built incredibly strong and durable. Lightweight, portable, compact and easy to travel with. Has a smooth coffee grinding experience. And for the price point, grinds consistently uniform coffee grounds you can rely on.

If you’re ok with making 1 cup of coffee grounds at a time (depending on the grind size can be less than a minute each) then check this one out.

YouTube video
Timemore Chestnut C2
Built strong and durable, lightweight, portable, with smooth grinding; perfect for medium to coarse grinds.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#5. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill – Skerton Pro (Best for Travel With Groups)

Hario 'Skerton Pro' Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder, Black

If you want to enjoy a fresh flavorfull rich aroma cup of coffee that you grinded your self while staying at the hotel on your travels and want portable as well as a large capacity, then the Hario ceramic coffee mill definitely gets the nod. Why?

  • Simpler, easier coffee grinding – The Skerton pro was designed specifically to make your coffee grind experience more steady and consistent. So we like the sturdy reinforced handle, and anti slip cover features for just that.
  • Makes up to 8 cups of coffee per grind – The 100g capacity is a godsend if you are traveling with a group but don’t want to spend your whole morning grinding coffee before everyone has a cup in their hands.
  • Travel friendly – Its not as small and sleek as our other coffee grinder options on this list, but its still very portable, light, and compact enough for packing.
  • Less intuitive adjustable grind settings – The good news is you can adjust the grind settings for a course or fine coffee grind. The bad news is its not as easy or intuitive to do consistently so you can replicate the exact settings you want each time.
  • Moderate quality of materials – Similar to the Javapresse, this manual coffee grinder is built with a ceramic burr mill. You’ll get great taste and uniform grinding. But overtime, the material in this coffee grinder is known to wear down a bit, especially if you grind your coffee fine. This means less consistent even coffee grinds and more manual work to do it!

Final Thoughts: This manual ceramic burr coffee grinder is worth considering if you want a decent coffee grinder that can whip up a batch of coffee for a group with ease and steadiness. It may not be as portable or grind perfectly consistent every time, but for the price it might be great value on family trips.

YouTube video
Sale
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill
Ceramic burr grinder, with large capacity built well; great for family travels.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#6. 1Zpresso JX-Pro Manual Coffee Grinder (Best Manual Coffee Grinder for Espresso)

1Zpresso J Manual Coffee Grinder Silver Capacity 35g with Assembly Stainless Steel Conical Burr - Numerical Internal Adjustable Setting

So we’ve already talked about the 1Zpresso Q2 model and we like it as the best quality hand coffee grinder you can get. But we would really be doing you a disservice if we didn’t gush over its newer cousin, the JX-Pro.

Simply put, if you want the best hand made coffee grounds for espresso’s or Turkish coffee, while on the go or at home, with minimum effort but maximum pleasure of experience, then your search has brought you right to the front doors of the JX-Pro. Why?

  • Durable, quality stainless steel build – from the conical stainless steel burrs, to the internal mechanisms and outer casing, as soon as you hold this grinding beauty you know its made right.
  • Near effortless grinding, even for fine grounds for espressos – Some like working really hard for their coffee grounds, and some don’t. If you don’t, then you will appreciate the Z shaped cranking shaft, the wooden knob for easy no slip gripping, and the bearings technology, all designed to maximize leverage so even the weakest hands can grind coffee beans to near perfection.
  • Makes near perfectly uniform coffee grounds consistently – Probably the most important thing you can ask for from a manual coffee grinder right? But the fine ground can take a little more work and time to grind, albeit just 30-60 seconds more.
  • Can make about 2-3 cups of coffee at a time – The capacity is 30-35g, so you’re getting a little more coffee than usual per grind compared to similar size grinders on this list.
  • Lightweight, compact, travel friendly – Throw some coffee beans, a manual espresso maker, and this badboy into your camping backpack and done!
  • Micro adjustable grind settings for the meticulous coffee fan – With 40 clicks per turn and about 200 total settings, locking in on the perfect grind profile for your coffee would be near impossible not to achieve.
  • Pricey compared to other manual coffee grinders – You will invest the most money into a coffee grinder if you go this route. But notice I said “invest”, because the value returned to you will likely be in dividends of great coffee for a long time per many reviews.

Final Thoughts: To keep it simple, if you are an experienced coffee connoisseur, with an evolved flavor and aroma palate, then every little bit counts when it comes to how you grind your coffee and the 1Zpresso JX-Pro is an easy decision for you.

If you’re just getting started, then you could go straight to this big dog, but you may consider a more average priced quality coffee mill instead. This way you can get your feet wet and gain reference on various flavors, freshness and aromas before leveling up.

For more info, see this full review of the 1Zpresso JX Pro manual coffee grinder.

1Zpresso JX-Pro
For the smoothest, near effortless grinding experience, with consistent uniform grounds, the JX-Pro is perfect; great fit for espressos or fine ground beverages.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#7. Porlex JP30 Mini Stainless Steel Grinder (Best Manual Coffee Grinder for Cold Brew)

Porlex Jp-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder, Silver

Looking for a simple, well made non assuming coffee grinder that fits right into your Aeropress? Then you may like what you find with the Porlex Mini Stainless Steel coffee grinder. If you are a fan of Japanese made products like myself, then this portable coffee grinder lives up to the culture with a few beneficial features.

  • Easy to carry, portable, light weight – The Porlex is practically the size of a pepper mill in your hands. So packing it in your luggage or backpack makes it easy to travel with.
  • Made with conical ceramic burs – This means more precise flavors and freshness from your coffee beans. If you’re grinding medium to coarse coffee grounds, than the Porlex is ideal. Although it may not be as strong for fine coffee grinding.
  • Fairly easy grinding effort – Many reported a reasonable amount of effort to grind coffee beans for their cold brew, that was under a few minutes. But if you have weaker hands, you may consider our other coffee grinders with double bearings for easier grinding.
  • Makes only 1-2 cups of coffee grinds at a time – smaller capacity here (30g) as expected for such a compact portable grinder
  • Adjustable grind settings included – With just a little tinkering of the adjustment mechanism towards the bottom, you can “click” your way to the perfect grind settings that work for you, but it may take some trial and error.
  • Pricing is a little above average range

Final Thoughts: This portable, simple, compact coffee grinder is a good addition for the cold brew drinker. It travels well. It’s made with a sturdy stainless steel body and conical ceramic burrs that grind smooth tasting coffee grounds, and will last a while for you. But if you are worried about the capacity of just one cup of grind at a time, meaning more coffee grinding effort, than it may not exactly be the best fit.

Sale
Porlex JP30
Easy to carry, portable, lightweight, with sturdy conical ceramic burrs that grinds for 1-2 cups at a time .

Last update on 2024-04-22

#8. Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder (Best Antique Coffee Grinder)

Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder Wooden Mill with Cast Iron Burr, Large Capacity Hand Crank, Portable Travel Camping Adjustable (Brown wood)

The best part of waking up is not just your own coffee beans in your cup but the experience of grinding them yourself. And we like the Akirakoki because it provides the pleasure of an aesthetically pleasing grinding journey. Made with quality materials and well thought design, it ranks as our best antique coffee grinder for those looking to really embrace the entire moment.

  • Unique design and quality wood– Carved from a whole piece of wooden block, the Akirakoki is designed with not just enhanced sturdiness and durability, but also a pleasant design. If you want to feel like you are living the simple life, the vintage handle and slender body will definitely put you in that clear mental space.
  • Cast iron conical burr manual grinder – With all the talk of stainless steel and ceramic burr grinders, in steps in the Akirakoki and its cast iron burr grinder. Because cast iron will not heat up and rust like steel, or break down as easily as ceramic, this coffee mill is worth considering if all other options have failed you.
  • Portable, easy to carry – The Akirakoki is only 2 inches wide, and 6 inches long, so packing for travels is also easy breezy.
  • Only grinds 1-2 cups at a time – The max capacity is 35g of coffee beans, so factor that into your buying decision.
  • Has adjustable settings but not easy to use – The Akirakoki will let you adjust your coffee ground setting, but its biggest draw back is the work to do so. You will have to unscrew the top handle and bracket, and adjust the washer nut. Basically you are looking at some trial and error to figure out which setting gets you the right course, medium or fine grounds you desire.
  • Moderate grinding effort and inconsistent grind– Because this hand coffee grinder doesn’t come with the latest technology like double bearings, grinding has about average smoothness. Some reviews also reported inconsistent coffee grinds especially for medium to coarse coffee. But the consistency picks up when grinding fine coffee grounds.

Final Thoughts: For what the Akirakoki may lack in easily adjustable settings, low capacity, and inconsistent coffee grinding profile, it tries to make up for with its satisfying visual appeal, high quality build, and smooth grinding cast iron conical burs. At a decent average price for manual coffee grinders its may be worth considering as a starter coffee grinder depending on your needs.

Akirakoki Manual Grinder
With a unique carved wooden block design, iron conical burrs, but less tech features, the Akirakoki is right for the simple life coffee drinker.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#9. Zassenhaus Brasilia Coffee Mill (Best Looking)

Zassenhaus M040012 Brasilia Beech Wood Manual Coffee Mill, Dunkel Gebeizt, Dark/Chrome

If you treasure the experience of grinding your coffee, then part of that pleasure comes from the look of your coffee grinder. And there is probably no other manual coffee grinder on the market that is more visually appealing and easy on the eyes then the Zassenhaus coffee mills. Built with German precision and expertise, this coffee grinder isn’t just beauty, but comes with brains and brawn!

  • High quality finished wood exteriors – If you want your guest to say “oh what is that on your counter top” and beam with admiration for your taste in kitchen décor, then Zassenhaus is your pick. Just the name sounds fancy dancy right?! The finished wood and chrome build give it the recognizable craftsmanship the name is known for.
  • Resilient carbon steel conical burr grinder – Something to appreciate here is the reduced heat which preserves your flavors. If that doesn’t get you excited, then maybe their 25 year warranty on the grinder will! Seriously…25 years?!
  • Adjustable grind settings, but not easily – You can adjust from course to medium to fine coffee grounds, but there isn’t alot of precision built in like some of our click setting grinders.
  • Uniform coffee grinds – You’re looking at medium effort to grind your coffee, but you’ll also get nice even coffee grounds too more often than not.
  • Not travel friendly – With the Zassenhaus’s size and weight, you’re not going to be traveling the world with this in your luggage. This is more for your kitchen counter top and getting oohhs and aahhs from your guests.
  • Higher end price tag to consider

Final Thoughts: If you are looking for a coffee grinder that takes you back to a simpler time in life, with cherished memories of family and friends, then the Zassenhaus is a good fit. Keep it in your home. Grind any type of coffee you want. Appreciate the quality and long lasting addition to your coffee station, and brew new memories with your family and loved ones for years to come.

Zassenhaus Brasilia Coffee Mill
A simple, but well built wood exterior grinder with carbon steel conical burrs perfect for the visually inclined coffee drinker.

Last update on 2024-04-22

#10. LHS Manual Coffee Grinder (Best Cheap Manual Coffee Grinder)

LHS Manual Coffee Grinder with Ceramic Burrs, Hand Coffee Bean Grinder with 2 Containers Adjustable Coarseness for Home, Office and Travelling

If you want to get into the coffee grinding game, but money is a limited resource and your biggest criteria, then you may like what you see in the LHS manual coffee grinder. A cheap but decent quality grinder that can get you fresh coffee grounds in the morning without any hassle, is what this coffee grinder does.

  • Made with plastic and steel parts – Not the highest quality materials but many report it gets the job done and holds up.
  • Ceramic conical burr grinder – more flavor but prone to breaking down quicker long term.
  • Comes with only 4 adjustable grind settings – If you’re particular about your coffee grounds size, you’ll probably go nuts (in a bad way) with the LHS since it has a very simple 4 setting setup. No room for customization.
  • Just small and light enough for travel
  • Makes about 2-3 cups at a time – The LHS even comes with 2 container sizes to collect your coffee grounds if you want to grind more in one sitting.
  • Incredible price – At just $15, the quality of coffee grounds you get is just good enough to be very satisfied with this coffee grinder.

Final Thoughts: No money? No excuse to get your grind on! The LHS is just durable enough to grind decent quality coffee, fairly quickly, without coming close to breaking the bank. Great for beginners just dipping their toes in the coffee brewing world. Not a good pick for more experienced coffee fans though.

LHS Manual Coffee Grinder
Simple, made with plastic and steel parts, but grinds decent quality; perfect cheap grinder for the budget restricted.

Last update on 2024-04-22

Final Verdict: Your Best Manual Coffee Grinder

If you want the best quality coffee grinder on the market, pick the 1ZPresso Q2 Manual Coffee Grinder.

If you need something budget friendly, pick the Javapresse Manual Coffee Grinder.

If you’re looking for the best value for your money, pick the Vevok Chef Manual Coffee Grinder.

If your favorite brew is the French press, pick the Timemore Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder.

If batch grinding for your group during travels is most important, pick the Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill – Skerton Pro.

If you need the absolute best for espresso’s, pick the 1Zpresso JX-Pro Manual Coffee Grinder.

If you love your cold brews, pick the Porlex JP30 Mini Stainless Steel Grinder.

If antique design is your fancy, pick the Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder.

If you want your neighbors to be jealous of your taste in design when they visit, pick the Zassenhaus Brasilia Coffee Mill.

If you’re looking for the cheapest that gets the job done, pick the LHS Manual Coffee Grinder.

Final Thoughts

One of the greatest best tasting cups of coffee you will ever have will likely be the one you brewed with your personal hand coffee grinder. It will be like you upgrading from a tube television (do you remember those?) directly to a 60 in. LCD flat screen.

Overwhelming would be an understatement. You won’t know if you should fall to your knees and bow to the superior aroma and flavor, or kick yourself relentlessly for having waited this long to make the switch from pre ground!

Naturally the next move will be to take your uniformly ground coffee beans and brew a golden cup using the perfect settings from an SCAA coffee maker or French press.

Or you may consider saving space and time, and opting for a grind and brew coffee maker.

Regardless, this list will help you get started. The first step is to decide on the factors and criteria that are most important to you. From there you can pick out the best manual coffee grinder that fits you. Slowly through experimenting you will begin to uncover the perfect combination of factors to produce the perfect one cup for you.

Happy drinking my friend!

Coffee Has Never Read This Good!

Sign up for a FREE newsletter to the best home brewing tips and guides

Thank you for subscribing to The Cup Coffee House Crew! There's a surprise in your Inbox 🙂

Something went wrong.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *