Choosing a hand grinder is difficult. There are many brands and models, and not every hand grinder is suitable for every brewing method. In this guide, we compare ten hand grinders from our range by use (filter only, or espresso and filter), burr, and price range. This makes it easier to see which grinder to look at.

How do you brew your coffee?

Start not with the brand, but with how you brew your coffee. That's why we divide the ten grinders into two groups. Prices are from October 2026. Find the current price on the product page.

• Filter only: for pour-over and other filter coffee (four grinders).
• Espresso and filter coffee: one hand grinder for both (six grinders).

Filter only

• Hario Mini-Slim Plus (beginner): conical ceramic burrs and space for 24 grams of beans. Not confirmed for espresso.
• Hario Skerton N (beginner): ceramic burr, a capacity of 100 grams, and a glass jar. This is the largest capacity in this selection. Not confirmed for espresso.
• Hario Mini Black Pro (advanced): small grinder with a stainless steel burr and a 20-gram capacity.
• Timemore S3 (advanced): stainless steel S2C burr and 90 steps of 15 microns. Confirmed for filter coffee; sources disagree about espresso.

Espresso and filter coffee

• Hario Kabuto (advanced): aluminum body with a wooden handle, stainless steel conical burrs, and a 25-gram capacity. Hario lists click ranges for both espresso and filter coffee.
• Timemore C5 Pro (advanced): 42 mm stainless steel conical burr, 48 clicks of 0.031 mm, and a 30-gram bean capacity. The seller says it is suitable for espresso and filter coffee.
• AeroPress Manual Grinder (advanced): 38 mm titanium-coated stainless steel conical burrs and more than 60 settings. The grinder fits inside the plunger of your AeroPress.
• Timemore Chestnut X (advanced): 42 mm conical burr, 120 adjustment points (24 main settings with 5 micro-adjustments each), and a 30-gram capacity. Suitable for espresso and filter coffee.
• Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade (advanced): 39 mm conical burr, around 40 clicks of approximately 30 microns, and two 40-gram bean jars. Also available in a wooden version (Vintage Oak).
• Comandante C60 Baracuda (pro): 60 mm burr, Gold Clix adjustment and two 40-gram bean jars. According to Comandante, it grinds two to three times faster than the C40.

The grinders at a glance

A dash means this hasn't been confirmed by the manufacturer or seller. That doesn't automatically mean it isn't possible. Price range (based on the lowest price): € is up to €100, €€ is €100 to €250, and €€€ is €250 and up.

Which grinder is right for what?

• Lowest price: Hario Mini-Slim Plus.
• Largest capacity: Hario Skerton N (100 grams).
• On the go: AeroPress Manual Grinder, because it fits inside your AeroPress plunger.
• One grinder for espresso and filter: Comandante C40, Comandante C60 and Timemore Chestnut X. All three are confirmed to work for both.

Ceramic or steel?

This refers to the material of the burrs. In this selection, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus and the Hario Skerton N have ceramic burrs. The other eight are made of stainless steel. The material alone doesn't determine quality. The diameter, adjustment mechanism and construction of the grinder matter too.

Clicks or steps?

With a hand grinder, you usually set the grind size using clicks or steps. How fine each setting is varies by grinder: the Comandante C40 has about 40 clicks, the Timemore S3 has 90 steps, and the Timemore Chestnut X has 120 settings. More steps don't automatically mean a better grinder, but they do let you adjust the grind more precisely.

Looking for an electric grinder?

Read Which coffee grinder is right for you?, featuring ten electric grinders, and view our electric grinders.

How fine should you grind, and how should you store your beans?

Read How fine should I grind? and keep your beans fresh with the tips in How to store coffee.

View all hand grinders, all coffee grinders or the filter coffee grinders.