Despite the popularity of electric units, many still prefer the simplicity of the best manual coffee grinders, and for good reason.
Not only are they portable but also easy to clean and significantly less expensive.
With a manual coffee grinder, you can prepare freshly ground coffee even when camping in the middle of nowhere.
These tools are also reliable and will last you many years of service.
Comparison Chart
Best Manual Coffee Grinder Reviews
1. TRIPLE TREE Manual Coffee Grinder with Ceramic Burrs
The TRIPLE TREE Manual Coffee Grinder has ceramic burrs that won’t heat up your coffee grounds during processing.
As such, you’d be able to keep the flavor of your favorite coffee beans intact.
Even with its solid build, it only weighs 11 ounces, so it’s still extremely portable.
It’s also pretty compact at 8.7 x 8.35 x 5.24 inches, allowing you to pack in your go-bag for when you’re off the grid.
Review
This manual coffee grinder combines the best properties of stainless steel and ceramic, making it durable and long-lasting.
You’ll find that the stainless-steel handle feels sturdy and secure.
Moreover, you can trust that the durable ceramic burrs will remain sharp for a long time.
Its most significant selling point yet is the fact that it doesn’t heat up your coffee beans, so the flavor is not affected.
If you’re worried about having a hard time achieving your desired grind size, you can stop now.
The adjustable grind control lets you choose the setting according to your preferences.
To do this, you simply need to unscrew the base to uncover the knob underneath.
Then, turn it clockwise for a coarse grind or counter-clockwise for a finer grind.
With your convenience in mind, TRIPLE TREE made the lid using silicone, which is soft to the touch and secures the grounds inside.
Aside from the lid, the base also has a silicone covering to ensure that the machine stays stable as you’re grinding.
Plus, you’ll also like that this manual grinder comes with an extra 5.5-ounce glass jar.
Use it to store your whole coffee beans or grounds to keep them from going stale.
You can disassemble the machine and wash the removable parts by hand to ensure cleanliness.
You will also get a brush and a scoop as welcome add-ons.
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2. Hario Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill
The Hario Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill has a lightweight and slim body that makes for easy storage.
It’s one of the lightest manual coffee grinders on the market, which is why it’s the ideal choice for traveling coffee lovers.
This grinder stands at approximately seven inches, so it will take up very little room on your kitchen counter or in your travel backpack.
It can even fit in your rucksack’s bottle holder. What’s more, it only weighs 8.75 ounces.
Review
The Hario Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill has a slim profile made of plastic.
Even with its all-plastic construction, it remains durable enough to withstand the rigors of travel.
Within the simple-looking body is a sophisticated ceramic burr that can produce coffee grounds in various sizes.
You will also notice that this manual grinder has also done away with an old fiddle lock nut in place of a hex-locking handle.
As a result, you can expect the grinder to stay in place no matter how vigorously you crank the handle.
The handle is detachable, so it doesn’t look awkward when you put it into the side pocket of your bag.
The slim profile also makes it easier to grip, much like a water bottle, so you can carry it by hand with ease.
Compared to previous models, the newest Hario Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill has a new and improved handy lock.
Additionally, it boasts a reinforced hexagonal adapter that promotes consistent grind consistency and prevents breakage and slipping.
Like the TRIPLE TREE Manual Coffee Grinder, it has an adjustable grind control that is easy to change and use.
Even without looking at the manual, you’ll know how to switch from coarse to fine grind by simply turning the knob.
The base of the mill grips nicely on solid surfaces, although it still requires a fair amount of arm and hand strength to keep it stable.
It can grind up to 24 grams of coffee, which should be good for two cups of brewed coffee.
However, since it’s more on the smaller side, the beans will take quite a while to grind.
In terms of grind size, you’ll notice that the Hario Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill produces grounds as consistent as the other mills.
Sometimes, the handle can come off while grinding, so you must ensure it’s securely locked and tight.
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3. 1Zpresso JX-PRO Manual Coffee Grinder
Do you enjoy the many different types of coffee? Whether for pour-over or espresso, you need a reliable manual coffee grinder.
The 1Zpresso JX-Pro is a premium grinder that lets you move the burr by 12.5 microns per click.
This way, it’d be easier to achieve the best grind size for the coffee you want to prepare.
Review
The 1Zpresso JX-Pro, first released in 2019, is the updated version of the JX coffee mill.
The old and new models share many features, but you will notice that the JX-Pro is taller and heavier.
It’s very sleek and well-made, and the wooden knob on the handle helps you have a secure grip.
Another key difference from its predecessor is the adjustment.
The JX-Pro has more settings and provides easier access to the adjustment.
Specifically, it features 40 clicks in a full rotate and over 200 clicks setting to give you complete control over the size and uniformity of the coffee grind you want.
Inside the mill is a 48mm conical burr that is very durable and stable.
The internal fixing between the burr and the central shaft prevents wobbling or coming loose when you are grinding.
Moreover, you’ll find that the 1Zpresso JX-Pro is very easy to clean.
You can disassemble all parts without using any tool, making it possible to thoroughly clean and maintain them without re-calibrating the burr.
This manual grinder has an aluminum build, so it’s pretty sturdy. However, if you’re looking for something lightweight, this doesn’t fit the bill.
Compared to the other manual coffee grinders, the JX-Pro weighs 27 ounces.
That said, it does have a slim and sleek design that can fit nicely into the side pocket of your backpack.
Furthermore, the grounds chamber has a capacity of 30 to 35 grams, depending on the bean type you’re grinding.
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4. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
This sleek and tall coffee mill features 18 adjustable grind settings to help you craft the perfect cup.
Additionally, it comes with a patented dual-plated ceramic burr assembly and a built-in adjustable grind selector for your convenience.
Review
Despite its low price point, this hand grinder boasts plenty of features that will impress any coffee lover.
One thing to love about this tool is its multiple grind settings. You can choose among different grind variations, from fine to medium, medium-coarse, and coarse.
You can achieve each setting with two or three clicks on the grind setting knob. Simply turn the knob to the left for coarser grinds or to the right for finer particles.
The dimensions of this JavaPresse grinder are 1.8 x 1.8 x 7.5 inches.
As you can imagine, it’s pretty sleek, so it can fit nicely in your backpack or travel suitcase.
You also won’t have to worry about possibly breaking it as you go because it has a stainless-steel body.
However, you still have to be more careful because the grinder has some glass parts.
These components can shatter if you accidentally drop them or get tightly sandwiched inside your bag.
The JavaPresse Manual Grinder is one of the quietest hand grinders around.
In fact, you can expect to hear only a soft hum when grinding coffee beans. So, if noise is an issue for you, this is an excellent pick.
Another unique feature is the dual-plate ceramic burr assembly, which efficiently produces a decent grind consistency.
As you grind, one plate holds the burrs in place while the other spins with the crank, ensuring the most precise grind possible.
To change the grind setting, you will have to remove the bottom reservoir to uncover the setting knob.
Since it has plenty of grind levels, this coffee mill is suitable for most types of brewing methods, from French press to espresso and pour-over.
If you’re brewing for more people, this manual grinder won’t disappoint.
It can hold around 40 grams in the chamber, so you can brew for up to three people in one go.
However, keep in mind that it isn’t the fastest manual grinder. Also, the detachable handle can slip off during grinding.
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5. PARACITY Manual Coffee Bean Grinder
The PARACITY Manual Coffee Bean Grinder boasts an adjustable control function, a stainless-steel ceramic handle, and two glass bowls for storing your beans on the go.
Are these features enough to make it the best choice among the rest?
Review
Like the TRIPLE TREE Manual Coffee Grinder, this tool comes with an extra glass jar that can serve as storage for your coffee grounds.
Each glass jar can hold 11 ounces of beans, depending on the size.
If you’re looking for a super affordable grinder that you can take to your outdoor adventures, this one might be it.
The adjustable control function helps you achieve a fine or coarse grind consistency for your morning cup.
You will like that it features a ceramic drill bit that promotes accurate and even grinding.
Plus, a silicone cover in the lid helps preserve the flavor and aroma of your ground beans.
Meanwhile, the non-slip base will keep the grinder firm and secure on the table while you crush your beans.
This manual grinder has a stainless-steel handle that is pretty solid and reliable.
It is a basic model capable of grinding coffee beans good for one to two cups of coffee.
Since it has fine and coarse grind settings, you can use it for different brewing methods, such as drip, espresso, and French Press.
The burr assembly is made of ceramic, which is the industry standard for manual grinders.
Since it doesn’t overheat, you can preserve the flavor of the coffee beans during grinding.
The grinder itself is removable, and you can disassemble the parts for cleaning and washing.
It also comes with a brush for cleaning particles stuck inside the glass jar or around the burr assembly.
However, we find that this grinder takes quite a while to process beans. It might take you several minutes to grind enough for one cup of coffee.
Another thing is that the locking bolt tends to tighten to the point of needing a tool to remove it for cleaning.
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Which Manual Coffee Grinder Is the Best?
After careful comparison and testing, we hail the TRIPLE TREE as the best manual coffee grinder on this list.
If you don’t mind the premium price tag, you can enjoy the fact that it delivers the most consistent grind size.
For a more budget-friendly alternative, you might want to check out the JavaPresse Manual Grinder instead.
Though not as pricey, it has all the basic features you’ll want from a manual coffee grinder.
Not only will you be able to take advantage of its 18 adjustable grind settings but also the dual-plate ceramic burr system.