The Best Hand Grinders for Espresso

Maybe you’re one of those who believe that nothing good comes easy, especially not espresso, the king of caffeine beverages. If you’re looking to put some elbow grease into creating a shot, you might be looking for the best hand grinder for espressos. After all, one of the key elements to a good espresso is coffee grounds at the perfect fineness and texture.

Or maybe you just don’t want to spend a fortune. While it’s true that electric burr grinder do an excellent job in a jiffy, they do not come cheap. What’s more, it isn’t easy to carry around and taking it on the road with you is out of the question.

Whatever your reason for wanting the best manual coffee grinder for espresso, with the information in this review, you will know what to keep an eye out for when making your purchase.

Let’s get to it.

TOP PICK

I recommend the 1Zpresso J-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder because it’s beginner-friendly yet offers such a high level of consistency. Since you need fine and uniform grounds for your espresso, the hard-hitting burrs on the 1Zpresso J-Ultra are perfect for the job.  In fact, that’s the main reason why cheaper, competing models can’t come close to the J-Ultra. They lack the fine adjustment levels that the J-Ultra boasts of.

The Best Hand Grinders for Espresso Are:

Product	Key Features
Best Overall	1Zpresso J-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder 48mm premium coated stainless steel burr Over 100 clicks, 8 microns per click Magnetic catch cup	Check Amazon
	HEIHOX Hand Coffee Grinder 38mm steel conical burr Stainless steel housing Steppless grind settings	Check Amazon
	Hario Skerton Pro Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder Stable and durable design Powerful and durable conical burrs 100 grams holding capacity	Check Amazon
Best Budget	JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder Portable for travel/camping 18 grind settings Patented dual-plated conical ceramic burr grinder	Check Amazon
	Orphan Espresso Lido 3 Manual Coffee Grinder Swiss made 48mm stainless steel conical burr set Larger capacity hopper Shorter grind duration	Check Amazon

1. 1Zpresso J-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder

The 1Zpresso J-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder sets a high standard in the world of manual grinding, delivering exceptional performance for coffee enthusiasts who value precision and consistency. Featuring a robust 48 mm coated stainless steel burr grinder, it effortlessly breaks down coffee beans in half the time of its competitors, ensuring both efficiency and quality.

One standout feature of the J-Ultra is its external adjustment system, tailored for espresso enthusiasts. Each click on the adjustment dial shifts by 8 microns, providing precise control over grind sizes, from fine to extremely fine Turkish coffee. This ensures consistent and precise grinds, perfect for achieving the ideal espresso shot. Furthermore, the pyramid scale on the dial simplifies tracking rotations, eliminating the need to restart at #0 for redialing.

Designed with user comfort in mind, the grinder boasts an ergonomic design with a rubber sheathing around the neck for a secure grip, along with a large handle that facilitates easy operation, even for those with smaller hands. Its foldable crank handle and compact design make it ideal for on-the-go brewing, offering portability and convenience for travel or outdoor use. The addition of a magnetic catch cup adds a playful touch, allowing for effortless removal and reattachment.

Pros

• Aggressive burr grinders that increase efficiency
• Comfortable ergonomic design
• Made using high-quality parts that make it durable
• Consistent grinds

Cons

• Premium price

While the J-Ultra delivers exceptional performance, its premium price tag may be a deterrent for budget-conscious buyers. However, its quality and durability justify the investment for serious coffee enthusiasts.

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2. HEIHOX Hand Coffee Grinder

In your search for the a manual grinder for your espresso, you will come to realize that many models play it safe. Finding a hand grinder that takes your breath away is not easy. What most average manufacturers do is copy designs from each other. As a result, there are not that many innovative espresso hand grinders. But one thing is for sure: there is nothing boring about  HEIHOX’s manual coffee grinder.

Another awesome thing about the HEIHOX’s manual coffee grinder is that it is smooth on the eyes. Each one of its chambers features a different color, creating a pleasing visual aesthetic. The grinder has a matte finish and a grip surrounding the top chamber to improve the hold.

Still, the HEIHOX’s manual coffee grinder has more to offer than a sleek design. This small grinder packs a powerful punch. With its 38mm steel burrs, it will break down your espresso beans in no time. Count on the HEIHOX’s manual coffee grinder to break down 1 gram of espresso beans in just 1.3 seconds.

Without a doubt, the stand-out feature of this model is the number of grind settings: 24. As you can imagine, with this much control, finding the perfect grind texture for your espresso will be a breeze.

Pros

• All-metal design gives it a solid and high-quality build
• Compact size makes it easy to hold and carry
• Fast grinding speeds
• Consistent adjustment system

Cons

• Because of its price tag, traveling with it is a risk, and you will be at a loss if it gets damaged on the road

Few grinders can compete with HEIHOX’s manual coffee grinder in terms of efficiency. To be honest, this is not an entry-level grinder. It’s a professional-grade tool with a price tag to match. And here’s the best thing: this purchase will give you great value for your money and then some.

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3. Hario Skerton Pro Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder

The Japanese company Hario is renowned for manufacturing top-range coffee-making equipment. With a spotless track record, it’s no surprise that the Hario Skerton Pro is a crowd-pleaser. This grinder is designed with speed and efficiency in mind. Some features that make it a stand out model include:

If you are looking for an affordable yet efficient grinder,  this model is just what the doctor ordered. The powerful ceramic burr grinders produce little to no noise. What’s more, the Hario Skerton Pro has a massive holding capacity of 100g! I am sure you’ll agree that this is the ideal grinder when making espresso for a group of friends.

Pros

• Affordable, the Hario Skerton Pro is one of the cheapest grinders on the market
• Offers a wide range of grind settings
• Durable design
• Huge grind capacity

Cons

• Less portable compared to other grinders

For a smooth grinding experience where you don’t have to worry about quantity, the go-to option is Hario “Skerton Pro” Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder.

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4. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder

With the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, grinding your espresso beans on the go becomes much easier. Here’s why.

The JavaPresse comes with 18 grind settings, giving you a great amount of control over your grinding process. There are plenty of reasons why this product is flying off the shelves. Here are some of them:

Right off the bat, you’ll notice that the JavaPresse hand grinder has a striking yet functional design. The use of food-grade stainless steel is a great choice. Apart from being a durable material, it makes the grinder easy to clean. This is important when you are traveling or out camping where water is in a limited supply.

To add to this, the JavaPresse features a sensitive adjustment grind system, giving you a wide range of grind options, be it drip coffee, pour-over, or espresso.

Furthermore, the JavaPresse manual grinder is crafted using a patented dual-plated conical ceramic burr, enhancing its longevity in comparison to its stainless steel counterparts.

Pros

• An aggressive conical ceramic burr grinder
• It is one of the most affordable espresso hand grinders
• Eco-friendly, made with food-grade stainless steel
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Difficult to determine size setting

If you are looking for an affordable manual espresso grinder you can rely on for superior performance, the JavaPresse will match and even go beyond your expectations.

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5. Orphan Espresso Lido 3 Manual Coffee Grinder

The Lido series is well known in the specialty coffee community. After the first model in the series made a favorable impression, the company behind this amazing grinder made adjustments to further improve the product. The Lido 3 is the culmination of these efforts.

This model doesn’t disappoint. The first thing you’ll notice is that this manual grinder is on the bulky end. It weighs about two pounds. Yes, this bad boy is pretty heavy as well. Now, the weight comes as a trade-off since the Lido 3 is superbly crafted with high-quality materials for improved performance.

When it comes to materials, the Lido 3 is constructed using stainless steel, silicone, BPA-free plastics, and aluminum. The container for the grounds is made from PermaStat ABS plastic, which is designed to be durable and lightweight. What’s more, the material is resistant to static, preventing espresso grounds from sticking to its sides.

Also, unlike other models, the Lido 3 has an intricate adjustment mechanism. While some might find it overwhelming, it’s perfect for fine-tuning grounds for your espresso shots. The stepless grind adjustment on this model is unique since it features dual threaded rings.

For espresso grinding, the Lido 3 has a finer thread pitch in its adjustment ring. As you can guess, this makes dialing in your grinder for espresso much easier.

Pros

• The large 48 mm conical steel burrs make quick work of any brand of espresso beans
• This grinder is easy to hold despite its size
• It’s  transparent so you can see the burrs grinding your beans
• When it comes to portability, the Lido 3 has a folding handle that makes it easy to pack in a small space
• Comes with a durable carrying case
• Durable steel burrs
• Shorter grind duration

Cons

• Complex adjustment system but you could easily master it with time

Given its complexity and beastly performance, this manual grinder would make a perfect option for seasoned coffee connoisseurs. It may be slightly expensive, but you get ultimate value for your money.

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How to Pick the Best Espresso Manual Grinder

As much as you now know of the best hand grinders for espresso, additional info on making a great purchase won’t hurt.  This section will help you fine-tune your elimination process and narrow down on the grinder offering the most value for your money.

Let’s get started.

Grind Settings

Every great coffee grinder has a variety of settings. These settings help you grind your beans according to varying tastes so that you can prepare the best coffee. More grind settings give you better control and help you reach a superior level of precision.

Now for espresso, the most important settings are on the finer end of the spectrum. You want to be able to do micro adjustments to the grind size to fine tune your espresso grind.

For manual grinders that are designed for home use, try to go 20 settings, just to assure you some options for your settings for espressos. Of course many good manual grinders are stepless and won’t have clear “clickable” settings so you have to a lot of experimenting yourself to find the perfect grind for particular beans.

Here’s a great instructional video for adjusting manual grind settings

Burrs

Two things you should never overlook when it comes to burrs is type and material.

Material

There are two major options available to you when it comes to material: ceramic and steel burrs. If you plan to leave your grinder at home, then ceramic burrs will do just fine. The fact that they don’t generate heat is an added advantage.

On the other hand, if your grinder will be a constant companion on your travels, then you are better off going for steel burrs. Apart from being less expensive, they won’t break easily on the road.

Burr Type (Conical vs Flat)

Two burr options are available for you to choose from: conical and flat. Both create great espresso, but there are subtle differences between them you do not want to miss out on.

Let’s begin with conical burrs. Their major feature is a larger surface area that helps them get rid of heat faster. This type of burr can grind coffee particles in all the sizes you want, from small to large, and is way more affordable compared to flat burrs. Also, it makes relatively less noise, can be cleaned with ease, and produces minimal grinding waste.

Flat burrs, on the other hand, use a flat disk for grinding the beans and are a little more powerful. As a result, they generate uniformly ground coffee, no matter the size you choose. Most coffee aficionados love this type of burr primarily due to this feature, because it enables them to brew unique flavors of coffee.  However, flat burrs generate more grinding waste, are noisier than conical burrs, and take some time before one learns to effectively use them.

Of the two, conical burrs are the most preferred by coffee lovers because they make less noise, generate little grinding waste, are less expensive, available in different varieties, and easy to clean.

Budget

Most options for manual grinders are very affordable, efficient, and durable. Yes, there is such a thing as a high-end hand grinder, but it’s not going to be as expensive as a good electric burr grinder.

In my experience, the best approach is setting up a flexible budget. Since you want to pick the best possible grinder, you can easily check out different brands and models with a flexible budget.

Remember, it’s all about how much you are comfortable spending on your coffee equipment.

Replacements

Good luck finding a cheap hand grinder that comes with a warranty. If the manual grinder of your choice doesn’t come with one, you should ensure that you can easily find spare parts.

What’s more, it should be made of highly durable parts. Keep in mind that grinding espresso beans is a taxing process, so a grinder made of cheap parts will definitely break down in no time.

My advice? If you can, only purchase a grinder with a warranty from the manufacturer. Better safe than sorry!

Capacity

While portable hand grinders are great when you travel, you should be aware that there is a trade-off on capacity.

It is not recommended that you chug down endless shots of espresso, but I’m sure you want a grinder that can grind beans for at least one shot. If you plan on making espresso for more than one person, then you should go for a grinder that can contain at least 20g of coffee beans.

Size

The overall size of a manual grinder can be a deal breaker. Here’s the thing: you should pick a grinder that best suits your needs.

Is traveling a major concern for you? Then you should go for a grinder that focuses on mobility. Such a grinder will have sleek aesthetics and is rather easy to store in your suitcase or backpack.

On the other hand, if you are thinking of getting a manual grinder for use at home, then portability won’t be much of an issue. In this case, you can get a larger grinder that can process a larger amount of coffee beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a manual grinder for espresso?

There are a lot of differing opinions when it comes to making espresso. On the subject of grinders, don’t believe the ‘experts’ who claim that an electric burr grinder is your only option for espresso.

A manual espresso grinder will get you the same results that an electric grinder will. In fact, in some cases, the manual grinder will produce better results. Just make sure that the grinder you purchase is designed with grinding espresso beans in mind.

For starters, you should be able to make small changes with its adjustment system. Also, the burrs should be hardy enough to produce fine grinds for your espresso.

Are manual espresso grinders fast enough?

Again, it depends on your needs. While grinding by hand does take some effort, most models will grind enough coffee for one cup in just under a minute.

However, since you need a fine grind for espresso, more time is obviously needed at the crank. This is the main reason why you should only purchase a grinder meant for grinding espresso beans.

It’s important to note that a high-quality espresso hand grinder is surprisingly fast since it has been customized to grind the beans to a fine texture while reducing the effort required.

Why are premium hand grinders expensive?

Since hand grinders require effort, they should be cheaper … right? Well, this is partly true.

Yes, entry-level manual grinders can be purchased at relatively cheap prices. But the premium models have a much higher price tag. In some cases, they cost more than entry-level electric burr grinders. And there’s one main reason for this: materials used.

While entry-level hand grinders contain a lot of plastic parts, premium models do not. In fact, top-shelf grinders from renowned companies are made mostly of metal and other high-quality materials. From the overall aesthetics to the inner workings, no corners are cut.

The fact that only the best materials are sourced in the construction of premium grinders influences the purchase price.

Crank Up Your Espresso Game

If you want nothing but the best, look no further than the 1Zpresso J-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder. It’s a wonderfully constructed durable grinder that is fine-tuned to ensure you have the best grounds for your espresso. And for all it’s able to offer, you only pay a reasonable price for it that is way cheaper than what other brands have to offer.

I agree that finding the best manual espresso grinder is not a task for the faint-hearted. Thankfully, the information in this guide is enough to help you have a productive purchase journey. As you go around ‘window’ shopping, keep all the essential factors we discussed in mind.