Outstanding Best Manual Coffee Grinders (Hand-Powered) 2022: There is one thing deliciously sacred regarding grinding low beans by hand. Indeed for some, it seems as if it has become something of a ritual, drawing them even closer to their very favorite beverage. The best manual coffee grinders can provide the same high-precision burr grinding as their electric counterparts, without all the noise and fuss of an electric-powered motor. This makes them ideal for camping trips and extended road excursions when a well-made cup of coffee might be otherwise to track down.
Our team has marched through the data, examining dozens of the highest-reviewed and best-selling hand coffee grinders along the way. The results are in, and we’re about to treat you to a quick rundown of the top ten grinders of the year. Stick around after the review, where we will be hosting a digital discussion on what makes a great grinder and how you can learn to shop for one yourself.
Naturally, the first thing that comes to our mind when we hear coffee grinder is that it has to be “electric”. But, in reality, that is not at all true. On some occasions, getting a hand-powered grinder could be your best option. And here are some of the most notable reasons for that-
- Less expensive
- More portable
- Less noisy
- More interaction
Sounds fair enough? GREAT! But, there is one tiny problem.
You simply can’t get any manual grinder for your coffee. The market is saturated with lots of products. As a matter of fact, there are products of well-known brands that fail to live up to the customer’s expectations.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Manual Coffee Grinder?
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Size
There is no definite size that you should opt for when buying a manual coffee grinder. However, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. First of all, as mentioned above, portability is a great facility for a manual grinder. So, if you prefer to get one that you can carry anywhere you want, your best bet would be to get the cylindrical grinders. On the other hand, if your grinder will just sit on your kitchen space, then you can get a larger product that can give a vintage look and grab anyone’s attention.
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Material
Normally, you will have to choose between two options when it comes to the burr material. These are – Stainless Steel and Ceramic. A stainless-steel burr is very durable and easy to clean. They are proven to give high-quality service when it comes to grinding the beans consistently. So, if you want to take your grinder on the go, the steel material should be your priority. On the other hand, ceramic burrs are much more suited to home purposes. They are also good at grinding with consistency. However, we personally recommend the grinders with a stainless-steel burr.
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Grind Settings
Yes, we know the grinder is manual. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t offer other facilities. In fact, you should always look for a grinder with multiple grind settings. The coffee grounds will later be taken to a coffee machine to brew the coffee. In that case, not all grind sizes will be suitable for all types of coffee. So, whether it’s French press or espresso or any other coffee type you are looking to brew, make sure the grinder has that setting beforehand.
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Budget
The budget is an important thing to consider when getting a hand grinder. As you will be spending a lot of energy and time with this machine, you wouldn’t want it to stop working accurately after a few days’ use. So, if possible, try to pay a few extra bucks and get a quality machine that will last longer instead of a cheap one that could break your heart within a short period.
Quality of Manual Coffee Grinders
We are talking about the burrs here as they go through the most stress. You have two options, steel or ceramic, both with their good and bad points.
Grinders can come in all kinds of materials, but consider stainless steel or ceramic as the best possible option as it is durable, easy to clean, and looks great on the countertop next to your coffee machine. Here are the Top Picks Reviewed with Pros & Cons to make it easy for your next purchase
So today, we are going to present before you a list of the Best Manual Coffee Grinders in 2022. However, there are a few things that need attention when it comes to buying a manual grinder. So, we have included a buying guide in the next section. Before jumping straight into the list, we highly recommend you give it a read.
Top 7 Best Manual Coffee Grinders 2022 with Pros & Cons
1. 1Zpresso Q2 Portable Manual Coffee Grinder
Our first choice in the list is the 1Zpresso Q2 Portable Manual Coffee Grinder. This coffee grinder simply has it all. All the features that you want to look for in a hand-powered grinder come in a package with this small baby. It is extremely lightweight and easy to use. It won’t take any of your extra space. So, you can easily carry it in a bag or wherever you want to.
This product comes with 60 clicks for the general settings and can give you consistent grinds. So, whatever coffee you are willing to brew will definitely be worth it if you grind with this grinder. The cleaning process of this machine doesn’t get any easier. It has a disassemble feature that will allow you to disassemble the parts for easy and thorough cleaning.
However, it has one drawback that we simply cannot deny. As the machine is small, its capacity is also small. So, if you are looking to grind coffee beans for a large batch, this simply isn’t worth the effort.
2. 1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder
Our second pick is also a product of 1Zpresso and happens to be the perfect solution to the problem of our first pick. The 1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder is a larger version of the former product. Its quality is incomparable when it comes to grinding with perfection. The 48mm conical burr stainless-steel grinders give a consistent grind, just the way you want it. There are over 40 clicks range of grind settings. So, you can perfectly prepare the coffee grounds for any type of coffee.
As always, the cleaning mechanism is very easy with this machine. You simply need to disassemble the parts and clean them thoroughly so that no parts stay uncleaned. Although it solved the problem of the small capacity of the previous machine, it did sacrifice one important feature that people look for when buying a manual grinder. The large size is not suitable for portability. So, it’s the best option if you want to use it at home.
3. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
The JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder is our third pick on the list. This is the right product for anyone who isn’t much concerned with the design but is looking for a great product with portability and affordability. It has a durable stainless steel body which makes the build quality worth appreciating. Conical burr grinders are used in the machine. In addition to that, it also features a dual plate system. The combination of these two factors helps to grind the beans with stability and consistency.
The hand crank of the grinder is detachable. This signals the clear fact that portability isn’t going to be a problem with this machine. Nonetheless, we did find some major issues with this machine. Firstly, there is an adjustable knob underneath the grinder that is used for adjusting the grind settings. But, you cannot simply understand the right setting to get the desired results. At least not the first time you are using them.
So, it takes time to adjust to the machine’s grind settings. And finally, we can’t vouch for this product if you are looking to grind the beans more often. It simply isn’t as easy as the other products we have reviewed on the list. However, at such an affordable price range, we cannot expect anything more than what this machine offers.
4. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton Pro
If you are on a tight budget, then this next product is for you. The Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton Pro is a nicely designed lightweight grinder that promises fine quality. The grinder has ceramic conical burrs that can produce consistent and uniform grinds. And, that is definitely a great signal for a product at such an affordable price.
One thing that we must appreciate is the non-slip rubber base. It makes it very easy and comfortable to grind the coffee beans. And when it comes to making things easy, it also didn’t forget to include a disassemble feature. Thus, cleaning this baby is a piece of cake. However, you can’t rely on this product when it comes to portability. The sole reasons for this are the glass material at its base and the bulky shape. It is fragile and is prone to cracks very easily. So, it’s best if you planned on using it for your home purposes.
5. Zassenhaus Santiago Manual Coffee Mill
The last product on the list is probably the most unique hand-powered grinder you will ever find in the market. The Zassenhaus Santiago Manual Coffee Mill is not only a grinder, but also a true piece of art to have in your kitchen.
The conical burrs in the machine are so special that the manufacturers gave a 25-year warranty on the grinding mechanism. Needless to say that the grounds produced from this machine are one of a kind. This machine also features a lot of grind settings. So, whatever coffee you are wanting to brew, you can safely rely on this manual grinder.
However, perhaps you already know that a product with such a classic design will cost you more bucks than usual. And in addition to that, you also won’t be able to carry it very easily as it is quite heavy and large-shaped. But then again, who carries such an amazing piece on the go?
Best Manual Coffee Grinders – The Final Verdict
Final Words: Our Recommendations
The list of the best manual coffee grinders was made after trying and testing multiple products from well-known brands. To our best judgment, we found these to be outstanding in the market in 2022. However, there can be other products which different people might prefer otherwise.
Nonetheless, we genuinely believe that any one of the products listed above will satisfy you to the brim. So, with the help of the buying guide and weighing the pros and cons of all the grinders, we would suggest you make a pick based on your personal preferences. But, if you are still confused about what to pick, then we can make a few recommendations based on our experience with the products.
Best Budget Manual Coffee Grinder
The Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton Pro is the best budget-friendly hand-powered grinder we have tested so far. It has a lightweight design and is quite easy to operate. You shouldn’t be having trouble with the cleaning process as well for its dissemble feature. So, if you want a bang for the buck, this is the right product for you.
Best Overall Manual Coffee Grinder
Let’s recall all the points that made you want to get a manual coffee grinder in the first place. Well, the 1Zpresso Q2 Portable Manual Coffee Grinder is the perfect hand-powered grinder that has it all. Apart from its small capacity, which isn’t big of an issue, we couldn’t find a single fault in this baby. Its affordable, portable, and consistent. IT’S GREAT!
If it isn’t clear, hand grinders aren’t our favorite. They are great for camping or meditating over a cup of coffee, but they don’t have the consistency, speed, or durability that electric grinders do. Some of these could be bought purely for aesthetics. We’re not saying that you can’t produce a good cup of coffee with these hand grinders.
Read more about the Best BPA-Free Coffee Makers 2022
What we are saying is that you can produce a better cup more consistently with other products. Never one to tell you how to enjoy coffee, it should be pointed out that we understand the motivation to feel every aspect of making your coffee cup. While we don’t find any of these to be perfect, some are much better than others, and we hope that these reviews help guide you through the vast market of hand grinders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I grind my own coffee?
If you want to get a richer taste and flavor out of your cup of joe, then you cannot but choose the option of grinding your own coffee. It is way better than the pre-ground coffee you buy from the market.
Are Manual Coffee Grinders worth it?
There is no specific time period of the longevity of a manual coffee grinder. However, on average, they should last about 5-7 years.
How long do manual Coffee Grinders last?
There is no specific time period of the longevity of a manual coffee grinder. However, on average, they should last about 5-7 years.