If you enjoy espresso, you already know that a good cup of espresso begins with a good coffee bean grinder. An excellent espresso machine can quickly produce a rich, intense espresso at home. In addition, many coffee machines include a high-quality grinder. However, if you do not own a two-in-one coffee maker, you may need to consider purchasing a separate grinder for your coffee routine.

So, I’ll go over some of the best hand grinder for espresso, as well as detailed evaluations and purchasing advice. By the end of this guide, you’ll have learned everything you need to know to buy the best grinder for your needs! So, keep reading if you’re new to the espresso world, looking to upgrade your current coffee equipment, or want to up your espresso game!

What Should You Consider When Looking For The Best Coffee Grinder For Espresso?

If you liked coffee, you used to buy a pre-ground can from the grocery store and use it until it was empty. Many people nowadays prefer a smoother, richer flavor you can’t get from a store-bought can. Coffee beans that are freshly ground just before use have the most flavor. You should consider a few things when looking for the best coffee grinder for espresso.

You need to consider the material used in making the grinder. Steel has a higher thermal conductivity, so it heats and cools more quickly. Because ceramic has a lower thermal conductivity, it takes longer to heat and cool. Ceramic burrs last longer than steel burrs.

The most important aspect of making great espresso is how it is ground. Finely ground fresh coffee beans provide a rich flavor. The finer the grind and the more consistent the consistency of the ground bits, the better your shot will be every time.

Portable coffee grinders are described as small and compact. It means you can only crank a certain number of beans at a time. It is critical to be realistic; you want a coffee grinder with the appropriate capacity. If you plan on grinding coffee for more than 2-3 people, be prepared to get a good arm workout.

Check to see if the one you’re considering can grind your beans as coarse or fine as you like. Because you’ll want to grind your beans right before brewing, the bean hopper must be large enough. It is especially important if you frequently entertain guests or have a large family.

What Are the Types of Hand Grinders For Espresso?

There are different types of hand grinders, and knowing the type that suits your needs will help you decide on the best hand grinder.

A blade grinder is similar to a food chopper because it has a blade at the bottom that spins to chop up your beans. Blade grinders are great because they are inexpensive but do not grind your coffee consistently. Some beans will be ground into a fine powder, while others will be left in large chunks. If you run the blade for an extended period to grind more beans, you risk burning them.

Burr grinders have two burrs that grind the beans one at a time. One of these burrs is stationary, while the other is connected to the unit’s motor. The burr system crushes the beans rather than slicing them like a blade. You’ll still get a larger piece now and then, but most of your grind will be reasonably consistent-sized pieces.

Another type is the flat burr grinder. A flat burr grinder uses centrifugal force to push coffee beans into the teeth inside the burr. To obtain fine grinds, a bean is pushed further through the burrs and passed through finer teeth. You can move the two burr pieces closer together for a finer grind and further apart for a coarser grind.

A conical burr has a stationary cylinder-shaped burr and a rotating cone-shaped burr inside the cylinder to grind your beans. The beans are placed at the top of the conical burr and use gravity to work their way down through the blades. The teeth become smaller as the bean passes through, resulting in a finer grind. Conical burrs are very common in the world’s best espresso grinders.

Best Hand Grinder For Espresso

1. Timemore Chestnut C2

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There are a couple of excellent manual coffee grinders from Timemore, including the Slim Plus and the Chestnut Nano. However, the Timemore C2 performs at a comparable level while offering more affordable pricing. The C2 has 38mm stainless steel burrs guaranteeing a precise and consistent grind. The burrs are easily adjustable; spin the dial to the grind setting you choose.

Both the exterior and inside of the Timemore C2 are distinctive. The non-slip aluminum body of the grinder makes holding it considerably simpler and the grinding process much less tiring. The job is made significantly more difficult, in my experience, when hand grinders slip into your hands. The Timemore C2 is one of the quickest grinders on the market and can ground coffee in as little as 1 second per gram thanks to its high-quality burrs and practical design.

Pros:

• Solidly built.
• An upgraded version, grind adjustment is all metal.
• Sharp well-cut burrs

Cons:

• Relatively large increments in grind level for espresso

 

2. Hario Mini Mill Coffee Grinder

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The Hario Mini Mill Coffee Grinder stands as a legendary classic among modern, cylindrical, hand-operated coffee grinders. This particular Hario grinder is quite popular worldwide. It is frequently chosen by specialty coffee cafes to display as part of their back-bar coffee paraphernalia selections since it is reasonably priced. The Mini mill Hario coffee grinder is incredibly durable thanks to its sleek plastic construction. 

Additionally, the value of the coffee grounds for the money paid is very high. The bean hopper’s bottom cog is simply adjustable and allows switching the grind size. The body of the device can occasionally be a bit difficult to handle. The matte coating on the upper chamber increases friction, but if your hands periodically sweat, you could find that it’s occasionally a bit more challenging to turn the handle.

Pros:

• Classic design
• Great value
• Easy to use

Cons:

• It can be difficult to grip

 

3. Comandante C40 MK3 Nitro Blade

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When compared to other manual coffee grinders, the Comandante is by and away the best option. The German-made Comandante coffee grinder was developed with the help of baristas to produce consistently excellent coffee. Steel with a martensitic nitrogen composition makes up the nitro blade burr. It takes specialized equipment and tools to operate something so challenging.

However, meticulous engineering pays off in robust, highly wear-resistant blades that retain their edges well. The upper chamber is decorated in various colors with an ergonomic oak wood grip, and the exterior is very attractive. The Comandante grinder feels quite hefty and weighs more than twice as much as most hand grinders due to the sturdy burrs.

It is unquestionably advantageous because the added weight gives the grinder a more substantial feel. Because it still weighs much less than a kilo, it shouldn’t significantly increase the suitcase’s weight. Some coffee experts/geeks will undoubtedly enjoy the Comandante coffee grinder’s clever add-on, which is included with the grinder. The axle improvement known as the Red Clix provides twice as many clicks as the standard axle. It implies that you can increase the precision of the grind’s coarseness.

Pros:

• Extremely precise
• Fast
• Great design

Cons:

• Expensive

What’s the Difference Between Blade VS. Burr Grinders?

So you’re probably wondering what the difference is between a blade grinder and a burr grinder.

As the name implies, a blade coffee grinder has blades that chop up the coffee beans into smaller pieces. This grinder is frequently less expensive than a burr grinder, but it is less precise and produces less consistent grinds. As a result, some of your coffee will be ground finer – or chunkier – than the rest.

It means that your espresso machine may not be able to extract all of the flavors and aromas from your coffee grounds, resulting in less-than-perfect cups of coffee – not ideal if you’re looking to improve your espresso-making skills.

Burr grinders, on the other hand, use two burrs (revolving abrasive surfaces) to grind the coffee beans uniformly. A single stationary burr and a second revolving burr are typically used. This grinder is more expensive than a blade grinder, but it produces a much more consistent grind, resulting in a better cup of coffee every time.

What Are Some Tips to Get The Best Budget Coffee Grinder for Espresso?

Are you looking for the best budget espresso coffee grinder? You’ve arrived at the right place! Here are some guidelines to help you select the best one.

First, consider the type of coffee you want to grind. Any basic model will suffice if you only need a cheap grinder to make drip coffee. However, if you want the perfect espresso grind, you’ll need a burr grinder.

Take into account how much money you want to spend next. Many excellent budget options are available, but you may have to sacrifice features or quality.

Finally, read customer reviews and compare various models. The best way to find the best grinder for your needs is to research and compare various options. I’ve already compiled a list of some of the best budget hand grinders for espresso, so take a look!

Conclusion

If you enjoy espresso, investing in a good hand grinder for espresso can significantly improve your coffee game. Depending on your budget, each grinder listed above will be ideal for home espresso brewing.