Top 10 Best Manual Coffee Grinders in 2021 (JavaPresse, Hario, and More)

Many people choose to use manual coffee grinders over electric ones. Theoretically, hand-ground coffee should taste better, as the high-speed friction of electric machines might heat the beans during the grinding process. In practice, however, no one can tell the difference in taste as the grinding time is just a couple of minutes. 

Many choose hand grinders because they are relatively inexpensive, more portable and convenient to make small amounts of ground coffee. Coffee beans shouldn't be ground too far in advance as they start losing flavor and aroma when exposed to air. Also, some find the act of grinding quite meditative.

Choosing a manual coffee grinder can be difficult, so we've looked at reviews and chosen the top 10 to get you started on your search. We've also included a buying guide to help you find your perfect manual coffee grinder.

If you're reading this, you may have already decided that a manual grinder is right for you, or you may still be considering going electric. We'll go over the differences between the two to get you started on picking the right one for you.

A higher price does not always mean a better grinder. A certain taboo has surrounded the use of cheaper blade coffee grinders as they chop up the beans into random sizes. Usually, better grinders will have ceramic burrs, which is a very neutral material.

Coffee aficionados are wary of cheaper materials that will give their precious beans a plastic or metallic taste. A well-made burr grinder comes with settings that you can use to select the size of the grind for your brewing method. 

Coffee geeks like to debate if conical or flat burrs are better, but this is really minutia and should come after you have already decided on your budget. Even if you have just begun to grind beans, don't select something just because it is inexpensive as it may make you give up on manual grinding altogether. 

Manually grinding will take more time. Not only that, but you'll also have to apply some physical effort in grinding the beans. It may not seem like a lot in the beginning but as the days go by, you may find yourself getting a little bored.

Coffee needs to be ground just before drinking, so you'll have to always make space in your schedule for the entire process of weighing out your beans, filling the grinder and actually grinding. 

For this reason, buying a good quality grinder becomes of paramount importance as you have to apply an amount of elbow grease and you want the mechanism to move smoothly and easily.

Manual grinding takes your time and your energy. That's why manual grinders are used to make relatively small amounts of coffee, like one or two cups.

If you're a heavy coffee drinker who makes a pot first thing in the morning, you may not want to go the manual route. However, if you have some special beans that you want to savor by preparing a little amount, a good quality manual grinder will enhance your beans and add to your experience. 

Also, as this type of grinder is human powered, there's going to be a little bit of variation in the size of the grinds. The greater amounts you make, the greater the variations, though this shouldn't alter the taste too badly if you're using a good grinder.

A grinder is a machine that you work with. Your hand needs to wrap around the barrel and you'll will have to turn the shaft. So the comfort of gripping the grinder and the smooth action of its internal mechanism are an important factors to consider. Some grinders come with rubber grips or pads at the bottom to help prevent them from slipping. 

Storing the grinder is also a consideration. The shafts are always perpendicular to the body of the grinder, making them take up more space than expected. Some grinders can be a bit tall, making them a little difficult to store in cabinets. 

Many people who use manual grinders do so because of their portability. Whether you want to make a brew while camping, or perhaps you're a frequent business traveler who gets a sense of home when making a cup of your favorite coffee, portability is key.

That's why many hand grinders are made of materials like plastic or stainless steel, which makes them sturdy enough to be thrown in a suitcase. If you're buying a grinder to take on the road, also consider the weight of the grinder as well.

A coffee grinder will have to be cleaned at least once a week, if not more depending on how often it's used. It is especially important to clean out your grinder if you're switching roasts. A manual grinder is relatively easier to clean than an electric grinder, as it has fewer moving parts. 

You will have to take your grinder apart in order to clean it. Grinders have a fairly straightforward mechanism, and you should be able to put it back together again with some basic common sense.

However, if the grinder you select is a little more complicated, make sure you have an understanding of how it works and keep its instruction manual close. Also, it's still extremely important to keep track of the little bits and pieces that make up your grinder when you take it apart.

Sometimes aesthetics, more than maintenance, plays a part in how people select a grinder. Some people feel that since a grinder is part of your daily meditative routine, the device should be beautiful and a pleasure to use, even if it is a little complicated to wash.

On the other hand, some feel that a grinder should be easy to use and even easier to clean. The maintenance of a complicated grinder might detract from the coffee drinking experience.

Uniformity in the size of the coffee grounds plays a big role in the clarity of the flavor, especially if you're using a pour over method or making espresso, where the water moves through the grounds. If you're using a French press, where the grounds are steeped in the water, you can get away with little variations. 

When selecting a coffee grinder, think about your method. A manual grinder is pretty good for percolators and French presses. But getting the fine size required for an espresso may be quite cumbersome.

Now that you've chosen your grinder, you want to use it with a machine that can handle brewing. Check out our other links to satisfy all your coffee needs. There might be a coffee makers you like that can help you create amazing brews at home!

Selecting a coffee grinder is an important step in extracting all the flavor from the coffee bean. Aim for a grinder that gives you uniformity in the grounds and control over the size. It's good to consider how much time you have in your coffee making routine as coffee grinders do require some time and elbow grease.

Also, think of where you plan to use it. Will you use it at home, or will you take it camping? Portability becomes a crucial factor then. Lastly, you want to use something which is beautiful or minimal and is within your budget. Now that you know, go out there and enjoy unlocking the full potential of your cup of coffee!

Author: Amena Rahman

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