The Best Manual Coffee Grinders Of 2022

Manual coffee grinders come in different shapes and sizes. What grinder you opt for should depend on both your lifestyle and coffee preference. While some manual grinders are better at producing fine coffee for espressos, others are more suited for delivering coarser grounds for the French press. Each manual coffee grinder also comes with a different hopper capacity, which is something to keep in mind if you're planning to make large batches of coffee.

When selecting the best coffee grinders, we looked at both community and expert reviews, as well as a variety of criteria. Aside from grind settings and hopper capacity, we took into account production materials and design — most manual grinders are made from a combination of stainless steel, aluminum, wood, glass, and plastic. And these often affect their durability and ease of use. We also looked at each grinder's portability, burr quality, and grind consistency. Last but not least, we took into account each grinder's price since for many people, value for money is a paramount consideration when buying kitchenware. All prices are accurate as of this article's publishing date.

At just over $40, the Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Grinder can add some sunshine to your morning coffee ritual. Compact yet efficient — it can hold up to 100 grams of coffee grounds — the grinder is composed of a mill, a hopper, and a heat-proof glass bowl base. The Hario Skerton Plus is an updated version of the Hario Skerton, featuring a stronger and more stable grind shaft and a ceramic conical burr for a more uniform grind at fine, medium, and course settings. The unit's stainless steel crank handle is detachable for travel and storage (via Amazon).

The Hario Skerton Plus isn't just affordable, it's also simple and precise. Perhaps Dylan Ettinger from Insider sums up the virtues of the device best, saying, "Most coffee grinders are expensive and more complicated than they need to be — I prefer this $45 manual grinder for its consistent results and ease of use." One Amazon reviewer agrees, saying, "I mainly use a French press and it grinds the beans very well. The consistency of the grinds is perfect ... My electric grinder made the grinds too fine even when set to coarse ... Takes a little longer than the electric one, but it just adds to the morning coffee ritual."

Purchase the Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Grinder from Amazon starting at $42.68.

The fact that you're traveling doesn't have to change your daily coffee routine. Weighing just 12 ounces, the VSSL Java Manual Hand Coffee Grinder features a crank — or a Clip and Flip lever — that can be turned into a convenient carry handle. Better still, the handle has a load-bearing capacity of 200 pounds and can be easily attached to your pack during camping trips.

The VSSL Java comes with a stainless steel burr that can be adjusted to 50 different grind settings. Due to its compact size, the device has a capacity of 20 grams, which can be ground in under a minute. And if you're concerned with durability, the VSSL Java has you covered. Crafted from military-grade aluminum, the grinder is built to last. In fact, the product comes with a limited lifetime guarantee for complete peace of mind, no matter the adventure (via Amazon).

So how does the VSSL Java fare with caffeine lovers? Kate MacDonnell from Coffee Affection believes that while the grinder is on the pricier side and can be tricky to clean, it's also very elegant and functional. "It's compact, sturdy, and thoughtfully designed, with excellent stainless steel burrs and a comfortable handle," she says. Joe Plenzler from Task & Purpose agrees, saying, "It works smoothly, grinds consistently, is built ruggedly, and looks cool. I recommend it for travelers, car campers, climbers, rafters, and cyclists."

Purchase the VSSL Java Manual Hand Coffee Grinder from Amazon starting at $160.

Specifically designed for espresso, the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder comes with a 48-millimeter Swiss-made conical steel burr that's precise enough to produce a fine grind size. The Black Ink Coffee Company, which gave the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T 4.3 out of 5 stars, highlighted that the grinder delivered precision no matter how coarse or fine the grind.

Made almost entirely from plastic, the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T's transparent body lets you see your grounds as they are being produced. It also comes with a 70-gram capacity and features a foldable crank handle. While most other grinders have pre-determined grind settings, the Orphan Espresso LIDO E-T offers step-less adjustments for maximum customization. The grinder is also relatively fast, letting users grind between one and three grams of coffee per second.

The Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder has been praised by reviewers, with one Prima customer saying, "I'm loving my Lido E-T. Makes quick work of grinding beans ... Perfect for espresso. I love the portability of it. It is a little large, but I like the feel of it. I currently use it strictly for espresso but I like knowing that it has the capacity to grind for larger brews."

Purchase the Orphan Espresso Lido E-T Hand Grinder from OE Hand Grinders for $185.

The ROK Coffee Grinder doesn't just look sturdy — it's constructed from durable die-cast aluminum and comes with a 10-year warranty on metal parts (via Coffee Barrister). The grinder comes with 48-millimeter hardened steel conical burrs and a vertical, rather than a horizontal crank, to make grinding easier (the crank is suitable for left-handed users). You can easily grind beans for two espressos in around 30 seconds without investing too much elbow grease (via Coffee Folk). Plus, the ROK comes with both step-less and stepped adjustment systems.

In terms of aesthetics, the ROK features an open hopper and a bamboo cup for the grinds. Unlike most other hand coffee grinders, however, the ROK isn't portable. Rather it's designed to sit on your kitchen bench — and we will go as far as saying that it may just become the centerpiece of your kitchen.

While the ROK delivers a good grind consistency at the fine to mid-range levels, according to The Coffee Barrister its grind consistency reduces with coarser settings. Nevertheless, if you're not a French press enthusiast, this shouldn't be a major problem. One espresso lover who reviewed the ROK for Amazon has praised its effectiveness, saying "It ACTUALLY does what so many electric burr grinders claim to do but can't: grind fine enough for espresso machines! I actually had to dial it up because it was grinding TOO fine for my machine."

Purchase the ROK Coffee Grinder from Amazon starting at $199.

Embodying the aesthetic of yesteryear, the Kalita Coffee Mill KH-3 combines an open wrought iron hopper and a stylish wooden base. However, this retro grinder has a lot more to offer than just appearance. Made in Japan, the Kalita Coffee Mill KH-3 features great grinding consistency for fine and mid-level grounds, making it ideal for espressos and pour-overs. It doesn't perform as well when it comes to course grounds, however, so it may not be the ideal choice for fans of French press coffee (via The Coffee Barrister).

The majority of Amazon reviewers agree that the Kalita Coffee Mill KH-3 has a lot going for it besides its retro aesthetic. One Amazon customer has called the grinder a winner, saying, "It takes about as long to grind for a good strong pour-over cup as it does to boil the necessary water in an electric kettle, ... making [the brewing process] a tidy and somewhat meditative experience." Another satisfied Amazon reviewer has called the Kalita Coffee Mill KH-3 very durable, adding that the "wood is thick. The steel is durable, not cheap. [And it] looks nice in the kitchen and uses no energy to produce fresh beans."

Purchase the Kalita coffee Mill KH-3 from Amazon starting at $103.