It is imperative to grind your coffee beans properly to ensure you make an excellent cup of coffee. Flavorful coffee comes from consistently ground beans.

It is imperative to have a high-quality coffee grinder if you hope to achieve the perfect grind. Manual coffee grinders are a good alternative to your home grinder when you don’t have access to it or need something portable.

Electrical grinders are always best for home use, but you should keep a manual grinder as a backup. 

There are various types of hand grinders, but it’s critical to find one that’s well-designed, precise, and consistent for your brewing method.

Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Mill

Customers who have reviewed this grinder have praised its solid construction and user-friendliness.

An hourglass-shaped mill sits atop and a jar catches the grounds on the bottom of the machine. In the hopper, 50g of coffee beans can be stored, and 100g of coffee grounds are stored in the jar.

The grinder is rather compact despite having a large capacity. It measures about 6.8 inches across and 9 inches high. By attaching the lid to the jar, the base can also be used to store grounds.

This grinder has a bottom made of rubber that prevents it from sliding while it is turning. Ceramic burrs are also included.

Because it doesn’t generate heat which can negatively impact the essential oils in coffee, it’s better than a blade grinder. Cleaning those difficult-to-reach parts of a grinder is easy following the easy disassembly of the entire unit.

Occasionally, you should wash it by hand with a mild detergent or place it in the dishwasher.

Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder

Solid wood and iron accents create a stunning body on this hand grinder. Three wood colors are available.

Cast iron is used for the burr, a material that is non-combustible, non-acidic, and does not rust. 2.8 x 7.2 inches, 35 grams of capacity in the hopper, and 55 grams in the bottom container – that’s how big the whole thing is.

With its fine and coarse grinding capabilities, it produces a variety of coffee blends.

A smooth, silent, easy grind as well as sufficient leverage are assured with the ergonomic design of this grinder. The operation is virtually silent, which is praised by consumers.

There is more maintenance involved with this model than with steel grinders. In the ideal case, be sure to keep it dry. Sweep the machine and the burr with a small brush after each use, as well as shaking out any leftover grounds.

VEVOK CHEF Manual Coffee Grinder

Hand grinders like this one are rare and special in terms of value. While it offers an unparalleled uniform grind at a relatively low price, it retails for a fairly low price.

The burr is made of stainless steel and is adjustable for fine to coarse grinding. The glass hopper and container can hold up to 20 grams of coffee beans each. 

Even with electric grinders, it’s difficult to get grinders that do fine or coarse grinds well. 

Cleaning the area where the burrs and beans live can be done with a dry brush. The hopper should also be rinsing with water for a more thorough clean. The hopper must be immediately dried after washing.

Zassenhaus Santiago Manual Coffee Mill

Santiago Coffee Mill, designed by Zassenhaus, has a retro appeal. A box-shaped grinder with a drawer in front for retrieving the ground coffee, rather than a cylinder.

Adding coffee beans is accomplished by sliding open the lid at the top, which houses the crank and the hopper.

A black stain or a natural finish are available for this grinder, which is made of European beechwood.

Hand grinders with various shapes and sizes usually are not as portable as those with unique shapes and sizes. This hand grinder can grind up to 30 grams of beans.

This grinder has the capability of grinding Turkish coffee or espresso with a very fine grain. 

The conical burr of this grinder provides an even grind, probably because it is made of high-quality steel. Hand washing is recommended.

Tips for Choosing a Manual Coffee Grinder

Blade vs. Burr 

A coffee grinder with burrs or blades should be the first thing you consider when shopping for one.

Detailed descriptions of the differences between them can be found below, but to summarize, blade grinders are less consistent and less expensive, whereas burr grinders are more consistent, but also more expensive.

Budget and frequency of grinding should be considered when choosing between blades and burrs. You can also choose between burrs and blades on a manual grinder, but both are available. 

Capacity

There is still a wide range of sizes to choose from among manual coffee grinders, which generally have smaller capacities than their electric counterparts.

Which device would you prefer: one that allows you to grind and store enough coffee for a week? Can you manage with an everyday grinder that is smaller?

In addition to the size of the grinder, you should also consider how much space it will need in your kitchen.

Grind Sizes

The vast majority of grinders are capable of setting the grind from fine to coarse, since different brewing devices require different sized grounds. But how many options are you willing to accept?

You may not need a grinder with a wide range of sizes if you use the same device every day and have a system already in place.

Choose a grinder that offers multiple grind size options if you have multiple brewing devices at home or like to experiment with coffee.

Cleaning the grinder is easy.

When you don’t have a specific coffee grinder in front of you, it’s difficult to determine how rigorously it must be cleaned, so here are some points to keep in mind.

Can any of the parts be cleaned by hand?

Are there large openings in the hopper that allow a brush to easily fit inside?

Can the grinder be easily assembled and disassembled?

There’s no need to clean coffee grinders immediately after every use, but it’s still a good idea.