List of High-End Manual Coffee Grinders
High-end manual coffee grinders are an excellent alternative to electric models.
They stand out for their silence, their grinding precision and their low retention of coffee, thus reducing waste.
In this article, discover my selection of the best models on the market, tested or analyzed, with a focus on recognized brands such as Kingrinder, 1Zpresso, Kinu and Timemore.
Kingrinder – The best value for money
Currently, the best value for money is, in my opinion, offered by the K6 model from Kingrinder.
These are two grinders tested on my blog: KINGrinder K4 & K6 – The kings of value for money in manual coffee grinders.
View the Kingrinder K6 on Amazon
1Zpresso – The Taiwanese specialist
The 1Zpresso brand offers a wide range of high-end coffee grinders at competitive prices.
Among their strengths:
- Premium materials
- Recognized Italmill burrs
- Completely disassemblable
- Magnetic handle incorporating the lid (like the C40)
1Zpresso Q2 – Ideal for slow extraction
Small burrs (38mm) adapted to gentle methods like V60.
15 to 20g hopper.
Adjustment directly at the burr level.
Find the 1Zpresso Q2 on Amazon
1Zpresso JX – More Precise for Slow Extraction
48mm burrs offering a more consistent grind.
30 to 35g hopper.
1Zpresso JE – For Espresso
Italmill 47mm burrs, 25 µm per click internal adjustment, remarkable precision.
Find the 1Zpresso JE on Amazon
1Zpresso JE-Plus – Upgraded Version
12.5 µm/click external adjustment, magnetic hopper.
Excellent for espresso.
Find the 1Zpresso JE-plus on Amazon
1Zpresso J-Max – Ultra-Precise for Espresso
8.8 µm/click adjustment, 48mm titanium burr, magnetic hopper.
One of the best espresso grinders for around 220€.
Find the 1Zpresso J-Ultra on Amazon
1Zpresso JX-Pro – Versatile Espresso & Gentle Methods
48mm burr, fine 12.5 µm/click adjustment.
Find the 1Zpresso JX-Pro on Amazon
1Zpresso K-Pro / K-Plus / K-Max – Gentle Brew Methods
These three models share a 48mm steel burr set and a 22 µm/click adjustment.
Differences:
- K-Pro: non-magnetic catch cup
- K-Plus: magnetic catch cup + "blind shaker" system
- K-Max: simple magnetic catch cup
BPlus – Italian Design and Performance
BPlus is a Taiwanese company with very close ties to La Pavoni, a renowned Italian manufacturer.
Their flagship model is the Apollo.
Apollo – Elegance and Precision
Premium grinder manufactured with La Pavoni's approval.
Features:
- 48mm Italmill conical burr
- 100% aluminum body
- Weight: 1030g
- Available in black, gold, or gray
- Adjustment via dial on top of the grinder
- Screw-on catch cup
Read my full Apollo review
BPlus official website
Comandante – The Essential German
Comandante is a worldwide reference for manual grinders, especially with the C40.
C40 – Wide Choice of Colors
- Available in many finishes
- Burr-level adjustment
- Comes with 2 glass containers (clear and tinted)
- Plastic lid integrated into the handle
- Price: €219
See my review of the Comandante C40
Comandante official website
Helor – Australian Manufacturing
Helor produces high-end grinders with refined finishes.
Helor 101 – Aluminum body and precision
- Available with two types of burrs
- Ceramic ball bearings
- Burr-level adjustment
- Lid integrated into the handle
- Container held by rubber
- Price: $189 to $259
Helor 106 (formerly Flux) – Mazzer 71mm burr
- Mazzer 71mm burr
- x3 gear reduction to reduce effort
- Price: $769
- Possibility to adapt a drill
Helor Stance – 83mm burr and motorization option
- 83mm burr
- x2 gear reduction
- Adjustment on the grinder body
- Heavy enough to grind one-handed
- Electric motor option: $300
- Price: $935 (Italmill) or $1085 (Mazzer)
Kanso Coffee – Canadian Design
Kanso Coffee is based in Vancouver and launched its grinder via Kickstarter.
Hiku – 55mm Burr and Infinite Ring
- Infinite ring adjustment
- 55mm burr
- Crank integrated into lid
- Screw-on container
- Steel version: $249
- Titanium version: $279
Kinu – The Robust German
Kinu manufactures its own burrs and is renowned for its durability.
Kinu M47 – 47mm Burr and Thumb Rest
- Stainless steel + plastic body
- 47mm burr
- Top dial adjustment
- Magnetic container
- Thumb rest for better stability
- Price: €329
Read my review of the Kinu M47
Kinu M47 Phoenix – More Accessible Version
- Same burr as the classic M47
- Some additional benefits
- More affordable price
Read my review of the Kinu M47 Phoenix
Kinu M68 – 68mm Vertical Burr
- Vertical crank
- Integrated gear reduction
- 68mm burr
- Magnetic container
- Price: €997
Timemore – Innovation and Design
Timemore offers elegant and high-performing grinders, with several ranges.
Timemore Chestnut X – Innovative High-End
- Dual adjustment knob ultra-precise
- Retractable lever
- Excellent finish
- Before COVID, one of the best espresso grinders on the market
Read my review of the Timemore Chestnut X
Find the Timemore Chestnut X on Amazon
Timemore G1 – Titanium burrs and elegance
- Titanium burrs
- Bottom adjustment
- Wood-plated aluminum container
- Price: < €200
Find the Timemore G1 on Amazon
Timemore Slim – Compact and V60 adapted
- 45mm diameter body
- Titanium burrs
- Ideal for pour-over methods
- Bottom adjustment
- Non-slip grip
Find the Timemore Slim on Amazon
Timemore C2 – Accessible version
- Less premium version of the Slim
- Steel burrs
- Good value for money
Find the Timemore C2 on Amazon
Timemore Nano – Travel and retractable crank
- Retractable crank (innovation adopted on the X)
- Compact format
- Ideal for travel and pour-over methods
Find the Timemore Nano on Amazon
Knob – Original design without central axle
Discovered on Kickstarter, the Knob innovates by removing the central axle, allowing:
- Better bean flow
- Faster grinding
- Easy cleaning without disassembly
- 47mm burr
- Adjustment via large upper ring
Knock – English artisanal manufacturing
Feld2 Honed – 38mm burr
- 38mm burr (reduced effort but slower grinding)
- Adjustment via knob/lid
- Rubber strap for better grip
- Price: £110
Aergrind – Travel version of the Feld2
- Smaller format
- Handle not attached to the lid
- Multiple colors
- Price: £80-90
Lyn Weber Workshops – German precision
HG-1 – 83mm burr and gear reduction
- 83mm conical burr
- Gear reduction to reduce effort
- Heavy enough to remain stable
- Price: €994
Malwani – German craftsmanship
Livi – Wood finishes and high-end
- Conical burr (size not disclosed)
- Integrated gear reduction
- Very stable
- Several wood finishes available
- Price: 1199-1299 €
Orphan Espresso (OE) – American manufacturing
Orphan Espresso manufactures high-end hand grinders in Taiwan.
OE Pharos – 68mm conical burr
- 68mm burr
- Adjustment on top of the grinder
- Bronze ball bearings
- Approximately 1 g of coffee per turn
- Price: $250 (version 1.0) – $300 (version 2.0)
OE Apex – For coarse grinds
- Designed for filter grind, not for espresso/turkish
- 75mm flat burrs
- x4 gear reduction
- Adjustment via upper slider
- Left/right-handed version available
- Price: $495 +$12 for the glass
OE Lido 2 – 48mm burr and plastic body
- 48mm burr
- BPA-free plastic body
- Adjustment via external rings
- Price: $195
OE Lido 3 – Compact version
- Retractable crank
- Carrying case included
- Price: $195
- Features similar to Lido 2
OE Lido E – Optimized for espresso/Turkish
- Same base as Lido 2
- 48mm burr optimized for espresso/Turkish
- Price: $195
OE Lido E.T – Travel version of the Lido E
- Retractable handle
- Travel case included
- Price: $195
Official Orphan Espresso website
ROK – English manufacture
ROK GrinderGC – 48mm conical burr
- Vertical crank grinder
- No gear reduction
- Aluminum body
- Price: £159
- Adjustment dial at burr level
- Less suitable for espresso
High-end models not commercially available
Kinu M47 Traveler – Compact version of the M47
- 47mm burr
- Smaller magnetic catch cup
- Adjustment at handle level
- Extended thumb rest
- Price: €219
