Do manual coffee grinders beat a drip coffee machine setup?
A comparison test of six popular hand grinders, the Hario Skerton, Mini Mill, Acrylic and Canister models plus the OE Lido 2 and Porlex JP-30, found that each balances portability, price and grind performance differently. For anyone weighing a manual grinder against a how to use drip coffee machine routine, the trade-off is clear: hand grinders cost less and travel well but take more time and effort.
The test examined practicality, design and grind consistency, and compared hand models with electric grinders. Blade grinders were ruled out because uneven particles make even extraction hard. Hand grinders suit hotel stays and long trips since they need no electricity, and they often cost less than high-end electric models, though they cannot fully replace them for daily cafe or home brewing.
Hand-cranked coffee grinders have become the top choice for many coffee enthusiasts getting started, thanks to their portability, affordable price, and the sense of participation they bring during brewing. But with so many models on the market, how do you choose? This article tests six popular hand grinders, including the Hario Skerton, Mini Mill, Acrylic, Canister, as well as the OE Lido 2 and Porlex JP-30, analyzing each one's practicality, design, and grinding performance. The article also mentions related recommendations from the Front Street Coffee brand and compares the trade-offs with electric grinders. Whether you're carrying one for travel or upgrading your home setup, you'll find an option that suits you.
Have you ever operated a hand grinder yourself? Compared to electric models, it's more convenient to carry when going out, usually friendlier on the wallet, and adds a bit of hands-on fun to the brewing process—grinding can even feel stress-relieving. Of course, the trade-off is that it's more time-consuming and labor-intensive.
With so many recommendations flooding the market, how exactly should you choose?
Specialty coffee has an unavoidable challenge: unlike wine, beer, or tea, it isn't ready to drink straight from the bottle. Coffee beans must be ground before brewing, and this step can't be skipped. Because of this, many coffee enthusiasts put off buying a home grinder due to the high price.
In recent years, many specialty coffee enthusiasts have started turning to inexpensive hand grinders. These small tools, placed on coffee bars, have also caught the attention of roasters. Brewers all understand that using a blade grinder on coffee beans yields poor results, because the coarseness and uniformity of the coffee grounds directly determine extraction quality. Blade grinders produce particles of wildly varying sizes, making even extraction naturally difficult.
Various Hand Grinders
So can hand grinders meet the needs of cafes or home users who want to brew good coffee anytime, anywhere? Probably not completely. But they have their own use cases, such as for people staying in hotels or on long trips. Hand grinders require no electricity and are usually cheaper, offering better value than high-end electric grinders, allowing coffee lovers to enjoy a good cup every day.
When writing this article, the author searched as widely as possible for hand grinders on the market (unfortunately, there was only one unproduced project on Kickstarter). In the end, four Hario models were selected, along with efforts to find higher-reputation products: the OE Lido 2 and the Porlex JP-30, the latter being a finely crafted little tool.
In most cases, these grinders are suitable for pour-over coffee, but hand grinding is more laborious and less efficient. If you have high demands for grind quality, you should still consider electric grinders like the Rancilio Rocky, La Marzocco, or Mazzer Mini.
Hario Skerton
●Practicality and Design:
The Hario Skerton is probably the most well-known hand grinder today. This versatile tool comes from the Japanese coffee equipment company Hario (you may have seen its V60 cone dripper and stainless steel pour-over kettle), which has an extremely extensive product line.
Over the years, this grinder has undergone several minor revisions. The current model features a soft rubber base and silicone lid to reduce coffee ground loss during grinding, and the ceramic burr's coarseness adjustment has also been improved. In testing, it was one of the easiest models to get started with, though the author still spent over a minute confirming the grind setting. Grinding an ounce of coffee beans takes considerable effort.
With most hand grinders, by the time you finish grinding, you're already wide awake before you even get to drink the coffee—because it's really laborious, no exceptions. The top screw makes it easier to secure the handle position, but adjusting the grind coarseness is the trickiest part of this device. The steps involve removing the nut and handle, steadying the serrated washer while disassembling, then tightening or loosening the washer to adjust the grinder—it's not an easy operation. You can only observe the gap from the bottom of the grinder, then add coffee beans to check the coarseness, a tedious and intuition-dependent process. But once set, the grind uniformity far surpasses any blade grinder.
●Verdict:
The most obvious shortcomings of this grinder are that the glass base is hard to remove and the grind coarseness is difficult to adjust. But setting those aside, it delivers the best overall performance in terms of price, appearance, ergonomics, and portability. It's just that the glass base is slightly heavier than the other two smallest models.
Hario Mill Slim Mini
●Practicality and Design:
It's the lightest grinder in this review, with its compact hard plastic body and appealing shape as the main selling points. It's very suitable as a travel companion, weighing only 8.75 ounces (247 grams). Although the Porlex is lighter, thinner, and easier to grip, it seems to carry a risk of wrist strain during operation.
Using the Mini Mill requires more arm and hand strength, and its grounds capacity is smaller than regular grinders, with a maximum of about 22 grams. But that's more than enough for a cup of coffee. Because the gray ceramic burr is smaller, grinding takes longer. But you don't need to apply too much force, since the handle may come off if it isn't locked in properly. Fortunately, adjusting the grind setting is simple—open the grinder and tighten or loosen the plastic screw at the bottom to adjust the coarseness.
●Verdict:
The Mini Mill is the cheapest grinder in this review, and as its name suggests, it's a great travel companion. Its grind uniformity isn't as good as other models, but it's good enough for someone on the go. The plastic body also makes the Mini Mill more resistant to bumps during travel.
OE Lido 2 Lido 2
●Practicality and Design:
There are always those willing to do something different. Orphan Espresso has created the most expensive, most dreamy hand grinder on the market, and the Lido 2 is their latest creation. It looks like Shredder's notorious canister from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze—except it can't turn dandelions into monsters (nor turtles into crime-fighting heroes). This grinder is the Cadillac (or McLaren P1) of the hand-grinding world, with the strongest performance among all products tested.
It's pricey, but it works reliably in harsh conditions and is completely unaffected by power outages. The body is made of sturdy plastic, glass, and stainless steel, but it weighs 3.5 pounds, making it completely unsuitable for travel. So why do you need it? The Italian-made steel burrs pulverize an ounce of coffee beans in just a few seconds. The Hario needs 40 to 50 turns; the Lido needs only a dozen or so.
Is it the best? Grind adjustment is a bit tricky, and the force the machine requires may be too much for some people. The author brought in his father and girlfriend to test it, and they both found it difficult to grip this behemoth and operate it. The author himself didn't find it too strenuous, and instead quite enjoyed the sustained sense of power the Lido 2 delivers while grinding. The Lido 2 can hold up to 8 ounces of coffee grounds, making it a great hand grinder if you're brewing for a crowd.
●Verdict:
The Lido 2 isn't suitable for travel due to its size and weight. But those who love fancy gear might be happy to display this expensive toy in their kitchen. It's the Rolls-Royce of hand grinders, and its grinding performance proves its worth. But at $175, you might instead consider a mid-range Baratza electric grinder—after all, you just press a button or flip a switch, which is very convenient.
Hario Acrylic BoxHario Acrylic
●Practicality and Design:
This may be the most interesting and creative grinder, with a beautiful appearance and cool style. First of all, it isn't round, making it less recognizable. The transparent gray plastic container makes it look like a bottle of cologne, yet it's topped with a large metal handle. That strange switch seems like a superfluous part, and the grinder is secured by a suction cup on its rubber base.
This is an excellent grinder, but the initial setup can be a bit confusing. Also, make sure the glass lid is in place, or it might fall apart in your hands. The grind adjustment method is the same as the Hario Skerton, requiring a few minutes to set the screw that adjusts coarseness, and opening the small drawer when grinding. Gripping its side makes it easier to operate, and if you don't want to use the suction cup—or want to get a little workout in—you can also clamp the grinder between your knees.
●Verdict:
The author really likes this grinder, appreciating overall its combination of sturdiness, lightness, and what the author considers the most beautiful appearance. The price is moderate, fitting most people's budgets, and the author also used beans ground by it to brew coffee. The only real drawback is that it's not easy to set up—getting it perfect requires many tedious steps.
Porlex JP-30Porlex
●Practicality and Design:
Its sleek stainless steel appearance makes it attractive on store shelves, which is why many shops and roasters recommend the Porlex. Grind setting adjustment is as simple as the Hario Mini Mill—just tighten or loosen the white plastic screw.
But this grinder has one major drawback: its smooth exterior makes it easy for the operator to injure their wrist. If you're not prepared for this small cylindrical device, it can leave you exhausted. Additionally, you need to swing your arm back and forth many times to grind the beans well. It looks cool to use in public, but daily use can be painful.
●Verdict:
If your travel bag space is limited, the Porlex is a good choice—it's as convenient to travel with as an AeroPress. But compared to the Hario Mini Mill, the Hario scores higher for being easier to grip.
Hario Canister
●Practicality and Design:
Hand grinders have a history of decades, and companies like Zassenhaus and Peugeot have produced some excellent classic designs (unfortunately, we weren't able to test and review these products). These modern implements from Hario evoke an era when hand grinders were still essential kitchen tools. The Hario Canister's glass jar base design is rather quirky, and its grind adjustment method is similar to the Skerton and Acrylic, but its dark metallic look makes it better looking than the Skerton and Acrylic.
This grinder weighs about 795 grams (28 ounces), making it more stable on a countertop or table, but its weight makes it unsuitable for travel. Its large capacity lets it grind more coffee beans at once. Hario designed a plastic lid at the opening to prevent coffee grounds from flying out, but it often falls off during grinding.
●Verdict:
It's a good choice for someone who wants an old-fashioned-looking grinder on their counter. However, this grinder isn't really suited for side-by-side comparison with other models, because the Skerton is easier to grip, the Lido is more impressive on a shelf, and the Acrylic has a better appearance design.
Summary:
The hand grinder best suited for home is the Hario Acrylic, because it's simpler and more fun to use (aside from the difficult grind adjustment), plus its sleek look on the counter. The Hario Mini is good for travel, while the Lido 2 leans toward display. The Skerton best meets home grinding needs, but ultimately they'll probably spend $140 on a Baratza Encore, or even $100 on a Capresso Infinity.
Article translated from: eater
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
