10 Best Manual Coffee Grinders 2020

Nice and easy to hold, with a large handle which is simple to turn, this grinder is brilliant.

The handle ensures quick, consistent grinding and the ceramic burrs also help with keeping all of the grounds regular. They’re adjustable and don’t transfer heat which burns the beans.

Because it is quite thin, it is really easy to hold which is essential when your other arm has to turn the handle. The entire grinder casing is plastic, which doesn’t only keep it safe from cracking and damage but also keeps it lightweight.

An easy to read measuring window shows you how much coffee has been made, and also allows you to check on the progress of the grinding without taking it all apart to look.

This is the best travel coffee grinder we found – if this is what you are after.

Or, it can simply be for home use but take up little space in your kitchen cupboards in between uses. It is a hand grinder, so compact and there is no need for power supplies.

You get an AeroPress adapter with it, so it is perfect if you are going camping and want something to go along with your coffee maker, as well as a carry bag to keep it safe in your bag and dust-free in storage. It can be used for other kinds of brewing methods too though, such as pour-over or mugs.

Coffee tastes better when the beans are freshly ground, and this grinder also allows you to carry around the beans – which will be much tidier than carrying the grounds.

One of the best selling grinders around full stop, never mind just manual grinders.

This is a new and improved version of the original, featuring a steadier burr with the addition of a new stabilizer plate. The ceramic mill gives you a consistent grind which is much easier to cope with than blades, and it is small, lightweight and portable so great for smaller kitchens, or frequent travellers.

The reservoir at the base features a twist lock, so you can store the grounds safely until used. Great if you’re feeling strong and want to grind ahead, or just want to grind the maximum amount in preparation for some tomorrow as well.

Good for a host of grinds, from Espresso, French Press and AeroPress to Percolator, Cafetiere, Moka Pot, Drip Coffee, Cold Brew and Turkish, this grinder is stylish and features a really generous handle for ease.

The built-in adjustable grind leveller is what makes it so flexible. Just twist it, and you will be able to experiment a little bit with the right level for your tastes and machine. It comes with a travel bag and is lightweight for carrying.

Finally, it uses high-quality ceramic burrs, which won’t wear away with frequent use and it can just be washed with soap and water.

This is one of the pricier manual coffee grinders around, but if you are already dreading the arm actions involved in grinding the coffee beans down, this little device helps you out.

Compared to the Porlex I which was already advanced, this grinder can produce roughly 1.3x more coffee with the same number of rotations. Porlex has also redesigned the adjustment nut so that it stands up proud and tall on its own, without you having to hold it steady, which again makes it easier to use.

If you will be using it on your travels, the handle comes off and can be stored in the little rubber belt around the device. It is a Japanese device, which is the home of manual coffee, so will make coffee suitable for pour-overs too.

Small and lightweight, this grinder would be the perfect addition to any camping trip or day out for anyone who simply can’t let being away from home keep them from their coffee fix. You could even take it to work with you or keep it in your caravan as an affordable, practical grinder which doesn’t require power.

The glass bottle feels strong enough to suffer from a slight bit of wear and tear, and there is also a silicone lid for this part if you want to pre-grind the coffee ready for when you need it next. The cap is a high standard, so no moisture or air will get into the jar.

It is labour-intensive, so not for those who are always in a rush or hate putting effort into their cup of coffee. But for the price, the quality of the coffee grains at the end is decent. The granules aren’t all uniform, which is usually something a burr grinder avoids, but your coffee machine will hopefully not see this as an issue.

The uneven results come from there being no bearings in the burr, which usually stops them both swinging from side to side. It isn’t the end of the world, as a bit of patience and time can make this less of a problem. Trial and error will sort it all out.

The low price also means that if you want to see what all the fuss is about with grinding your own beans, it is achievable on a budget.

With adjustable ceramic burrs, this grinder can make coffee for a myriad of machines, including espresso or french press grounds.

Because it is stainless steel, it should last for years, and won’t be easily damaged through transportation or storage.

When you’re done, the whole thing can be disassembled so you can clean it fully. This includes the ceramic burrs and all of the stainless steel parts. You get a free travel bag with the purchase which keeps it safe and ready for on-the-go use.

For those who want a classic look.

This wooden grinder is antique and vintage in style, ideal if you have a rather oldy-worldy setup or if it would simply look great in your kitchen.

There is a fine coarseness adjuster, and all of the grounds go straight into the chamber in the mill where they can be collected or stored for a few days.

This grinder has four adjustable grinding levels from fine to coarse, so while it may not be the most adaptable on the market, there is a good chance it will be just fine for your machine.

It has a nice large lid so it is simple to put the coffee beans in, and the clear base allows you to view how the grinding is coming along. Because the burr is ceramic, no heat will be added to the beans as they grind.

You actually get two bases, which are glass. You can choose the size based on how much you are grinding, and then also use them to store excess grounds in. When you’re done, the whole thing comes apart so you can clean every bit. 

Our downside is the fact it is made from glass, so may end up not lasting very long depending on how you use it.

One of the most popular hand grinders on the market over the past few years, thanks to its ergonomic, timeless design and adjustable grind size.

With the ability to grind your beans into a fine powder for espressos, and leave them a bit coarser for iced coffees, this is a product which can cater to any tastes or coffee varieties.

It is also very reliable; the ceramic burrs will last longer than stainless steel versions, and they’re seen as being a lot more consistent too.

Adjusting the settings for the coarseness of the grind isn’t obvious at first, but if you take the grinding handle off you, will see a little screw/washer. The further you turn it right, the tighter the mechanism will get and the finer the coffee will be.

Essentially, it is a product for anyone who wants the effectiveness and consistency of a burr grinder but doesn’t want to fork out for an electrical device. On the downside, it is more expensive than the majority of other manual options on the market. We understand that you pay for quality, but there are versions which aren’t far off for less than half the price.

But the simplistic nature means not much can go wrong with the mill, and all the individual parts seem quality so it should last for years to come.