The first question when buying a coffee grinder is usually "hand or electric?" My first grinder was a manual one, the Timemore Chestnut S5 Pro, and I use it for pour-over every day. I don't own an electric grinder, so I'll describe that side in general terms only.
The differences at a glance
| Hand grinder | Electric grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | Tens of seconds of cranking per cup | Push a button |
| Noise | Quiet | Motor noise |
| Power | None needed | Needs an outlet |
| Portability | Many models travel well | Mostly stays put |
| Price (models with even grinds) | Roughly ¥10,000–¥30,000+ in Japan | From around ¥10,000 in Japan |
| Best for | 1–2 cups | Whole household, batch grinding |
A hand grinder suits you if you
- Brew one or two cups, just for yourself
- Want to grind early in the morning or late at night without waking anyone
- Enjoy the ritual of grinding as part of the brew
- Want to take it camping or to the office
In my experience, the S5 Pro's roughly 910g weight is a non-issue at home. If you want the lightest possible turning, the EPEIOS Essence Go is worth a look; my take on it is that it just spins so easily.
An electric grinder suits you if you
- Grind for the whole household at once
- Want to cut your morning routine to the minimum
- Want to avoid strain on your wrists or arms
For how to pick one, see our electric coffee grinder guide.
Still undecided?
If you brew one or two cups of pour-over a day, I'd start with a hand grinder. That's how I started.
Browse manual coffee grinders on Amazon.com
Browse electric burr grinders on Amazon.com
For a first manual grinder, read how to choose your first hand grinder.
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