Coffee Grinders
The most important piece of gear. Seriously.
1Zpresso JX-Pro
The hand grinder that can do espresso. 40 clicks per rotation — that's espresso-level precision. Build quality that makes you want to just hold it.
The good
- +Espresso-capable hand grinder
- +Incredible build quality — all metal
- +12.5 micron per click adjustment
The catch
- −Manual grinding for espresso is a workout
- −More expensive than electric entry-level options
- −No hopper — single dose only
Best for: Espresso enthusiasts who want quality on a budget
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Baratza Encore
The Honda Civic of coffee grinders. Not flashy, but it works forever, parts are available, and it grinds consistently enough to make great coffee.
The good
- +Rock-solid reliability — will last 10+ years
- +40 grind settings
- +Parts are cheap and replaceable
The catch
- −Loud (really)
- −Plastic build (but it's quality plastic)
- −Not great for espresso (the ESP is better for that)
Best for: The workhorse grinder for filter coffee drinkers
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Baratza Encore ESP
The Encore's espresso-capable brother. Same reliability, but with finer adjustments and a better burr set that can actually grind for espresso.
The good
- +Dual range — filter AND espresso capable
- +Same legendary build quality as the Encore
- +Finer micro-adjustments in espresso range
The catch
- −Still plastic build
- −Still loud
- −More expensive than Encore
Best for: People who want one grinder for both filter and espresso
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Timemore Chestnut C2
The hand grinder that redefined 'budget.' Steel burrs, smooth grinding, and build quality that makes your $20 ceramic burr grinder feel like a toy.
The good
- +Steel burrs (way better than ceramic)
- +Smooth, fast grinding — 30-40s for 20g
- +Solid aluminum body
The catch
- −No external grind adjustment (have to take it apart)
- −Capacity limited to ~25g
- −Not great for espresso (fine for filter/pour over)
Best for: Pour over and French press drinkers on a budget
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.