I have both the K-Max and J-Max grinders. being blind, the external dial adjustment on these grinders are really great. Nice and clicky and easy to adjust. I had initially purchased the JX Pro, but had to return it since there was no way for me to work with the internal dial adjustment. The external dial really makes the 1ZPreso grinders super accessible for a blind or visually impaired coffee enthusiast.
@@alexquittner3466 I use an Acaia lunar scale. Only because it’s really the only Bluetooth scale that I could find that would fit between the legs of my Cafelat Robot. Otherwise, I would’ve probably picked a less expensive option. I’m probably going to pick up the Pearl S scale as well later this year since it’s self voicing and not appvdependent. It’ll make a good kitchen scale as well as for coffee. I’ve found that blindness focused talking scales are pretty crappy. Besides, they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the pour rate for coffee. I use the lunar with the Filtru app on iOS. Acaia says they’re working on adding voiceover accessibility to their Brewmaster app, but so far, that hasn’t been the case.
I hope you see how much we appreciate and recognize the time and effort spent into creating these videos. The quality level is insane for the quantity of videos you guys produce.
I love how you take the inherently simplistic concept of tier list videos and actually make it a meaningful exercise in nuance. You can easily tell that the rankings aren't presented with a one-dimensional higher-is-better basis, because there's incredibly compelling reasons given to choose something rated A, B, or even C depending on one's genuine priorities.
Hi Lance, I just wanted to say thank you for your recent video on hand grinders. It was super insightful, as always! I also wanted to share a bit about our current coffee project. A few years ago, we left a comment on one of your videos mentioning our dream of opening a coffee shop, largely inspired by your work and passion for the coffee world. Today, that dream has turned into reality, and it’s amazing to see you still actively contributing to the coffee community, inspiring people like us. Thanks again for everything you do! Best, Jerome from café Koï
Hey Lance, that's a fantastic list! Congrats on putting it together. If I could add one more grinder to the mix, I'd recommend the Timemore C3 ESP. It's specifically designed for espresso and offers excellent performance. Thanks for sharing your content with us. And by the way, we miss your singing voice! Cheers from a Brazilian in Australia!
Lots of great info here in a deep lineup. I'm a little surprised I didn't see a few options like the 1Zpresso J-Ultra and Timemore C3. But overall, this was a lot of work and I really appreciate the insights. Thanks for putting this together!
Hey Lance as a comandante owner, I think your ranking is super fair. I live in South Africa and the 1zpresso grinders are ridiculously expensive here. The K-ultra is just short of double the price of a C40. That’s why I ended up buying a C40
@@Hughtsch I’m super happy with my C40 😅. I see how it could have read as if I had no other choice, I just know people compare the two as they are closely priced in other countries. Which isn’t the case here so it made the choice very easy for me.
And recently The mk3 C40's were on sale at our biggest importer of Commandante, and was selling for like R2500. (142 usd) compared to the K-Ultra at R7600(437 usd). Mk4's at current retail prices are R4600 ( 246 usd)
Thank you for this video. A great reference for choosing a manual grinder. Hoping for some great buys on Amazon sale days. I am disappointed with no ROK. A great home table grinder. Robert McKeon Aloe really likes his and did a recent comparison with a Niche on Medium.
I've started in 2014 with a Porlex Tall and used it until 2019! Learned a lot about coffee. It's not on par with modern hand grinders, but it fits inside aeropress.
@mserrano9644 that was what I started with for manual grinders too (I had a cheap Black and Decker electric burr grinder before). I'm not sure how it happened, but in between brews, the drive shift bent and the burrs got chewed up. Just upgraded to the OE Fixie and am loving it. It's a huge jump in quality.
I have a C40 currently. I love it. Agree about price. I was lucky to find it at 189 euros in Hamburg. Before that I was thinking about 1zpresso K-series, but at that price I choose the C40. Doesn’t regret it.
i have an 1zpresso k-max, zp6 special and a Knock Aergrind. In my subjective tasting i get a good tasting espresso from k-max, tea-like filter from zp6 (which i have to brew with a "special" recipe) and my personal favorite for filter and difficult but juicy espressos from Aergrind. Now i also want to buy a K-Ultra, an X Pro, a Pietro, an Orphan Lido, a Comandante C40, a Kinu M47, a Kingrinder K6, a C64. (and a Eureka Baby which wasn't included but looks like a C40). Well i won't buy all these but it would be nice to do so and have a subjective opinion. Always a pleasure watching your videos Lance!
I actually just ordered the Lido OG about a month ago based on your last handgrinder video. A couple of things for anyone who might be ordering one after this video. 1. The hopper capacity is CRAZY huge. I grind a 60-70 gram dose of medium-light roast for French press daily, and 60 ain't no thang at all for this grinder. Now with 70, I'm fighting for every last bean, but if you really got crazy with it I think you could probably squeeze up to 75g in there with super dense beans. 2. I was really worried that the side fill hopper would bug me. After a month of daily use, I can say that personally I have absolutely no issues with it. I got used to it by about the third time I used it, and if you're already using a funneled dosing cup, it's no more difficult to dose into than any other handgrinder (I actually 3D printed a dose cup similar to what daddy Hoff uses, but used TPU to make it nice and easy to squish and bend into the side port, big quality of life improvement) 3. YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST READ THE MANUAL!!! They make this very clear when you order it, but seriously, read the manual. You can very seriously screw this grinder up if you don't. Fortunately, Doug and Barb have a FANTASTIC video series on the Orphan Espresso UA-cam channel that walks you through all levels of the manual, from basic operation to full blown burr realignment (which you really should never do). 4. There is definitely a break in process with the burrs. I'm still in the early stages of it, but I was a little freaked out with how often I was stalling out when I first got it. As time has gone on, I've found it easier and easier to grind (but that also may just be me getting ripped from grinding these gigadoses every day lol) Overall, I'm fully on board with the S. If you've been debating it, go for it.
In a tier list of tier list videos your electric grinder video was a solid B. This one is a super S! Reading through the comments and implementing the changes really paid off. Nice work and super helpful - can't wait for the next one!
I love my lido og. Great support from Barb and Doug, very thorough instructions, and it's served me exceptionally well for everything I've needed, mostly pour over and espresso. Can also adjust the coarse end of the grind range to go coarser if you'd like, which I've done to better suit large chemex brews. The side-load hopper can feel slightly awkward, but that seems like a small tradeoff for what is otherwise an incredible grinder.
I can't wait for you to try the new momentum, I my Kickstarter one and have use it exclusively since... They sent new burrs out to Kickstarter people a few months back which are great!
The Hario skerton was my first hand grinder and turned me off them for a long long time. I finally got over my aversion and picked up the jmax a few months ago based on one of your videos and have been really happy with it.
@@Junker_1 It’s wobbly, takes ages to grind, and it’s a pain to dial in because the particular size distribution is poor. Try any one of the ones here and you’ll realise how hard you were making life for yourself
@@mattscarf Thanks for the answer. I have no problem grinding because I use little coffee. But does it make a difference in taste? After all that is the most important metric.
After watching both your grinder tier videos, I’m buying the Lido OG. Thank you for your all-inclusive videos that give me all the research I need. I can clearly tell you know what you’re talking about. Why look further?
Thanks for all the effort in pulling out these video. A good video idea is to see how to create the best cup of filter coffee with the lightest gear that can be taken on the go when hiking.
I've had a (slightly exaggerated) rollercoaster of emotions due to this video, saw your community post a couple hours after I received confirmation of my k6 order, finished my first cup of French press before I saw this video(upgraded from a Hario mill, definitely a high point of my week). Skipped to the end saw it in B, felt sad, went back to its review, felt happy that you agreed on the price making it S, felt sad I didn't check out the orphan, felt happy I couldn't afford it(it's dialling system is a scratch I don't want to scratch just yet). Love the work you do, now I just have to find some IRL friends to nerd out together.
Nailed it with the X Pro. Love mine, not perfect but great for having one do it all grinder at a good price. Now watching the rest so I can keep feeling good about my purchase.
I knew those etzinger burrs were special. Having my stabilized encore consistently coming out on top in blind tastings against some well reviewed mid range hand grinders really gave me an inkling. I guess OE is gonna get an uptick in business. And rightfully so. Great grinders, great service, stocked replacement parts, like the baratza of hand grinders. ...And it's backordered. lol
Thank you very much Lance for this comparison video, it was a huge work again. I have an X Pro at home and I really like to use it, mainly for filtered coffee and moka pot. Honestly I heared about the Lido OG just now for the first time, it seems very well made. I will be not be unfaithful to the X Pro, but it would be a good addition to the growing collection. :)
As a Kingrinder K4 owner and as someone who o Ly cares about medium to dark espresso for last couple of years I have fully enjoyed it. Money worth spent.
Thanks for sharing the sheet. I’m sitting pretty with my ZP6 but I love me a sheet and have a friend in the market for an upgrade so this will be great.
I started the journey of hand grinders with a skerton plus, before this kind of reviews appeared. Because of that, I learned a lot about particle sizes (and not in a good way). Now I have a C3 Pro, and can taste the difference.
Just to add, reading through the comments, a shootout between the best of manual and electric would probably be a seriously popular video! (Obviously in terms of quality in the cup rather than price!)
Thanks for the work Lance! Interesting overview! I‘ve never thought of any other hand grinder than my beloved C40 (red clix) tbh. I chose it because the manufacturer sits in my neighborhood and I could buy it directly (also a good roaster btw). And yeah I mean.. all the memories. It has been my best travel buddy over the years. But I gave it to a good friend (still hurts) and now I‘m looking for something new/ all purpose use.
I wonder where my Timemore C3 (Pro) would've landed in a professional's list. It was my upgrade from a blade "grinder" and my filter coffee has improved a lot!
C3 grinders are excellent. I have a C3 ESP (same as yours, more clicks for more precise ESPresso - its in the name) and it is just awesome, ESPecially for the price.
I just figured I'd share my experience with the grinders that I have since they make the list. I do not have anything high end. For hand grinders I have the K6, K4 and C2 with 3D printed plate to double the clicks (though I have used the Q2 and the K-Max). What I have to compare them to is my Barista Pro internal and my ESP (ESP is my favorite of all of them for traditional espresso). I do want to preface by saying that both the K6 and K4 were used daily for six months with an average of 4 shots ground per day (I bought the K6 then the K4 to see if it was better for me.) Why I feel the need to share is that I have had longevity issues with both of the Kingrinders. Quality issues out of the box, in fact. Both had rusty bearings out of the box. The 4 wasn't bad and just needed a little cleaning but the 6 was so bad that I almost couldn't get it out of the grinder. This isn't a one off, if you search the various coffee forums other people have had this issue. That aside, the longevity issues are that the rubber grip slips down the body from being lose on both, the o-rings that hold the lid to the crank have stretched to the point they won't stay on (wear and tear, I get it, less of a big deal), and the zero points have wondered a lot since new. 19 places on the 6 and 14 on the 4. Are any of these things a big deal, I don't know as I have nothing to compare them too and the coffee made, and function doesn't seem to be affected by it. So, I figured it would be worth it to point out and someone with a better grasp on these things might comment. If I could avoid these issues in the future by spending a bit more, I would. The C2 has one issue in quality where I am concerned, those tiny threads on the catch cup are a pain in the butt but otherwise it has been solid. Flavor wise, I'll leave that up to someone with a much more experienced palate than myself. Anyway, awesome video, as always and thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
For me now, just for filter, Timemore S3 is pure magic at that price point. I know out of the box can't grind espresso, but with a simple micro plate to fill the gap can do as the top tier for everything.
@@Ilmiosognoèvivereinpigriziacon I think so. Even when clear, it helps to go finer for filter. Besides comandante that produces some fines, S3 produces more uniform particles, that helps to keep the brewing time even when you go finer than comandante, gets a little less body, but acidity and sweetness gets better. Maybe you didn't give it time enough for the learning curve
I have the K4 and a Flair Neo Flex. I love a traditional espresso shot as a base for a flat white. A very low budget set up (K4 £88 Flex £99) that does just what I want and does it very well. For me, it passes the "brew something tasty" test with ease.
I have the Lido OG but rarely use it - opting for an electric grinder for my daily use. Your previous review of the OG, and the ranking here, fully align with that well aligned grinder! It's a great grinder - unique and extremely well built! Lance, if you're interested in it, let me know.
I've been brewing over 20 years the KinGrinder P2 also deserves a shout out. Like your take on the K4/6, it's undoubtedly one of the best budget hand grinders I've ever used. Is it perfect? No, far from it. Is it better than anything you'll find under $100? Maybe, depending on model, sales, availability, etc. But, is it the ONLY hand grinder under $50 even worth using? Yes. 100% yes. The P1 and P2 make perfect first steps into hand grinding without a significant investment.
Hey Lance! Awesome content, as always. Is there any chance you could take into your hands to compare and test the new outer burrs 1zpresso is putting out on the newer models? (Q series, wich replaced the q2 and q2s, q2 air, x ultra, x pros made after sep 2023). It seems they're worse for particle distribution. The only grinders that seems to have gotten equal or better burrs are the j-ultra and the k-ultra. You should be able to tell the difference even in the pictures 1zpresso provides (comparing, for instance, x pro outer burrs against x ultra outer burrs, or q2 heptagonal against q2 air or q series. I think they maybe switched to a worse burr manufacturer, or maybe they wanted their grinders making more fines? I don't know the reason, but if someone as influential as you, who managed to bring the zp6 back to life thanks to the community, calls them out for worsening the burrs in almost all their models, it should mean something. Maybe they could change back. Almost all people who tried both burrsets say that the newer outer burr in the 40mm models taste worse (that is, Asser (x pro vs x ultra,) Rogue wave (q2 heptagonal vs q air) and hoons in a live (k max against x ultra). Really hope you shed some light into the practices of the company. Beats me if they wanted to sell more k- series and made all other models that competed worse, or moved to a cheaper manufacturer, or both
I finally blindly tested my X-Pro against my old Virtuoso+ and Varia VS3 (2nd Gen) and it actually blew my mind! The X-Pro was head and shoulders above the others. I picked it out so easily it shocked me, even just the aroma tipped me off to it being the X-Pro. To me, hand grinders are the way to go for conicals.
@@LanceHedrick I was also shocked they did… sad that initial reviews claim the new burrs are inferior for clarity. I’ll be hanging onto my pre-‘handle issues’ X-Pro till I die. 😅
The problem with this tier is that users are insistent on having their grinders listed. It's as if they're trying to keep up with the secondhand price of their grinders. The products that we're talking about a lot right now are c3 and R3, and jaffee j1pro and turin40 (icafilas40), and they're mostly for C. There are big and small problems. Timemore's X series has also recently changed its burrset to filter grinder with a good clean cup, which could be a good choice for A.
I have the OG and the Remy. I have had them since they both came out. I definitely agree the OG is amazing, but I don’t regret getting the Remy; I’m sure I wouldn’t get it now if I were in the market, but the Remy is great for camping.
I know it’s not popular, but I’m surprised to see the Remi get pooped on. I got one secondhand and it’s awesome. Don’t use it that much but the build quality is great and it makes perfectly fine coffee. Only complaint is the grind adjustment is hard to keep track of, but it is stepless which is nice.
This is great! I've been looking for a good travel grinder so I can have better coffees on the road. So I've definitely flagged a few of these in my Amazon list :-)
I am super happy with my K6 and glad to see it on this list as well. Only downside is that mine has a straight handle and not the bend one but still pretty nice to grind.
Great comparison. One consideration for some might also be the warranty/servce, which was a large factor for me. Ultimately the lifetime warranty on the Comandante c40 made it worth it for my money and I have been really happy with the results in the cup (all light filter coffee). Also they were great with communication when I was asking them questions ahead of purchasing the grinder. Again, great video and keep up the great work!
I wanted to comment on the Kinu 47... I was surprised by the A rating you gave the grinder I own the M47 classic and it does a great job with grinding. I have two complaints which lowered my rating to a B First the catch cup, it does not hold very much, that's ok, but fine particles get filtered out between the catch cup and the grinder, causing the cup to separate from the grinder....so I use a measuring cup as my catch cup But even worse, and my reason for a B rating, there is almost always a bean stuck inside the grinder. Usually jammed between the lower stabilizer bar and the top of the cutting burr inside the grinder. It is very frustrating to clean the grinder and to find beans jammed inside. I use the pour over burr and I am pleased with the grind but I'm disappointed with the beans getting jammed That's my 2 cents worth BTW great videos, entertaining and informative 😊 Thank you
I've been using the zp6 for a few years now, and because I only make filter coffee, and I apparently like light roasts, there still isn't anything better for the money. Everything that might be better costs at least twice as much, and I'm not sure that it will make better filter coffee that I enjoy. I don't really have any complaints after having gone through half a dozen different other grinders(manual and electric) first, other than that I wish I could just push a button and get similar results without spending more money. When I travel, if I can take it, I use the Qair(plastic one), which slides into the aeropress, and I haven't found anything better for travel either. Overall, 1zpresso dominates the market for a budget conscious snob like myself. For future tier lists, I would be curious to see how some of these best hand grinders would rank in terms of taste against the best electric grinders. Also, personally, I appreciate the differentiated list for filter coffee. So much out there is geared toward espresso, and I think the biggest problems come when a manufacturer tries to get their product to do everything. There aren't enough pour over/filter focused grinders that do it well. Are there not enough of us who really focus on that style of coffee? I never make espresso, for various reasons, one being that it instantly complicates my coffee setup. I just use v60(these days the v60 switch), and aeropress on occasion.
I’ve had the JX-Pro for a couple years now. I absolutely love it. 12.5 microns per click. Not sure how it fits in with the X-Pro or the J-Max though. I don’t think Lance has done a review on this specific 1ZPresso model.
Slow-ish feed the apex. Turn the slower & easier way for better usability. Use bigger brew volumes, so you can use coarser grind settings. Apex will rise above most of the others for filter. But, it is large & tank-like/not travel friendly, so a slightly different category than hand held grinders.
@@yannote8302 Thanks, but I don't want a faster feed rate, most of the time. And, a slower feed lowers the force required to turn--improving the user experience.
I use my K6 for espresso. The rubber grip stretched about a year in. I bought an original replacement grip through AliExpress; six months later and it's slipping again. I would not recommend it only because of its terrible build quality.
I wonder how @lancehedrick measures the speed of the grinders. I own and use a J-Max and a ZP6 reguarly. There definitely is a sizeable diference in grindingspeed between the two of them, but it's exactly the opposite of what Lance says in his Excel file. For the same amount of coffee with comparable grind sizes, the J-Max is significantly faster.
The Remi is a stellar grinder! Way better than the Chestnut X. The coated burrs, which were an upgrade are the better burrs. The only improvement I wish it had was some kind of locking mechanism to keep the handle in while grinding. Not a deal breaker but would be a huge improvement. It makes excellent espresso and is great on filter. Nice contrast from my Ek. I think it was a sleeper grinder because around that time the Kinu and Comadante was in the limelight.
nice! stoked you enjoy it so much. it was too similar to the fraction of a price normcore grinder for me to be stoked on it. I reviewed it side by side a couple of years ago.
I own J Ultra and ZP6 - I actually use the J Ultra for filter all the time when I want a more bold cup with more body. It works great on very light roasts when its difficult to over extract. alot more fines than the ZP6... but they both have their place, and shine with certain coffees. I dont even use the J ultra for espresso that often now that I have good pourovers with My V60
I'm one of those rare people who have zero problems with the Pietro ergonomics, just doing the fishing reel technique for pourovers. If I had to use it more than twice a day, well then there would be an issue as I have to grip it fairly hard during grinding. Personally, I think all hand grinders are a bit wonky to use, and it's just a matter of what type of wonky you're dealing with.
I have a knock feld47, this is the first time I've seen it mentioned in a list, seems to fly under the radar as only the aergrind ever gets acknowledged it seems, I've been happy with it and seeing it at a B (maybe A for the price) I can definitely see, as it isn't perfect but it's good.
I think I saw in another comment, he only graded grinders he has experience with/ has owned. Maybe hasn’t come across one yet? I wonder where the J-Ultra sits on this. I began my coffee hobby with espresso and have a J-ultra and have been dabbling in pour over using it since I have no other. Curious what Lance would think I he tried the same.
@@IxMxDizZzYI am using it for traditional espresso (really dark roast / Napoli style) and some modern espresso and i love it. Also for moka pot I am getting some really satisfying results. I really wonder if using it for pour over would be worth it
I have both the K-Max and J-Max grinders. being blind, the external dial adjustment on these grinders are really great. Nice and clicky and easy to adjust. I had initially purchased the JX Pro, but had to return it since there was no way for me to work with the internal dial adjustment. The external dial really makes the 1ZPreso grinders super accessible for a blind or visually impaired coffee enthusiast.
Can I ask if you use scales? And if so, how does that work for you?
@@alexquittner3466 I use an Acaia lunar scale. Only because it’s really the only Bluetooth scale that I could find that would fit between the legs of my Cafelat Robot. Otherwise, I would’ve probably picked a less expensive option. I’m probably going to pick up the Pearl S scale as well later this year since it’s self voicing and not appvdependent. It’ll make a good kitchen scale as well as for coffee. I’ve found that blindness focused talking scales are pretty crappy. Besides, they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the pour rate for coffee. I use the lunar with the Filtru app on iOS. Acaia says they’re working on adding voiceover accessibility to their Brewmaster app, but so far, that hasn’t been the case.
@@alexquittner3466 There are scales that speak the weight.
Remember kids, the best grinder is the one you don't currently own!
Edit: Irony, folks....
No way. I preach the opposite!
@@LanceHedrick Gotta get with the times. Capitalism, baby 😎
FOMO all the way!
Lololol dammit
Considering the three grinders I mainly use are on B and C tier... with one being A with price considered
This video will be referenced for years until we get an updated version. Awesome video.
Timestamps:
00:54 Ranking criteria
02:34 (Fail) Hario Skerton
03:01 (B) 1ZPresso J Max
03:58 (A) 1ZPresso K Plus
05:06 (D) 1ZPresso Q2 Pentagonal
06:45 (B) 1ZPresso X Pro
07:50 (A) 1ZPresso ZP6
09:10 (B) Pietro with B-Modal (multipurpose) burrs
10:54 (C) Orphan Espresso Apex
12:43 (Super) Orphan Espresso Lido OG
14:47 (A) Weber W. The HG-2
16:47 (C) Mazzer Omega
17:59 (C) Knock Aergrind
18:49 (B) Commandante C40
20:06 (B) Commandante C60
20:45 (D) Option-O Remi
21:27 (D) Timemore C2
22:08 (B) Timemore Chestnut-x
22:38 (B) Kinu M47
23:36 (B) Kinu Pour-Over replacement burr
24:10 (C) Kingrinder K4
24:14 (B) Kingrinder K6
24:54 (C) Etzinger ETZ-1
26:04 (C) Etzinger Etzman
26:45 (D) Wongplug Dual
27:22 (B) I'm not a barista Momentem
28:00 (A) C64 ERM - Grinder
Ur a beast thank you
Kinu M47 is A not B.
I hope you see how much we appreciate and recognize the time and effort spent into creating these videos. The quality level is insane for the quantity of videos you guys produce.
I love how you take the inherently simplistic concept of tier list videos and actually make it a meaningful exercise in nuance. You can easily tell that the rankings aren't presented with a one-dimensional higher-is-better basis, because there's incredibly compelling reasons given to choose something rated A, B, or even C depending on one's genuine priorities.
I’m thoroughly impressed by all the feedback you took into consideration. Really loved the style of this video.
Well done Lance!
Full manual crew check in 💪
Hi Lance,
I just wanted to say thank you for your recent video on hand grinders. It was super insightful, as always!
I also wanted to share a bit about our current coffee project. A few years ago, we left a comment on one of your videos mentioning our dream of opening a coffee shop, largely inspired by your work and passion for the coffee world. Today, that dream has turned into reality, and it’s amazing to see you still actively contributing to the coffee community, inspiring people like us.
Thanks again for everything you do!
Best,
Jerome from café Koï
Next tier list - best grinder for pour over!
And Espresso!
Yes🙌🏼
@@benjaminurban2582 AND MY AXE!
if its not an espresso grinder than its suitable for filter coffee, so most of these grinders he mentioned
Hey Lance, that's a fantastic list! Congrats on putting it together.
If I could add one more grinder to the mix, I'd recommend the Timemore C3 ESP. It's specifically designed for espresso and offers excellent performance.
Thanks for sharing your content with us. And by the way, we miss your singing voice!
Cheers from a Brazilian in Australia!
Lots of great info here in a deep lineup. I'm a little surprised I didn't see a few options like the 1Zpresso J-Ultra and Timemore C3. But overall, this was a lot of work and I really appreciate the insights. Thanks for putting this together!
Yeah, I was expecting the C3 as well as the MHW-3Bomber.
Hey Lance as a comandante owner, I think your ranking is super fair. I live in South Africa and the 1zpresso grinders are ridiculously expensive here. The K-ultra is just short of double the price of a C40. That’s why I ended up buying a C40
Oh wow! That's quite insane.
@@Hughtsch I’m super happy with my C40 😅. I see how it could have read as if I had no other choice, I just know people compare the two as they are closely priced in other countries. Which isn’t the case here so it made the choice very easy for me.
Same here, 1zpresso grinders are more expensive than C40,
And recently The mk3 C40's were on sale at our biggest importer of Commandante, and was selling for like R2500. (142 usd) compared to the K-Ultra at R7600(437 usd).
Mk4's at current retail prices are R4600 ( 246 usd)
Thank you for this video. A great reference for choosing a manual grinder. Hoping for some great buys on Amazon sale days. I am disappointed with no ROK. A great home table grinder. Robert McKeon Aloe really likes his and did a recent comparison with a Niche on Medium.
I've started in 2014 with a Porlex Tall and used it until 2019! Learned a lot about coffee. It's not on par with modern hand grinders, but it fits inside aeropress.
@mserrano9644 that was what I started with for manual grinders too (I had a cheap Black and Decker electric burr grinder before). I'm not sure how it happened, but in between brews, the drive shift bent and the burrs got chewed up. Just upgraded to the OE Fixie and am loving it. It's a huge jump in quality.
Where would you rank the fairly new Timemore Chestnut S3, I expected it to be in this list to be fair?
I have a C40 currently. I love it. Agree about price. I was lucky to find it at 189 euros in Hamburg. Before that I was thinking about 1zpresso K-series, but at that price I choose the C40. Doesn’t regret it.
i have an 1zpresso k-max, zp6 special and a Knock Aergrind. In my subjective tasting i get a good tasting espresso from k-max, tea-like filter from zp6 (which i have to brew with a "special" recipe) and my personal favorite for filter and difficult but juicy espressos from Aergrind. Now i also want to buy a K-Ultra, an X Pro, a Pietro, an Orphan Lido, a Comandante C40, a Kinu M47, a Kingrinder K6, a C64. (and a Eureka Baby which wasn't included but looks like a C40). Well i won't buy all these but it would be nice to do so and have a subjective opinion. Always a pleasure watching your videos Lance!
Love how you fully embrace the tier list format now with timestamps, final list with pics and everything. next stop: reaction videos 😅
Already did one reaction on my unfiltered channel lol
@@LanceHedrick oh apparently i missed that 😂 gotta check that out now
Thank you again.. for one of the most informative overview concerning manual grinders..
Pharos, Your welcome. get one. I've used one daily for 11 years. Flawless. Very good. Solid pour over and decent espresso.
no longer made, though. Barb&Doug made a video a few months ago of the making of the last one.
I actually just ordered the Lido OG about a month ago based on your last handgrinder video. A couple of things for anyone who might be ordering one after this video.
1. The hopper capacity is CRAZY huge. I grind a 60-70 gram dose of medium-light roast for French press daily, and 60 ain't no thang at all for this grinder. Now with 70, I'm fighting for every last bean, but if you really got crazy with it I think you could probably squeeze up to 75g in there with super dense beans.
2. I was really worried that the side fill hopper would bug me. After a month of daily use, I can say that personally I have absolutely no issues with it. I got used to it by about the third time I used it, and if you're already using a funneled dosing cup, it's no more difficult to dose into than any other handgrinder (I actually 3D printed a dose cup similar to what daddy Hoff uses, but used TPU to make it nice and easy to squish and bend into the side port, big quality of life improvement)
3. YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST READ THE MANUAL!!! They make this very clear when you order it, but seriously, read the manual. You can very seriously screw this grinder up if you don't. Fortunately, Doug and Barb have a FANTASTIC video series on the Orphan Espresso UA-cam channel that walks you through all levels of the manual, from basic operation to full blown burr realignment (which you really should never do).
4. There is definitely a break in process with the burrs. I'm still in the early stages of it, but I was a little freaked out with how often I was stalling out when I first got it. As time has gone on, I've found it easier and easier to grind (but that also may just be me getting ripped from grinding these gigadoses every day lol)
Overall, I'm fully on board with the S. If you've been debating it, go for it.
In a tier list of tier list videos your electric grinder video was a solid B. This one is a super S!
Reading through the comments and implementing the changes really paid off. Nice work and super helpful - can't wait for the next one!
I love my lido og. Great support from Barb and Doug, very thorough instructions, and it's served me exceptionally well for everything I've needed, mostly pour over and espresso. Can also adjust the coarse end of the grind range to go coarser if you'd like, which I've done to better suit large chemex brews. The side-load hopper can feel slightly awkward, but that seems like a small tradeoff for what is otherwise an incredible grinder.
I can't wait for you to try the new momentum, I my Kickstarter one and have use it exclusively since... They sent new burrs out to Kickstarter people a few months back which are great!
The Hario skerton was my first hand grinder and turned me off them for a long long time. I finally got over my aversion and picked up the jmax a few months ago based on one of your videos and have been really happy with it.
Why? I still use this grinder. What is wrong with the Hario skerton?
@@Junker_1 It’s wobbly, takes ages to grind, and it’s a pain to dial in because the particular size distribution is poor. Try any one of the ones here and you’ll realise how hard you were making life for yourself
@@mattscarf Thanks for the answer. I have no problem grinding because I use little coffee. But does it make a difference in taste? After all that is the most important metric.
After watching both your grinder tier videos, I’m buying the Lido OG. Thank you for your all-inclusive videos that give me all the research I need. I can clearly tell you know what you’re talking about. Why look further?
Thanks for all the effort in pulling out these video. A good video idea is to see how to create the best cup of filter coffee with the lightest gear that can be taken on the go when hiking.
Great job Lance! Appreciate your time and effort.
Thank you!
I've had a (slightly exaggerated) rollercoaster of emotions due to this video, saw your community post a couple hours after I received confirmation of my k6 order, finished my first cup of French press before I saw this video(upgraded from a Hario mill, definitely a high point of my week).
Skipped to the end saw it in B, felt sad, went back to its review, felt happy that you agreed on the price making it S, felt sad I didn't check out the orphan, felt happy I couldn't afford it(it's dialling system is a scratch I don't want to scratch just yet).
Love the work you do, now I just have to find some IRL friends to nerd out together.
what the heck. I just upgraded to a k6 from a hario mill a few days ago too lol
Nailed it with the X Pro. Love mine, not perfect but great for having one do it all grinder at a good price. Now watching the rest so I can keep feeling good about my purchase.
Finally pulled the trigger and ordered the Lido OG. You convinced me Lance.
Thank you for this video, always a lot of fun! A manual espresso machines tier list could also be very cool :) just a thought
Thanks to your review video, we’ve made many big and small improvements since the first prototype. You should try the latest version :D
I knew those etzinger burrs were special. Having my stabilized encore consistently coming out on top in blind tastings against some well reviewed mid range hand grinders really gave me an inkling.
I guess OE is gonna get an uptick in business. And rightfully so. Great grinders, great service, stocked replacement parts, like the baratza of hand grinders.
...And it's backordered. lol
Happy to finally see some talk about the C64! Definitely a curious product. I’m sure we’ll see something about the wave burrs at some point 🧐
I would really like to know how K-Ultra and J-Ultra from 1zpresso would be in the tier list. ❤ thank you so much for the informative comparison!
Thank you very much Lance for this comparison video, it was a huge work again. I have an X Pro at home and I really like to use it, mainly for filtered coffee and moka pot. Honestly I heared about the Lido OG just now for the first time, it seems very well made. I will be not be unfaithful to the X Pro, but it would be a good addition to the growing collection. :)
As a Kingrinder K4 owner and as someone who o Ly cares about medium to dark espresso for last couple of years I have fully enjoyed it. Money worth spent.
Thanks for sharing the sheet. I’m sitting pretty with my ZP6 but I love me a sheet and have a friend in the market for an upgrade so this will be great.
I started the journey of hand grinders with a skerton plus, before this kind of reviews appeared.
Because of that, I learned a lot about particle sizes (and not in a good way). Now I have a C3 Pro, and can taste the difference.
I enjoyed your new process for making these! Great video! 😊
Just to add, reading through the comments, a shootout between the best of manual and electric would probably be a seriously popular video! (Obviously in terms of quality in the cup rather than price!)
I LOVE my X-ultra, such a great feel, I use it every morning with my Aeropress.
Thanks for the work Lance! Interesting overview!
I‘ve never thought of any other hand grinder than my beloved C40 (red clix) tbh. I chose it because the manufacturer sits in my neighborhood and I could buy it directly (also a good roaster btw).
And yeah I mean.. all the memories. It has been my best travel buddy over the years. But I gave it to a good friend (still hurts) and now I‘m looking for something new/ all purpose use.
I wonder where my Timemore C3 (Pro) would've landed in a professional's list. It was my upgrade from a blade "grinder" and my filter coffee has improved a lot!
C3 grinders are excellent. I have a C3 ESP (same as yours, more clicks for more precise ESPresso - its in the name) and it is just awesome, ESPecially for the price.
Great video, thanks.
I would love to have seen the kingrinder p2 on the list as well, like a really low budget grinder (for us poor people 😜)
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, the ranking system is clear and easy to understand
I just figured I'd share my experience with the grinders that I have since they make the list. I do not have anything high end. For hand grinders I have the K6, K4 and C2 with 3D printed plate to double the clicks (though I have used the Q2 and the K-Max). What I have to compare them to is my Barista Pro internal and my ESP (ESP is my favorite of all of them for traditional espresso).
I do want to preface by saying that both the K6 and K4 were used daily for six months with an average of 4 shots ground per day (I bought the K6 then the K4 to see if it was better for me.)
Why I feel the need to share is that I have had longevity issues with both of the Kingrinders. Quality issues out of the box, in fact. Both had rusty bearings out of the box. The 4 wasn't bad and just needed a little cleaning but the 6 was so bad that I almost couldn't get it out of the grinder. This isn't a one off, if you search the various coffee forums other people have had this issue. That aside, the longevity issues are that the rubber grip slips down the body from being lose on both, the o-rings that hold the lid to the crank have stretched to the point they won't stay on (wear and tear, I get it, less of a big deal), and the zero points have wondered a lot since new. 19 places on the 6 and 14 on the 4. Are any of these things a big deal, I don't know as I have nothing to compare them too and the coffee made, and function doesn't seem to be affected by it. So, I figured it would be worth it to point out and someone with a better grasp on these things might comment. If I could avoid these issues in the future by spending a bit more, I would.
The C2 has one issue in quality where I am concerned, those tiny threads on the catch cup are a pain in the butt but otherwise it has been solid.
Flavor wise, I'll leave that up to someone with a much more experienced palate than myself.
Anyway, awesome video, as always and thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
For me now, just for filter, Timemore S3 is pure magic at that price point. I know out of the box can't grind espresso, but with a simple micro plate to fill the gap can do as the top tier for everything.
The S3 is easy to use but has such a watery taste that I bought it and sold it secondhand in a week. Any improvements since then?😮
@@Ilmiosognoèvivereinpigriziacon I think so. Even when clear, it helps to go finer for filter. Besides comandante that produces some fines, S3 produces more uniform particles, that helps to keep the brewing time even when you go finer than comandante, gets a little less body, but acidity and sweetness gets better. Maybe you didn't give it time enough for the learning curve
Just bought the ZP6 s! Excited to get my hands on it❤
I have the K4 and a Flair Neo Flex. I love a traditional espresso shot as a base for a flat white. A very low budget set up (K4 £88 Flex £99) that does just what I want and does it very well. For me, it passes the "brew something tasty" test with ease.
I think you should include Weber Workshop SG1 as honorable mention
Lololol
Is that the stonemill one ?😅
@@Caffeine.And.Carvingsyes
@@Caffeine.And.Carvings Yep, checkout Lance’s hilarious review
love the photo compilations of each grinder 🔥
Couldn't agree more with everything you said, amazing work Lance!
Where is timemore c3 & s3?? I was looking for this particular option reviews but there is so little of a comparison across the UA-cam😢
I have the Lido OG but rarely use it - opting for an electric grinder for my daily use. Your previous review of the OG, and the ranking here, fully align with that well aligned grinder! It's a great grinder - unique and extremely well built! Lance, if you're interested in it, let me know.
I've been brewing over 20 years the KinGrinder P2 also deserves a shout out. Like your take on the K4/6, it's undoubtedly one of the best budget hand grinders I've ever used. Is it perfect? No, far from it. Is it better than anything you'll find under $100? Maybe, depending on model, sales, availability, etc. But, is it the ONLY hand grinder under $50 even worth using? Yes. 100% yes. The P1 and P2 make perfect first steps into hand grinding without a significant investment.
I don't have them hence them not being here
Ahhh, thou hath thumbed mine contribulatory tithe. Lo, henceforth an uncouth peon as mineself shall forgo further ignorance
Hey Lance! Awesome content, as always.
Is there any chance you could take into your hands to compare and test the new outer burrs 1zpresso is putting out on the newer models? (Q series, wich replaced the q2 and q2s, q2 air, x ultra, x pros made after sep 2023). It seems they're worse for particle distribution.
The only grinders that seems to have gotten equal or better burrs are the j-ultra and the k-ultra.
You should be able to tell the difference even in the pictures 1zpresso provides (comparing, for instance, x pro outer burrs against x ultra outer burrs, or q2 heptagonal against q2 air or q series.
I think they maybe switched to a worse burr manufacturer, or maybe they wanted their grinders making more fines?
I don't know the reason, but if someone as influential as you, who managed to bring the zp6 back to life thanks to the community, calls them out for worsening the burrs in almost all their models, it should mean something. Maybe they could change back.
Almost all people who tried both burrsets say that the newer outer burr in the 40mm models taste worse (that is, Asser (x pro vs x ultra,) Rogue wave (q2 heptagonal vs q air) and hoons in a live (k max against x ultra).
Really hope you shed some light into the practices of the company. Beats me if they wanted to sell more k- series and made all other models that competed worse, or moved to a cheaper manufacturer, or both
Great video! Perfect for someone looking to buy a hand grinder! Awesome work!
This should be in every coffee 101 must watch.. You have covered entire landscape
I finally blindly tested my X-Pro against my old Virtuoso+ and Varia VS3 (2nd Gen) and it actually blew my mind! The X-Pro was head and shoulders above the others. I picked it out so easily it shocked me, even just the aroma tipped me off to it being the X-Pro. To me, hand grinders are the way to go for conicals.
It's a v good hand grinder. Sad they supposedly changed the burrs
@@LanceHedrick I was also shocked they did… sad that initial reviews claim the new burrs are inferior for clarity. I’ll be hanging onto my pre-‘handle issues’ X-Pro till I die. 😅
awesome comparison!! I really hope the ones that did great do not increase their prices now
A list we’ve all been waiting for 😮
The problem with this tier is that users are insistent on having their grinders listed. It's as if they're trying to keep up with the secondhand price of their grinders. The products that we're talking about a lot right now are c3 and R3, and jaffee j1pro and turin40 (icafilas40), and they're mostly for C. There are big and small problems.
Timemore's X series has also recently changed its burrset to filter grinder with a good clean cup, which could be a good choice for A.
I have the OG and the Remy. I have had them since they both came out. I definitely agree the OG is amazing, but I don’t regret getting the Remy; I’m sure I wouldn’t get it now if I were in the market, but the Remy is great for camping.
Oh sure! For portability it's great. But there are loads better options tbh. That being said, what you have is the best so no regrets!
We love ❤️ for the great job helping us to improve our coffee skills
I know it’s not popular, but I’m surprised to see the Remi get pooped on. I got one secondhand and it’s awesome. Don’t use it that much but the build quality is great and it makes perfectly fine coffee. Only complaint is the grind adjustment is hard to keep track of, but it is stepless which is nice.
Thank you Lance . This was great to watch
Very informative and helpful. Thanks, Lance.
My man Lance putting some gains on those hand grinder motors 💪🏽
This is great! I've been looking for a good travel grinder so I can have better coffees on the road. So I've definitely flagged a few of these in my Amazon list :-)
I am super happy with my K6 and glad to see it on this list as well. Only downside is that mine has a straight handle and not the bend one but still pretty nice to grind.
---*MULTI PURPOS*---
S Tier:
12:40 - Orphan Espresso Lido OG
A Tier:
4:00 - 1Zpresso K Ultra/Plus
7:50 - 1Zpresso ZP6
14:47 - Weber Workshops HG2
22:39 - Kinu M47
27:59 - C64 ERM
B Tier:
3:00 - 1Zpresso JMax
6:43 - 1Zpresso X Pro
9:07 - Pietro M and B Modal Models
17:54 - Knock Feld47
18:50 - Comandante C40 and C60
22:06 - Timemore Chestnut X
22:39 - Kinu POB
24:09- Kingrinder K6
27:22 - Momentum
C Tier:
5:00 - 1Zpresso Q2 Hept
10:53 - Orphan Espresso Apex
16:45 - Mazzer Omega
17:54 - Knock Aergrind
24:09 - Kingrinder K4
24:51 - Etzinger Etz I
D Tier:
5:00 - 1Zpresso Q2 Pentagonal
20:44 - Option O Remy
21:28 - Timemore C2
26:00 - Etzinger Etzman
26:45 - Wonplug Dual
Fail Tier:
xx.xx - Hario skerton
---*FILTER*---
A Tier:
7:50 - 1Zpresso ZP6
B Tier:
9:07 - Pietro M
22:39 - Kinu POB
C Tier:
10:53 - Orphan Espresso Apex
If i made a error in the tiers, let me know.
I think this is a nice overview to click if you want to see all grinders from a Tier for ex.
Would be great if you mentioned a "reviewed at" or "current" price with each grinder. Would help with understanding the grades 👍
Excellent video! Waiting for an electric grinder tier list.
Great comparison. One consideration for some might also be the warranty/servce, which was a large factor for me. Ultimately the lifetime warranty on the Comandante c40 made it worth it for my money and I have been really happy with the results in the cup (all light filter coffee). Also they were great with communication when I was asking them questions ahead of purchasing the grinder.
Again, great video and keep up the great work!
Like 1zpresso foldable handle design to keep your coffee counter looking neat
I wanted to comment on the Kinu 47...
I was surprised by the A rating you gave the grinder
I own the M47 classic and it does a great job with grinding.
I have two complaints which lowered my rating to a B
First the catch cup, it does not hold very much, that's ok, but fine particles get filtered out between the catch cup and the grinder, causing the cup to separate from the grinder....so I use a measuring cup as my catch cup
But even worse, and my reason for a B rating, there is almost always a bean stuck inside the grinder. Usually jammed between the lower stabilizer bar and the top of the cutting burr inside the grinder. It is very frustrating to clean the grinder and to find beans jammed inside.
I use the pour over burr and I am pleased with the grind but I'm disappointed with the beans getting jammed
That's my 2 cents worth
BTW great videos, entertaining and informative 😊 Thank you
I've been using the zp6 for a few years now, and because I only make filter coffee, and I apparently like light roasts, there still isn't anything better for the money. Everything that might be better costs at least twice as much, and I'm not sure that it will make better filter coffee that I enjoy. I don't really have any complaints after having gone through half a dozen different other grinders(manual and electric) first, other than that I wish I could just push a button and get similar results without spending more money. When I travel, if I can take it, I use the Qair(plastic one), which slides into the aeropress, and I haven't found anything better for travel either. Overall, 1zpresso dominates the market for a budget conscious snob like myself. For future tier lists, I would be curious to see how some of these best hand grinders would rank in terms of taste against the best electric grinders. Also, personally, I appreciate the differentiated list for filter coffee. So much out there is geared toward espresso, and I think the biggest problems come when a manufacturer tries to get their product to do everything. There aren't enough pour over/filter focused grinders that do it well. Are there not enough of us who really focus on that style of coffee? I never make espresso, for various reasons, one being that it instantly complicates my coffee setup. I just use v60(these days the v60 switch), and aeropress on occasion.
Great job this video is really helpful for us. Thanks
Excellent wrap up. And I really like the fact that you left price independent of ratings.
This is super vindicating for me as I'll live and die by the Lido ET
Any chance you’ve used the ZP6 when making AeroPress? Any improvement to the body of the coffee while still maintaining clarity?
I’ve had the JX-Pro for a couple years now. I absolutely love it. 12.5 microns per click. Not sure how it fits in with the X-Pro or the J-Max though. I don’t think Lance has done a review on this specific 1ZPresso model.
Opionion on the J-ultra? Same as J-Max or would it land a tier higher with all the tweaks?
Slow-ish feed the apex. Turn the slower & easier way for better usability. Use bigger brew volumes, so you can use coarser grind settings. Apex will rise above most of the others for filter. But, it is large & tank-like/not travel friendly, so a slightly different category than hand held grinders.
If you want faster grind with Apex put the spring auger back, the funnel is more slow to feed the beans...
@@yannote8302 Thanks, but I don't want a faster feed rate, most of the time. And, a slower feed lowers the force required to turn--improving the user experience.
My K6 absolutely rocks for pour overs
Agreed. Hence the grade.
I use my K6 for espresso. The rubber grip stretched about a year in. I bought an original replacement grip through AliExpress; six months later and it's slipping again.
I would not recommend it only because of its terrible build quality.
I wonder how @lancehedrick measures the speed of the grinders. I own and use a J-Max and a ZP6 reguarly. There definitely is a sizeable diference in grindingspeed between the two of them, but it's exactly the opposite of what Lance says in his Excel file. For the same amount of coffee with comparable grind sizes, the J-Max is significantly faster.
@@sweetgeese1147 for filter, yes. Because there are larger gaps.
@@sarcasticundertones3513 Hockey tape.😉
The Remi is a stellar grinder! Way better than the Chestnut X. The coated burrs, which were an upgrade are the better burrs. The only improvement I wish it had was some kind of locking mechanism to keep the handle in while grinding. Not a deal breaker but would be a huge improvement. It makes excellent espresso and is great on filter. Nice contrast from my Ek. I think it was a sleeper grinder because around that time the Kinu and Comadante was in the limelight.
nice! stoked you enjoy it so much. it was too similar to the fraction of a price normcore grinder for me to be stoked on it. I reviewed it side by side a couple of years ago.
So ZP6 is a worthwhile addition to my K Ultra, for filter clarity? What grind range setting do folks use for the ZP6, light roast?
Thanks, Lance!
Seems like the ratings here are generous compared to the electric-grinder video.
Hey Lance, great video - did you have the chance already to test the Timemore C3? If so, what would be your grading there? Thanks 😁
Which grinder will fill the void in my heart?
Probably the Kinu. Fills the void in mine nicely.
Great work. Must have taken a lot of time to make.
MHW-3BOMBER R3 make a really nice all around grinder very very similar to kingrinder k6 and 1zpresso... I just got mine a week ago and I'm loving it
I own J Ultra and ZP6 - I actually use the J Ultra for filter all the time when I want a more bold cup with more body. It works great on very light roasts when its difficult to over extract. alot more fines than the ZP6... but they both have their place, and shine with certain coffees. I dont even use the J ultra for espresso that often now that I have good pourovers with My V60
I'm one of those rare people who have zero problems with the Pietro ergonomics, just doing the fishing reel technique for pourovers. If I had to use it more than twice a day, well then there would be an issue as I have to grip it fairly hard during grinding. Personally, I think all hand grinders are a bit wonky to use, and it's just a matter of what type of wonky you're dealing with.
I also love the ergonomics. I put my forearm on the top of the grinder instead of my hand.
I have a knock feld47, this is the first time I've seen it mentioned in a list, seems to fly under the radar as only the aergrind ever gets acknowledged it seems, I've been happy with it and seeing it at a B (maybe A for the price) I can definitely see, as it isn't perfect but it's good.
Have you try the Timemore S3? I’ve heard very good things about it and know it should be above the C2
Great job. I love my j-ultra and really wonder why it was not mentioned
I think I saw in another comment, he only graded grinders he has experience with/ has owned. Maybe hasn’t come across one yet? I wonder where the J-Ultra sits on this. I began my coffee hobby with espresso and have a J-ultra and have been dabbling in pour over using it since I have no other. Curious what Lance would think I he tried the same.
@@IxMxDizZzYI am using it for traditional espresso (really dark roast / Napoli style) and some modern espresso and i love it. Also for moka pot I am getting some really satisfying results. I really wonder if using it for pour over would be worth it