Hand Grinder Tier List

This video is an attempt to lay out handgrinders I have a lot of experience with in an intuitive and understandable way. By not focusing solely on any style of coffee, my hope is a presentation of these coffee handgrinders that can help the largest number of people possible. With the below excel sheet, feel free to peruse the categories.
Please note:
1) it seems the burr in the new Q Air is different from the Q2 presented here.
2) I have read the X Pro has already been changed, but do not have confirmation.

also, with the grading rubric, my filter grinder grades are a bit less reliant on the point system, as the weights were skewed once espresso was taken away. I am happy to add the other categories of taste I considered when finalized the system, if desired.

Thanks for watching!
Here is the link:

Time Cues:
0:00- Criteria
3:00- 1Zpresso JMax
4:00- 1Zpresso K Ultra/Plus
5:00- 1Zpresso Q2 Hept/Pentagonal
6:43- 1Zpresso X Pro
7:50- 1Zpresso ZP6
9:07- Pietro M and B Modal Models
10:53- Orphan Espresso Apex
12:40- Orphan Espresso Lido OG
14:47- Weber Workshops HG2
16:45- Mazzer Omega
17:54- Knock Feld47 and Aergrind
18:50- Comandante C40 and C60
20:44- Option O Remy
21:28- Timemore C2
22:06- Timemore Chestnut X
22:39- Kinu M47 a (and POB)
24:09- Kingrinder K4 and K6
24:51- Etzinger Etz I
26:00- Etzinger Etzman
26:45- Wonplug Dual
27:22- Momentum
27:59- C64 ERM
29:30- Final Chart and Conclusion

LINKS
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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

[JohnSmith-vhew]

Mad respect for pointing out flaws in a product you collaborated on. Other youtubers are too scared to do this.

[Comacrin]

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.

[Kureiji-Desu]

This video will be referenced for years until we get an updated version. Awesome video.

[IdanShir]

Remember kids, the best grinder is the one you don't currently own!


Edit: Irony, folks....

[Boyetto-san]

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.

[DJangles]

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.

[Paradox-coffee]

---*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

[MatthewSelz]

I’m a simple man, with simple needs and new to the coffee grinding scene. Filter, flavors and burr microns is making my head spin.
I want:
-manual grinder
-coarse grind
-dark roast
I appreciate the value you’ve provided and work it takes to do such an in-depth analysis. Great video❤
Can anyone help?
Thanks!

[brunoleitemilkie]

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!

[alexbutler]

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 YouTube 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.

[chrislange]

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

[ProxyIII]

Where is timemore c3 & s3?? I was looking for this particular option reviews but there is so little of a comparison across the YouTube😢

[naqib]

Next tier list - best grinder for pour over!

[Aetheros]

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.

[zachb.]

I have the Lido OG, and I love it. $245 right now, so it was really competitive with the Kinu and the 1Zpresso price-wise.

[ricardosilbec]

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.

[jersi_kill]

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

[xthebumpx]

I got a Lido OG after watching this and it immediately made a huge improvement in my pour overs. I had been using a J-Max, which is a good grinder, but very espresso focused and produced a lot of fines at pour over settings. I will say I'm a little underwhelmed by the feel of the Lido--the steel cup feels less premium than the heavier one on the J-max and I really like the J-max's magnetic attachment compared to a screw in cup, but grinding with the Lido feels very nice. It takes a decent amount less effort than the J-max. Oh, also the Lido is huge compared to most other hand held grinders.

[TheEricSchubert]

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!