The debate of manual vs. electric coffee grinders might initially seem like a no-brainer. Doesn’t everyone just get an electric coffee grinder these days? While they’re certainly the more popular choice for your average coffee brewer, that doesn’t mean they’re the only choice or that they’re the right one for you. This guide will walk you through what each grinder is capable of as well as their pros and cons so when you hit the market, you’ll know exactly what to look for to brew your perfect cup.
Manual vs. electric coffee grinders: what are they?
Before we dig into the differences, let’s take a moment to refresh ourselves on what manual and electric coffee grinders even are and how they work. Let’s start with manual coffee grinders, which are also known as handheld grinders. These require no electricity and are the original model for a grinder. (Remember: all coffee grinders used to be manual!) They typically feature a hand crank and are among the most affordable options.
Electric coffee grinders, of course, require a plug and electricity, but they can also be broken down further into blade grinders and burr grinders. Blade grinders are more affordable than burr grinders but can produce a more inconsistent grind. Burr grinders are the most common choice for home baristas and professionals to achieve that perfect consistency. That said, burr grinders, particularly once you start going high-end, are the most expensive option.
Manual vs. electric coffee grinders: how do they stack up?
Now that you have a more solid picture of each type of grinder, let’s start breaking down the differences between them. We’ll go feature by feature to give you a clear idea of which option might be best for you.
Manual vs. electric coffee grinders: grind consistency & precision
First things first: not all electric grinders are created equal when getting proper grind consistency. Blade grinders are notoriously unreliable when it comes to maintaining precision. They regularly make uneven grinds, which can make it harder to get a good cup of coffee. Burr grinders, however, are great at consistency and precision!
So how do burr grinders and hand grinders compare? Manual coffee grinders are simple machines, but they use a similar grinding mechanic to burr grinders. Rather than blades, they use metal plates to crush the coffee evenly. Doing it by hand can help you feel how finely you’re grinding.
Electric burr grinders simply automate this process, so there’s no hand cranking necessary. By and large, they’re the gold standard for a lot of coffee drinkers, but at the end of the day, you can achieve a grind that’s just as good as a manual grinder.
Final verdict: Blade grinders are the worst option, while burr grinders and manual coffee grinders are fairly comparable!
Manual vs. electric coffee grinders: portability & build quality
As mentioned, manual coffee grinders are very simple machines, so it’s easy and sensible to make them completely from stainless steel without dramatically raising costs. There are hand grinders with plastic and ceramic parts, and you’ll see that reflected in the price (meaning they’re cheaper). But you don’t have to pay a premium to get a hand grinder built to last.
And because they don’t need any electricity, they’re extremely portable, making them the perfect option for campers and travelers that can’t go without their fresh ground beans. They also take up very little counter space, so if that’s a premium in your kitchen, they’re worth considering.
Electric grinders aren’t very compact, especially if you’re looking at a burr grinder. They’re often designed to hold large quantities of beans, which can make them quite bulky not to mention the space their motor takes up. You’ll also notice that most electric grinders are made almost entirely of plastic (with the exception on the blade or grinding plates, which should be stainless steel). On cheaper models, that can mean low-quality plastic and to upgrade to a grinder worth its weight will cost you a pretty penny (think $150 and up).
Final verdict: Manual grinders are the way to go when portability and quality materials are your top concern.
Manual vs. electric coffee grinders: maintenance
Electric grinders can be a little harder to clean because they’re bulkier and you have to be especially careful not to get any electrical components wet. That said, you should be able to disassemble the key parts of your grinder to give them a thorough brushing with a dry toothbrush before rinsing with water. There are some coffee-specific cleaning products you can use, but that all depends on the model of your grinder. Note that this is mainly true for burr grinders! Blade grinders often can’t be disassembled at all and thus require even more care not to damage the motor.
Hand grinders are a little easier to clean, but they still have to be properly disassembled. Luckily, they have fewer pieces so there’s slightly less to worry about, but the whole process is a bit fussy no matter what.
Final verdict: Manual grinders have a slight edge because they don’t have any electric parts to worry about, but ultimately, maintenance shouldn’t be much of a deciding factor for you.
Manual vs. electric coffee grinders: ease of use
Manual grinders aren’t terribly difficult to use, but they are exhausting, especially if you’re used to making coffee for a crowd. You have to crank the grinder by hand, which means it will take longer and require more effort and attention.
Meanwhile, this is really where electric grinders shine. They’re very easy to use, often just needing the push of a button or twist of a knob to grind all the coffee you’ll need for a pot and then some. The motor also means it’ll do all the grinding much faster, typically a matter of seconds.
Final verdict: Electric grinders are the clear winner here because while both are easy to use, only electric grinders do all the hard work for you.
Which grinder is right for Your coffee setup?
So, with all that in mind, think about what kind of coffee setup you’re working with. If you’ve got an absolutely tiny kitchen with no space for yet another appliance or constantly wanting to take your brew setup on the go, then a manual grinder might be right for you. They’re also cheaper than fancy burr grinders so if you’re new to leveling up your coffee game, it could be worth trying before you invest in an automated machine. You might even find you simply like the ritual of it!
But for busy people on the go or those constantly brewing coffee for a crowd, an electric grinder is where it’s at. They’re quick, efficient, and burr grinders reliably produce the perfect grind every day.
Brew the perfect cup of coffee with Pesado’s precision tools!
Once you’ve got the grinder of your dreams, whether electric or manual, you’re ready to upgrade the rest of your coffee setup.
That’s where Pesado comes in. Our collection of professional-quality gear includes everything from portafilters and tampers for your espresso shots to barista milk jugs for your latte art. Shop the whole collection to take your morning joe to cafe quality.
