If you asked me about my version of a perfect day, I would probably give you the story of a day I spent exploring a remote and stunning area of central Guatemala. It was, for me, the absolutely perfect day. I bet many of your perfect days have also been travel days, and we all know that the perfect day starts with the perfect cup of coffee.
There’s no longer any need to settle for weak or bitter coffee in a hostel or conference room, or gulp down instant coffee while camping. great coffee to go is not only achievable, but also easy and affordable.
Reading: Best travel coffee grinder
Maybe you’re already in the habit of taking a percolator or aeropress on the road, but if you grind your beans at home and then wistfully wail as their freshness evaporates, leaving you with an increasingly lackluster brew as the days go by, days, there is an easy solution.
The best way to up your travel prep game is to add a portable manual grinder to the mix. If this seems like an unnecessary waste of valuable luggage space, don’t worry: we’ve rounded up the best and most compact travel grinders to ensure you never have to start your perfect day without the perfect cup of coffee again.
leading the list is a spectacular grinder of vssl gear from backcountry outfitters, known as vssl java.
We tested the vssl java recently, and had to move it right to the top of our list because it combines easy portability, sturdy construction, and fine grinding adjustment like no other travel grinder we’ve seen. we have seen.
It’s built for the country, yet stylish enough for an urban kitchen, and it does everything you want a travel grinder to do. it even appeared on our list of accessories to match a coffee maker for a boat.
We’ll tell you more about vssl java in a bit, but first let’s look at some coffee grinder basics and features you’ll want to keep in mind as you embark on your travel prep adventure.
If you already know the general ins and outs of coffee grinders and have used a manual grinder before, you can skip straight to our picks for the best travel coffee grinders. they are:
- best: vssl java
- finalist: 1zpresso jx-pro
- best value for money: timemore chestnut c2
- best budget option: javapresse manual burr grinder
- small but mighty: portable mini porlex hand grinder
- tried and true: hario mini slim
- easy to place in luggage or backpack
- durable but relatively light
- 50 grind settings
- grinds fine enough for espresso
- capacity limited to 20g
- Efficient steel cutters
- ergonomic handle design
- 35g capacity
- 40-click setup (including espresso)
- a bit heavy
- highest price point
- affordable
- durable
- conical cutters made of high quality steel
- compact
- elegant
- a bit heavy
- some plastic components
- not good for super fine grinds
- budget conscious
- 40g capacity
- lean design
- removable handle
- just 18 clicks setup
- no espresso option
- more time to grind
- less precise
- small and light
- consistent grinding
- espresso option
- only 13 grind settings
- more time to grind
- only 20g capacity
- slim and durable design
- consistent grinding
- light
- affordable
- more time to grind
- only 24g capacity
- plastic jar
We should also point out that if you find yourself on the road without any kind of grinder, don’t despair, there are still ways to open up those coffee beans. We have 13 ideas to grind coffee beans without a grinder in another post.
blade grinder or burr grinder?
Although an affordable blade grinder can produce a decent cup of coffee if you use quality coffee beans and a reliable brewing method, any sophisticated coffee drinker knows that burr grinders are the way to go. The main reason burr grinders win the day is because they produce a consistent grind, resulting in a richer, more balanced flavor profile. an uneven grind leads to over or under extraction, often resulting in a bitter or watery finish.
If you’re someone who invests in quality beans and is meticulous about your brewing process, you’ll want to invest in a burr grinder. The barrier to entry for most people is the high price of electric grinders. manual coffee grinders, however, are almost exclusively burr grinders, and are affordable and great for travel.
why use a manual grinder?
Hand grinders designed with travel in mind are compact, rugged and durable. most have stainless steel or plastic components rather than glass, and those with glass components are carefully designed and built to withstand a fair amount of handling. As mentioned, manuals are almost exclusively burr grinders, providing a consistently rich and delicious brew for a fraction of the cost of most home burr grinders.
The most obvious advantage of manual coffee grinders is that they do not require a power supply. you can grind the perfect cup anywhere and anytime. Manual grinders are also extremely quiet compared to electric coffee grinders, so if you’re nearby you can wake up your fellow travelers to the enticing smell of coffee rather than the jarring sound of an electric grinder.
characteristics to take into account
Manual coffee grinders vary in design, quality and price, so how do you know which one best suits your needs? there are several things to consider while browsing. here are some of the most important:
size and weight
The most important consideration when choosing your travel coffee grinder is portability, so size and weight will be top priorities. you want something that can easily fit in your carry-on or backpack, without adding extra bulk. Fortunately, there are several clever designs to choose from. we’ll dive into our favorites shortly.
steel or ceramic burs
This is a tense battle and the jury is still out. Both have their strengths and drawbacks. steel burrs are much sharper, so they grind coffee beans faster (something to keep in mind when doing the job by hand) and more precisely. That said, steel burrs, while sharper when new, also dull faster.
Ceramic burs last longer and are generally more affordable, but you’ll have to work a little harder on your wrist to get the desired polish. Most hand grinders with steel burrs grind a full dose in a minute or less, while the ceramic style takes 2-3 minutes per grind.
durability
Since you’ll be transporting this bad boy around the world (or at least your local mountains), you’ll want to find a travel grinder that’s made of a sturdy material, like stainless steel or reinforced plastic. some have beautiful glass containers that allow you to see your routine in action, and while this can be useful for visually perfecting your routine, they are more likely to break during travel. You may also want to consider whether your grinder components are easily replaceable. this will extend its useful life.
capacity
many travel grinders have a limited capacity. most will only grind enough for a single brew at a time. This may be fine if you’re traveling alone or have time for multiple rounds of grinding, but if you’re looking for something that can grind multiple cups at once, you may want to consider one of the larger models. you’ll lose a bit of space in your suitcase, but there are still some great, fairly compact options out there.
adjustable grind
Even if you’re a die-hard aeropress user and don’t see yourself changing any time soon, you know you still need that perfect job. not only do you want to make sure you’re getting the right grind for your brewing method, but you also want to be able to adjust on the fly if you’re not getting the best out of your beans. you definitely want something with various adjustable settings. As you’ll see below, everything on our list is adjustable and there are a variety of options to choose from.
your budget
There are a couple of budget travel coffee grinders that absolutely do the job, but they tend to take a little longer to grind, may not have the most precise and consistent grind, and may not last as long. As with most things, you get what you pay for. When you look at the investment over time, it might be worth shelling out for something mid-range if you can. That said, there is something for every budget.
See also: 5 Best Light Roast K-Cups 2022 – Reviews & Buyers Guide
With all that in mind, let’s break down our best options.
our picks for the best travel coffee grinders
the best: vssl java
where do we start with vssl java?
well, its most unique feature is its crank. its designers have somehow found a way to make it work like a kind of carabiner that attaches the entire device to your backpack.
The handle hinges at the top of the grinder and screws into a small bracket on the other side to create a really secure attachment. When it’s time to grind, simply unscrew the attachment and open the handle on its hinge. pull the knob out of the grind catch receptacle, drop it onto the handle and you’re ready to grind.
a small button on the top opens the hopper and you can pour about 20 grams of coffee beans.
that’s enough for a generous cup with a plastic hario v60 pour cone and more than enough for an aeropress which normally uses around 15 grams. those two are our favorite lightweight travel brewing devices.
A dial on the bottom of the java fine-tunes the grinder’s conical stainless steel wheels, which have 50 positions.
vssl java is made from very solid aircraft grade aluminum. this does add some weight, but at 395 grams it’s still lighter than most on our list, including the 1zpresso. it’s actually comparable in weight to the hario mini slim, but feels much sturdier.
Finally, the vssl java comes with a heavy-duty canvas carrying case and brush for easy cleaning of the hopper, burrs, and grinding retainer.
we could be waiting a while to find a better travel grinder than this.
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finalist: 1zpresso jx-pro
the 1zpresso jx-pro was no. 1 on this list until vssl java came along.
It’s slick, robust and efficient, it just doesn’t beat java enough to justify its significantly higher price. This stainless steel portable coffee grinder has 48mm steel burrs for a consistent and fast grind every time. With 40 easily adjustable click settings, you get the precise grind you need, whether it’s for pour over or espresso (something more budget-conscious options can’t always pull off).
The shape of the handle and the rubber grip on the body combine to allow for a smooth, easy grinding experience and excellent, consistent brewing. With a 35 gram capacity, you can grind enough for several cups of coffee. the trade-off is its 650-gram weight. it is one of the heaviest of the bunch.
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if you want the features of the jx, but are looking for something a little smaller and lighter, 1zpresso has you covered with their q2 mini. it has all the great components of the jx but with a 20 gram capacity, for nearly half the weight, coming in at just 385 grams. With those specs and a similar price, it’s a very close competitor to vssl java but without the handy connection mechanism.
best value for money: timemore chestnut c2
the difference between 1zpresso and timemore is not as wide as the price might suggest. The TimeMore Chestnut C2 is an affordable beast that easily outperforms other manual grinders in the same price range. it’s sleek, compact and durable where it counts.
unlike its even more impressive big brother, the g1, it has some plastic components, but timemore knows where they use plastic.
the c2 has the same high quality 38mm steel conical burrs as the higher end timemore, which is key to its impressively consistent grind.
Textured stainless steel body makes it durable and easy to grip. It weighs 464 grams, which is a bit heavy but definitely worth it for the quality. its 25-gram capacity makes it one of the smaller grinders on the list, but it still gets the job done for a pour over or aeropress, where it really shines. you’ll get 15 grams of that medium grind in about 30-45 seconds, which is pretty quick.
Thirty-six easy-to-adjust grind settings help you achieve the perfect grind. it can be difficult to keep track of the configuration, since there are only unmarked hash points in the base. once you get used to the number of clicks it takes to get where you want to be, it’s extremely easy to adjust and just as easy to clean.
See also: Best Coffee For Americano
Another potential drawback of the c2 is that it’s not good for espresso, but that’s pretty standard with manual grinders. Because it is a stepped grinder, fine adjustment is not required to adjust the espresso grind. the consistency of c2 also tends to decrease towards the finer end.
Overall, you won’t find a better hand grinder for the price.
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best budget option: javapresse manual coffee grinder
If you’re on a budget or just need something for a camping trip and don’t want to spend a lot of money, the javapresse manual grinder is a reliable option. this grinder is on our list of the best coffee grinders under $100.
It has a slim stainless steel design, with a removable handle for even easier storage. This manual ceramic grinder won’t perform as high as some of the more expensive options, but it might be enough to meet your needs. with the 18-click setting, you still get a variety of grinds, but it tends to be less consistent with coarser grinds and won’t make the espresso any easier. however, it offers a capacity of 40 grams with only 266 grams of weight.
At this extremely cheap price, javapresse is a decent option.
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small but mighty: portable mini porlex hand grinder
the porlex mini punches way above its weight class. The smallest of the bunch, with a removable handle, this little stainless steel beauty can fit inside your AeroPress, saving even more precious space in your luggage. With ceramic burrs and only 13 grind settings, it won’t be as fast as other options, but it still provides a consistent grind, including a fine espresso setting. its small stature means it also has a small capacity, just 20 grams, but is the lightest of the bunch at just 226 grams.
If you’re looking for something compact that still performs well, this is a great mid-range option.
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tried and true: hario mini slim
hario is an iconic Japanese brand that balances style, performance and affordability. one of the cheapest options and one of the smallest, the hario mini slim would be great to throw in your carry-on or backpack.
Made of extremely durable plastic and with a removable handle, this guy goes the distance. Ceramic wheels, while slower than stainless steel, still offer a consistent grind and long life. With a 24 gram capacity, it offers a little more flexibility than the Porlex Mini, and still only weighs 317 grams.
If you’re looking for consistent performance from a trusted brand, at a great price, the Hario Mini Slim might be for you.
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need to brew for your whole team? then check out hario’s flagship grinder, the skerton plus. with its slightly bulkier style and glass bowl, I personally don’t think it’s the best option for travel, but it’s still pretty light at just 500 grams and has a grinding capacity of 100 grams. The skerton hopper can even be attached to other storage devices, such as a glass jar or plastic canister, in a pinch, or for easy transportation. the skerton is a great manual home grinder that could certainly hit the road for an occasional outing.
summarizing
If you’re ready to up your travel coffee game, I can’t recommend a manual coffee grinder enough. they are affordable, portable, and a lot of fun to use. The travel coffee grinder you choose will depend on your specific needs, style, and budget. As you can see, there is something to accommodate everyone.
We have been clear in our praise for vssl java. Personally, I’m also a fan of the porlex mini because it suits my needs at a great price and I love that it fits perfectly inside my aeropress, creating the ideal travel prep. the next time you’re about to embark on a potentially perfect day, be sure to start with the perfect cup of coffee.
Do you need a battery-powered coffee maker to accompany your travel grinder? see our favorites in this category.
See also: Best Cheap K Cup Coffee Maker
