Hand grinder vs. electric grinder
At the same price, a hand grinder usually grinds better. Whether that is the right trade depends entirely on how many coffees you make.
| Aspect | Hand grinder | Burr grinder |
|---|---|---|
| Grind quality for the money | Higher — almost the whole cost goes into the burrs rather than a motor and gearbox | Lower at the same price; competitive higher up the range |
| Effort | 30-60 seconds of cranking for filter; real work for espresso | None |
| Several drinks in a row | Tiring, and the usual reason people switch | Trivial |
| Retention | Usually very low | Varies widely by design; often the weak point |
| Travel and power | Portable, silent, needs no socket | Neither |
| Workflow features | None — you weigh and dose yourself | Timed or weight-based dosing, hoppers, portafilter holders |
Which should you choose?
One or two drinks a day, especially filter, and a hand grinder is very often the better use of the money. Several espressos every morning, or anyone with hand or wrist difficulty, and the electric grinder earns its cost in the first week. Neither answer is about coffee quality alone.