Best overall
1Zpresso
J-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder
8.5Great
A $199 espresso hand grinder with 8-micron external steps and 48 mm coated burrs; superb shots, but weak for pour-over.
Grinders4$199
Best value
TIMEMORE
Chestnut C3s
An $89 all-metal hand grinder with 38 mm S2C burrs that punches above its price for filter; its click steps are coarse for espresso.
8.2
Great
Coffee Reviews score
See the breakdown →
Community
—/10
- Type
- Manual conical burr grinder
- Burrs
- 38 mm stainless steel, CNC-cut
- Bearings
- Dual-bearing burr stabilization
- Typical price
- $89.00
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Last reviewed October 17, 2026 by the Coffee Reviews editors · How we score
An $89 all-metal hand grinder with 38 mm S2C burrs that punches above its price for filter; its click steps are coarse for espresso.
The Chestnut C3s is Timemore's entry-level all-metal hand grinder: a one-piece aluminum body, 38 mm CNC-cut stainless steel burrs on dual bearings, and a 0–90 click dial covering espresso to French press. It costs $89 with a 20 g catch cup, with folding-handle and XL-cup versions above that. Reviewers rate its filter grind quality above average for the price but find its roughly 83-micron steps too coarse for precise espresso.
Best for
- A first quality hand grinder on a tight budget
- Pour-over and AeroPress brewers who travel
- Backup or office grinder
What we like
- All-metal aluminum body and 38 mm stainless S2C burrs for $89
- Clear, well-rounded filter cups for the price
- Compact and light enough for travel
- Optional folding handle and XL catch cup
Watch-outs
- Coarse steps (about 83 microns per click) make espresso hard to dial
- Internal dial is less convenient than an external adjuster
- Standard catch cup holds only 20 g
- Warranty term not published on the US store
How it scored
The breakdown.
8.2Great
Gear score out of 10, weighted across five factors.
- Performance30%7.8
BrewCoffeeHome found filter clarity and grind quality above average for its price, but its 83-micron steps land between usable espresso settings.
- Build & reliability20%8.2
All-aluminum unibody, stainless burrs and dual bearings feel premium at $89, though BrewCoffeeHome notes the materials are less robust than Timemore's pricier models.
- Ease of use15%7.8
Smooth S2C grinding and settings printed on the dial help, but the dial is internal rather than external, and the standard cup holds 20 g.
- Value20%9.1
At $89 for an all-metal body and stainless burrs, it costs under half the 1Zpresso J-Ultra ($199) and about a quarter of a Comandante C40 MK4 from US dealers ($329).
- Community love15%8.0
A frequent budget recommendation with plenty of hands-on videos, though fewer in-depth English reviews than 1Zpresso or Comandante.
Creator video reviews
Watch it in action.
1 positive
Independent creators, verified with YouTube and TikTok. We don’t pay for reviews and creators don’t pay us.
What people are saying
From the forums.
Verbatim from Reddit, forums and long-term owner write-ups — linked so you can read the full thread.
“With the C3S, I produced a cup of beautiful filter coffee with great clarity and a well-rounded flavor. It works beautifully with lighter roast beans with floral and fruity flavor profiles. The grind quality is also above average compared to hand grinders in this price range.”
“For example, the C3S’s espresso settings begin at seven clicks, but that makes the grind too fine for espresso. However, if I change the setting to eight clicks, the shot pours too rapidly.”
Specifications
By the numbers.
- Model
- Chestnut C3s
- Burrs
- 38 mm stainless steel, CNC-cut
- Bearings
- Dual-bearing burr stabilization
- Body
- All-metal unibody from a single piece of aluminum alloy
- Grind adjustment
- 0 to 90 clicks (classic grind dial)
- Capacity
- Grinds up to 30 g; standard catch cup 20 g
- Handle options
- Standard handle ($89) or pull-to-fold handle ($99)
- Large-batch option
- XL catch cup + pull-to-fold handle ($119)
- Grind range
- Espresso to French press
- Warranty
- Limited warranty for the original purchaser in the US and Canada (term not stated on the brand site)
- Brews
- Pour-over, AeroPress, French press, Moka pot, Espresso
- Typical price
- $89.00 for 1 grinder, Standard (20 g catch cup, standard handle) (checked October 2026)
Community
Member tasting notes & discussion.
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Discussion
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Own TIMEMORE Chestnut C3s? Ask a question or share your recipe — you’ll be the first.
FAQ
Good questions.
What's the difference between the C3s and the C3 ESP?
Both use the same 38 mm S2C burrs. BrewCoffeeHome reports the C3s dial moves about 83 microns per click (12 clicks per rotation), while the C3 ESP's CNC dial has 30 clicks per rotation at about 23 microns, making it better for espresso.
Can the C3s grind for espresso?
Timemore says it covers espresso to French press, and it does reach espresso fineness. BrewCoffeeHome found one click too fine and the next too fast for a shot, so espresso drinkers are better served by the ESP dial.
What's the C3s 'Pro' with the folding handle?
On Timemore's US store the folding handle is a $99 option on the C3s, and an XL catch cup plus folding handle is $119. The grinding mechanism is the same.
How much coffee does it hold?
Timemore says it grinds up to 30 g; the standard catch cup holds 20 g, with an XL cup sold as an option.
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