7 Best Coffee Grinders For Backpacking With Buying Guide

Enjoy backpacking, but also do not want to give on your morning brew? Then it is time for you to get yourself a coffee grinder than can grind coffee beans on the go! Yes, you can carry around ground coffee, but where is the fun in that? 

True coffee connoisseurs know grinding coffee beans instantly makes the coffee taste ten times better. We have listed down the 7 best coffee grinders for backpacking. You can also read more about different types of grinders and the buying guide at the end to make an informed decision.

7 Best Coffee Grinder For The Perfect Backpack Brew (At A Glance)

Sl No.	Coffee Grinder	Product Link
1.	JavaPresse Manual Grinder	View Product
2.	1Zpresso Q2 Manual Coffee Grinder	View Product
3.	Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Grinder	View Product
4.	Hario Skerton PRO Coffee Mill	View Product
5.	Handground Precision Coffee Grinder	View Product
6.	Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Mini-Slim Plus	View Product
7.	GSI Outdoors Javamill	View Product

1. JavaPresse Manual Grinder

If you are looking for an easy and affordable solution to grind coffee beans on the go, manual burr grinders are a great option. This JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder is our first choice in our list of manual grinders. JavaPresse is known for selling manual coffee grinders, it is trusted by coffee enthusiasts all over the world. 

Made from sturdy stainless steel, the manual grinder comes with a built-in grind selector that offers over 18 grind settings. This grinder is particularly a good option for carrying around while camping as it is quite lightweight, this makes grinding and brewing coffee while hiking a breeze. Another great thing about the grinder is its price point, it is quite affordable compared to other electric burr grinders we talked about.

The JavaPresse grinder comes with an adjustable knob underneath that lets you change into different grind settings. It also comes with a replacement ceramic burr, which is a good thing considering you have a backup if the burr breaks down. All in all the JavaPresse Manual Grinder would be a good pick for your camping brew.

Pros 

• Multiple grind settings and an easy-to-use mechanism
• Does not make a lot of noise while grinding

Cons

• The narrow body of the grinder makes it difficult to clean all the coffee grounds

2.1Zpresso Q2 Manual Coffee Grinder

1Zpresso as a brand is known for creating innovative manual grinders. One of its excellent creations is the 1Zpresso Q2 manual coffee grinder. One should not confuse the efficiency of this grinder with its size. The Q2 grinder is small in size but offers a premium quality grind.

This travel-friendly grinder has a size that is smaller than a can of soft drink which is perfect for camping, office use, or use around the house in general as it takes very little space. The grinder offers over 60 clicks for different grind settings. 

It isn’t the most affordable manual grinder but given its structure and strong build, the price is justifiable. The only downside to the grinder is its 20gm capacity to grind coffee beans at a time. So you cannot grind coffee for more than one cup at a time. Overall, we think it is a great fit for a manual grinder if it fits your budget.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight, perfect for backpack
• It offers 60 different clicks settings

Cons

• Slightly more expensive than other coffee grinders
• Has a 20gm capacity

3. Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Grinder

Another well-known manual coffee grinder, the Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Grinder is everything you could want out of a manual easy-to-use coffee grinder. One of the best things about a Porlex Mini grinder is that it can easily first directly in the AeroPress. So, if your choice of brew is Aeropress, this would be great!

Another great feature of this grinder is its easy-to-grip cylindrical shape, coffee lovers who enjoy hiking, camping, or traveling with a coffee grinder- this is the perfect fit. Made with a durable stainless steel body, the grinder fits perfectly in a backpack and is made to long last.

Porlex Mini Grinder has a built-in adjustable dial that lets you click into 13 different grind settings. From coarse to medium to fine, it gets consistent coffee grounds within seconds. In about a minute or two the grinder can grind a full hopper of beans into the cup. From French Press to Aeropress, Porlex Mini Grinder works great for different types of brewing methods.

Pros

• It has a sturdy stainless steel body
• The grinder offers around 13 different grind sizes

Cons

• Has a 20gm capacity

4. Hario Skerton PRO Coffee Mill

If there was a coffee grinder that would tick all the boxes for backpacking, this would be it. The Hario Skerton Pro Coffee Mill provides a transformative coffee experience on your hiking or camping journey. It is an easy-to-assemble, use, and clean coffee grinder that can comfortably fit into your backpack.

One of the best things about the Hario Skerton Coffee Mill is its classic design and its strong build. The bean hopper is made from heavy-duty plastic and the coffee ground jar is made of durable heat-proof glass. Now the glass might seem like a bad idea while backpacking, but hear us out.

The glass jar is quite durable and will not break unless you drop it from a height. Plus, it can be converted into a mason jar that holds ground coffee and can also be used as a coffee drinking cup. The glass also comes with an air-tight lid to store beans.

Another great thing about the Hario Skerton grinder is that it uses ceramic conical burrs. If you have worked with ceramic coffee grinders before, you would know it grinds coffee beans consistently and does not heat in the process like steel grinders. Ceramic grinders ensure you get consistent quality grind every time.

Similar to other manual coffee grinders, this one too comes with an adjustable dial to set your preferred grind setting. Whether you are a beginner or an expert at grinding your own coffee, Hario’s build and style make it easy for all kinds of people to use and clean.

Pros

• It comes with a durable glass jar 
• Comes with extensive grind settings
• Easy to disassemble, assemble, use, and clean

Cons

• Weighs more than other manual grinders

5. Handground Precision Coffee Grinder

The team at Handground surveyed baristas to design this easy-to-use manual coffee grinder. At the first glance, you can say what sets apart this manual grinder from others. The Handground Precision Coffee Grinder comes with a side-mounted handle. 

This was done to ensure, better stability and support while grinding coffee beans, The user can place their opposite hand at the top of the grinder and grind beans from the side handle. The hand grinder comes with 15 different grind settings and between each setting, there is a half step. This ensures you can set the grinder to the most precise setting to get that consistent grind.

It comes with a 40mm conical ceramic burr with a triple-mounted axle to eliminate the wobbling of the burr. The handground precision coffee grinder is designed with every detail in mind, so as to give you a consistent grind every time. 

The bean hopper can load up to 100 grams of whole coffee beans with the markings on the hopper representing 10 grams each. Lastly, the grinder is very easy to dissemble, which makes cleaning a breeze. The only drawback is its price, which is slightly higher compared to other manual grinders. 

Pros

• 15 different grind settings ensure a consistent grind
• Easy to use and clean

Cons

• It is slightly more expensive than other manual grinders

6. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Mini-Slim Plus

Hario Ceramic Mini Slim Plus has been designed with comfort and ease of use for both pro baristas and beginner coffee enthusiasts in mind. Ergonomically designed, it is a slim and compact grinder that is perfect for both home and travel use.

It comes with a ceramic conical burr that ensures a uniform grind. Like any other coffee grinder, it comes with an adjustable dial for different grind settings. It has a built-in burr stabilizer plate that eliminates the wobbling of the bur. 

Pros

• Sleek design, and compact enough to fit in a backpack
• Comes with a conical ceramic burr

Cons

• Can contain less quantity of coffee beans at a time

7. GSI Outdoors Javamill 

Specially designed for adventurous coffee enthusiasts, the GSI Outdoors Javamill is built to be used while backpacking. Grind and brew fresh coffee anywhere anytime with this easy-to-use and compact outdoor coffee grinder.

The GSI Outdoor Javamill is built with a durable co-polyester and weighs only 9.3 pounds. Its strong built is made with the brewing coffee outdoors in mind. Whether you prefer a coarse or a fine grind, the GSI javamill can do it all. The kit comes with a coffee grounds cup. The grinding arm and a silicone grip. 

Whether you prefer a coarse or a fine grind, the GSI javamill can do it all. You can twist around the lever clockwise for a finer grind and anti-clockwise for a coarser grind. Overall, this coffee grinder is a great option!

Pros

• Sleek design with foldable handle perfect for the outdoors
• Made from high-performing and durable co-polyester 

Cons

• Does not include very precise grind settings

What Are The Different Types Of Coffee Grinder?

There are essentially four main types of coffee grinders- Electric Grinder, Manual Grinder, Burr Grinder, and Blade Grinder. The electric and manual grinder has to do with the automation and manual end of things. While blade and burr grinders have to do with the construction and methodology for different grinds. Most burr grinders come in both electric and handheld forms. Let’s look at what these grinders are and how they perform-

1. Electric Grinder

Electric Grinders are one of the best options when it comes to convenience and efficiency. You can easily grind big batches of coffee beans using an electric grinder. It comes with a sharp blade that helps grind coffee beans into a finer powder. Many high-end reputable electric grinders also offer a multitude of settings to grind different types of coffee beans. 

An electric grinder gives a user the flexibility and convenience to automatically grind coffee beans as per their preference. Like every coin has two sides, there is a downside to an electric coffee grinder as well. The efficiency it provides is a huge perk for sure, but it comes at a price. The blades wear out over a period of time and it does not remain as efficient as other grinders. 

Electric grinders are also known for making oddly loud noises when grinding coffee beans, so if you are someone who prefers calm mornings, purchasing a device that makes an awful lot of noise wouldn’t be the right choice. Another thing to be of note here is that there are so many options for electric grinders that any low-priced electric coffee grinder simply does not offer the quality that you will need. To get the best out of an electric coffee grounder you might have to spend over and above $100.  

2. Manual Grinder

A manual grinder is your best friend if you prefer a portable grinder or you travel a lot. The advantages of owning a manual grinder outweigh the disadvantages. To name a few, manual grinders can run without any power source. Whether you want to take it while you’re camping or on a vacation, you are good to go!

Manual grinders are great at grinding coffee beans in uniform sizes, these are small but sturdy devices that are interconnected with simple functionality. All you need to do is rotate the handle that grinds the beans and it collects the ground coffee at the bottom.

Some grinders also come with different blade settings for you to grind coffee beans for different types of brewers like French Press, or a Moka Pot. Another good thing about manual grinders is that they are quite affordable. You can own a sturdy coffee grinder at a very affordable price.

The only downside to a manual grinder is that it involves a lot of manual work. You need to put force and energy to grind the beans and it is also more time-consuming than an electric grinder. If you’re okay with the ‘manual’ work side of things, a manual grinder is a right fit for you! 

3. Burr Grinder

Burr grinders are the most commonly used grinders in cafes and by beginners or experts at home. They are also the most convenient and efficient grinder simply due to the varied functionality it offers. It comes with two discs that spin in opposite directions.

When you control the distance between the two burr discs you control how fine or coarse you want your coffee grounds to be. The closer the discs are to each other, the finer the grind. This is a great function as you can control the intensity of the grounds as per your method of brew.

These burrs are often made of ceramic or stainless steel. Ceramic burrs are relatively cheaper and are a great option if you are starting out on your coffee grinder journey, but stainless steel, is built to last and its sharp cutting discs cut the coffee beans uniformly which ensures uniformity across the coffee grounds.

Most burr grinders allow you to adjust the settings of the discs in accordance with the coffee grounds for your brewer. There are two different types of burr grinders – Flat Burr Grinders and Conical Burr Grinders. The difference between these two is how they are designed and structured to provide different kinds of coffee grounds.

a. Flat Burr Grinders

A flat burr grinder included two round cutting discs, with sharp edges that face each other. It is designed so that the coffee beans grind properly between the discs and then it forces the coffee grounds from the outer side of the discs.

Flat burrs are a great option if you love espressos, as these do a great job grinding the beans uniformly and finely. To make espresso you need fine ground since it pushes the oil and flavors of the coffee with very little water.

b. Conical Burr Grinders

Conical burr is cone-shaped grinders, these are the most common option for cafes and home baristas. They use two burrs, one sharp cone-shaped burr on the outside and a cone-shaped centered burr on the inside. 

These operate slowly without making any noise and are also heat resistant. But, with conical burrs, you will see that the grinds are not uniform, ie; it produces two different sizes of coffee grounds which may not be ideal for espresso.

4. Blade Grinder

A blade grinder is a great option if you are a complete beginner in the ‘freshly ground coffee world. It is also likely the most inexpensive of all the above grinders. These grinders come with a set of blade that spins at a very fast pace to chop the beans.

The longer you run the blade grinder, the finer the coffee beans will turn out to be. However, when it comes to precision, a blade grinder isn’t your best bet. You cannot expect a blade grinder to give you even-sized grinds. The blades also tend to release heat while grinding the beans, which results in a lower-quality coffee grind.

Buying Guide: What You Must Consider Before Buying A Coffee Grinder?

Grinding your coffee beans is an experience that can easily be called the most exciting part of brewing your own coffee at home. Knowing what grinder to invest in is of utmost importance.

Through this buying guide, we will walk you through all the must-haves for a grinder. Go through the categories and features in a sequence of your needs and pick the one that suits your needs the most. 

1. Types Of grind

One of the most important qualities to look for in a coffee grinder is the different types of grinds it offers. The quality and size of your coffee ground are directly correlated to the quality of that cup of coffee.

The size and precision of coffee grinds vary for different types of brewers and different types of coffee. You cannot use the same ground coffee to make an espresso and a french press. Therefore, knowing what type of coffee you need to make, and what brewing equipment you use will decide the type of grinder you choose.

For AeroPress, you need a grinder that can grind coffee beans in medium size. We suggest investing in a coffee grinder that enables you to have more control over the grind size and precision. Therefore the more settings it offers the better it is. Most high-end grinders come with around 40 to 50 grinder settings. 

Here are the 8 Best Coffee Grinders For AeroPress

If you are buying a coffee grinder for home use, a grinder that offers anywhere between 20 to 25 settings will be a good pick. For commercial purposes, it is better to invest in a grinder that offers more flexibility, i.e; more settings.

2. Budget & Cost

Your budget for the coffee grinder should be the second biggest concern when picking the right grinder. If you have budget constraints and are looking for a cheaper option then it is best to go for manual or blade grinders. As we mentioned above, burr grinders offer precision and quality, but are high in cost. If your budget allows you to invest anywhere between $100 -$500, a burr grinder would be the wise way to go. 

Another important thing to note is that heavy-duty equipment like coffee grinders, coffee makers, and other kitchen appliances are one-time purchases. That is to say, you will not be investing in equipment like that for a long period of time. 

Therefore, even though a grinder may cost you more than what you estimated, it is going to save you thousands of dollars on buying coffee grounds or coffee from a coffee shop. At the same time, do not invest heavily in a coffee grinder if you know you are not going to be using it frequently.

3. Electric Or Manual

Both electric and manual grinders have their own share of advantages and disadvantages. While electric grinders offer convenience and comfort, manual grinders are relatively cheaper and offer ease of use.

If you are someone who travels or camps a lot and needs something portable, a manual grinder is a good option. While if you are someone who prefers automatic equipment, an electric grinder is a better option.

4. Speed

How fast you grind your beans can be an impressive consideration until it is not. Coffee grinders with high-speed motors tend to produce heat while grinding coffee beans, which in turn ruins the grind quality and consistency.

While there are hacks around this method that many tend to use, one of which is pausing while grinding in order for the heat to escape, this process in fact slows down the entire procedure of grinding beans. 

Grinders with low-speed motors, take their time to grind the coffee beans but ensure quality and precision over speed and time. It also ensures durability as the chances of the blade wearing out over time due to a high-speed motor reduces.

Therefore a grinder that offers more control over the speed of grinding is your best bet if the coffee grounds getting heated up is an important consideration for you. As we said grinders that offer more flexibility might cost more, but they also ensure the best result over a longer period of time.

5. Capacity

Once you have given enough thought to the budget, control, and speed of a grinder. The capacity of the coffee grinder is the next order of business. The capacity of the grinder you choose to purchase will decide the amount of coffee it can make on each use. 

Unless you are brewing coffee for a group of people every day, you will do well with a small capacity grinder. On the other hand, if you are purchasing a grinder for commercial purposes or for making multiple cups of coffee at any given point in time then you might want to look for something that has a higher capacity.

6. Cleaning

Technical aspects set aside, it is important to consider a grinder that makes your job easier. Grinding coffee is a process you should be able to enjoy. You do not want it to add to the list of things you do every morning.

Hence, read reviews and pick a grinder that involves minimum steps and is easy to clean and use. Doing this before you make a buying decision ensures you are picking an appliance that you would actually enjoy using and not worrying about the added steps to use and clean it.

7. Settings & Features

Like with any kitchen appliance, the more you are ready to pay the more features you will find. Grinders too, come with a multitude of settings and features some of which are important and some just fancy gimmicks. 

From LCD displays to LED indicators there are innumerable features. Decide on the features that are important for you and that you need at all costs and make a buying decision on the basis of that.

8. Durability

We all want to make an investment that gives us good returns and is durable. Making a purchase decision with durability in mind is one of the best decisions you can take. Certain high-priced grinders are assembled with high-quality equipment so it lasts longer than the low-quality ones.

The best way to figure out if a grinder is going to last long is to go through the material quality and settings it offers. See if it is from a reputable brand, and go through what the customers had to say. Once you had the chance to look at these points, you can now make a decision.

9. Style & Aesthetic

The style and aesthetic of a coffee grinder may not be a high-priority checklist but it sure is an important one. How the coffee grinder fits in your kitchen, is a thought that you must ponder upon if you value aesthetics.

A coffee grinder may fit all your specifications, but might not be the right size or fit for your kitchen. There are many options available today, choose from what works best in your opinion. 

Final Verdict: Which Coffee Grinder Is The Best Choice For Backpacking

We reviewed 7 manual coffee grinders that will be a suitable pick for grinding coffee outdoors. With the reviews above and the buying guide, you should have set your mind on the type of grinder you need. 

If you are still unsure, pick from these two, we are confident they are going to be a great choice for backpacking.  Our first pick is JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder. With 18 grind settings and a sturdy burr to grind beans, this manual grinder is trusted by coffee enthusiasts all over the world. 

The second best option would be Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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