Is TIMEMORE a premium brand?
TIMEMORE started selling coffee gear in 2012. The brand produces superb items, mainly hand-cranked coffee grinders, which are the most recognized products they offer.
Still, you can find pretty affordable products from TIMEMORE. We believe the TIMEMORE C2 is the top-notch manual coffee grinder for those on a budget. Take a look at our evaluation of the TIMEMORE C2 if you’re in search of a cost-effective grinder.
The TIMEMORE X is the most lavish item that the organization has created up until now. Prior to 2020, the company provided top-notch items, especially grinders. Despite the fact that the items sold were moderately priced, they still provided an exceptional ratio of gain for the price.
Who shouldn’t buy the TIMEMORE Chestnut X?
The TIMEMORE Chestnut X is an advanced burr grinder that puts a strong emphasis on adaptability and excellent performance. One of the drawbacks of this grinder is its costliness and heavy weight.
Most people who would not be content with the TIMEMORE X are those who have a restricted spending plan or those looking for a featherweight luxury manual grinder.
Yet, remember that top alternatives are pretty heavy too. For example, the Kinu M47 is heavier than two pounds while the Comandante C40 is roughly a pound and a half.
Who is the TIMEMORE Chestnut X for?
The TIMEMORE X has been crafted to appeal to even the most discerning of coffee lovers and buffs. This one is ranked among the best hand-operated grinders when it comes to design, construction, adaptability, as well as output.
Unlike most coffee grinders, it’s all-purpose. Put simply, this is an ideal choice for those who are partial to espresso, pour-over, and French press brewing methods. Thus, the TIMEMORE X stands out from other top-tier classic grinders such as the Comandante C40, the Kinu M47, and the Lido ET because of its outstanding quality.
Main features: pros and cons
Pros
- Premium look and feel. The TIMEMORE X displays the highest build quality and performance for this brand. It competes against the best products in the market. It doesn’t shy away from competitors, including the Commandante C40 and the Kinu M47.
- Top-notch performance and versatility. This grinder has enough adjustments for espresso and offers excellent grind size consistency. Macro adjustments are wide enough to cover all kinds of grind sizes, from Turkish to French press.
- Fast and comfortable. Usability is the name of the game, and this grinder is straightforward. Adjusting the grind size is more accessible than most competitors and handling the catch bin is pretty comfortable. Plus, the folding crank adds to the style, portability, and comfort of using this grinder.
Cons
- Pricey. More than 300 dollars for a hand grinder is something, even in this league.
- Limited capacity. The catch bin is small for a grinder that weighs more than 700 g. It holds only 30 g when most direct competitors offer more than 35 g capacity.
Performance and grind quality
Using the TIMEMORE X is a pleasure. The shaft rotates gracefully due to the two bearings providing an incredibly smooth grinding experience.
Manual grinders that are top of the line are able to produce a consistent powder for espresso, filter coffee, and French press coffee. Despite this, only a few producers have achieved this degree of dependability.
Getting the best possible grind size uniformity necessitates a prudent combination of appropriate burr design and regulator settings. Because of this, hand grinders of better quality tend to be more expensive than standard ones.
The TIMEMORE X Coffee Grinder provides exceptional grinding quality and a wide range of adjustment options in a hand-held grinder. TIMEMORE X offers a range of 120 categorizations of grind sizes through 24 macro and five micro adjustment settings. You can get the ideal texture for any kind of coffee, from espresso to French press, and everything else in between. The TIMEMORE X is designed with top-quality stainless steel burrs, providing consistently delicious coffee.
The TIMEMORE Chestnut X burrs have made a better product than any of the company’s previous creations. TIMEMORE holds a patent for the outstanding burr set that incorporates the innovative “Spike to Cut” concept. It is formed out of a SUS440 high-carbon stainless steel that is remarkably long-lasting, with a hardness measurement that ranges between 58.5-60.5 HRC. As a result, it’s wear and rust-resistant. The specially crafted burr mechanism in this product separates the coffee beans from their silver skin for a pure and clean flavor.
Build quality and design
The TIMEMORE Chestnut X is a fantastic grinder for those looking for something of a higher quality and long-lasting. Coffee lovers will appreciate this model tremendously. This grinder is heavy compared to other models on the market with its combination of steel and aluminum construction and a total weight of 760 g.
The form of a manual coffee grinder is significant in order to ensure a secure grip while in use. This manual grinder features an aluminum body with slightly squared edges for further stability, making the grinding process of coffee beans simpler. The shape of the object has been carefully crafted to make it easier to grip. The aluminium body is robust and can last through a considerable amount of utilization.
The TIMEMORE X was crafted from one single sheet of aluminium alloy. The CNC machining of its surface gives a pleasant tactile sensation, accentuating its attractive looks. I am very fond of this feature because the use of a single piece of aluminum alloy makes it convenient to put together and take apart the grinder. As well, the solid design of this grinder keeps it in place and steady, decreasing the amount of work needed, which is typical with less expensive, frail grinders.
The foldable handle is a great plus. It makes it easier to store items and gives off an appealing tech-savvy look. The metal cap preserves the outside coating and can be used as a tapping implement to remove any left-over grinds that are adhered to the burrs or sides of the chamber.
The TIMEMORE X possesses a fairly sizeable receptacle for capturing grounds, although not as much as other brands. The container of grounds is sturdy and robust, and it is easy to attach and detach from the grinder. It requires only a small twist to secure and open it properly.
Mobility and portability
The TIMEMORE X has a compact design and is able to fold up its handle, allowing it to take up less space. This is an ideal option for people who are coffee fanatics and need a grinder that can travel with them. However, it’s pretty heavy at 760 g. It is not particularly pleasant to lug it around unless you are in good physical condition, even though it is quite simple to store. Although it’s not a major disappointment, the TIMEMORE X includes a fabric pouch that appears to be inadequate for the cost.
I expected a hard case to be included, such as what you get with cheaper grinders from Normocore and 1Zpresso, when you pay for a grinder of this quality and price. One of the main benefits of the TIMEMORE X folding handle is that it provides a convenient, portable feeling.
Price
Most hand grinders in this price range are top-notch. One could suggest that the workmanship and functioning of manual grinders is better than electric grinders that cost the same amount.
It is quite evident that any equipment used for making coffee that costs more than $300 is too expensive for the majority of people.
It can be said that the TIMEMORE X is not the only choice for someone looking for a good, expensive coffee-related product, as there is a wide range of option from $100 to $300 available.
It is difficult to locate a grinder with such a strong value as the TIMEMORE X. This product is dependable, providing consistent and uniform output all the time and can be used in a wide variety of applications. Plus, it looks better than most of its competitors.
Best Coffee Hand Grinders Under $350? What The Experts Think
Comandante C40
Let’s start today’s comparison by taking a look at the Comandante C40 grinder. This grinder is top-of-the-line and made in Germany, and can run you between $275 and $325 depending on the type, the coloring, and the vendor.
The C40 is generally considered the premier coffee grinder for manual operation. The aesthetic value of the Comandante C40 is something that may be differently viewed by different people, but I strongly feel it has a timeless, sophisticated look.
This grinder is the smallest of them all but also the thickest; a high-quality wood layer on its exterior makes it look warm and attractive.
The Comandante brand frequently introduces new shades and varnishes for wood, which allows you to customize your grinder by selecting the wood variety or the color of the finish– something I didn’t realize I could do with other brands of products. I’ll show some appreciation for granting various color choices by awarding Comandante extra points.
They’re building the C40 with extensive detail and craftsmanship. Every grinder is made in Germany with meticulous attention to detail, such as manually sanding and waxing the wooden veneer and pressing the brand logo into each body with a wood burning tool. I think this reveals their commitment to attending to the finer points, and it’s reflected in the quality of the finished product.
The Comandante includes a glass jar for its ground collector, which initially made me anxious. Yet, after my three-year-old took the C40 for a few joyrides without breaking or damaging either the glass or casing, I can vouch for its durability.
Timemore Chestnut X
The Timemore Chestnut X has an exquisitely crafted CNC cut aluminum unibody with sharp-edged lines on the exterior, making for an aesthetically pleasing visual and a secure hold.
Mentioning the handle of the item, there is an option to have a leather covering. Sadly, this piece doesn’t come with it, but it has better hold because otherwise it tends to be quite slippery. The leather also raises the appearance a bit. But for $65, I couldn’t justify it.
The aluminum used in the ground has been cut with a CNC machine, eliminating the potential for any breaking that could occur with glass, as well as ensuring its longevity compared with plastic.
And on the subject of grounds bins. It might not appear to be a big deal, yet it just takes a simple twist to put it on and off, and it securely snaps in place with a pleasing click noise.
The two superior bearings support the grinding shaft, and the top-notch quality of the bearings ensures that the grinding process is as smooth and even as it can be.
1Zpresso K Plus
If you have been keeping track of this site for some time, you are well aware that I’m a strong advocate of the products from 1Zpresso K Plus, and the K Plus is their most advanced grinder, so I’m very enthusiastic about assessing this unit.
We must start by evaluating this design. This grinder is constructed quite nicely, and has a sturdy feel like the Chestnut when held. It has a premium feel to it.
The 1Zpresso grinder features a specialized design that is remarkably similar to the design of other grinders from the same company. The grinder has the company’s website logo printed on it, though this can be overlooked. That said, I still believe this to be an amazing grinder that deserves discussion.
The standout feature is a prominent dial with numbers that can be used to adjust the grind levels without having to take out the grinding mechanism. This is an extraordinary method to quickly and conveniently identify your coffee grind level while being able to adjust your coffee to your liking.
You have a total of ninety ‘notches’ if you rotate the mechanism completely, with each ‘notch’ separated by 22 microns. This grinder works perfectly, offering accurate and swift adjustment with no need to keep track of clicks. Having it on hand to fine-tune coffee is really pleasurable.
This grinder is constructed from brushed aluminum, creating a feeling of durability, heaviness, and exceptional quality. The core is covered with a special, rubber-like material which I find useful when grinding because it reduces falling and provides a better grip.
KINU M47
The M47 and the simplicity possess the same fundamental characteristics, however the latter is more economical by omitting some aspects. But let’s start with the good.
This appliance has a sleek exterior made from brushed stainless steel, and it is very solid in weight. Despite its simple appearance, the design seems to have a great deal of detail and effort put into it.
Every part of the grinder from the stainless steel handles that attach securely with a pin from the adjustment system to the open top for easy bean loading without the need to remove the lid before each use.
This grinder is well designed and simple. I came to really appreciate the capability to completely detach the grinder lid in no time.
Every day I had the ability to alter the grind level and top off the coffee without taking out any part of the grinder.