ConsFirst / Coffee grinders / Compare
Timemore Chestnut C5 Pro Manual Hand Grinder vs OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Timemore Chestnut C5 Pro Manual Hand Grinder ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on grind consistency, grind range, durability.
The biggest complaint about the Timemore Chestnut C5 Pro Manual Hand Grinder is small batches, slow at fine settings; for the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder it's clogs, especially with oily beans. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Timemore Chestnut C5 Pro Manual Hand Grinder | OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in coffee grinders | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Hand grinder | Electric burr |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 8% | 14% |
| Overall score | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Grind consistency | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Grind range | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Static & mess | — | 4.0 |
| Noise & speed | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Durability | 4.5 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–250 · $$$ over $250. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Timemore Chestnut C5 Pro Manual Hand Grinder
- Small batches, slow at fine settings
Wirecutter says it grinds enough for only one or two cups. It took about a minute for 20 g at medium and under 3 minutes at fine settings, and dialing in espresso gets tiring.
Source: Wirecutter - Grind adjustment can be tricky
Grind adjustment is the one mixed aspect on Amazon, with some owners finding it hard to use. Wirecutter had to go coarser than the dial's suggested pour-over setting.
- Not cheap; not for serious espresso
Wirecutter says it can't be called inexpensive and lacks the espresso range of the ESP Pro.
Source: Wirecutter
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
- Clogs, especially with oily beans
Wirecutter says it can gunk up with dark, oily roasts (it retains about 1 g), and a Wirecutter contributor had clogs despite cleaning. Good Housekeeping cites online reviewers with the same issue. Wirecutter readers report a jam after one month and beans that stop feeding.
- Stops working; hard to clean
Reliability is a mixed aspect on Amazon (about 3,100 mentions), with some owners saying it stops working properly, and cleaning performance is negative. Wirecutter says OXO sells only a replacement top burr, so it's less repairable than the Baratza.
- Uneven at the extremes
Wirecutter found it less consistent at the high and low ends and producing more fines than its other picks. Serious Eats saw large boulders at the coarsest setting.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
Who should pick which
Pick the Timemore Chestnut C5 Pro Manual Hand Grinder if
Small kitchens, travel and silent mornings
One or two cups of pour-over
Occasional espresso without a second grinder
Skip it if: You brew a full pot; You want to grind in seconds; You'll dial in espresso often
Pick the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder if
Drip and French press on a budget
Keeping a bag of beans in the hopper and using the timer
A tidier counter than most grinders
Skip it if: You grind dark, oily beans; You want espresso or very coarse cold-brew grinds; You want a grinder you can fully repair
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