Head-to-head · Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Hario Skerton Pro vs Timemore Chestnut C3

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Timemore Chestnut C3 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.1 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about entry-level manual grinder users — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #8 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Hario Skerton Pro

4.1

$60

The Hario Skerton Pro represents a refined iteration of the iconic hand grinder, addressing many usability issues of its predecessors. Reviewers noted significant improvements in grind adjustment ease and build quality, particularly with the new clickable dial system and upgraded metal crank. However, the grinder still lacks consistency on coarse settings and remains relatively slow. While it's a solid entry-level option for those seeking a reliable manual grinder, it's outperformed by more modern alternatives like the Timemore C2 in the same price range. This product is best suited for casual coffee enthusiasts who value portability and simplicity over precision grinding.

Strengths

— Improved grind adjustment system with clickable dial underneath burrs for easier coarse-fine setting changes
— Premium feel with solid construction, including upgraded metal crank handle that locks securely with hex key
— Snug-fitting clear plastic lid replaces the previous silicone lid that was hard to secure

Watch-outs

— Still suffers from inconsistency when grinding on coarse settings, a problem present in previous versions
— Grinding speed is relatively slow, taking about 1 minute 22 seconds for 26.5g of coffee at medium-fine setting
— No tactile feedback during grind adjustment makes it difficult to dial in precise settings without trial and error

$60 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Timemore Chestnut C3

4.5

$69

The Timemore Chestnut C3 represents an incremental update to the popular C2, featuring new S2C burr technology and a steel dial indicator. However, reviewers noted that the new burrs are slower than the previous model, reducing grinding speed from 0.8-1g/sec to around 0.5g/sec. While the design remains largely unchanged with its aluminum body and stainless steel components, the inclusion of plastic internals has raised concerns among some users. The C3S variant is recommended for filter coffee enthusiasts, while the C3 ESP offers more precise adjustments for espresso brewing. Despite these drawbacks, it remains a budget-friendly option for those seeking entry-level manual grinding capabilities.

Strengths

— Features new S2C burr technology that Timemore claims improves grind consistency
— Includes a steel dial indicator instead of plastic on the newer model
— Lightweight design at just 423g, making it easy to handle during use

Watch-outs

— New S2C burrs are slower than the previous C2 burrs, grinding at ~0.5g/sec vs 0.8-1g/sec
— Still uses plastic stabilizers internally which some users may find concerning
— Grinder speed and performance are described as a step back compared to the C2

$69 · Buy at timemore.com Full review →

How they stack up

Hario Skerton Pro

The Hario Skerton Pro offers improved usability over previous models with a clickable dial and metal handle, but it's slower and less consistent than the Timemore Chestnut C2 and lacks the precision of the 1Zpresso J-Max. It's more affordable than the Fellow Opus but not as versatile for espresso, making it best for those who value simplicity over performance.

Timemore Chestnut C3

The Timemore Chestnut C3 improves on the C2 with a steel dial indicator and S2C burrs, but it's slower and still uses plastic components, unlike the 1Zpresso J-Max's titanium-coated burrs. It's less precise than the Baratza Virtuoso Plus and not as versatile as the Fellow Opus, but it remains a budget-friendly option for basic manual grinding.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Hario Skerton Pro	Timemore Chestnut C3
Burr Type	Conical ceramic	—
Grind Settings	Click dial underneath burrs	12 clicks (C3S), 30 clicks (C3 ESP)
Material	Plastic, glass, metal	Aluminum body with stainless steel burrs
Burr Size	—	38mm

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