In a Nutshell:
Hario coffee grinders are a wide range of manual and electric coffee grinders offered by a company with more than a century of manufacturing excellence.
Recommended For: Anyone interested in classic manual or electric coffee grinders offered by an iconic company.
Overall Rating
4.5/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Anyone interested in classic manual coffee grinders an iconic company offers.
Are you in the market for a small, travel-friendly coffee grinder that you can use either in your kitchen or take on the road with you? Are you as yet undecided as to whether you’d prefer a manual or an electric grinder?
If you answered yes to both of those questions, then you’re going to like what you read here in our Hario coffee grinder review.
Hario began life back in 1921, so they’ve literally been around for more than a century now. The company got its start manufacturing heatproof glass, and its early product line centered around laboratory equipment sold to scientists and research organizations.
In the late 1940s, they moved into consumer products, focusing on coffee siphons, which was a natural fit for them given their vast experience with heatproof glass. From there, the company has slowly expanded further into the coffee market, and today, you can find a dizzying number of coffee grinders under the Hario brand.
In this review, we’ll be taking a brief look at all of the coffee grinders the company makes, presenting them in an overview format. As you’ll see, Hario makes a wide range of products, both manual and electric, so whatever your tastes and preferences, you’re sure to find at least one grinder here that really speaks to you.
If you’re curious to know more, read on, and let’s take a closer look!
An Overview of the Hario Brand
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life, and Hario takes that to heart. They understand very well that different people have different tastes and preferences, and at the time this review was written, the company has nearly twenty different models on offer.
Most of these are styled to appeal to people with a modern kitchen, as the aesthetic Hario gravitates toward is modern and, in some cases, vaguely industrial.
Within their product line, however, you’ll find some grinders with stainless steel burrs, while others boast ceramic burrs. You’ll find plenty of manual options, but you’ll also find a few excellent electric grinders if that is your preference.
Here’s a quick overview of their product line:
The Hario Coffee Grinder Mini Slim Plus
Recommended For: Anyone interested in classic manual or electric coffee grinders offered by an iconic company.
Product Dimensions: 5.9” W x 8.66” H
The Hario mini mill slim hand coffee grinder boasts a sleek, modern aesthetic and is capable of grinding enough beans for 1-2 cups of coffee. With a capacity of 24 g (0.85oz), it’s ideal for casual coffee drinkers or busy travelers looking for a travel-friendly manual coffee grinder.
It features a ceramic burr grinding mechanism, with an easy-to-use grinding adjustment nut that allows you to fine-tune your grind. Simply turn the adjustment nut clockwise for a finer grind or counterclockwise for a coarser grind. It’s a fantastic, versatile mini grinder that’s great for use in your kitchen or when you’re on the road.
Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton PRO
Recommended For: Anyone interested in classic manual or electric coffee grinders offered by an iconic company.
Product Dimensions: 6.57” W x 3.74” D x 7.68” H
The Hario Skerton pro coffee mill is another manual option with a modern look. It has a more impressive capacity than the one we just mentioned, with the beans hopper capable of accepting up to 3.5 ounces of beans at a time.
It’s made of mixed materials (plastic and glass) with ceramic grinding burrs and features the same easy-to-use grind adjustment nut (turn the settings nut clockwise for finer grounds and counterclockwise for coarser).
Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton +
Recommended For: Anyone interested in classic manual or electric coffee grinders offered by an iconic company.
Product Dimensions: 6.77” W x 3.66” D x 9.09” H
The Hario Skerton plus manual coffee grinder is slightly taller than the Pro version, with a copper tone bean hopper (upper chamber), but is otherwise functionally similar to its shorter cousin—the Pro. Like that model, the bean hopper has a 3.5-ounce capacity and the same grind control mechanism we’ve mentioned before.
Ceramic Coffee Mill Mini-Slim PRO
Product Dimensions: 5.9” W x 2.9” D x 8.27” H
Offered in either hairline silver or black, this handsome design is one of Hario’s mini mill grinders—this one with ceramic grinding burrs.
Broadly speaking, grinding burrs are either fashioned from stainless steel or ceramic. The big advantage that ceramic burrs offer is that they won’t heat up as you grind beans, which stainless steel burrs can do.
Too much heat and the burrs will burn your ground coffee, which will ruin its flavor.
It should be noted, however, that this unit’s bean hopper only has a 0.85-ounce capacity, and grinding beans in small amounts like that (especially with a manual grinder) is unlikely to cause sufficient heat buildup to be problematic.
Even so, if you subscribe to the “it’s better to be safe than sorry” school of thought, this small, travel-friendly grinder might be just what you’re looking for!
Smart G Electric Handy Coffee Grinder
Product Dimensions: 2.32” W x 2.09” D x 13.07” H
The Hario coffee mill Smart G hand grinder is the smallest and most compact electric coffee grinder Hario offers. Its big claim to fame is that it can be broken into two pieces to make transport easier, and note that the top portion (containing the charging port and battery) is sold separately on Hario’s site as the “Electro Solo.”
The lower portion of the grinder contains both the bean hopper and the grounds collection bin, with the bean hopper having a capacity of 0.85 ounces. Per the user manual, the battery is good for about 25 uses before the little grinder needs a recharge.
The bottom piece of the unit also contains the grinding knob, which allows you to set your grind, allowing you to fine-tune the flavor of the coffee you ultimately make. Given this model’s small size, it is an ideal travel grinder.
Canister Coffee Mill
Product Dimensions: 8.19” W x 4.13” D x 8.46” H
The Hario canister coffee grinder is one of our favorite designs. Aesthetically, it has a vintage appearance similar to that offered by Peugeot grinders. Crafted from a mix of wood, metal, and glass, it has top-quality ceramic grinding burrs and a lockable grinding wheel that can be set to your choice grind settings. The bean hopper has a capacity of 4.23 ounces.
While the use of such a wheel here makes it a bit more limited than some of the company’s other models—which offer virtually unlimited flexibility—in practice, six settings are more than enough for casual coffee drinkers and even some of those who really enjoy fine-tuning the flavor profile of their beans.
This model isn’t as travel-friendly as some of the others that Hario makes, but it would look fantastic on almost any kitchen counter.
Coffee Mill Octo
Product Dimensions: 6.18” W x 2.76” D x 8.39” H
The cute little Octo looks a bit like a modern pepper mill with a glass bottom. It has a bean hopper with a capacity of 1.42 ounces, which is enough for 2-3 cups of coffee, depending on how strong you like yours.
The Octo’s grinding burrs are ceramic, and users may control the grind of their beans via an adjustment knob labeled finer/coarser, making it easy to tell at a glance which direction you need to turn the knob to fine-tune the flavor of the coffee your grounds give you.
This Hario ceramic hand grinder is a stylish, modern take on the manual coffee grinder that you’re sure to love.
Coffee Mill Smart G
Product Dimensions: 5.91” W x 2.09” D x 7.48” H
The Hario Smart G coffee grinder looks a bit like a scientific instrument, which is fitting, given that beakers and test tubes were the company’s mainstay in its earliest days.
The markings on the grounds hopper are where the “smart” part of “Smart G” comes from because you don’t have to guess the quantity of grounds you need. Just grind till you hit one of the two markers, and you’re done!
The bean hopper has a 0.85-ounce capacity, and the grinding burrs are fashioned from high-quality ceramics.
With proper care and cleaning, this handy little grinder will provide you with years of reliable service.
Ceramic Coffee Mill Wood N
Product Dimensions: 6.58” W x 3.35” D x 8.46” H
The Hario wooden coffee grinder is probably our second favorite design. It’s simple and elegant and would be a great-looking addition to any home kitchen, though calling it “the wooden coffee grinder” does sell it a bit short. It’s crafted from mixed materials with a ceramic upper chamber (bean hopper) and a wooden grounds collection chamber.
The bean hopper has a capacity of 1.06 ounces, and the grinding burrs are ceramic. As with Hario’s other grinders, you can adjust the grind via a control knob, allowing you to fine-tune the flavor of the coffee you produce from the freshly ground beans. An excellent design!
Ceramic Coffee Grinder
Product Dimensions: 6.18” W x 3.15” D x 8.66” H
The Hario ceramic grinder has slightly different dimensions than the grinder we just talked about but is functionally the same design, crafted from all ceramics rather than a mix of ceramics and wood.
The size of the bean hopper is identical (1.06 ounces), and it functions the same way, but this one offers a clean all-white exterior, which may be a perfect fit if your home kitchen sports a modern design where an all-white appliance would look at home.
V60 Metal Coffee Mill
Product Dimensions: 5.12” W x 1.85” D x 6.3” H
The tiny V60 is a fantastic addition to our Hario coffee grinder review because its small size and rugged stainless-steel construction make it an ideal traveling companion.
It should be noted that its bean hopper is tiny, with a capacity of just 0.6 ounces, so it’s really only capable of grinding enough beans for one cup of coffee at a time, but if you’re a light coffee drinker, that may be perfect for you.
As with many of the grinders in the Hario product line, it boasts ceramic grinding burrs and a grind adjustment wheel that allows you to fine-tune the flavor profile of the coffee you make with the beans ground here.
Coffee Mill Dome
Product Dimensions: 5.63” W x 3.47” D x 8.19” H
The Hario dome coffee grinder is a handsome addition to the company’s product line—small enough to fit almost anywhere and take with you on the road if you like, but large enough to be gripped easily while you’re grinding your favorite coffee beans.
This model sports a beautiful wooden body paired with ceramic grinding burrs, so you’ll never have to worry about heat buildup. The hopper has a 1.24-ounce capacity—enough to grind beans for a couple of cups at a time—which is handy.
As with other grinders in this series, grind adjustments can be made simply by turning the grind adjustment nut until you’re happy with the consistency.
Coffee Mill Column
Product Dimensions: 5.98” W x 4.09” D x 9.09” H
Our Hario coffee grinder review wouldn’t be complete without giving mention to the Column design, which is a slightly taller version of the grinder we just talked about. Also fashioned from wood, this one is stained a slightly lighter color and features a marginally larger bean hopper (1.41 ounces versus the 1.24-ounce capacity mentioned for the Dome model).
The grind adjustment mechanism is the same, and aesthetically, these two models are quite similar, so choosing one over the other mostly comes down to personal preference.
Coffee Mill Standard
Recommended For: Anyone interested in classic manual coffee grinders an iconic company offers.
Product Dimensions: 5.83” W x 3.86” D x 8.27” H
The Hario standard coffee grinder could have been one of our favorite designs, as it shares quite a lot in common—at least aesthetically—with the manual grinders offered by Peugeot.
Fashioned from wood, it boasts a beautiful stain and has a delightfully vintage look.
Unfortunately, its bean hopper is tiny and is only capable of accepting 0.35 ounces of beans. That’s barely enough for a single cup, and if you like your coffee strong, it’s not enough. We suspect that for most of the coffee-drinking public, it will be fine, but the small hopper size is something to keep in mind.
Assuming that’s not an issue for you, this model has ceramic grinding burrs and a grind adjustment nut that works like the others we’ve described here.
Small Coffee Grinder
Product Dimensions: 6.3” W x 3.94” D x 7.28” H
The small grinder is aesthetically similar to the Standard Mill, and despite its name, it actually has a slightly larger bean hopper with a capacity of 0.85 ounces. It also features ceramic grinding burrs and the grind adjustment nut that the others in the Hario line have. A good manual grinder with a simple, vintage look.
Clear Coffee Grinder
Product Dimensions: 7.2” W x 2.95” D x 6.89” H
Hario’s clear grinder is a fun design. Since it’s transparent, you can literally watch the entire grinding process, which is fun and more interesting than you might think!
This grinder has a bean hopper with a 1.41-ounce capacity, ceramic grinding burrs, and the same grind adjustment nut that the others in the Hario line have.
Prism
Product Dimensions: 5.71” W x 2.05” D x 7.87” H
The Hario Prism coffee grinder is an aluminum model that features a 0.85-ounce capacity bean hopper paired with ceramic burr grinders. It has a sleek, modern appearance and would be equally at home in your kitchen or your suitcase—if you’re looking for a model to take with you while you’re traveling.
V60 Electric Coffee Grinder Compact
Product Dimensions: 5.12” W x 7.28” D x 13.19” H
The second-largest grinder that the company makes, the V60 differs from the other electric grinders we’ve talked about in that where those are battery-powered, this one has a power cord that plugs into an electrical outlet.
It also sports a larger bean hopper with a 3.5-ounce capacity and a grind adjustment wheel on the front face of the machine that allows you to adjust your grind settings to taste. It’s a wonderful grinder, much more at home on your kitchen counter than in your suitcase.
Our one complaint is that this grinder features stainless-steel grinding burrs, and we would have preferred to see ceramic burrs on this model. Just be careful not to let it get too hot while you’re using it, lest you burn your beans!
V60 Electric Coffee Grinder
Product Dimensions: 9.06” W x 5.3” D x 15.35” H
This is a full-sized kitchen appliance and the largest grinder Hario offers. In fact, it’s so big (tall) that you may need to take a quick measurement of the space between your countertops and your kitchen cabinets, as it might not fit underneath them!
Wherever you decide to put it, this grinder is a workhorse, with a bean hopper capacity of 8.47 ounces and a grind adjustment wheel that allows you to adjust the flavor profile of the coffee you make using the beans ground here.
It’s a great grinder, but like its smaller cousin, for some reason, Hario decided to use stainless steel grinding burrs here. We feel that ceramic burrs would have been the optimal choice, but since this one uses stainless steel, you will want to keep an eye on the heat produced. If the burrs get too hot, they’ll burn your beans and ruin the flavor of your coffee!
Hario Coffee Grinder Review Conclusion
Hario is a great company that offers a staggering array of grinders, both manual and electric.
Their product line features a wide range of styles, so whether you’re looking for something sleek and modern or vintage, or anything in between, you’ll find something in the Hario lineup that fits you perfectly. This company and its products are highly recommended.
Other Options to Consider
If, for any reason, Hario grinders aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, here are a couple of other options to consider:
Peugeot Grinders
Recommended For: Anyone interested in a classic manual coffee grinder offered by an iconic company.
Peugeot has an even longer and more storied history than Hario, and their grinders are exquisite. Although they don’t offer as many, all are expertly crafted, and all sport a wonderful vintage aesthetic. You’ll love these grinders if you love that old-school, vintage look and feel!
Porlex Grinders
While this company doesn’t offer as many products to choose from as Hario or Peugeot, they have some excellent models, designed with a modern aesthetic. If you prefer that to the vintage look, Porlex grinders are well worth your attention.
Recommended Reading
Zassenhaus Coffee Grinder Reviews
Our review delves into the top picks of Zassenhaus Coffee Grinders, showcasing the best from this renowned company.
Porlex Mini and Tall Coffee Grinders Review
We’ve analyzed Porlex Mini and Tall Coffee Grinders, offering reliable manual grinders with a modern design for discerning coffee enthusiasts.
Reference & Resources
- Hario, Official Brand Website.
- Hario Coffee Grinder Mini Slim Plus User Manual.
- Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton + User Manual.
- Is Coffee Good or Bad for Your Health?, Harvard School of Public Health.
- Hot Java! Here’s the Best Time to Drink Your Coffee, Greatist.
- Coffee Experts Reveal 14 Ways to Make a Better Cup at Home, Insider.