My KINGrinder K6, MAVO Phantox Pro and TIMEMORE grinders: handling and carry

If I keep putting off this post, I might never publish it. I’m not in the coffee industry, so I’m comparing three of the most popular hand grinders in China from my very subjective perspective as a user. The prices I’m discussing were in the 500–1,000 yuan range.

1. KINGrinder K6: 580 yuan. Its price has stayed consistent since launch. The one-piece aluminium body feels especially substantial, and its 48 mm, seven-sided steel burr is versatile. In my view, it’s easily the best value under 600 yuan. Like the founder’s marketing, it has a blunt, no-frills character: not pretty, just inexpensive and useful. The grey-black silicone sleeve inevitably gets dirty and sticky over time. The adjustment ring is also loose enough that I sometimes knock it to a different setting without noticing.
2. MAVO Phantox Pro: 700 yuan. Its aircraft-grade aluminium body and black walnut handle feel refined, and it’s excellent in the hand. The finish makes me feel that I’ve paid for a genuinely good experience. The grind guidance is marked on the adjustment ring, with standards similar to those used for the EK43 and Ditting 807; I found it particularly beginner-friendly, without needing to keep track of multiple full turns. Hand-cranking is very smooth. I also prefer its brush to TIMEMORE’s, and the silicone base holds it steady as soon as I set it down. MAVO gives me the impression of a brand that takes product design seriously. I bought the black one; I considered 1Zpresso at the time, but I think the silver version should look just as good. Why didn’t I buy the 1Zpresso K-Ultra? I really couldn’t accept its looks. I think its design and colours are awful. It is also over 1,000 yuan, putting it in a different price bracket, so it isn’t a fair comparison.
3. TIMEMORE Chestnut S3: 680 yuan. It feels like TIMEMORE has put everything into a product intended to dominate the domestic market under 800 yuan. The all-metal, non-slip body and metal handle look high-tech, and it has external grind adjustment and a folding handle. TIMEMORE products are never ugly, in my opinion, and the brand has won design awards in China and abroad. This grinder gives me a way to spend a little less while still enjoying the feel of entry-level commercial equipment; I find it very good value. The materials feel substantial, and it looks great. At this price, I don’t think it has a rival. For example, the newly released electric grinder BRICKS 01S was 900 yuan during the Singles’ Day sale; at the moment, I don’t see anything comparable in China.
4. TIMEMORE Chestnut Nano: 650 yuan. I don’t see another product like it on the market right now. It’s palm-sized, has a folding handle and is small enough to put straight in a pocket when I go out. The aluminium body is very light without feeling poorly finished. Its design made grinding feel effortless to me; it produced coffee quickly, and the grounds looked very even. It’s my first choice for taking along. The only downside is the price, which may reflect the research costs and the small number of people who use this kind of grinder.
5. Powering a hand grinder with a drill: The KINGrinder K6 has a removable bean cover, while the Phantox Pro comes with one. Add a small, portable Xiaomi drill costing about 200 yuan, described as “5 torque”, and turning it to the right can drive the grinder at a slow speed without damaging the central shaft.
6. Everyday convenience: You can use the three hand grinders for espresso blends, Japanese-style dark roasts and pour-over light roasts, respectively.
7. My personal order of preference: MAVO Phantox Pro = TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 > TIMEMORE Chestnut Nano > KINGrinder K6.