TIMEMORE C3 ESP PRO
BY TREMOR CHRIST
Timemore have managed what few coffee companies have in the past, to combine entry-level coffee equipment for beginners with high-end quality products that barista champions around the world are proud to endorse. Their company makes stylish products that feel solid and quality-driven with packaging that evokes a minimalist Japanese or German aesthetic, and yet manage to keep the price within a range where anyone can find something that works for them.
My first hand grinder was the Time More C3 ESP Pro, something I bought on my birthday to begin an exploration of making coffee at home rather than spending all my money in expensive coffee shops. The journey was a steep learning curve of understanding grind size, how it affected the cups I brewed, and what method I used, whether that was AeroPress or filter, etc, etc. The journey was a sweet one, and I found over time that I managed to discover a sweet spot where the grind size was kept pretty consistent, and I changed other variables like water temperature or pouring technique. For a traveler, the size of the C3 was great, it felt very sturdy, and it fit into my backpack.
Who is Timemore?
Timemore is a forward-thinking Chinese company that has quickly earned a respected place among the world’s leading coffee equipment makers. Founded with a vision to blend precision engineering, beautiful design, and everyday usability, Timemore now offers a wide family of products — from award-winning hand grinders to elegant pour-over brewers, kettles, and scales.
What makes Timemore truly remarkable is how they consistently achieve harmony between craftsmanship, functionality, and price. Their grinders, for example, deliver performance and consistency on par with much more expensive competitors, while their attention to design aesthetics sets them apart in the market.
It is rare to see a brand that so naturally combines innovation with accessibility, and Timemore has managed to create that balance in a way that continues to impress coffee lovers around the globe.
The Positives
High-quality S2C burrs (Spike-to-Cut) deliver a consistent grind with minimal fines.
All-metal aluminum body, durable and premium-feeling (no plastic except minor parts), built to last.
Foldable handle & compact form, excellent for travel and easy storage.
Fast and smooth grinding, 18 g of espresso takes about 1 minute; easy to grip and operate.
Great value for the price, competes well with more expensive hand grinders I have tried.
Quiet operation and user-friendly design, suitable for beginners and daily use. The size and weight is perfect for travel.
The Negatives
Adjustment dial being inside means you have to unscrew it everytime you want to change grind-size.
Small bean/grind capacity (20–25 g), not the best when grinding large quantities at once.
Alignment issues post-cleaning, it can be a bit tricky to align the dial perfectly when you need to clean the grinder.
Less ergonomic, The fold-down handle makes grinding a bit trickier due to the angle you have to rotate at. Handles with a dropped angle are far easier, especially for espresso from light-roast beans.
Thoughts
Despite the minor issues, we would highly recommend this as a good entry level hand-grinder for people who are on the go. Great for bringing to your cabin in the summer, or for a long weekend. Even better if you are heading off on a long backpacking trip.
The fact that it looks so stylish means it can sit on a shelf in the coolest, most minimal kitchen also.
If you're interested in checking one out, have a look
here.
The Mouth may receive a small commission from some of the links above, but it will be at no extra cost to the end customer. It also is the only financial gain this website receives since we do not run Google Ads.