Etzinger etz-I (Trim)

What it does well

Settings are repeatable. CoffeeGeek counts 88 settings, each worth 0.02 mm of burr height, and says they are "extremely repeatable and reproducible across every ETZ-I out there." The Vernier scale lets you hand a setting to a friend and expect the same grind. Whole Latte Love says there are 89 stepped settings; the sources disagree on the exact count, and neither number changes how you use it.

It is quick and easy to clean. CoffeeGeek called the grinding speed and the ability to clean and adjust "top of class." To clean it, you turn the dial past its coarsest setting and pull the lower burr assembly out, with no tools. BeanScene says the same: no screws or tools, and that it opens with a flick of the wrist.

It is built to travel. Whole Latte Love says the anodized aluminum and retractable crank make it "one of the most packable hand grinders we've seen." CoffeeGeek adds that magnets hold the catch cup, the lid and the crank in place.

There is a size for small hands. Whole Latte Love says the Trim has a slimmer diameter and "makes it easier to use for those with smaller hands." Whole Latte Love lists it at 1.5 lb, against 1.9 lb for the Regular.

Etzinger's suggested starting points, relayed by Whole Latte Love, are 5 to 8 for espresso, 9 to 13 for filter and 17 to 21 for French press.

Where it falls short

It retains some grounds on purpose. CoffeeGeek says the anti-static jig "only functions as promised when about 1g" of coffee stays in the grinding chamber, and that you can knock it out with a palm rap. Etzinger also made the etz-U variant after complaints about retention. If you single-dose and want zero retention, that matters.

The crank turns the wrong way for most people. CoffeeGeek says the etz-I is "the only manual hand grinder you have to crank counter clockwise," and that its left-handed reviewer adapted in a few sessions.

Grip is not perfect. CoffeeGeek said it "could use a rubberized grip of sorts to help keep things secure when grinding."

Evidence is also limited. CoffeeGeek's piece is a first look from September 2022 that promised a full review later. No independent grind-distribution test turned up, and Whole Latte Love's own page lists one review.

Finally, the sources disagree about the burr. Whole Latte Love's spec table says "conical steel," while its feature text calls it a rotating ring burr design.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if you want one hand grinder for espresso, AeroPress and pour-over that packs small and cleans in seconds. The Trim suits smaller hands.

Skip it if you object to a grinder that holds back about a gram, or if you want a long record of independent tests before buying.

How it compares

The Etzinger etz-I Regular is the same grinder in the wider body. The Flair Royal Grinder is rated identically here and also adjusts in 0.02 mm steps, per Flair. The Kinu M47 Traveler and the Varia hand grinder sit in the same rated band, and the grinder finder lets you compare prices.

Owning it

Cleaning is the easy part, and our guide to cleaning a hand grinder fits it. After you reassemble the grinder, calibrating the zero point is worth a look. Etzinger's one-year parts and labor warranty is listed by Whole Latte Love.

CoffeeGeek says the jig is there to cut static and the need for a Ross droplet spritz, so you may not need one.