Hario Skerton Plus

What it does well

Price is the argument. Green Plantation calls it the "cheapest home coffee grinder" from Hario.

The catch jar is large. Whole Latte Love says the glass chamber holds up to 100 g of ground coffee, and Green Plantation notes the volume is useful when visitors are over. Green Plantation's spec table lists 50 g of beans while its text says up to 100 g, so check the figure for your dose.

The burrs are ceramic. Green Plantation says they retain sharpness for long periods. Whole Latte Love says the sharp ceramic burrs deliver a consistent grind.

It is simple to clean and store. Whole Latte Love says the burr assembly is washable by disassembling it and soaking in a light detergent solution, and that the polypropylene lid turns the glass chamber into a storage container. Green Plantation describes a plastic hopper with a flexible lid, a steel handle and a rubber non-slip pad on the base.

Whole Latte Love's page calls it a compact hand grinder that "travels easily," though with a glass jar that is relative to other home grinders.

Where it falls short

Coarse grinds are the weak spot. Green Plantation says a stabilising pad was added in the Plus to address earlier complaints about unevenness, "especially on the large coarseness setting," and still concludes it performs best at medium and fine grinds. That sets the limits for French press and cold brew, even though the maker lists them.

Changing the setting is slow. HomeGrounds says that on the Plus you had to take the grinder apart to change the setting, and that the Pro fixed this. Green Plantation describes the same process: remove the handle and a small metal part, then turn the metal wheel under it. If you switch between brew methods, this will bother you.

It is not an espresso grinder. HomeGrounds says the Pro is not recommended for espresso. The finder rates its espresso ability low, and Green Plantation's praise is for medium and finer grinds.

The build is plastic and glass. Green Plantation lists a plastic hopper, flexible lid and glass lower container. HomeGrounds says the Pro has a "sturdier design and a more premium look and feel," which implies the Plus feels less solid.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if you brew pour-over, AeroPress or drip at medium and finer settings, brew one setting most of the time, and want to spend as little as possible. The large jar suits making several cups.

Skip it if you brew coarse styles regularly, if you switch settings often, or if you want a chart-backed dial-in. In that case the Skerton Pro or a click-dial grinder will be less work.

How it compares

The Skerton Pro is the direct upgrade. HomeGrounds says it is speedier, has a new handle and a hard plastic lid, and lets you change the setting without disassembly.

The Mini Mill Slim Plus is Hario's smaller option, a better fit for a backpack. Prima Coffee's review of the related Mini-Slim Pro describes a light, sturdy body but flavor that is "a little bit muddy."

The KINGrinder P1 and the Timemore C2 both use a dial with click steps, which makes switching brew methods faster than on the Plus.

Owning it

Because the burr assembly comes apart by hand, keep a brush nearby. Our guide to cleaning a hand grinder covers the routine, and Whole Latte Love says the burr assembly can be soaked in a light detergent solution.

Write your setting down. Since the adjustment is a wheel under the handle, a note of how many turns you made from tight helps you return to it; our calibration guide explains the zero point.

Expect to re-set for each new bag. See dialing in a new grinder for how.