In brief
The Wacaco Exagrind is a small hand grinder with 38 mm stainless steel conical burrs and an aluminium unibody. Wacaco says it is compatible with the Picopresso and all its other coffee machines.
It is a travel grinder that can reach espresso. Wacaco says it suits "a pour-over or a double espresso." Tom's Guide found it grinds fine enough for espresso and Turkish coffee, and coarse enough for French press.
The trade-offs are capacity and steps. It holds 20 g, and each click moves the burr 33 microns, per Wacaco. Tom's Guide also found some static and retention.
What it does well
- Tom's Guide found it grinds fine enough for espresso and Turkish coffee
- Tom's Guide says it is light and compact enough for a backpack
- The Gadgeteer found it "feels very substantial" and grinds smoothly
- Tom's Guide found the grounds chamber doubles as a Nanopresso dosing funnel
Where it falls short
- 20 g capacity, which Tom's Guide says is tight for a 58 mm double shot
- Tom's Guide found static, clumping and about 2.5% retention
- No dial markings, so you count clicks, per Tom's Guide
- Tom's Guide says the stowed handle-lid knocks off easily in a bag
Specs
- Type
- Hand grinder, Conical burrs
- Burrs
- 38 mm conical, stainless steel 420 (Wacaco)
- Adjustment
- 60 clicks, 30 per turn, 33 microns per click (Wacaco)
- Capacity
- 20 g maximum (Wacaco)
- Weight
- 464 g (Wacaco)
- Size
- 53 x 67 x 143 mm (Wacaco)
- Warranty
- Two years on Wacaco's spec sheet
- Power
- Hand
Where to start on the dial
Espresso 14 clicksPour-over 29 clicksAeroPress 27 clicksCold brew 57 clicks
Every method on the settings chart →On this page · 5 sections
What it does well
It travels well. Wacaco lists it at 143 mm tall with a folding handle, and Tom's Guide slipped it into a backpack for a weekend away. The Gadgeteer notes a travel bag comes in the box. The Gadgeteer says it "feels very substantial in your hand."
It covers a wide range. Tom's Guide brewed French press, Chemex, V60, AeroPress, espresso and Turkish, and "got delicious drinks for all of the above." The Gadgeteer found it grinds "smoothly and uniformly, but quickly," and quietly, with a bright cup and balanced sweetness.
It pairs with Wacaco's own machines. Tom's Guide found the grounds chamber matches the Nanopresso's portafilter, so it doubles as a dosing funnel. Tom's Guide says the Exagrind works fine with the Picopresso too, unless you need more than 22 g.
Where it falls short
Capacity is small. Wacaco rates it at 20 g, and Tom's Guide says that is not enough for a 24 g double in a 58 mm basket. The Gadgeteer also found the narrow opening spills beans.
Static and retention show up. Tom's Guide found mild static and clumping, and some grounds held in the burrs and upper chamber. It measured 0.5 g retained from a 20 g dose, about 2.5%. It adds that a basic distribution tool solves the clumping.
Fine grinding is hard work. Tom's Guide took just over a minute to grind 22 g for espresso, "going at full pelt." Turkish fineness took several minutes.
The details need work. Tom's Guide says the reversed handle-lid is held by a weak magnet and falls off in a bag. The dial is unmarked, and The Gadgeteer found the silicone sleeve can ride up.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy it if you travel with a Wacaco espresso maker, or want one compact hand grinder for espresso and pour-over. It suits single servings and a light kit.
Skip it if you pull large doubles for a 58 mm machine, or brew for several people. Skip it too if you dial espresso daily and want finer steps than 33 microns per click.
How it compares
The KINGrinder K6 has bigger 48 mm burrs and a numbered external dial, but it is larger and heavier. See KINGrinder K6 vs Wacaco Exagrind.
The 1Zpresso X-Ultra moves 12.5 microns per click, per 1Zpresso, so it offers finer espresso control. It also has a magnetic catch cup, at a higher price. If you are open to a used grinder, the discontinued 1Zpresso JX-Pro is compared in 1Zpresso JX-Pro vs Wacaco Exagrind.
The Timemore C3 is the budget filter choice. The Coffee Chronicler found it limited to about one espresso setting, so pick the Exagrind if espresso matters. See Timemore C3 vs Wacaco Exagrind.
Owning it
Tom's Guide calls cleaning "a doddle." Unscrew the lower chamber, back the adjustment out until the burr comes free, and brush away grounds. The hand grinder cleaning guide covers the routine.
Tom's Guide warns not to use the first six clicks at the fine end, where the burrs can touch and wear. For static and clumping, see how to reduce grinder static. Wacaco's spec sheet lists a two-year warranty, though a banner on the same page says one year.
The settings chart on this page counts clicks from the zero point. To translate a recipe from another grinder, use the grind converter. The travel setup guide helps plan a portable espresso kit.
Also worth a look
Sources
- Wacaco: Exagrind manual coffee grinder
- Tom's Guide: Wacaco Exagrind review
- The Gadgeteer: Wacaco Exagram scale and Exagrind hand grinder review
- 1Zpresso: X-Ultra
- The Coffee Chronicler: Timemore C3 review
By Jeff Gluck · Checked 2026-10-21