Both grind well; C3 is sharper and faster, C2 is cheaper.

Every morning I reach for a hand grinder to dial in calm and clarity. If you’re stuck on the timemore c2 vs c3 choice, I’ve been there too. Both are compact and sturdy, but they shine in different ways. I tested both side by side for pour-over, AeroPress, and the odd moka pot. Below, I share what stood out in real use so you can pick with confidence.

Is TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Good?

Yes—for most people who brew filter coffee at home, the C2 is a smart buy. It’s light, fast enough, and very consistent for pour-over, AeroPress, and French press. If you want a reliable daily grinder without stretching your budget, the C2 hits the sweet spot.

On a busy weekday, I ground 18 grams for a V60 in under a minute, and the cup was clean and sweet. During a weekend trip, the C2 lived in my backpack; it took a few bumps and kept alignment. For espresso, it can work with pressurized baskets, but for standard baskets I needed to push the limits and still preferred the C3.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• 38 mm stainless steel conical burrs built for stable, even grinding
• Stepped internal adjustment with clear clicks for repeatable settings
• Dual bearings for smoother rotation and better alignment
• Approx. 25 g capacity—ideal for single-cup brews
• Lightweight body with grippy texture for secure handling

What I Like

• Great grind consistency for pour-over and AeroPress
• Easy to dial in and repeat settings
• Comfortable handle and stable feel while grinding
• Travel friendly and durable enough for daily use
• Excellent price-to-performance for filter coffee

What Could Be Better

• Not as fast or sharp as the C3 on denser beans
• Espresso range is limited for standard baskets
• Slightly more fines at coarse settings compared to the C3

My Recommendation

If you brew filter coffee and want value, choose the C2. It’s reliable, simple, and priced right.

Best For	Why
Pour-over and AeroPress	Clean, even grind with repeatable clicks
Travel and office	Light, sturdy, and easy to pack
Budget-focused buyers	Strong performance at a lower price

Is TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 Good?

Yes—the C3 is the upgrade that many home brewers want. Its burrs bite faster and cleaner, giving more clarity in the cup and better performance at fine settings. If you care about precision and speed, the C3 earns its spot.

I noticed it first with a light-roast Ethiopian. The C3 popped out bright florals and a juicy finish that felt a notch cleaner than the C2. On a moka pot day, the C3’s finer control helped curb bitterness. It still won’t replace a high-end espresso grinder, but it handles tighter grinds better than the C2.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Upgraded stainless steel burrs designed to “spike then cut” for cleaner grinds
• Improved fine-range control for moka and light espresso use
• Stable dual-bearing axle for better alignment
• Approx. 25 g capacity with compact form
• Refined grip texture and smooth crank action

What I Like

• Noticeably faster and easier to grind
• Cleaner cups with less bitterness and fewer fines
• Better at fine settings than the C2
• Great clarity in light and medium roasts
• Still compact and travel ready

What Could Be Better

• Costs more than the C2
• Still a stepped grinder, so not ultra-micro-adjustable for espresso
• Capacity remains single-dose only

My Recommendation

If you want faster grinding and cleaner flavor, pick the C3. It’s a meaningful step up.

Best For	Why
Flavor-focused brewers	Sharper burrs boost clarity and sweetness
Moka and light espresso	Handles finer settings with more control
Light-roast lovers	Extracts nuance without harshness

timemore c2 vs c3: Side-by-Side Test

I brewed the same coffees across a week to see real differences. The timemore c2 vs c3 face-off covered grind quality, speed, build, range, and value. Here’s how they stack up in daily use.

Grind Quality & Consistency: Which Cups Taste Cleaner?

Both are solid, but I focused on clarity, fines, and balance in the cup.

Metric	Timemore C2	Timemore C3
Clarity in pour-over	Very good	Excellent
Fines at medium-coarse	Moderate	Low
Bitterness control	Good	Better
Uniformity	Strong	Stronger

Ratings: C2 – 8/10 | C3 – 9/10
> The C3 wins for cleaner cups and fewer fines, especially at V60 settings.

Burr Design & Range: Who Handles More Brew Methods?

Burr design sets the tone for speed and precision across the timemore c2 vs c3.

Metric	Timemore C2	Timemore C3
Burr type	Stainless conical	Upgraded stainless “spike then cut” style
Filter coffee	Excellent	Excellent+
Moka/pressurized espresso	Good	Very good
Standard espresso baskets	Limited	Better, still limited

Ratings: C2 – 8/10 | C3 – 9/10
> The C3 edges out thanks to sharper burrs and better fine-range control.

Speed & Effort: Which Grinder Gets You There Faster?

I timed 18 g medium roast for pour-over in the timemore c2 vs c3 test.

Metric	Timemore C2	Timemore C3
Grinding time	~55–65 seconds	~40–50 seconds
Effort level	Moderate	Lower
Crank smoothness	Smooth	Smoother
Light roast performance	Good	Better

Ratings: C2 – 8/10 | C3 – 9/10
> The C3 is faster and easier, especially with dense, light roasts.

Build & Ergonomics: Which Feels Better in Hand?

Grip, stability, and day-to-day comfort matter in this timemore c2 vs c3 match-up.

Metric	Timemore C2	Timemore C3
Grip texture	Good	Refined
Bearing stability	Dual bearings	Dual bearings
Weight/feel	Light and solid	Light and solid
Fit & finish	Very good	Very good+

Ratings: C2 – 8/10 | C3 – 8.5/10
> Slight nod to the C3 for feel and refinement, though both are well built.

Adjustability & Ease of Use: Which Is Simpler to Dial?

I looked at click feel, repeatability, and fine-tuning in timemore c2 vs c3 tests.

Metric	Timemore C2	Timemore C3
Adjustment type	Internal stepped	Internal stepped
Click feedback	Clear	Clear
Repeatability	Strong	Strong
Fine control	Good	Better

Ratings: C2 – 8/10 | C3 – 8.5/10
> The C3 offers a touch more control at fine settings, which helps moka and light espresso.

Portability, Capacity & Noise: Travel and Daily Flow

For timemore c2 vs c3, I checked bag space, dose size, and sound.

Metric	Timemore C2	Timemore C3
Capacity	~25 g	~25 g
Travel size	Compact	Compact
Noise	Low	Low
Clean-up	Simple	Simple

Ratings: C2 – 8.5/10 | C3 – 8.5/10
> It’s a tie—both are compact, quiet, and easy to maintain.

Value for Money: Which One’s the Smarter Buy?

This timemore c2 vs c3 category weighs price against performance.

Metric	Timemore C2	Timemore C3
Price	Lower	Higher
Performance for filter	Excellent	Excellent+
Fine-range boost	Limited	Notable
Overall value	Outstanding for the cost	Great if you want the upgrade

Ratings: C2 – 9/10 | C3 – 8.5/10
> The C2 wins pure value; the C3 is worth it if you’ll use the upgrade.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If you want strong performance for pour-over and AeroPress at a friendly price, buy the C2. It’s light, steady, and easy to love. For most daily brews, it’s more than enough.

If you want faster grinding, cleaner cups, and better fine control, choose the C3. In the timemore c2 vs c3 debate, the C3 is the upgrade that pays off if you brew lighter roasts or flirt with moka and simple espresso.

FAQs Of timemore c2 vs c3

What is the main difference in the timemore c2 vs c3?

The C3 has upgraded burrs that cut faster and cleaner. This improves clarity and fine-range control. The C2 is cheaper and still great for filter coffee.

Is the C3 worth it over the C2 for pour-over?

Yes if you value extra clarity and speed. The C2 already does very well, but the C3 pulls out a bit more sweetness and detail.

Which is better for espresso in the timemore c2 vs c3?

The C3. It handles finer settings better. For standard baskets, results vary, but the C3 has the edge. For pressurized baskets, both can work.

How about travel—timemore c2 vs c3?

Both are compact, quiet, and easy to pack. The tie goes to the C2 if price matters more, and to the C3 if you want faster grinding on the go.

Which offers better value in timemore c2 vs c3?

The C2 is the value winner. The C3 is worth the extra cost if you’ll use the sharper burrs and finer control often.