Timemore C5

Say hello to Timemore’s new entry-level manual grinder. In terms of category, they still call it a C-series grinder, but it’s a more mature product than the name would indicate. It’s pretty nice feeling in hand.

The plastic stabilizer is gone; the body is now a rigid metal unibody with a new heptagonal, spike-to-cut burr.

Bonus info: there’s no “C4” because 4 is unlucky in Chinese culture, so we leapfrogged straight to C5.

Quick Take

I see the C5 as the logical evolution of the C2/C3: It’s more premium-feeling, but it has to be, since the market today is just crazy competitive today. However, while it’s a great allrounder, there are still many other options to consider, if you’re shopping for a grinder around this price point.

First Impressions

In hand, it feels solid without being too heavy. There’s a new criss-cross knurl that looks better than the diamond pattern on C2/C3.

The grind size guide on the bottom adjustment wheel is is a nice touch for beginners.

The bearings are very smooth, but it still grinds a bit slow. The burrs aren’t super aggressive. This is nice if you have low grip strength, but a bit annoying if you’re a gym bro with solid gains you want to apply. (Let’s be real: Pec strength isn’t really useful in the post-modern world, except maybe in one arena; manual grinding!)

How It Fits in the Market

I expect street prices just a hair above the C3 and C2 models, which it seems Timemore is still going to keep alive.

So the C5 also squares up against older Timemores that might be on sale. There are also budget beasts like Kingrinder P2 & K6, 1Zpresso Q Air, and MHW-3Bomber R3 Blade available at this price point. Some of them offer external adjustment or in some cases improved flavor clarity. While the C5 is nice it’s not a no-brainer to go for.

What I Liked

• Comfortable form factor with a nice grip
• Looks super clean, understated
• Design details: Rubber under the catch cup and thin lips at the top hopper for smoother bean pouring
• Can grind for both espresso and pour over
• Numbers on the adjustment dial (internal/under the burr) are legible and logical.

What I Didn’t

• Painfully slow for espresso; around ~2 min for an ~18 g dose.
• In spite of the new heptagonal burr set, it still lacks some of the sparkle I get from higher-tier burr sets
• The printed ranges feel off: I needed finer for espresso (setting 4.2) and coarser for pour over than suggested (setting 15-17)

Live from the Testing Bench

• In a three-way lineup using three Hario Switches brewed simulataneously, I pitted three Timemore grinders against each other: The old C3 vs the new C5 vs the more premium Chestnut S3 released in 2024, and tasted blind. The coffee was a beautiful washed Guatemala from the Norwegian roaster Sognefjord.
  • Much to my surprise, the C5 produced the most delicious cup!
  • The C3 was clearly the worst, while the S3 was fine but not as intense as the C5.
  • TDS checks showed the S3 ran a little lower than the C5 and C3, so I tightened the S3 and moved to round two.

• For round two, I swapped the C3 for the 1Zpresso Q Air and switched to an anaerobic natural (home-roasted) Thai coffee.
  • This time, the C5 was clearly the worst, developing a noticeably drying, astringent edge as it cooled.
  • The S3 was best; the Q Air had a slightly lower TDS, so I’m not treating that result as definitive. From experience, the S3 tends to excel with anaerobic naturals.

From this pour over test, I’m confident the C5 is a big step up from the C3 in cup quality for pour-over, but (as expected) it’s still not as good as the S3.

That aligns with Timemore’s lineup and pricing, where the C5 sits between those two grinders.

Updated Espresso Testing

• Grinding 17 g at setting 5 took 1:50; very slow.
• The shot ran 23 s, so I’d likely go finer, perhaps 4.2–4.1.

I like the flavour and texture of the shot; the annoyance is purely the time it takes to grind.

Unresolved Questions

So far in my testing I have noticed that the C5 can sometimes have a slightly drying finish, while other times it tastes quite nice and clean on the finish, even with a fine grind size. Are there any patterns here?

Verdict after the first sips

I feel like the Chestnut C5 sits a bit between two chairs.

It’s clearly better than its predecessor, but the field around it is strong. The C2, and to a degree the C3, had that cheap-and-cheerful “first grinder” appeal; the C5 doesn’t feel as carefree.

It’s bigger and heavier at ~620 g versus ~476 g for the C3 .

In many ways, the C5 steps into the “big boys’ league”: not an impulse buy like the C2/C3.

At this price, you can find grinders with cleaner flavour profiles and/or external grind adjustment.

Real competitors include 1Zpresso Q Air, R3 Blade, Kingrinder K6, Mavo Phantox Pro, and even Timemore S3.

The C5 is a solid grinder, just not an automatic pick.

Alternatives & Links

• Check current price here on Amazon
• Check current price on Timemore Official (10% off automatically added at checkout)
• See my big guide to Manual Coffee Grinders for broader picks.