Hario Mini Slim Plus: The Travel Grinder That Punches Above Its Weight

My Hario Mini Slim Plus has been to twelve countries with me. It's been stuffed in backpacks, tossed in carry-on bags, and dropped on a hostel floor in Lisbon. It still grinds beautifully. That's the kind of durability you don't expect from a $30 hand grinder, but Hario has a way of surprising you.

The Hario Mini Slim Plus (model MSS-1DTB) is a compact manual coffee grinder that uses ceramic conical burrs. It's designed for travel and small-batch grinding, and it's become one of the most popular entry-level hand grinders on the market. I'll walk you through how it performs, where it shines, and where it falls short after two years of regular use.

Design and Build

The Mini Slim Plus is small. It stands about 6 inches tall with the handle folded down and weighs just over half a pound. The body is a clear plastic cylinder with a silicone grip band around the middle. The hopper on top holds about 24 grams of beans, which is enough for roughly one large mug of coffee.

The handle folds down for storage, which is a nice touch for travel. It tucks against the side of the grinder and adds almost no extra bulk. I can fit the entire unit in a jacket pocket if I need to.

Hario uses a stainless steel shaft that runs through the center and connects to the ceramic burr at the bottom. The grinding mechanism sits inside the clear body, so you can actually watch the beans being processed as you crank. The ground coffee collects in a small container at the base that screws off for emptying.

What's New in the "Plus" Version

The Plus version improved on the original Mini Slim in a few ways. The grind adjustment mechanism was redesigned with a click-step system that makes it easier to find and return to your preferred setting. Each click represents a small but noticeable change in grind size. The original model had a smooth adjustment that was hard to replicate consistently.

The silicone grip band was also added in the Plus version. It makes a real difference when grinding, especially with oily or hard beans that require more effort.

Grind Quality and Consistency

Let me be honest here. The Hario Mini Slim Plus produces a decent grind for the price, but it's not going to compete with grinders that cost three or four times as much. The ceramic burrs create a slightly wider particle distribution than you'd get from steel burrs, which means some variation in your grind.

For pour-over and French press, the results are more than acceptable. I've brewed hundreds of pour-overs with this grinder, and the cups are consistently good. Not perfect, but good. The medium-coarse settings work well for Chemex and French press, and the medium settings are solid for V60 and Kalita Wave.

For espresso, skip it. The finest setting on the Mini Slim Plus isn't fine enough for a proper espresso extraction, and even if it were, the consistency isn't there. You need a much more precise grinder for espresso. Our best coffee grinder roundup covers grinders that handle espresso well.

One thing I've noticed is that the ceramic burrs dull more slowly than steel, but they also chip more easily if a small stone or debris makes it into the hopper. I always check my beans before grinding, especially with less-sorted specialty coffees.

Grinding Speed and Effort

Plan on about 60-90 seconds of cranking for a single cup of coffee. That's roughly 15-20 grams of beans. For a coarser French press grind, it's faster. For a finer pour-over grind, it takes longer and requires more arm effort.

The silicone grip helps, but after grinding 30+ grams, your hand and wrist will feel it. This is not a grinder for large batches. If you're making coffee for more than two people, you'll want something electric or at least a larger hand grinder.

Where the Mini Slim Plus Shines

This grinder is perfect for a very specific set of situations, and if your use case matches, there's nothing better at this price.

Travel. The compact size, light weight, and folding handle make it the best travel grinder under $50. I've taken it camping, on road trips, and on international flights. It packs easily and grinds well enough that you don't have to settle for pre-ground coffee on the road.

Dorm rooms and small kitchens. If you don't have counter space for an electric grinder, the Mini Slim Plus takes up almost no room. It stores in a drawer or on a shelf, and you can grind directly into your brewing device.

Learning about coffee. If you're just starting to explore freshly ground coffee and want to see if it makes a difference, the Mini Slim Plus is a low-risk entry point. You can always upgrade later if you catch the bug.

Backup grinder. I keep mine as a backup for when I travel or when my electric grinder is being cleaned. Having a reliable hand grinder in the drawer gives me peace of mind.

Where It Falls Short

The Mini Slim Plus isn't for everyone, and it's worth knowing the limitations before you buy.

The capacity is tiny. At 24 grams per load, you're grinding one cup at a time. If you want to make a full pot, you'll be loading and grinding multiple times, which gets old fast.

The grind adjustment, while improved from the original, still isn't as precise as what you'd find on grinders from Timemore or 1Zpresso. Those cost more, but the difference in grind consistency is noticeable.

The plastic body feels a bit cheap compared to stainless steel or aluminum hand grinders. It's functional and lightweight, but it doesn't have that premium hand-feel that you get with higher-end manual grinders. For a broader look at options across all price ranges, check our top coffee grinder guide.

How to Get the Best Results

After two years with this grinder, I've picked up a few tricks that make a real difference.

First, don't overfill the hopper. Putting in more than 20 grams at a time causes the beans to jam against each other and slows down the grinding. Stick to 15-20 grams for the smoothest operation.

Second, grind in a steady, consistent rhythm rather than cranking as fast as you can. A controlled pace produces a more uniform grind because the burrs process each bean more evenly.

Third, clean the burrs every week or two. Remove the outer burr, brush out any stuck grounds, and wipe the inner burr with a dry cloth. Coffee oils build up quickly on ceramic, and they'll affect the flavor if you let them accumulate.

FAQ

How does the Hario Mini Slim Plus compare to the Timemore C2?

The Timemore C2 is a significant step up in grind quality. It uses steel burrs and a dual-bearing stabilization system that produces a tighter particle distribution. It costs about twice as much as the Hario, but if grind consistency matters to you, the C2 is worth the upgrade.

Can I use the Hario Mini Slim Plus for AeroPress?

Absolutely. The AeroPress is one of the best brewing methods to pair with this grinder. The medium-fine settings work well, and since AeroPress typically uses 15-18 grams of coffee, it fits the hopper capacity perfectly.

How long do the ceramic burrs last?

With regular home use (grinding once or twice a day), the ceramic burrs should last 3-5 years before you notice a decline in performance. They wear more slowly than steel but can chip if hard debris gets in.

Is the Hario Mini Slim Plus dishwasher safe?

No. Hand wash only. The ceramic burrs and internal mechanism should not be submerged in water or exposed to dishwasher detergents. Brush cleaning and a dry wipe are all you need.

The Bottom Line

The Hario Mini Slim Plus is the best travel coffee grinder under $50, and it's a solid entry point for anyone exploring freshly ground coffee. It won't match the performance of pricier hand grinders or electric options, but for its size, price, and portability, it delivers a surprisingly good cup. Keep your expectations realistic, treat it as a travel companion and backup grinder, and it'll serve you well for years.