Porlex Tall II: The Upgraded Travel Grinder Reviewed

The Porlex Tall II is a hand grinder from Japanese manufacturer Porlex, and it's the updated version of the original Porlex Tall that's been a travel coffee staple for years. If you're deciding whether to buy it, the short answer is: it's one of the most reliable manual grinders in its price range, and the Tall II fixes several of the friction points that the original version had.

This isn't a grinder for everyone. It requires physical effort and takes more time than an electric grinder. But for camping, travel, or anyone who wants a compact grinder that produces genuinely good results without electricity, the Porlex Tall II is a strong choice.

What Changed From the Original Porlex Tall

The original Porlex Tall was well-regarded but had a few frustrations that regular users noticed over time. The Tall II addresses the main ones.

The grind adjustment mechanism on the original was a simple threaded system that could drift during grinding, especially at coarser settings. You'd dial in your grind, grip the handle, and find after a session that your setting had shifted slightly. The Tall II uses a click-stop adjustment ring that locks the burr position in place. You get 13 distinct click positions, which is fewer than some competitors but meaningfully more reliable than a smooth thread.

The handle attachment also improved. The original handle had a small clip system that worked but could detach unexpectedly. The Tall II uses a more positive connection that holds through a full grinding session without creaking or shifting.

Build and Materials

The Porlex Tall II uses a stainless steel outer body, ceramic conical burrs, and a simple internal design with minimal plastic components. The all-stainless and ceramic construction means no plastic touching your coffee at any point, which matters to people concerned about off-flavors from plastic degassing (a real but minor concern at room temperature).

The ceramic burrs are harder than steel and don't require seasoning. They produce consistent grinds and won't rust if you rinse the grinder while traveling.

Physical dimensions: the Tall II is approximately 18cm tall and 4.7cm in diameter. It fits inside the Aeropress plunger, which is a well-known compatibility that makes packing both together extremely compact.

Capacity is about 25 grams of whole beans, which is enough for a generous single serving via pour-over or Aeropress. For French press with a larger vessel, you'd need to do two grinding sessions.

Grind Quality

For a hand grinder in this price range (typically $65-80), the Porlex Tall II produces above-average grind consistency. The ceramic conical burrs are well-matched for filter methods like pour-over, Aeropress, and Chemex.

At coarser settings for French press, the grind is acceptable but not exceptional. You'll get a moderate amount of fines mixed in with the coarser particles, which is normal for conical burr hand grinders at this price. French press is forgiving of this because it's an immersion method, so the mixed distribution rarely causes problems in the cup.

For espresso, the Porlex Tall II is not well-suited. The grind range can reach espresso-fine territory at the finest settings, but consistency at that grind size drops significantly, and hand grinding for espresso requires both precise grind size and enough output volume that a manual grinder becomes impractical for daily use.

Compared to Other Hand Grinders

Hario Mini Mill Slim: Similar price, similar quality. The Tall II has the edge in capacity and build rigidity. The Hario Slim is slightly smaller.

Comandante C40: Significantly more expensive, significantly better grind consistency. If budget isn't a constraint, the Comandante outperforms the Porlex by a noticeable margin. The Porlex makes sense at its price point.

Timemore Slim Plus: Strong competition at a similar price, with better grind consistency for espresso due to different burr geometry. Worth comparing if espresso-range grinding matters to you.

Kinu M47: Much more expensive, much better. The Porlex Tall II is appropriate for its price tier, not a competitor for high-end hand grinders.

Grinding Effort and Speed

This is the most common complaint about the Porlex Tall II, and it's valid: grinding takes effort. A 25-gram dose for pour-over takes roughly 3-4 minutes at a medium-coarse setting with normal arm strength. Tighter espresso settings take longer and require more force.

The handle design is functional but not particularly ergonomic for sustained grinding. Some users add a silicone sleeve over the handle body for better grip, and third-party extended handles exist that give you more leverage and reduce the grinding time by 20-30%.

For pour-over morning coffee while camping, 3-4 minutes of grinding is fine. For a household that makes multiple coffees daily, the effort compounds quickly and an electric grinder is more practical.

Travel Use

This is where the Porlex Tall II earns its reputation. The all-metal and ceramic construction means it's durable enough to survive in a backpack or luggage without padding. There are no fragile plastic components to crack, and the stainless body resists dents reasonably well.

The Aeropress compatibility means you can pack the grinder nested inside the Aeropress and bring your entire brewing setup in a surprisingly small space. I've seen this combo recommended on every backpacking and travel coffee forum, and for good reason.

The click-stop adjustment stays put during transit, so you don't arrive at your destination with a detuned grinder.

For camping and outdoor use, the ceramic burrs are easy to clean with water and a brush, and they won't rust if you don't dry them completely before packing.

Maintenance

The Porlex Tall II requires almost no maintenance beyond regular cleaning. Coffee oils build up on ceramic burrs over time just like steel burrs, and a monthly soak in warm soapy water followed by a rinse and air dry keeps the grind quality consistent.

Disassembly is simple: unscrew the adjustment ring, slide out the inner burr assembly, and clean each component. The process takes about 5 minutes.

Ceramic burrs are not as durable as steel against accidental impacts. Dropping the grinder on a hard surface can chip or crack a ceramic burr, though this is unlikely in normal use. If your burrs are ever damaged, Porlex sells replacement burr sets separately.

FAQ

Does the Porlex Tall II fit inside the Aeropress? Yes. The original Porlex Tall was designed with this compatibility in mind, and the Tall II maintains it. You can slide the Porlex Tall II inside the Aeropress plunger tube for compact packing.

How many grind settings does the Tall II have? 13 click-stop positions. This is fewer than some competitors, but each click represents a meaningful step, and the positions are enough for dialing in pour-over and other filter methods reasonably well.

Can I use the Porlex Tall II for espresso? Technically it grinds fine enough at the lowest settings, but the consistency isn't good enough for reliable espresso extraction, and hand grinding for espresso in any meaningful volume is physically demanding. It's not recommended as a primary espresso grinder.

How does it compare to the Porlex Mini? The Porlex Mini is smaller and holds about 15 grams. The Tall II holds 25 grams, which is more practical for filter coffee. If pack size is your absolute priority, the Mini; if you want a full serving in one grind cycle, the Tall II.

Who Should Buy the Porlex Tall II

It makes most sense for people who travel or camp regularly and want fresh coffee without carrying an electric grinder. It's also a good option as a secondary grinder for travel when your main grinder at home is an electric machine.

If you're considering the Porlex Tall II as your primary home grinder, think about whether the daily grinding effort is realistic for your routine. For home use where electricity is available, electric grinders in the same price range will produce better results with less effort. The best coffee grinder guide covers electric options starting around the same price.

For travel, the Porlex Tall II is hard to beat in its category. It's durable, compact, and produces results that are genuinely good for pour-over and Aeropress. Check the top coffee grinder roundup if you want to compare it against other travel and hand grinder options before deciding.