Timemore C3 vs C3s: what the extra $10 buys

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The C3s costs $10 more and spends it on metal instead of plastic. Timemore lists the C3 from $79 and the C3s from $89, both with 38mm stainless steel burrs that are CNC-cut with dual-bearing stability, a 0 to 90 click adjustment range covering espresso through French press, an aluminium alloy body, and 20 g capacity on the standard versions. The difference Timemore states is that the C3s uses all-metal burr set, body, and components while the C3 pairs the metal burr set and body with durable plastic components.

Timemore C3 vs C3s

All figures from the Timemore C3 series page, checked August 2026.

Same burrs means broadly the same grind

Both models use the identical 38mm stainless steel burr set, cut on the same process and running on the same dual-bearing arrangement. That is the part that determines particle distribution, so the coffee coming out of a C3 and a C3s at the same click count should be very close. Anyone telling you the C3s grinds noticeably better is describing feel, not particles. What the all-metal components buy is stiffness in the shaft and adjuster assembly, which shows up over years of use as less play developing.

Our click starting points for common brew methods are in the C3 grind settings chart.

90 clicks across the whole range, and what that means for espresso

Timemore covers espresso through French press in 0 to 90 clicks. That is a workable espresso range on a hand grinder in this price class, but the clicks are not tiny, so expect to make dose and yield adjustments as well as grind adjustments when you dial in. For pour over, drip, and French press the resolution is comfortable and you will land inside a good window quickly. Compare that with dedicated espresso hand grinders, which spend far more clicks on a much narrower band, in best hand grinder for espresso.

Which one to buy at a $10 gap

If the grinder lives on a counter and gets used once or twice a day, the C3 is enough and the plastic parts are not a weak point in normal use. If it goes in a bag, gets knocked about, or you expect to hand it down, spend the extra $10 on the C3s so the components taking the load are metal. Neither decision changes your coffee this week. If you are cross shopping the previous generation, we compared them in Timemore C2 vs C3.

Check current prices

Identical burrs, $10 between plastic and metal components.

Related reading

• Timemore C3 review
• Timemore C3 grind settings chart
• Timemore C2 vs C3
• Coffee gear guides hub

FAQ

What is the difference between the Timemore C3 and C3s? Timemore states the C3s has an all-metal burr set, body, and components, while the C3 has the metal burr set and body with durable plastic components. Both use the same 38mm stainless burrs and the same 0 to 90 click range.

Do the Timemore C3 and C3s grind differently? Not meaningfully. They share the identical 38mm CNC-cut stainless burr set on the same dual-bearing arrangement, so the grind at a given click count should be very close.

Can the Timemore C3 grind for espresso? Timemore lists the 0 to 90 click range as covering espresso through French press. It works, but the clicks are not tiny, so expect to adjust dose and yield alongside grind when dialling in.