Is a Hand Grinder Realistic for Espresso Brewing?

Is a Hand Grinder truly capable of making good Espresso coffee? And how does it compare to that of an Electric Automatic Grinder? We explore the comparison of some of the best, well known and most popular manual hand grinders, dialling them into brew espresso, then compare these coffees versus the Niche Zero. Shop Grinders: alternativebre...
Coming into the video - I had not used the coffee before - it was 8 days post-roast. The Grinders- I had all set to their recommended Espresso Settings - and dialled the grinders in brewing a 20/40/30 Brew ratio.
There is a complete unbroken take of this - it took 1hr to complete the dialling in of 4 manual grinders. As you'll see, it takes more than 2-3 three shots to get dialled in - (which is acceptable) but being manual grinders certainly creates more work and takes more time between shots. Arguably this is the main reason I would choose an Electric Grinder over a Manual Grinder.
Each of the Hand Grinders brewed, by my own standards, very enjoyable shots - none of them I would say were better than the Niche. Though for my personal preferences, the KINU and COMANDANTE were delicious. The trade-off in flavour does not add up to the PRICE and SPACE lost in purchasing the Niche.
The Niche is just one example of an Electric Grinder that can be purchased for Espresso at home. It sits up there at the pinnacle of accessible (enough) grinders for really great coffee at home. Other electric grinders, coming from the Baratza Sette, Compak and Eureka range could also be interpreted to brew coffee that is slightly better than manual grinders - though on the account for the Kinu and Comandante, where the price is almost on par with these more affordable Electric Grinders - even if the Coffee was close in quality brewed - the overwhelming ease of an Electric Grinder (for me at least) still wins out. So unless you have very specific needs, such as low cost, limited space, no electricity, requiring portability and perhaps even noise - though they're pretty much as loud as a Niche, maybe not other electric grinders ... then at the more affordable end of the Grinder range for espresso - a hand Grinder may be ideal.
You must also consider the comparison of the lifetime of the grinders - perhaps even the volume of beans you'll wish to grind daily. Whilst the Niche Zero Grinder will last for many many years (7-10yrs+), some other more affordable Espresso Grinders may only last 3-5 yrs before their motors wear out (depending on volume and use.) This may also provide a good argument for a Hand Grinder that has less chance of breaking, along with less maintenance required.
TIMESTAMPS:
1:25 Burrs & Speed
3:51 The Coffee
4:39 Dialling in Niche Zero
6:25 Dialling in Comandante
11:22 Dialling in Porlex Tall
13:18 Dialling in Kinu M47
17:43 Dialling in 1Zpresso JX-Pro
22:50 Tasting-All Espressos
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