TIMEMORE C3 vs C3S — Which Should You Buy?

The TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 established itself as the go-to budget manual grinder. The C3S arrived as its successor with a full-metal body and larger hopper at a ~¥4,000 premium. Both share the same core burr — so what exactly are you paying for, and does it matter?

This comparison breaks down every meaningful difference between the two, with a clear conclusion on which to buy.

Spec-by-Spec Comparison

Feature	TIMEMORE C3	TIMEMORE C3S
Burr	38mm S2C660	38mm S2C660 (same)
Burr material	Stainless steel	Stainless steel (same)
Body frame	Aluminum + plastic internal	Full aluminum
Grind adjustment	36 steps (internal)	36 steps (internal)
Hopper capacity	~20g	~25g
Dimensions	φ52mm × H147mm	φ52mm × H147mm
Weight	~430g	~430g
Approx. price	¥7,980	¥11,980

The Core Difference: Body Construction

The single most important difference between the C3 and C3S is how the spindle is supported inside the body.

Original C3: The spindle (the central shaft that holds the burr) is supported by a plastic internal frame. The aluminum exterior houses this plastic frame. Under torque during grinding, this plastic frame can flex slightly — creating micro-movements in the burr alignment.

C3S: The internal frame is replaced with aluminum alloy throughout. The spindle is supported by metal at every contact point, eliminating the flex present in the original C3.

Does this flex actually affect grind quality?

In controlled testing, the C3S produces marginally tighter grind distribution than the C3, particularly at finer settings. For most users brewing filter coffee at medium grind settings, the difference is small and may not be perceptible in the cup.

However, the C3's plastic frame is a long-term durability concern. Over months of daily use, plastic-on-metal contact points wear faster than metal-on-metal. The C3S is simply built to last longer at the same level of performance.

Hopper Capacity: 20g vs. 25g

The C3S adds 5 grams of hopper capacity — from ~20g to ~25g.

For a single 12–15g pour-over, both handle a single serving in one load. For two-cup brewing (24–30g), the C3S can often accommodate both servings in one load, while the C3 may require splitting into two passes.

If you regularly brew for two people, this difference directly affects daily convenience.

The Price Gap: ¥4,000 Justified?

The C3S costs approximately ¥4,000 more than the original C3. Framed differently:

• At 1 cup/day: ¥4,000 ÷ 365 days = ¥11/day for two years of use
• At 2 cups/day: the per-cup premium drops to under ¥6

Over the lifetime of a grinder, ¥4,000 is a small premium for meaningfully better build quality. The calculation strongly favors the C3S unless your budget is fixed at ¥8,000.

When to Choose the Original C3

Despite the C3S being the better machine overall, there are specific scenarios where the C3 makes sense:

• Hard budget cap of ¥8,000: The C3 remains an excellent grinder at its price
• Secondary/travel grinder: Weight and size are identical; the C3's lower price makes it less stressful to travel with
• Trying manual grinding for the first time: If you're unsure you'll stick with the hobby, the C3 lets you test the waters at lower cost
• Already own a C3: If it's working well, there's no pressing reason to upgrade immediately

Current Availability

As of early 2026, the original C3 is being phased out. Stock availability is declining across online retailers, and new production appears limited. If you're considering the original C3, check current availability before making a decision — if stock is limited, the C3S may soon be the only option regardless.

The Full C3 Family: Where to Position Each

Model	Key feature	Price
C3 (original)	Budget entry (limited stock)	~¥7,980
C3S	Current standard recommendation	~¥11,980
C3S Pro	Foldable handle for portability	~¥14,980
C3S Max	Larger hopper (~30g)	~¥16,980
C3 ESP	Espresso-focused fine grind	~¥13,980

The C3S sits at the right balance point for most home users. Move to the Pro for travel use, the Max for multi-cup households, and the ESP if espresso is your primary brew method.

Verdict

Buy the C3S if your budget allows. The material upgrade is real, the hopper improvement is practical, and the price difference is negligible over the grinder's lifespan.

Buy the C3 only if you're firmly capped at ¥8,000 or buying a secondary grinder where cost matters more than longevity.

Both share the same S2C660 burr — so whichever you choose, you're getting TIMEMORE's proven grind quality. The C3S just preserves that quality for longer.