# Timemore Chestnut C3 vs C3S Comparison — Differences, Grind Quality & Which to Buy > Timemore Chestnut C3 vs C3S side-by-side comparison. Material, burr quality, grind consistency, and capacity differences explained. Find out if the C3S upgrade is worth the extra cost. **Canonical URL**: https://coffee-guide.jp/en/gear/timemore-chestnut-c3-vs-c3s-comparison **Category**: Coffee Gear & Equipment **Published**: 2026-04-18 **Updated**: 2026-05-11 **Author**: Coffee Guide Editorial **Tags**: timemore, grinder, manual, comparison > ※ This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon Associates and A8.net partner programs. Evaluations are based on publicly available information or editorial analysis. --- *This article contains affiliate links.* 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. - Full specification comparison: C3 vs C3S - The material difference and its real-world impact - Grind performance: is there an actual quality gap? - Hopper capacity difference (20g vs 25g) - Current availability of the original C3 - Final verdict by use case ## 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 | > **TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 Manual Coffee Grinder Matte Black** / 価格: ¥7,980 / 評価: 4.4 / 特徴: 38mm S2C660 burr / 36-step adjustment / Aluminum + plastic frame → [Amazonで商品を見る](https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09TP85KCJ?tag=ps0036fr-22 ) ※アフィリエイトリンク > **TIMEMORE C3S Manual Coffee Grinder Black** / 価格: ¥11,980 / 評価: 4.5 / 特徴: Full aluminum body / 38mm S2C660 burr / 25g hopper → [Amazonで商品を見る](https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BYZ68QX5?tag=ps0036fr-22 ) ※アフィリエイトリンク ## 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. New coffee drinkers are unlikely to taste the difference. Experienced pour-over enthusiasts using light-roast single origins may detect slightly improved clarity in C3S cups. For everyday casual use, both produce excellent results. ## 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. TIMEMORE has positioned the C3S as its current flagship entry-level model. The original C3 is being sold through existing inventory and may no longer be available in new condition once current stock sells out. ## 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. **Pros** - C3S: Full-metal body means better long-term durability - C3S: 25g hopper handles two-cup servings more easily - C3S: ¥4,000 premium justified over grinder lifetime **Cons** - C3: Still excellent value if budget is under ¥8,000 - C3: Sufficient for first-time manual grinder buyers - C3: Lightweight and affordable as a travel backup ## 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. ### Editor's Recommended Coffee Services (PR) - **[HARIO 公式ネットショップ](https://px.a8.net/svt/ejp?a8mat=4B1CDL+GIS5YY+4XPI+5YRHE)** — V60ドリッパーで世界的に有名な老舗ガラスメーカー。公式ショップ限定商品も。 【V60の老舗】 ## Related Articles - [Manual vs Electric Coffee Grinder: How to Choose the Right One for You](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/coffee-grinder-manual-vs-electric-comparison-how-to-choose) - [TIMEMORE C3S Review — The Best Budget Manual Grinder Tested](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/timemore-c3s-review) - [Comandante C40 Review — The World's Best Manual Grinder Tested](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/comandante-c40-review) - [Flat Burr vs Conical Burr Grinder — What's the Difference?](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/flat-burr-vs-conical-burr-grinder-comparison) - [Porlex Coffee Grinder 2 Mini Review — Japan-Made Ceramic Grinder Tested](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/porlex-manual-grinder-review) --- *This is the markdown version for AI crawlers. Visit [https://coffee-guide.jp/en/gear/timemore-chestnut-c3-vs-c3s-comparison](https://coffee-guide.jp/en/gear/timemore-chestnut-c3-vs-c3s-comparison) for the full rendered article.*