Timemore S3 ESP Review: Espresso-Focused Manual Grinder
The Timemore S3 ESP is a major step forward from the original Timemore S3. The S3 was a fantastic pour-over grinder, but hopeless at espresso — so Timemore listened to user feedback and built a version purpose-built for espresso.
Full disclosure: this grinder was sent to me by Timemore for review. That said, my approach remains the same: an honest, thorough assessment of both strengths and weaknesses.
From S3 to S3 ESP: what changed?
The S3: a pour-over specialist
In my Timemore S3 review, I found a grinder that was outstanding for pour-over but completely unsuitable for espresso. The S3 was built from the ground up for filter methods (V60, Chemex, French Press), with burr geometry calibrated for medium to coarse grinds — making espresso-fine grinding simply impossible.
Timemore's answer: the S3 ESP
Taking user feedback on board, Timemore developed the S3 ESP to address this gap directly. This espresso-focused version looks visually identical to the S3, but uses different burrs and a recalibrated adjustment system optimized for fine grinding.
Timemore S3 ESP Specifications
The Timemore S3 ESP shares its foundation with the S3, with targeted upgrades for espresso:
- All-aluminum body
- Espresso-optimized burrs
- Precise external adjustment
- Ball bearings with 5 µm tolerance
- Retractable handle
What's in the box
The Timemore S3 ESP ships with:
- Coffee grinder
- Cleaning brush
- User manual
- Protective pouch
Design and Build Quality
Feel and Finishes
The S3 ESP carries over the excellent design of the S3. The all-aluminum body feels genuinely great in hand, with engraved grooves that provide a secure, confident grip. This matters more than you might think for espresso: the fine grind generates real torque when cranking, and those grooves stop the grinder from slipping.
The metal Timemore logo insert is a nice detail that reinforces the premium feel of the whole package.
The Retractable Handle
The retractable handle is one of Timemore's signature features. Unlike competitors like the 1Zpresso J-Ultra, Timemore's handle lies perfectly flush against the grinder body when folded in.
The handle is fully metal with ball bearings. The built-in aluminum cap doubles as a guide, with the recommended adjustment ranges printed on the inside. A rubber stop prevents metal-on-metal contact with the grinder body.
The wide opening at the top makes loading beans quick and easy.
Adjustment System and Burrs
The S3 ESP uses an external adjustment ring with 90 clicks, each step moving 0.015 mm — fine enough for dialing in espresso with real precision. Crucially, this grinder uses completely different burrs from the S3: optimized for fine grinds (espresso), where the S3's burrs were designed for coarse grinds (pour-over).
Recommended settings by brew method:
Recommended settings:
- Espresso1 to 25 clicks
- Moka10 to 35 clicks
- Pour Over50 to 80 clicks
- French Press80 to 90 clicks
These settings are indicative and may vary depending on your coffee and preferences.
Find the Timemore S3 ESP on the official Timemore website.
Grounds Container and Top Opening
A well-thought-out container
The aluminum container threads securely onto the grinder body. Its straight inner walls minimize coffee retention. It's worth noting that Timemore's latest model, the Timemore Millab M01, moved to a bayonet click-lock system (one-eighth turn), but the S3 ESP keeps the classic threaded system — reliable and solid.
The rubber base protects the countertop from scratches.
Maintenance and Disassembly
Taking the S3 ESP apart is straightforward — no tools needed:
- Unscrew the lower adjustment ring to free the central shaft
- Pull out the shaft and the upper burr
- Brush away any coffee residue with the included brush
- Reassemble in reverse order
The whole process takes under five minutes. I recommend a full clean roughly once a month with daily espresso use.
In-Cup Performance
Espresso: finally, an S3 that delivers
This is where the S3 ESP sets itself completely apart from its predecessor. Where the S3 fell flat, the S3 ESP shines.
Grinding 18g of coffee takes roughly 45–50 seconds — genuinely impressive for a hand grinder dedicated to espresso.
Grind consistency is exceptional — uniform and even. The adjustment dialed in an extraction of 25–30 seconds with stable pressure around 9 bars without any fuss.
In the cup, the S3 ESP delivers on its promise. Espressos are full-bodied, with thick, lasting crema and a complex aromatic profile. The balanced extraction brings out well-defined notes of fruit and chocolate, with a long, satisfying finish.
As always, I use the RDT technique to cut down on static and retention during grinding.
Pour-over and filter coffee
Though built for espresso, the S3 ESP holds up surprisingly well for filter methods too. To get a fair comparison between the S3 and S3 ESP, I ran both through my Xbloom — an automatic pour-over machine that removes all variables by running an identical recipe (same temperature, flow rate, and pouring profile).
I used the Standout Double Bloom recipe, which I find particularly flattering for my coffee. It produces crystal-clear extractions with high aromatic definition, making even subtle differences between grinders easy to spot.
Results: the S3 remains slightly better than the S3 ESP for pour-over, with a touch more aromatic clarity. That said, the S3 ESP holds its own impressively well, producing excellent filter coffee — the gap is subtle enough that only the most trained palates would notice.
The S3 ESP offers genuine versatility: outstanding espresso performance, while still being a very capable filter grinder. It can handle your daily needs across the board — though if pour-over is your primary brew method, the classic S3 remains the purer choice.
Conclusion
The Timemore S3 ESP is the update we were all waiting for. Where the S3 excelled at pour-over but couldn't touch espresso, the S3 ESP nails espresso while remaining a perfectly competent filter grinder — even if that's not its primary calling.
It's a grinder I genuinely enjoy using: the design is gorgeous (that camera-lens aesthetic is something else), it's a pleasure to use every day, and the results in the cup are excellent. As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the best hand grinders for espresso on the market right now.
- Premium all-metal construction
- Excellent ergonomics
- Retractable crank
- Espresso-optimized burrs
- Outstanding grind consistency
- Genuine versatility
- Minimal retention
- Tool-free disassembly
- Easy to clean
- Strong value for money
- Slightly pricier than the standard S3
Disclosure: this grinder was sent to me by Timemore for review. My evaluation is entirely independent — I highlight both the strengths and any weaknesses, based solely on real-world use with no commercial influence.