Millab M01 Review: Timemore’s Answer to High-End Coffee Grinders

Timemore Millab M01 Review: Precision, Performance, and Market Standing

Introduction: About Timemore Millab M01 Review

As a coffee blogger over the years, I’ve seen the coffee world evolve from a simple brew to a complex art form. At the heart of this evolution is the grinder, the unsung hero of every coffee ritual.  In the world of specialty coffee, a well-built grinder can transform an ordinary cup into something memorable, while a poor one can ruin even the best beans. The Timemore Millab M01 is Timemore’s latest leap into the premium manual grinder market.

Unlike their value-driven models (like the Timemore C2), the Millab M01 armed with precision machining, premium build and a competitive price tag is clearly marketed as a high-precision hand grinder built for enthusiasts, it officially enters a competitive arena populated by well-respected players like Comandante MK4, 1Zpresso J-Max, Knock Aergrind, and Baratza Sette series.  

But how does the Millab M01 hold up under real-world use? Can it justify its premium positioning? 

About this Review

This review provides a comprehensive, fact-based evaluation of the Timemore Millab M01 hand grinder, designed for professional coffee enthusiasts and advanced home brewers. I have made the analysis follows a structured assessment framework for high-end manual grinders, examining core performance metrics such as grind uniformity, adjustment precision, grinding efficiency, retention rate, ergonomics, and maintenance requirements.

By integrating empirical testing outcomes with comparative benchmarks, this review seeks to establish a clear and quantifiable basis for evaluating the Millab M01’s overall value proposition.

Timemore x Millab M01 Specification:

First Impressions: A Blend of Industrial Precision and Modern Aesthetics

The first thing you notice with the Millab M01 is how solid and robust it feels. It is engineered with a clear emphasis on durability and modern aesthetics. At its core sits a set of 44 mm Pineapple Conical Burrs (SUS420 stainless steel), housed within a precision-machined body. These burrs feature a distinctive “pineapple” geometry, designed to slice beans more efficiently and improve grind uniformity compared to standard conical sets. The whole unit has a reassuring heft, heavier than Timemore’s earlier grinders, but in a way that feels deliberate. This ensures stability during grinding. The unit demonstrates tight tolerances and a premium industrial finish, positioning it well above Timemore’s entry-level models such as the C2.

Aesthetics: Sleek, minimalist and aligned with Timemore’s modern design philosophy. It wouldn’t look out of place on a coffee bar next to a high-end espresso machine.
Weight & size: Closer to a Comandante than a lightweight travel grinder. It’s not pocket-friendly, but that extra heft adds stability while grinding.
Materials: SUS420 stainless steel pineapple burrs, anodized metal housing, and a wood-accented handle.
Handle: Smooth wood knob, comfortable grip, and long enough to reduce strain.

The physical construction and sexy industrial design reflects Timemore’s intention to move beyond entry-level equipment and establish a credible presence in the premium segment. I must give this industrial design a thumb up!

The Heart of the Matter: Grind Uniformity and Particle Distribution

Why Grind Uniformity Matters

Grind uniformity is the single most critical factor that determines the quality of your coffee. It’s the difference between a balanced, flavorful cup and one that’s bitter, sour, or watery. Too many fines (ultra-small particles) yield bitterness, while excessive boulders (large particles) produce sourness and thin body. Grind consistency is where good grinders separate themselves from average ones. 

In my experience, a grinder’s ability to produce a unimodal grind, where most particles fall within a narrow, desired size range, is the hallmark of excellence. This type of tight particle distribution always associated with premium grinder, which can in turn improve flavor clarity significantly. 

The Millab M01’s Burr Performance

At the center of the M01 is a set of 44 mm Pineapple Conical Burrs (SUS420 stainless steel). Unlike traditional conical designs that are often critiqued for bimodal distribution, the pineapple geometry introduces a taller cutting surface and a more aggressive slicing action. This approach reduces fines, narrows the spread of particle sizes, and effectively brings some of the clarity benefits often associated with flat burrs into a conical form. Think of the pineapple burr as a hybrid between flat and conical — aiming to combine the clarity of one with the ergonomics of the other. Timemore emphasizes that these burrs are five-axis CNC machined for precision, which helps maintain consistent alignment and repeatable grind quality.

Testing across brewing ranges shows that the Timemore Millab M01 delivers competitive performance across a wide spectrum of brew methods.

• Espresso Range (200–350 µm): The M01 produces grinds suitably fine for traditional 9-bar extractions. When paired with machines such as the Lelit Bianca, washed Ethiopian espressos have been reported to yield syrupy body and bright acidity, with results comparable to the Comandante. While the stepped adjustment system is intuitive, its increments are slightly broader than those on espresso-focused grinders. It’s not as micro-precise as a 1Zpresso J-Max, but it remains more than capable for home espresso and delivers balanced shots with only a minor presence of fines.
• Pour-over Range (600–800 µm): In pour-over methods like the V60, the M01 shows its strongest performance. With coffees such as Kenya AA, the resulting cups display excellent clarity, layered sweetness, and balanced acidity – qualities often associated with high-end hand grinders like the Comandante MK4. The pineapple burr geometry appears to contribute here by reducing fines and tightening the particle spread, making it well-suited for brewers who value nuance and repeatability.
• Immersion & Coarse Range (1000–1500 µm): At coarser settings such as French press and cold brew, the M01 maintains solid and consistent performance. When brewing a Colombia in French press, users often note a few extra fines sneaking in. This slight uptick in fines – compared to immersion-oriented grinders like the Knock Aergrind, may contribute to a heavier body and a touch more sediment. For cold brew, however, the difference is negligible, with smooth and consistent extractions reported across multiple brews.

Bottom line: the M01 is more than capable across brew methods, but if you’re a pour-over fan, you’ll appreciate the sweet spot it hits.

In practice, what this means is that your pour-overs will taste clean and vibrant, and your espresso will be solid enough to satisfy most home setups. For its class, the M01 absolutely holds its ground.

When benchmarked, the M01 is positioned close to the Comandante MK4 in pour-over performance and ahead of Timemore’s own mid-range grinders. Compared to 1Zpresso J-Max, the M01 feels slightly smoother in grind distribution for pour-over, though J-Max has an edge in micro-adjustments for espresso.

A Closer Look at the Millab M01 Pineapple Burr Set

To truly evaluate the M01, we need to move beyond subjective taste tests and look at the data. The goal for an ideal grind is to have a low Coefficient of Variation (CoV), a measure of particle size dispersion. For pour-over coffee, you’re looking for a D50 (median particle size) between 600-800 microns. For espresso, it’s a much tighter 212-350 microns. The M01’s ability to produce consistent grinds across this spectrum is its ultimate test.

The unique strength of the M01 lies in its 44 mm Pineapple Conical Burrs. Unlike standard conical burrs, which often produce a bimodal particle distribution, the pineapple geometry introduces taller cutting edges and deeper grooves. This design slices beans more cleanly, resulting in fewer ultra-fines and a narrower spread of particle sizes. The effect is a grind profile that edges closer to the clarity typically associated with flat burrs, while retaining the efficiency and ergonomics of a conical design.

Managing fines is the biggest challenge for any conical grinder. While a small percentage of fines can contribute to body and texture, excess fines clog the filter bed and cause channeling – leading to over-extraction and bitterness. Thanks to its pineapple geometry and five-axis CNC machining precision, the M01 significantly reduces this issue. In testing, and confirmed by multiple user reports, the M01 produces noticeably fewer fines than traditional conical burr grinders at similar settings, especially in the pour-over range.

Grind Size & Brewing Method Reference

Here’s a quick summary guide to what the M01 should be capable of based on typical brewing methods:

Note: These are general guidelines. Your ideal setting will depend on your beans and personal taste.

Rethinking Conical Burrs

In a world dominated by brands touting flat burr superiority, the Millab M01 makes a bold statement. Its 44 mm Pineapple Conical Burrs directly challenge the long-standing notion that conical burrs are inherently inferior in grind uniformity. The innovative geometry reduces fines, tightens particle distribution, and delivers clarity that rivals many flat burr grinders.

Its value proposition is simple: enjoy the speed and ergonomic ease of a conical grinder, without the usual compromises in grind quality. With the M01, Timemore has blurred the line between conical convenience and flat burr precision.

Dialing In Perfection: Adjustment Precision and Usability

A great grinder isn’t just about the burrs; it’s about the control you have over them. The M01’s stepped adjustment mechanism is where it truly shines for the home user. It offers a precise and repeatable way to navigate the world of grind sizes.

The Millab M01’s Adjustment System

The M01 features a clear, tactile dial that clicks into place with each adjustment. This stepped adjustment system with clearly defined and numbered clicks provides a significant advantage over stepless or unmarked grinders, especially for new users. This design allows for repeatable settings, reducing guesswork and making it easier for users to maintain consistent brewing recipes. It allows you to easily recall and reproduce a successful setting.

Compared to Comandante’s unnumbered clicks, this is far more intuitive, especially for anyone juggling different brew methods frequently. Want to switch from pour-over to espresso? Simply count the clicks and you’re there.

However, the real test of this system is its consistency. Does each click correspond to a uniform change in burr gap? In my experience, yes. The Millab M01’s mechanism feels solid, with no noticeable play or ‘give.’ This mechanical stability is crucial for achieving consistent results day after day.

In short, M01’s Numbered Steps Adjustment System:

• Accessibility: Unlike Comandante’s “clicks without numbers” philosophy (which requires intuition and practice), the Millab M01’s numbered scale lowers the learning curve.
• Each click corresponds to a consistent change in burr spacing, meaning users can track and repeat recipes easily.
• From my own use, I feel that for pour-over and immersion, the Millab M01’s resolution is excellent and repeatable.
• However, it does not comes with no limitation: For espresso, the steps are slightly wider than the 1Zpresso J-Max, which means dialing in that ultra-fine sweet spot takes a bit more back-and-forth. Therefore at ultra-fine levels, I feel that the J-Max’s 8.8 micron-per-click resolution remains superior for espresso specialists.
• Still, the Millab M01 provides a balanced combination of precision and usability, making it highly effective for multi-method brewing. For everyday brewing, I found the M01’s system refreshingly easy. I could switch from a V60 setting to AeroPress and back again without losing my original reference point. In short, it provides confidence and repeatability, which matters far more than ultra-fine calibration most won’t exploit.

Grinding Efficiency & Ergonomics

Ergonomics for the Everyday User

Beyond the clicks, the M01’s ergonomics are a testament to thoughtful design. The handle provides a good balance of length and leverage, making the grinding process surprisingly effortless. The handle grip is comfortable, with a wood knob that rotates freely.

The body’s weight and shape feel substantial in the hand, contributing to a sense of quality and control, though small-handed users may find it wide compared to slim travel-oriented grinders like the Aergrind.

For the home user, usability is paramount. The M01’s straightforward design means less time fiddling with settings and more time enjoying your coffee. The overall feel is closer to a Comandante MK4 – solid, deliberate, and satisfying.

Its ability to effortlessly grind a wide range of coffee beans, from dense, light roasts to oily, dark roasts: makes it a versatile workhorse for any home brewing setup.

Speed and Effort

Grinding speed and comfort matter, especially for daily use. Nobody wants to wrestle with a stubborn grinder every morning.

• Speed: Grinding speed performance is influenced by burr geometry, handle leverage and ergonomics. The Millab M01 delivers approximately 1 gram per second at medium grind levels. That’s around 20–25 seconds for a V60 dose, fast enough not to be a chore.
• Effort: The long handle, balanced weight distribution and hefty build make grinding surprisingly smooth. It requires noticeably less torque than entry-level grinders like the C2.
• Feel: There’s a satisfying “low crunch” sound when grinding—less rattly than cheaper models. It feels like a premium tool, not a compromise.
• After years of cranking different grinders, I can say the M01 lands in that sweet spot of being efficient but still enjoyable as part of the ritual.

Actual Usage

• Speed: At about 1 gram per second, it took me 22 seconds to grind 20g of beans for a V60. That’s competitive with the Comandante MK4 and much faster than the C2.
• Effort: Grinding 18g for an espresso dose required some muscle, but the long handle made it manageable. For filter, it felt almost effortless.
• Feel: There’s a smooth, low crunch to the grinding, no rattling, no resistance spikes.

With years of daily grinding experience, I can say the M01 feels like a tool you won’t get tired of using. It’s quick enough to fit into a morning routine without turning it into an arm workout.

Noise & Ritual

Hand grinders are never silent, but the Millab M01 produces a low, controlled crunch that feels more pleasant than rattly entry-level grinders. It enhances the morning ritual rather than feeling like a chore.

Retention and Maintenance

Low Retention Design

Grind retention, the amount of coffee stuck in the grinder after use, may sound minor, but it directly impacts flavor consistency and waste, thus in fact is a major concern for coffee enthusiasts. Old, leftover coffee can become stale and impart off-flavors to your next brew. A low-retention grinder ensures that you’re only brewing with freshly ground coffee.

The Millab M01 excels here. Its streamlined design and well-thought-out exit path mean very little coffee gets stuck in the burr chamber. A few taps after grinding, and the vast majority of the coffee grounds are in the catch cup.

In a repeated tests and sharing from the community, the Millab M01 left only about 0.1–0.2g per dose. That’s excellent, on par with the Comandante MK4 and something I’d only expect from a top-tier hand grinder.

This efficiency not only saves you money in the long run but also guarantees the flavor consistency of every brew.

Cleaning

The grinder features an accessible burr chamber that allows for straightforward cleaning. I did a full teardown after two weeks of heavy use. The grinder is easy to disassemble: the top cap and burr set can be detached quickly,  and brushing out the burr chamber took under five minutes. IMHO: Routine brushing and occasional full disassembly will maintain optimal performance.

Durability

The stainless steel burrs show minimal wear even with heavy use. No signs of burr wear after 2kg of beans, and the internal mechanics still felt smooth. This is definitely a grinder built to last.

Conclusion: Low retention + easy maintenance means you can trust it for consistent daily brewing without fuss. Great for long-term use. 

The Ultimate Showdown: Timemore Millab M01 vs. The Competition and Market Positioning

The Millab M01 isn’t designed to be a budget pick, it’s positioned as the premium enthusiast grinder, targeting those who want high-end performance without stepping into the complexity (and cost) of electric flat burr machines.

So, where does the Millab M01 stand in a crowded market? It’s not just competing with other hand grinders; it’s also up against electric grinders and its own siblings. Let’s break down its position:

The table below summaries where the Millab M01 sit in the current grinder landscape against it’s competitors.

Buy Timemore x Millab M01 Coffee Grinder Here:  

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Millab M01?

The Timemore Millab M01 is not just another hand grinder，it’s Timemore’s bid to join the upper echelon of enthusiast grinders. With a careful balance of engineering precision, ergonomic comfort, and aesthetic appeal, it succeeds in positioning itself as a credible alternative to Comandante and 1Zpresso.

• If you’re a filter-first brewer (V60, Chemex, French Press) who occasionally enjoys espresso, the M01 is a superb choice. It delivers clarity and balance that rivals the Comandante. My experience: on a V60, it gave me one of the cleanest Kenyan brews I’ve had this year; bright, juicy, and well-layered. And on a French press, it produced a hearty, full-bodied cup, though with a touch more sediment than my Aergrind.
• On espresso, it pulled shots with balance and sweetness, though not quite as dial-in precise as the J-Max. If you’re an espresso purist chasing the last micron of precision, the 1Zpresso J-Max might still serve you better. 
• If you want heritage and cult status, Comandante remains king. But if you value modern design + usability at a slightly lower price, the Millab M01 is an attractive rival.

For me, Timemore Millab M01 is one of those grinders that slots perfectly into the needs of most serious home brewers. It delivers premium grind consistency, excellent ergonomics, and an adjustment system that takes the guesswork out of dialing in. It hits a sweet spot: it makes the daily ritual efficient, precise, and enjoyable. And that, in the end, is what a grinder should do—help you make better coffee, more consistently, with less fuss.

Who & Who

Who it’s for:

• Pour-over lovers who want clarity and repeatability.
• Home brewers upgrading from entry-level grinders like the C2.
• Anyone who values a balance of usability and premium grind performance.

Who it’s not for:

• Hardcore espresso purists chasing ultra-fine adjustments.
• Travelers looking for compact, lightweight grinders.

Final Verdict: The Timemore Millab M01 is not just Timemore’s best grinder yet, it’s a legitimate rival to the Comandante MK4 and other premium players. It successfully bridges the gap between accessibility and precision. It doesn’t just compete with the heavyweights, but it earns its place among them. For most brewers, it delivers a daily grind that feels as good as it tastes.

If you’re ready to graduate from entry-level grinders like the C2 and want something that will stay with you for years, the M01 is one of the best options on the market today.

Pros & Cons of the Timemore Millab M01

Pros ✅

• Premium build quality with a sleek design
• 44 mm Pineapple Conical Burrs-tighter particle distribution, fewer fines, and clarity closer to flat burr grinders.
• Excellent grind consistency across brewing styles, especially for pour-over
• Numbered adjustment dial makes settings easy to track
• Fast and smooth grinding with minimal effort
• Very low retention (~0.1–0.2g per dose)
• Competitive price compared to Comandante MK4

Cons ❌

• Micro-Adjustment steps not fine enough for ultra-precise espresso dialing
• Heavier and bulkier, not ideal for travel
• Slightly more fines at coarse settings compared to Aergrind

 

The Millab M01’s Value Proposition

The Timemore Millab M01 marks a clear step into the premium tier of manual grinders, where engineering precision meets ergonomic design and modern aesthetics. It strikes an impressive balance between usability and performance, consistently delivering grind quality across espresso, pour-over, and immersion methods. For enthusiasts who want a versatile yet refined hand grinder, the M01 stands out as both a logical upgrade and a milestone in Timemore’s product evolution.

At its heart is the 44 mm Pineapple Conical Burr set, designed to reduce fines and tighten particle distribution compared to standard conical burrs. The result is grind clarity that approaches flat-burr territory while retaining the smoothness, speed, and intuitive feel that conical grinders are celebrated for.

Combine that with its repeatable click adjustment system, ergonomic wood-accented handle, and sleek industrial design, and the M01 becomes more than a tool — it’s an investment in elevating your daily coffee ritual. Whether you’re pulling syrupy espressos on a 9-bar machine or chasing nuanced clarity in a V60, the Millab M01 consistently delivers at a level that matches its premium positioning.

For anyone serious about their craft, the Timemore Millab M01 isn’t just another option- it’s one of the most compelling hand grinders you can buy today.

Buy Timemore x Millab M01 Coffee Grinder Here: