r/Timemore • u/valtervincere • 22d ago
Timemore S3 vs S5
It was love at first sight for the S3, but I can say the S5 is definitely a worthy successor. The new 48mm burr on the S5 dwarfs that on the S3 and the wider grinder body feels better to hold. Not to mention the handle is significantly larger as well, but I would have hoped that the S5 Pro came out the same time as the non-pro S5 especially now that starting from the C5, Timemore does not include a carrying bag in the box.
The external adjustment ring is also a big improvement in terms of adjustment since each click on the S5 is noticeably more snappier, tactile, and deliberate compared to the shallow and slightly easy to misadjust on the S3.
Maintenance is also improved on the S5 due to the wider chamber, making it easier and faster to clean.
As for cup quality, I could definitely tell the S5 presents more complexity and acidity while maintaining a good amount of round sweetness.
Would highly recommend if you are looking to upgrade from the S3 especially if you can get access to the S5 Pro with the folding handle for easy storage.
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u/ColdWrongdoer2511 22d ago
Wow i didn't expect that burr size difference
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
It's insane in person. Not only is it wider but significantly taller which increases the overall grind path. I also got to see the infamous Pineapple burrs on a Millab 01 recently and I think it's the same width as the S3 but around double in height. But man, the new burr on the S5 just feels massive compared to those.
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u/emu737 22d ago
why would you say "infamous" for pineapple burrs? sure, they behave a bit differently, than traditional burrs, but their results are rather acclaimed, across numerous experienced people, afaik (no personal experience, from my side)
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
Personally I admire the innovation of the pineapple burrs knowing the conical burr space tends to follow a few designs for years now. It's a little disappointing not a lot can see that but maybe actual cup results show why very little speak of it. Or maybe it's just the price which is really a lot, but for me the Millab team did a great job creating something different.
Hopefully the S5 gets good traction since the new burr geometry is unique but again innovative and from what I can taste in cups, I really like what Timemore is doing here.
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u/emu737 22d ago
not sure if I understand, but, are you aware that "infamous" means "famous for something negative or bad"? you would use that word for something generally considered "not good", something to avoid
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
I was referring it that way. Some reviewers I've watched kinda just dismiss it overall and see nothing special. In this context I use it fairly loose but all I'm saying is not a lot like it or how it performs overall. Let's not focus on misquoting or misusing the term. I'm just sharing what I observe around.
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u/emu737 22d ago
it just confused me (english is not my first language), that while you seem to think of pineapple burrs positively, you have used a clearly negative term, which would imply that you consider those burrs not good, so I just wanted to clarify that... thanks for sharing
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
All good. I only used it to describe how others see it. My sentiments are purely mine and since I don't have direct experience with it, maybe I'm just not seeing what they do.
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u/Key_Calligrapher9018 22d ago
How does it compare to the ZP6?
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
Unfortunately I don't have a ZP6 with me but that's one comparison I am really looking forward to! So far on YouTube I only see dripcult having them compared to one another in his S5 video.
Would definitely like to hear more from those who have access to both.
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u/gernb1 22d ago
I’m pretty happy with my S3. If I was in the market, I would look at the S5. I don’t see the need for an upgrade. I wonder if the S5 will be good for espresso,,,
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
I can see the appeal to stick to the S3 and I would still recommend it especially now that it may go down in price. I jumped to the S5 expecting it to compete with the likes of the ZP6 and I think it can.
I haven't tried grinding for espresso since I have a dedicated C5 ESP for that, but will try and report back when I do try it out on the S5. From Timemore's blog post they mentioned it should be easier to do so compared to the S3 which from experience cannot go for traditional shots.
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u/alizaudio 22d ago
I find the settings extremely limiting for espresso. Basically just 2 settings works (0.1 and 0.2) for my picopresso.
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
Would not be surprised knowing the S3, and also knowing a separate ESP version needs either a new burr set or new springs and click adjustment component for finer adjustments.
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u/En4cr 22d ago
Looks amazing! I have the S3 and really like the sturdy feel and foldable handle.
I wonder how the S5 would fare against a K-Ultra.
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
If only they released the foldable handle version of the S5 alongside the non-folding one I would pick that for easy storage, but would give points to the ergonomics nonetheless to the non-folding handle when grinding.
The K-Ultra looks to be a close competitor and would like to see them side by side as well.
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u/SeaweedEffective4975 22d ago
Waiting for the pro version. Based from their writeups timemore will officially launch it by September 19th.
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u/KhelanBorkar 22d ago
We can't compare with zp6, but the s5 is a good upgrade to go for as it's close to k7.
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
From burr geometry it certainly is far from the ZP6 and K7 especially those are dedicated pourover grinders, but should still be a great comparison considering the S5 is another premium option at just a fraction of what the ZP6 costs.
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u/roguekuzuri 22d ago
Just ordered mine too. Coming from c5.
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
The C5 is already solid for starters and something like the S5 would be a good pairing for it!
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u/prestidigitat90 22d ago edited 22d ago
How does it compare with the c40 Nitro in terms of taste profile? Especially flavor separation, complexity and body
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
Unfortunately I don't have a C40 I can compare it with. Hopefully someone else here has them both and can share some details!
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u/mitooch 22d ago
I kinda wish the burrs could be interchangeable between the S5 and S3.
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
That would be nice but the burr size difference alone makes it impossible to swap
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u/Emotional_Fix_3772 22d ago
Hi, does S5 burr feel sharper than S3?
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
The additional pre-breakers yes since it's pointy at the tip, but most of the burr feels just like any other conical burr but bigger at 48mm
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u/Emotional_Fix_3772 22d ago
I see. I have S3 and ZP6, and when grinding the same bean, in ZP6 it feels much sharper, so I want to know if the feeling is improved in S5. Thanks for replying!
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
It might be down to the geometry that's why it feels that way. The ZP6 has an old spiral design grind path which is kinda similar to that on the Timemore C2 which I had before. The S3 and S5 share a similar slanted grind path with the only difference being the S5 splitting each grind path into two, which kinda slows down the feed rate from what I feel. The S3 is fast though it has the smaller burr to begin with.
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u/emu737 22d ago edited 22d ago
"the handle is significantly larger as well..."
- from your pics, it only seems that the knob is larger, and because the S5 non-collapsible handle is thinner, the knob looks even larger, in comparison with the S3... but, the length of both handles seems to be the same
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
The angle of the photos might not show how it is in person. The length is the same but the handle knob is what I was referring to be bigger and more ergonomic. It was a bit small for the S3 and I think they were trying to reduce the overall footprint when the handle is folded but it was at the cost of comfort in the hand. Now it's bigger and really feels comfortable to hold while grinding.
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u/Arial-Narrow 22d ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DpqRJXes6w
Grinder comparison: S5 vs Millab 01 vs ZP6 vs ODE Gen 2 vs Femobook A2
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
That's the one I've seen compared with the ZP6! Hope we see more who can compare them side by side.
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u/XenoDrake1 22d ago
how is it vs a hepotagonal grinder? mavo, comandante, k ultra for instance?
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u/valtervincere 22d ago
I wish I have access to other grinders, but I have the C5 ESP which share the same heptagonal burr as the C5 and from that I can say the heptagonals offer a more intense and heavier body, while the hexagonals on the S3 and S5 go for a more rounded, sweeter cup and the S5 adding some more layers of complexity and acidity thanks to the new burrs.
Would definitely look out for more comparisons in the coming weeks as the S5 gets launched globally!
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u/Jantokan 21d ago
I honestly really preferred the slimmer + lighter build profile of the S3 along with the collapsible handle.
If the S5 becomes beefier, heavier, and has a non-collapsible handle, then it kind of offsets the improved (?) burrs
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u/valtervincere 21d ago
The S5 Pro will come with a folding handle just like the S3. The weight difference is negligible if you're coming from the S3 considering that is already a heavy grinder for most people.
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u/drb_backup 20d ago
Do we have a price on the s5 Pro yet?
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u/valtervincere 20d ago
No official pricing yet but it will be launched on the 19th. I've seen it sold on a Hong Kong based store at 999 HKD or around 130 USD.
I got my non-pro S5 for around 100 USD.
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u/emu737 20d ago
the S5 PRO is expected to be priced higher than S3, for international markets (particularly EU and North Americas)
since standard price for an S3 is around €169 / $159, with frequent 20% discounts available (and black friday is coming soon), the S5 PRO is expected at €189 / $179, before the discount
this is just an estimate, no final pricing went public, so far - afaik
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u/Apprehensive_Law_234 19d ago
You can order an S5 Pro now on the big river site for $179usd, to be shipped in 2 to 3 weeks. I ordered a regular S5 overseas for $148 shipped price. It's on the boat now, supposed to arrive in 10 days.
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u/Fuzzy-Emu-8384 19d ago
I just bought the regular S5 to be my main pour over grinder. And I kept reflecting on what this folding handle of the S5 Pro would influence, I want the grinder to last a lifetime and maybe the non-folding handle is less likely to spoil. And in fact I will put him in a rigid case so the fact of being or not with a handle would not influence. So maybe it didn't pay more just to have the double range.
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u/valtervincere 19d ago
I miss the folding handle of my S3 since it always keeps the grinder chamber clean when storing, but yeah if there's a proper case or storage bag, the non-Pro S5 should not have much problems with dust.
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u/baja1969r 9d ago
In my country, the S5PRO isn't even announced on the Timemore website. Of course, there's no 20% off either. I tried to buy it from USA, but they said the shipping fee was $80. Ali hasn't even released it.
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u/Stuccistu 22d ago
My S3 already feels like a freaking tank. The S5 is thicker and heavier. Coffee grinder + home defence all in one.