1Zpresso is now considered in some corners to be the Apple company of manual coffee grinders. 1Zpresso grinders are elegant, effective, and affordable. They are a company that evidently strives for excellence, and continually seeks to improve. Every year they are releasing new hand grinders, updating others, and discontinuing older models.
For some time now they have been a company to keep your eye on and that is becoming only more evident. Many of their grinders make it onto the lists of the best manual hand grinders. It can, however, be hard to keep up with and to get your head around which series and which grinder in each series is the actual grinder you are looking for.
That is why we have written this article. We want to guide you to the best 1Zpresso grinders to buy in 2023. So let’s get into it!
About 1Zpresso
Don’t worry if you aren’t overly familiar with 1Zpresso; this company is relatively new to the coffee scene, established in 2017. They are based in Taiwan and were started by a group of coffee-loving engineers. A good start, right?
The company focuses on manual coffee grinders and has quickly become a prominent player in the specialty coffee community. Their hand grinders are among some of the best on the market and are mainly known for their speed, precision, grind quality, and affordability.
Don’t be fooled by the lack of proper English on their website and manuals- this company knows what it is doing when it comes to grinding. You want a 1Zpresso grinder in your coffee kit!
1Zpresso K Ultra
Best 1Zpresso Grinder
The 1Zpresso K Ultra is the best all-round grinder. It has large 48mm burrs, fast grinding speeds, and a simple adjustment system that is easy to use and capable of grinding for both espresso and pour-over.
1Zpresso Grinder Comparison
1Zpresso Q-Series: Q2 S
The 1Zpresso Q2 S is the cheapest of the 1Zpresso grinders and is intended for travel. As such, it does have a few quirks that the other grinders don’t have. The Q2 is lightweight and durable, being made from high-grade aluminum. Its compact size means it fits snugly in an Aeropress plunger, which is a handy feature. The S model also comes with a new foldable handle, making it even more compact. Being a portable grinder, it does have a smaller 20-gram capacity, making it ideal for single servings of coffee.
The 1Zpresso Q2 has 38mm stainless conical burrs. There are two different burr types available:
Unsurprisingly, the 1Zpresso Q2 is the slowest of all the grinders, given the smaller (and less aggressive) burr set. The Q2 has a stepped internal adjustment system, common to hand grinders, which requires you to remove the catch cup and keep the handle attached to change the grind size. The grind adjustment has 30 clicks per rotation and a total of 90 grind settings, with each click moving the burr by 25 microns.
The narrow grind range means the Q2 can comfortably grind for most manual brewing methods but doesn’t offer much scope for dialing in espresso.
Who Is The 1Zpresso Q2 S For?
The 1Zpresso Q2 S is best suited to someone looking for a lightweight hand grinder for travel.
1Zpresso X-Series
1Zpresso X-Pro
Best Travel Grinder
The 1Zpresso X-Pro is a newer grinder from 1Zpresso and is basically a superior version of the Q2. The grinder features the same heptagonal burrs as the Q2 (albeit slightly larger) and a compact and lightweight build suitable for travel. The grinder itself is tall and slim making it easier to grip when grinding. It has a few nice features like the frosted lid found on the more expensive models and a rubber grip on the base but still incorporates a screw-on catch cup. The X-Pro is the most basic model in the lineup, while the X-Pro S is decked out with the new foldable handle.
Where the X-Pro really stands out is with the grind adjustment system. The X-Pro has the external grind dial found on the more expensive models which makes it simple and convenient to adjust the grind size. There are 60 settings per rotation and four full rotations giving around 240 grind settings. Each click moves the burr by 12.5 microns. The huge grind range means the X-Pro can be used for both espresso and pour-over. The only downside is there is no reference to which rotation you are on. The X-Pro produces consistent grinds, particularly at the medium to fine level. The smaller burrs do mean that it takes longer to grind with.
Who Is The 1Zpresso X-Pro For?
The 1Zpresso X-Pro is a superb multi-purpose grinder. It can comfortably grind for both espresso and pour over, however, the small burrs mean grinding for espresso takes longer. While it is by no means the best manual grinder in the 1Zpresso lineup, if you are looking for a filter grinder on a budget the X-Pro is an excellent choice.
1Zpresso X-Ultra
The 1Zpresso X-Ultra is the latest release in the X-Series. This grinder has the same features as the more basic X-Pro model, with a few design updates. The X-Ultra is available in a range of sleek colors and comes with a magnetic catch cup rather than the more basic screw-on one. In addition, the grinder comes with a carry case and cleaning brush and blower to help maintain the burrs.
Who Is The 1Zpresso X-Pro For?
The X-Ultra is not going to perform any better than the X-Pro however it is more aesthetically pleasing. If you want the option of a colored grinder or the convenience of a magnetic catch cup or are planning on traveling a lot you might want to consider upgrading to the X-Ultra.
1Zpresso J-Series: J, JX-Pro S, J-Max S
1Zpresso J
Best Grinder for Manual Brewing
The 1Zpresso J is their most popular grinder, and the main reason for this is that it offers superb value for money. The J out-competes all other grinders in this price range and provides the most affordable way to get into specialty coffee.
The 1Zpresso J is a stunning grinder that is well-built and offers superb grind consistency. Inside are an impressive set of 48mm steel burrs. The J shares a similar internal grind adjustment system to the Q2, only with a wider range of settings. The stepped adjustment dial offers 30 clicks per rotation and a total of 120 grind settings covering anything from Espresso to French press. Each step moves the burr by 25 microns. While the J can grind fine enough for espresso, the larger steps mean there is a narrow window of grind settings to dial in.
Another advantage of the 1Zpresso J is that it is a very fast grinder, thanks to the large burrs. It quickly chews through beans but requires a lot of strength to turn the crank, especially if you grind at the fine end of the spectrum. This grinder is well suited for manual brewing but also capable of grinding for espresso.
Who Is The 1Zpresso J For?
The 1Zpresso J is ideal for the brewer looking to get into specialty coffee.
1Zpresso JX Pro S
The 1Zpresso JX Pro S is very similar to its younger brother, the J. It shares the same 48mm steel burrs and a very similar build. The main difference between the two grinders is the grind adjustment system. The adjustment dial on the JX Pro S is located externally, on the top of the grinder, rather than underneath. This makes it quick and easy to adjust grind settings.
The top adjustment system is also more precise, with 40 clicks per rotation and over 200 grind settings. Each click moves the burr by 12.5 microns, offering the micro-adjustments required to dial in for espresso. This, combined with the fact that the burrs lend themselves to fine grinds, makes this grinder well-suited for espresso and filter brewing.
While the JX Pro S is a fast grinder, surprisingly, it is not quite as fast as the J. This is likely due to slightly different hoppers and a slower feed rate.
Who Is The 1Zpresso JX Pro S For?
The 1Zpresso JX Pro S is harder to recommend now that the J Max and K Max have been released. It is a versatile grinder that can perform well for espresso and filter brewing and is a good option if you are looking for a versatile grinder at a more affordable price.
1Zpresso J Max
Best Espresso Grinder
The J Max is one of the latest releases from 1Zpresso and is a hand grinder that is really aimed at espresso. If you are considering the 1Zpresso JX Pro because of its ability to grind for espresso, IMO it’s worth paying the extra $30 and upgrading to the J Max. So let’s see why.
The J Max has a few premium features that the other J-Series grinders don’t have. Like the other grinders, it is well-built with an ergonomic design and a longer handle that is easier to rotate. It also has an anti-static burr cap which helps reduce static and thus coffee retention. The grinder comes with a magnetic catch cup which is easy to attach and detach, improving workflow. Finally, the J Max also comes with a travel case, cleaning brush, and air blower. All of these little features make everyday use simpler and a more pleasing experience.
The J Max has 48mm titanium-coated burrs. This coating extends the lifespan of the burrs, which is helpful if you are constantly grinding fine for espresso. Geometry-wise, the burrs have been slightly updated from the JX and JX Pro burrs. These burrs are supposed to be more espresso-focused, producing more fines and thus a complex brew. In reality, though, all the J-series grinders produce a similar flavor profile, excellent for those who love traditional dark roast espresso. The J Max grinds at a similar speed to the JX Pro.
The other key difference in the J Max is the external grind adjustment system. This is the same system employed by the K-series grinders. Basically, it is a ring at the top of the grinder with nine numbers for reference and 90 clicks per rotation. Each click moves the burr by a minuscule 8.8 microns. This system gives incredible precision for dialing in espresso and offers a huge range of grind settings- around 400! The downside of this system is that it is difficult to switch between grind settings for different brew methods as it requires several rotations of the dial.
All in all, the 1Zpresso J Max is easy to use and at the top of its game when it comes to grinding for espresso.
Who Is The 1Zpresso J Max For?
The 1Zpresso J Max is an excellent choice for the espresso enthusiast looking for a budget espresso grinder. Compared to electric grinders, the J Max offers superb value for money.
1Zpresso K-Series: K Pro, K Max, K Plus, K Ultra
All the K-Series grinders share the same burr set and grind adjustment system (except the K Ultra), which we will cover below. The models do have some differences in design and build and thus price.
Burrs
The K-series grinders all have the same stainless steel 48mm burrs. This K burr is a heptagonal conical burr that performs well over various brewing methods but excels in the medium-fine to medium-coarse range. Given this, the K-series grinders are more pour-over focused with excellent grind consistency that produces clean, bright brews. Given that all the grinders share the same burrs, you can expect the same grind quality and flavor profile from all the grinders.
Grind Adjustment
Like the J Max, the K-series grinders have an external grind adjustment ring. The ring is marked with nine numbers and has 90 clicks per rotation. Each click moves the burr by 22 microns. While it has larger steps, the nice thing about this is that all the available grind settings are on a single rotation, making it simple and intuitive to switch between grind settings.
While the K-series grinders are geared towards pour-over, they can brew espresso and produce some delicious shots. This is the grinder for you if you like modern espresso, light roasts, and brewing outside the bounds. The grind adjustment system just doesn’t offer the fine precision of the JX Pro or J Max.
So now, let’s dig into the differences between the three models.
1Zpresso K Pro
The 1Zpresso K Pro is the cheapest model in the K series and has a more basic design than the others. It has a slightly smaller capacity, 30-35 grams, than the others. The catch cup is also screw-on rather than magnetic.
Who Is The 1Zpresso K Pro For?
The 1Zpresso K Pro is a good option if you are looking to save some money.
1Zpresso K Max
Best All Round Grinder
The 1Zpresso K Max is the mid-tier model and was our favorite in the series. The K Max has now been discontinued and replaced with the K Ultra. However, you may still be able to get your hands on it. The K Max has a slim and aesthetically pleasing design that tapers in the middle making it easy to grip. The K Max has a larger capacity of 35-40 grams. It also has a few premium features, including a magnetic catch cup with an anti-slip rubber bottom. The K Pro and K Max come with a travel case, brush, and air blower.
Who Is The 1Zpresso K Max For?
The K Max was our favorite grinder in the K-series, offering the best combination of features. The 1Zpresso K Max was an excellent all-around grinder, capable of grinding for both pour-over and espresso. The simple adjustment system, large burrs, and consistent grind quality made this grinder a pleasure to use. Since this grinder has been discontinued, we recommend opting for its older brother, the K Ultra now.
1Zpresso K Plus
The K Plus is the premium model in the K series. The key difference is that the K Plus has a blind shaker bottom on the catch cup, allowing you to dose directly into a portafilter. This does mean the catch cup is slightly wider. The K Plus also comes with a more substantial travel case.
Who Is The 1Zpresso K Plus For?
The 1Zpresso K Plus is worth going for if you want the convenience of being able to dose directly into a portafilter.
1Zpresso K Ultra
The K Ultra is the new top model in the K-Series, replacing the K Max. This grinder has several improvements to the design, including a curved body and a new foldable handle. Inside, the K burr has been redesigned, to offer improved grind consistency across all the grind settings, this is particularly noticeable at coarser settings. The grind adjustment system has also been improved with 100 clicks per rotation and finer 20-micron steps, rather than 22-microns.
Who Is The 1Zpresso K Ultra For?
The 1Zpresso K Ultra is our top pick out of the K-Series grinders. It is an excellent all-purpose grinder, perfect for those who love drip coffee and modern espresso. This grinder really shines when brewing with light to medium roasts. While it is the most expensive, it offers a finer adjustment system, improved burrs, and a foldable handle.
Discontinued Models
For the sake of simplicity, we will not go into much depth on the discontinued models. But it is worth noting that there are a few gems out there if you are looking for a second-hand grinder. The 1Zpresso JS is a filter coffee-focused grinder that is very popular on coffee forums. This grinder was only sold on the Taiwanese market, so it is hard to get your hands on, but it is said to be highly consistent.
Likewise, the 1Zpressp ZP6 was another brew-focused model that produced very few fines. It produced a clean, crisp cup of coffee almost comparable to SSP unimodal burrs. Another superb model that has unfortunately been discontinued.
The 1Zpresso JE and JE Plus are other sought-after models. These grinders have espresso-focused Italmill burrs, similar to those found in the Kinu grinders. They produce fantastic espresso, especially if you like a traditional flavor profile. The JE model has a classic internal adjustment system, while the JE-Plus has a top adjustment system like the JX-Pro and a magnetic catch cup.
1Zpresso Grinders- Summary
Pour Over Grinder
Espresso Grinder
Multi-purpose Grinder
Best 1Zpresso Grinder 2023
As you can see, 1Zpresso has a stack of quality grinders worth considering, and it’s safe to say that any of their grinders will serve you well.
In our opinion, the best 1Zpresso grinder of 2023 is the 1Zpresso K Ultra. The K Ultra is a versatile grinder capable of grinding for both pour-over and espresso. It offers excellent grind consistency, produces delicious pour-over and espresso, and is simple and intuitive to use.
