The Best 1Zpresso Grinder: Comparing The Manual Grinder Lineup

1Zpresso is a relatively new company that’s taken the manual coffee grinder scene by storm. Their grinders are highly effective and functional for very reasonable prices. 

I’ve tried a few models, and the best 1zpresso grinder is the 1zpresso X-Pro. The X-Pro makes consistent grinds for every brew method, has an external adjustment, and costs less than $200! That said, 1zpresso has an extensive line-up of manual coffee grinders that are all solid. It’s an overwhelming choice with lots of letters (Q, J, K, etc.).

I’ll break down each series and provide a general guide to navigating the models, so you know what to decide when choosing the best 1zpresso grinder for you. This’ll be a long one, so make your brew, and let’s get into all things 1Zpresso.

About 1Zpresso

1Zpresso (pronounced easy-presso) has quickly shot up the manual grinder world. The company was established in 2017 in Taiwan by a group of coffee-loving engineers. Their grinders quickly became known for speed, precision, consistent grinding, and affordable price.

The company specializes in hand coffee grinders. It’s an unusual amount of focus that’s working out well for them, as specialization and high standards have been the keys to the company’s success.

Image	Product Name	Features	Price
Top Pick	X-Pro	40 mm stainless steel heptagonal burrs 60 clicks in one rotation External adjustment mechanism Brewing methods: Espresso to pour over	Check Amazon
	JX-Pro	48 mm stainless steel burr 40 clicks per rotation External adjustment Brewing methods: both pour-over and espresso	Check Amazon
Best For Espresso	J-Max	48 mm stainless steel burr 90 clicks in one rotation External adjustment Brewing methods: espresso	Check Amazon
	K-Max	Conical 48 mm stainless steel burr 90 clicks in one rotation External adjustment Brewing methods: both pour-over and espresso	Check Amazon
	K-Ultra	Conical 48 mm stainless steel burr 90 clicks in one rotation External adjustment Brewing methods: both pour-over and espresso	Check Amazon
	ZP6	Conical 48 mm stainless steel burr 90 clicks in one rotation External adjustment Brewing methods: Pour-over	Check 1zpresso
Budget Pick	Q2	38 mm stainless steel burr 30 clicks in one rotation Internal adjustment Brewing methods: Pour-over	Check Amazon

1Zpresso Grinder Line-up

1Zpresso grinders come in five different series, which I’ll order from entry-level to premium:

• Q Series — Q2 and Q Air. Compact and portable (especially the Q Air), they work best for pour-over. Limited capacity, but also the lowest price.
• X Series — X-Pro S. Advanced version of the Q2 grinder with the same burr but easier grind adjustment with more settings
• J Series — Work best for pour-over and espresso with bigger burrs. The adjustment style varies by model with higher capacities as well. The J-Max is really designed for espresso.
• K Series — More advanced burrs that work for both pour-over and espresso. 30g to 40 g capacity.
• ZP6 special – a single model designed to be an advanced pour-over grinder. 

As you move to more premium lines, you generally get a better burr, more grind settings, and more convenient grind adjustments. The price also increases too, so ask yourself what you need.

Within each line, there’s an improvement as you add a superlative to the name. For example, J-Max has more grinder settings than J-Pro, K-Ultra has more settings than K-max, and so on. 

Choosing The Right 1Zpresso Grinder

There are a couple of things to remember when choosing one of these grinders.

Burr Design

All 1Zpresso hand grinders are burr grinders. The burrs are fixed to the shaft, which ensures alignment. 1zpresso also uses double or triple bearings inside the shaft, which really ensures the burr is sturdy as you’re grinding. This design is a big highlight of 1zpresso, and you never have a wobbly, uncomfortable feeling as you grind. 

The burrs are sharp and require breaking in to reduce fines. Every grinder requires this “seasoning” before you get the most consistent flavor. Plan to use the first pound or two of beans to season your burrs (maybe use some old coffee)

The burrs are stainless steel, with JE and J-Max having a coated burr. All J-Series and K-Series grinders have 48 mm stainless steel burrs (with JE-Plus having 47 mm burrs), while the Q2 grinder has 38 mm burrs. 

J-Max has titanium-coated burrs, which ensures less wear and tear and better longevity. The coating helps if you mostly grind fine espresso grounds. JX-Pro is also a good espresso grinder because the geometry of the inner burr works especially well for the finer grounds you need for espresso.

K-Series burrs work with a range of brewing methods. For example, you can grind well for espresso and filter coffee. However, I found they are more suited for filter coffee than espresso and work best in the medium range.

Q2 has a small burr set that still provides good grinding performance. However, it’s not ideal for espresso because there’s a lack of adjustment options compared to other 1Zpresso hand grinders.

Grind Adjustments: Mechanism and Settings

Each grind has different grind settings, including how you adjust the grind settings, how granular you can adjust the settings, and how many settings you have. This impacts your ease of use and how well you can dial in a brew.

1zpresso has three different mechanisms to adjust the grind settings on their models:

• Internal (bottom) adjustment — The classic way to adjust a manual grind is via a wing nut adjustment beneath the burrs. You have to remove the catch cup, and then turn the dial to adjust the grind setting. This is the least convenient and hard to tell the setting. 
• Top adjustment — It’s located inside the hopper. You remove the handle, and there are incremental changes with the top dial, where the settings click seamlessly. Once you find the grind setting you want, put the lid back on top and start grinding. The top adjustment is easier as you don’t have to flip the grinder over… but the setting is not always clear.
• External adjustment: There’s a ring on the outside of the grinder with clearly labeled settings. This is extremely easy to adjust, and it feels like you’re using a nice electric grinder.   

Overall, external adjustments are far more intuitive, and I recommend these models. You only need to note where the red dot points at the indicator. It’s very easy to know your current setting, which helps as you dial in different beans. Top adjustments are a little more complicated, and internal adjustments are even more.

Also, 1Zpresso grinders can be adjusted at different amounts. The microns per setting (or click) tells you how much the gap changes between burrs for each click. Fewer microns per click mean each setting is more granular, which really allows you to dial in your brew. This can range from 8.8 microns on J-Max to 25 for Q2. Remember, these are all very granular changes, as human hair is 40-50 microns!

Lastly, consider the total settings for the grinder. More settings mean more range to adjust your grind size, which helps for more brewing methods. The 1zpresso grinders go from 30 settings per rotation of the grind dial all the way to 100 settings per rotation for the K-Ultra. The total grind settings will increase with more settings for each revolution.

Use Cases

You should decide if you use the grinder for espresso or pour over coffee. You’ll either need something for consistent fine grinds (espresso) or something more versatile and easier to use (pour over).

Q2 is the 1ZPresso basic hand grinder, and it’s best used for filter coffee. You can use it for espresso and get a decent result, but it doesn’t have enough settings to properly dial in.

The J-Max is designed for espresso with a coated burr that excels with managing finer grinds and a very granular 8.8-micron adjustment. 

Other grinders work for all brewing methods, including espresso and pour-over. Generally, hand grinders marked with Max, Pro, and Plus have more use cases compared to, for example, JX, JE, and KS. The K line is also designed for multiple brewing methods. 

Portability and Size

All 1Zpresso grinders are portable, but the most portable is the Q2. It’s lightweight and compact and fits in a coffee travel bag or an AeroPress plunger, which is great if AeroPress is your chosen brewer. You can take the AeroPress and grinder with you as one piece.

Other grinders are also generally small in size and weight. However, 1Zpresso JX Pro is somewhat heavier at 800 g. In comparison, the 1Zpresso JX weighs 650 g, and Q2 weighs only 420 g, so the JX Pro is not as portable as some other options. 

Size also applies to their capacity as well. Q2 can only hold 20 g of beans, while J-Series can hold 30 g to 35 g of coffee beans. K-Max, K-Plus, and J-Max have the largest capacity of 40 g. 

Generally, you sacrifice capacity when choosing a manual coffee grinder. 35 g is standard for a manual coffee grinder, which isn’t enough to make a pour-over for two. But you get a small grinder that’s easy to take on the go. 

Price and Value

Compared to most electric grinders, 1Zpresso grinders are a steal. These hand grinders have a top-notch design, burr set, and grind options. Generally, you will pay more for better burrs, easier grind adjustment, and more grind settings. Think about what you need.

Overall, you get excellent value for a relatively affordable price with any 1Zpresso grinder. Plus, the long-term warranty guarantees you’ll have help if something goes wrong with your manual coffee grinder (which we haven’t seen many cases of).

Individual Reviews: 1Zpresso Coffee Grinders Line-Up

Here’s our selection of the best 1Zpresso coffee grinders.

1. X-Pro

X-Pro highlights:

• 40 mm stainless steel heptagonal burrs
• 60 clicks in one rotation
• External adjustment mechanism
• Brewing methods: Espresso to pour over

Check Amazon

The 1Zpresso X-Pro features an external adjustment mechanism, which I found to be a game-changer. The external adjustment design moves the burr by 12.5 microns per click, which makes it easier to “zero” after reassembly.

The12.5 microns between settings also means exceptional precision, and plenty of grind settings.

Design-wise, the X-Pro shares the robust build quality typical of 1Zpresso grinders. The standout feature for me was the ergonomic handle, which makes grinding less of a chore and more of an enjoyable ritual. The grinder also includes a 40 mm stainless steel heptagonal burrs, which ensure durability and consistent grind quality over time.

The only negative I noticed is its weight. It’s pretty heavy, so a firm grip is a must. Luckly, there’s anti slip rubber, which helps with the grip and keeping the grinder stable during use. 

Who is it for? The 1Zpresso X-Pro is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the art of manual grinding and demand a wide range of settings. Its capability to handle anything from a fine espresso grind to a coarser French press setting makes it a universal tool for all brewing methods. It’s particularly suited for those who enjoy experimenting with different coffee styles and want precise control over their grind.

2. JX-Pro

JX-Pro highlights:

• 48 mm stainless steel burr
• 40 clicks per rotation 
• External adjustment
• Brewing methods: Both pour-over and espresso

Check Amazon

1ZPresso JX-Pro is our second top choice. You can use it for filter coffee, espresso, and everything in between, even Turkish coffee.

It’s easy to use thanks to the clearly marked dial on top. You can see and adjust the grind settings without removing the catch cup. There aren’t issues bouncing between filter coffee to espresso. One click adjusts the burr set at 12.5 microns, which is an extremely precise level of control over the grind, and you can nail down the perfect espresso. 

I prefer JX-Pro over the JX because it has finer increments, and the external adjustment is easier to use. It has the same burr set as the JX — 48 mm conical steel. This size isn’t very common in a manual coffee grinder, so it’s great that these grinders have a larger size. The larger burr size provides a good surface area to grind coffee beans.

In terms of design, it has a wide rubber band across most of its body, the same as other 1Zpresso grinders. This is especially useful for the JX-Pro because its diameter is larger than other manual grinders. There’s also an ergonomic design handle which makes the grinding easier.

The hopper capacity is 35 g, which is the standard for a manual coffee grinder. I mentioned this capacity isn’t very large, but 1Zpresso JX-Pro is a fast grinder, so it doesn’t take much time to grind for two pour-over cups.

Finally, it’s heavier than most other 1Zpresso grinders at 800 g, so it’s not the ideal travel companion. 

Who is it for? 1Zpresso JX-Pro is the best hand grinder for an espresso machine. It’s fast and has 200 settings, so you can always dial in your espresso. It’s also a good choice if you want a grinder with good grind consistency across different brewing styles.

3. J-Max

J-Max highlights:

• 48 mm stainless steel burr
• 90 clicks in one rotation 
• External adjustment
• Brewing methods: Espresso

Check Amazon

1Zpresso J-Max is an upgrade on the JX-Pro. This is another manual coffee grinder with an exterior adjustment, my favorite to use. It’s nicely labeled, so the grind settings are easy to track. There are 8.8 microns between settings, which is an impressive level of precision and means huge room for dialing in espresso.

Overall, there are 450 grind settings, which is as close to stepless electric grinders as you can get, and much more than other 1Zpresso grinders.

It has a similar design to other 1Zpresso grinders. I especially liked the magnetic catch cup, which is easy to attach and take off. The textured silicone foot keeps the grinder stable, which is really handy as you’ll need to work on finding the most comfortable position to grind.

This manual grinder also has a 48 mm stainless steel burr. The burrs are titanium coated, which ensures good burr longevity and less degradation. 

Who is it for? 1Zpresso J-Max is another great grinder for espresso lovers. It provides ultra-fine grind settings and superb grind consistency across all levels. However, the huge grind range means you can use it from the finest setting when you want Turkish coffee to the coarsest when you want French Press. It’s a great choice for every kind of brewing style.

4. K-Max

K-Max highlights:

• Conical 48 mm stainless steel burr
• 90 clicks in one rotation
• External adjustment
• Brewing methods: Both pour-over and espresso

Check Amazon

K-Max is the mid-tier model of the K-Series. It has 48 mm stainless steel conical burrs, known as K burrs, which have similar geometry to Comandante burrs. K burr is focused on pour-over and has excellent consistency, especially in the medium-fine to medium-coarse range.

This geometry also means that the K burr has a somewhat slower feed rate and grinding speed than other grinders, for example, the J-Max. However, K burr has better consistency. 

K-Max has an external adjustment system with nine numbers and ten clicks per number for 90 clicks per rotation. It’s easy to switch between grind sizes, and this manual grinder can grind for espresso. However, it doesn’t have as much precision for dialing in. It has larger steps than J-Max, which has a much finer adjustment mechanism thanks to the tiny 8.8 microns per click. For comparison, K-Max has 22 microns per step.

Who is it for? K-Max is the perfect choice for pour-over snobs and espresso lovers. It’s easy to use and has an excellent price for value, but it doesn’t provide as many dialing-in options as J-Max. Overall, it’s the best choice if you like filter coffee.

5. K-Ultra

K-Ultra highlights:

• Conical 48 mm stainless steel burr
• 90 clicks in one rotation
• External adjustment
• Brewing: Both pour-over and espresso

Check Amazon

K-Ultra is another favorite from the K-Series. It has the same burr set as the K-Max, which is the 48 mm K burr. There are 90 clicks per rotation and 20 microns between clicks. You can twist the adjustment ring and easily switch from coarse to fine-grind adjustment.

In terms of design, it’s similar to other 1Zpresso grinders. However, it doesn’t have a magnetic catch cup but a threaded one, which is a con, as the magnetic cup is easier to use. 

The grinder is easy to use. It has a long handle with a smooth knob which feels nice in hand and makes the grinding easy. Plus, it’s not too wide (it’s not as wide as the JE-plus, which some users find too wide for a comfortable grip). 

This isn’t the fastest 1Zpresso grinder, as it takes about a minute to grind fine for espresso. However, you don’t need a lot of strength to grind, which is a plus. Overall, it works best for coarse grinds, and you can get decent espresso results as well.

Who is it for? K-Ultra is a great choice if you like filter coffee and sometimes drink espresso as well. It’s not the best choice if espresso is your favorite drink of choice, but if you want a great coarse grinder, the K-Ultra fits the bill nicely.

6. ZP6

ZP6 highlights:

• Conical 48 mm stainless steel
• 90 clicks in one rotation
• External adjustment
• Brewing methods: Pour-over

Check 1Zpresso

1Zpresso ZP6 special is the latest 1Zpresso grinder, having been released in late 2022. This grinder has a 6-sided burr that provides the best pour-over coffee. It quickly became pour-over coffee lovers’ favorite grinder. It produces the cleanest-tasting coffee compared to manual and many electric grinders. 

You can push the extraction high (aka use a high coffee-to-water ratio) without the brew having an astringent finish that usually happens when you push high. For example, you can’t push the Q2 heptagonal without losing a lot of the coffee character. This isn’t the case with the ZP6 Special. 

The design is the same as on the K-Ultra — it has a slim screw-on catch cap (not a magnetic one) and a long handle. 

However, its downside is that it can’t grind fine enough for espresso. It’s extremely difficult to grind at the finest setting. I’d even say it’s almost impossible. 

It grinds slower than other manual grinders, but you don’t need a lot of grip strength.

Who is it for? ZP6 is the best grinder for pour-over coffee lovers. You can also use it for AeroPress and Moka pot, but it’s not suitable for espresso.

7. Q2

Q2 highlights:

• 38 mm stainless steel
• 30 clicks in one rotation
• Internal adjustment
• Brewing methods: Pour-over

Check Amazon

1Zpresso Q2 is a compact and lightweight grinder that’s perfect for traveling. It’s so slim it can fit into an AeroPress, so it takes less space when you’re on the go. However, because it’s intended as a travel grinder, it has a smaller 20-gram capacity, which is enough for single serves.

Q2 is made from top-grade aluminum, so it’s durable. It has a 38 mm burr that’s better suited for coarse grounds. It can’t grind fine enough for Turkish coffee and espresso. 

Q2 is available in two different burr types:

• Pentagonal burr set — Limited edition grinder. Has good grinding consistency, similar to the Timemore C2.
• Heptagonal burr set — Provides excellent clarity.

Q2 is the slowest of all 1Zpresso grinders, given the less aggressive burr set. It has 90 grind settings, and each step moves the burr by 25 microns. It also has an internal grind adjustment system, which is more difficult to use than the external one. You need to remove the catch cup and keep the handle to change the grind size.

Who is it for? Q2 grinder is great for most manual brewing styles, except for Turkish coffee and espresso. It can’t grind fine enough, and there isn’t enough scope to dial in espresso. However, it’s an excellent option if you want a lightweight and portable grinder for travel.

Should You Buy A 1zpresso Coffee Grinder?

You should buy 1Zpresso coffee grinder if:

• You want a pour-over, espresso, or a multi-purpose grinder
• You want a portable grinder
• You are fine with a small-capacity grinder

You shouldn’t buy a 1Zpresso grinder if:

• You struggle with shoulder and grip strength
• You want to press a button and the grinder to do all the work

What’s the Best 1Zpresso Grinder for You?

1Zpresso has a wide range of impressive grinders. They are stylish, durable, and, most importantly, provide excellent grind consistency across different brewing styles. Our top choice is X Pro for ease of use, grind settings, and value in comparison to other 1Zpresso grinders.

If you want to press a button and for the grinder to do all the work, check out electric grinders. Our favorites are the Fellow Opus vs. Baratza Encore ESP for quality, affordable electric grinders.