Best 1ZPresso Grinder – Coffee Expert Reviews Their Full Catalog

1Zpresso has carved a name for itself as a creator of some of the finest hand grinders in the world. Renowned for their precision, quality, and innovative design, these grinders have become a highly respected brand in the specialty coffee industry. Coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike recognize 1Zpresso for their commitment to excellence, making their products a sought-after choice for those seeking the perfect grind.

However, the abundance of series and models within the 1Zpresso lineup can make choosing the right grinder a daunting task. With a diverse range of options tailored to various brewing methods and preferences, navigating through their extensive catalog can be overwhelming.

In this article, I’ll explore the full collection of 1Zpresso grinders, breaking down their features and functionalities to help you make an informed decision about the best 1zpresso grinder for your needs.

The 1Zpresso JX-Pro Grinder is an updated version of the JX and stands as 1Zpresso’s biggest-selling grinder. With 48mm six-core heptagonal burrs, a capacity of 30 to 35 grams, and a micron size of 12.5 microns, this all-around grinder is suitable for all brew types, including serious espresso.

I love that it offers aggressive and fast grinding, and it’s difficult to find a grinder with such small microns even in 2024. However, I find it heavy and in my opinion, while the JX Pro is portable, it is not the best hand grinder for travel. One other personal gripe of mine – I think the top ring adjustment can be confusing.

In addition to its core features, the JX-Pro is designed with a foldable handle, making it portable and space-saving. This design ensures that the grinder is not only efficient but also compact, making it easier to carry and store. I love the fine adjustment dial, with 40 clicks in a full rotation, each click shifting by 12.5 microns. It offers over 200 click settings, ensuring unparalleled accuracy control over the particle size. This meticulous design is particularly beneficial for those seeking the “sweet spot” in their espresso grind.

The 48mm conical stainless steel burr ensures greater grinding efficiency, and its secure fixing to the central shaft eliminates the common problem of wobbly or loose burrs. This stability ensures a consistent performance grind every time.

Maintenance and cleaning are made easy with the JX-Pro’s design, allowing for easy disassembly without the need for any tools. This feature allows for thorough cleaning and maintenance without the tedious process of recalibrating the burr.

The JX Pro has replaced my Comandante C40 grinder. Since my JX Pro review, I use it on a daily basis for both filter and espresso. This grinder can do it all without compromising on taste or flavor. It’s definitely my favorite all-rounder in the 1zpresso line up.

In my experience, the 1Zpresso J-Max S is the best 1Zpresso grinder for espresso. The solid and foldable crank handle is a feature I love, as it makes the grinder portable and easy to store.

The coated burr and unique adjustment dial offer over 400 click settings, each shifting by 8.8 microns. This allows me to have 100% precision control over the grind when dialing in espresso.

The quick-release magnets catch cup is another feature I appreciate, as it makes removal much easier and provides a bigger capacity for my coffee.

What sets the J-Max S apart for me is its suitability for espresso. The external adjustment, with 9 numbers and 90 clicks per rotation at 8.8 microns each click, makes it the grinder with the finest adjustment among all the 1Zpresso grinders I’ve used. The 48mm coated burr, fixed with the shaft, enhances stability and makes grinding more effortless. In my opinion, it’s perfect for espresso, and I often find myself reaching for it when I want a super fine adjustment.

The ease of cleaning is another aspect of the J-Max S that I like. It can be dismantled without tools to clean the burrs and the grind chamber.

Overall, the J Max grinds extremely consistently and makes delicious, bright and juicy espresso.

In my daily use of the 1Zpresso K-Ultra, I’ve been impressed by its unique design features. The burrs have a shinier finish, setting them apart from other models like the K Plus. The catch cup’s soft silicon base adds a touch of elegance, and the foldable handle design allows for more compact storage. The triple bearing structure ensures increased structural support, and I’ve found the cleaning process to be straightforward, requiring just a simple brush.

When grinding, the K Ultra’s 20-micron gaps give plenty of range for dialing in espresso, albeit far less than the 8.8 microns on the JX Pro. The redesigned adjustment mechanism and removal of the burr stopper to minimize static electricity and retention are technical features that I found appealing. The K-Ultra is slightly slower than the K-Max but offers more precision.

In terms of taste, the K Ultra produces a smoother aftertaste, especially at higher extractions. This difference was subtle but noticeable with light roast coffees. The K Ultra performed well in my blind tastings against other grinders, offering a well-rounded experience for various roast types. The slightly different burr design affects the flavor in a way that I found appealing, making it a solid performer for both drip and espresso.

Its price is higher than the K-Max and the JX Pro, but in my opinion, it’s worth it for those seeking the best experience with light roast coffees. It’s also a capable all-rounder, making everything from delicious espresso and drip coffee, to bright and full-bodied Aeropress and cold brew.

The 1Zpresso X Pro is part of the X Series. However, I find the parts and build to be extremely similar to the K series. In fact, I think it could easily be reclassified as a budget model within the K series

Like the K-Series, the 1Zpresso X-Pro S hand grinder is an all rounder than be used for both espresso and filter coffee.

It has 40mm stainless steel heptagonal burrs that make coffee with a light and sweet flavor profile. The grinder’s design ensures an evenly brewed and balanced cup every time.

With a 25-30g catch cup capacity and a solid, foldable crank handle, the 1Zpresso X-Pro S is portable and space-saving. It can be disassembled easily without without tools which I found very useful when I was cleaning the grinder.

The external adjustment design has 60 steps of adjustment per rotation. This equates to 12.5 microns per click which gives plenty of control over fine ranges when dialing in espresso. I find it easier to calibrate and reset to “0” compared to other grinders. The precise control enriches the complexity of my brewed coffee.

While not as good as some of the other models, this is a great jack of all trades grinder that does a good, but not amazing job with a range of brewing styles.

The Q2 Heptagonal is equipped with a solid and foldable crank handle, making it portable and space-saving. Weighing under 500g and smaller than a can of soda, it’s comfortable to grip and easy to grind. It’s designed to be travel-sized and portable, fitting perfectly in the plunger of the AeroPress, making it an ideal companion for outdoor activities.

The 1Zpresso Q2 features more aggressive burrs with a better flavor profile and a micron size of 25 microns. With the same capacity as the pentagonal version, at 15 to 20 grams, it’s faster in grinding and better for lighter roasted beans, making it an excellent choice for travel.

In terms of performance, I tested the Q2 Heptagonal with light roast Colombian beans, using a Gaggia Classic Pro, stock portafilter, and stock 18gram basket. It took around 70-75 seconds to grind in three separate tests.

While it’s not highly suitable for espresso, as one click change can significantly affect the extraction quality, it’s still manageable with adjustments to the gram. It’s certainly better than using pre-ground beans.

However, in my opinion, the amount of time it takes to grind a single dose, makes this a bad choice for espresso; filter coffee is a different story.

For pour-over, the Q2 Heptagonal performs really, with no noticeable difference compared to other higher-priced grinders like the JMax. One thing to note is the limited capacity of just over 20 grams. If you plan on grinding more than 20g at a time, the Q2 is not ideal.

I think the workflow on the Q2 is okay, but changing the grind size is not the most convenient, requiring the handle to fix the shaft and removal of the catch cup. Unlike grinders with magnetic cups, you’ll have to unscrew it.

It’s also worth noting that there is a hexagonal version of the Q2, which offers a different burr design with six cutting edges instead of seven. This version provides a slightly less aggressive grind compared to the heptagonal, making it a more suitable option for those who prefer a milder flavor profile.

The 1Zpresso ZP6 Special is in my opinion, the best 1Zpresso grinder for filter coffee. In my experience with the ZP6, it has proven to be an exceptional grinder, especially for drip and all types of pour over brewing.

It retails at $199 and has 22 microns per click. The ZP6 Special cannot do espresso, as I found it challenging to grind at the finest setting.

The grinder’s design includes a triple bearing system, with more space between the top bearing and the second bearing, which I believe helps with alignment. The burr set is similar to previous models but has a sheen on it, possibly due to a different coating or manufacturing process.

The ZP6 Special has some differences from the previous version, such as having only one spring instead of two. The triple bearing system is still present, and the burr set has a more slick appearance compared to the more matte finish of the previous model.

I’ve tested the ZP6 Special against other hand grinders, and it consistently came out on top in blind tastings. The grinder allows for high extractions without an astringent finish, even up to 23.5% on a V60. Local baristas and I have conducted various tests, and the ZP6 was consistently chosen as the best cup. The ability to push extractions without losing character sets it apart from other grinders, making it my favorite filter hand grinder.

Quick Overview Of The Other 1Zpresso Grinders

As well as each of my top rated 1Zpresso grinders in each category, there are some other models. The rest are all in the K Series, which function best as versatile all rounders that can work with both espresso and filter coffee.

K-Pro grinder: In my experience with the K-Pro grinder, its specialized 48mm K Burr and 90-click external adjustment mechanism have stood out. The K-Pro is a solid all round grinder. It’s most notable feature for me is it’s grind efficiency.

K-Plus grinder: When using the K-Plus grinder, I’ve found it shares the same 48mm K Burr and 90-click external adjustment as the K-Pro. What sets it apart for me is the magnetic catch-cup, similar to the JE-Plus model, with a capacity of 35~40g. It’s a feature that adds convenience to my daily grinding routine.

K-Max grinder: The K-Max grinder has similarities to both the K-Pro and K-Plus, featuring the 48mm K Burr and 90-click external adjustment. It also has a magnetic catch-cup, mirroring the J-Max, and a capacity of 35~40g.

An Easier Way To Classify 1Zpresso Grinders

Navigating the multitude of 1Zpresso grinders can be simplified by understanding that each series is designed with a specific function in mind. Instead of getting lost in the details of individual models, focusing on the higher-level classification system based on the grinder’s function can make the selection process more accessible.

Here’s how I like to classify them:

• J Series – Best for espresso
• Z Series – Best for filter
• K Series – Best all rounders
• Q Series – Best budget grinders

The X Pro is a bit of an anomaly. However, it’s essentially a budget version of a K series grinder. I think of it as an entry level K-series grinder.

The E Series made up of the E and E Pro models, as well as the C series and JE series with the JE and JE Plus models have all been discontinued.

Here’s a quick reference guide to compare each grinder side by side:

Model	Best For	Burr Size	Microns per Click	Clicks per Rotation	Capacity (g)	Catch Bin	Grind Adjustment	Color
J-Max	Espresso	48mm	8.8	90	35*	Magnetic	External	Iron Gray
JX-Pro & JE-Plus	All Rounder	48mm	12.5	40	35	Threaded	Top	Light Gray
Jx	Filter	48mm	25	30	35	Threaded	Internal	Light Gray
K-Max	All Purpose	48mm	22	90	40	Magnetic	External	Iron Gray
K-Plus	All Purpose	48mm	22	90	40	Quick Release	Shaker External	Light Gray
K-Pro	All Purpose	48mm	22	90	35	Threaded	External	Light Gray
K-Ultra	All Rounder	48mm	20	100	35	Quick Release	External	Iron Gray / Silver
Q2	Filter	38mm	25	30	15-20	Threaded	Internal	Silver
X-Pro	All Rounder	40mm	12.5	60	25-30	Magnetic	External	Silver
ZP6	Filter	48mm	22	90	30-35	Threaded	External	Iron Gray / Silver

The Best Hand Grinders In The World

Choosing the right 1Zpresso grinder comes down to your personal grinding needs. If you mostly brew one style of coffee, you should pick a brew-specific grinder. If you like to switch between filter and espresso you should buy an all-rounder. And if budget is the main consideration, you should go for one of the entry level models that are priced more affordably.

I’ve tried and tested the majority of the 1Zpresso grinder collection. They make phenomenal products that are well-built and grind superbly. Whether you like espresso, Aeropress, pour over or cold brew, these grinders can handle the full spectrum of grind sizes.

I’m a huge fan of 1Zpresso and if you’re in the market for a new grinder, I highly recommend you check them out. The JX Pro is my personal favorite and might just be the best manual coffee grinder there is.