1Zpresso may still be the new kids on the block relative to more established manual grinder brands like Timemore and Comandante, but they’ve already made quite a name for themselves. Since 2017, This group of Taiwanese coffee-loving engineers has taken hand grinders to the next level. Eschewing the traditional trappings of the space, like glass & plastic parts and ceramic burrs, they've built an unrivalled range of robust, incredibly precise manual grinders for all applications. Their grinders all use high quality steel burrs and aluminium alloy bodies, making them as hardy as they are effective.

About the 1Zpresso J-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder

As the name implies, the J-Ultra is effectively the next iteration of the J-Max, making it part of 1Zpresso’s line of espresso-oriented hand grinders. With a beefy set of stainless steel burrs, the J-Ultra can grind at even the finest settings with ease and promises precise grind consistency. Moreover, thanks to an advanced titanium coating, these burrs should grind extra smoothly and retain maximum sharpness even with heavy use.

Also akin to the J-Max, the J-Ultra’s grind is set using an external adjustment dial, a now-famous feature that scored 1Zpresso a Red Dot Design Award in 2018. Most hand grinders require you to remove the catch cup to adjust the grind from the bottom, which can be a little tedious. This alternative is more convenient and intuitive, and resembles the kinds of grind adjustment dials you’d expect to see on an electric espresso grinder, which works out great given that the J-Max is primarily an espresso grinder.

Grinding for espresso is a breeze for the J-Ultra, particularly because each click of the adjustment dial changes the grind by a mere 8 microns, and each rotation of the dial is worth several dozen clicks of adjustment. This makes it easy to fine-tune your grind to an extreme degree with unmatched precision in the hand-grinder space. This also makes the J-Ultra the most precise of any of 1Zpresso’s grinders, the nearest competitor being the J-Max, which sports 8.8 micron adjustments. It grinds fine enough for espresso with ease and allows for the pinpoint precise adjustment you’ll want if you really want to dial-in your coffee perfectly. And, if you’d like it to, the J-Ultra can grind for coarser manual brews perfectly well too.

In terms of design, the J-Ultra retains the elegance we’ve come to expect from 1Zpresso’s grinders, though with some noticeable but still subtle new curvature which results in a comfortable and ergonomic grip. Moreover, the smooth catch-cup is attached magnetically to the base, eliminating the need for screwing and unscrewing – a minor convenience for sure, but one whose value is made clear from the first time you actually experience it.

With a conveniently intuitive external dial and staggeringly precise grind adjustment, massive and hardy 48mm burrs, and a thoughtful design, the J-Ultra is an exciting addition to 1Zpresso’s growing catalogue of impressive hand grinders.

1ZPresso J-Ultra features

• Grind setting resolution: 8 microns
• Quick-release magnetic catch cup
  
• External grind adjustment dial
• Comes with EVA foam case for transport
• Comes with a cleaning brush
• Comes with a cleaning blower
• New foldable 'S' handle for easier transport and storage

1ZPresso J-Ultra specifications

• Package dimensions: 28 × 15 × 22 cm
• Grinder dimensions: 19 x 5.5 x 18.5 cm
• Titanium-coated 48mm stainless steel burr set
• Grinder weight: 700g
• Grounds Capacity: 35-40g
• Materials: wood, polycarbonate, silicone, stainless steel, and aluminium alloy

Warning: do not clean your 1Zpresso grinder with water!