Which to buy · Every setting
1Zpresso J-Max vs 1Zpresso K-Max
The J and K series answer the same question with different dials.
Which to buy
Choose the
J-Max if you…
- pull mostly espresso — 1Zpresso made the J-Max for it
- want 90 clicks a turn, 8.8 microns each
Choose the
K-Max if you…
- brew everything — 1Zpresso says the K burr allows for all brew methods
- want an external ring at 22 microns a click
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Neither is sold new. 1Zpresso no longer sells the J-Max new: its J series page marks it "Not Available". Its K series page marks the K-Max discontinued and points to the K-Ultra.
Sources: 1Zpresso — J series · 1Zpresso — J-Max (archived) · 1Zpresso — J-Max manual · 1Zpresso — K series · 1Zpresso — K-Max (archived)
| J-Max | K-Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | 1Zpresso | 1Zpresso |
| Scale | Clicks | Clicks |
| Dial range | 0 clicks – 405 clicks | 0 clicks – 180 clicks |
| Burrs | Conical | Conical |
| Espresso → filter | 180.8 clicks | 52 clicks |
| Filter → coarse | 140 clicks | 90.9 clicks |
The same number means different things
Both grinders use a clicks, which makes it tempting to copy a number straight across. Setting 90 clicks sits at grind index 0.8 on the J-Max but 64.2 on the K-Max — far enough apart to change the cup.
Converting a setting
If a recipe quotes a setting for one of these grinders, read across for the equivalent on the other. Rows are spaced evenly by grind size, not by dial number — on a conical burr those are not the same thing.
| J-Max | K-Max |
|---|---|
| 84 clicks | 31 clicks |
| 150 clicks | 44 clicks |
| 202 clicks | 57 clicks |
| 229 clicks | 68 clicks |
| 247 clicks | 78 clicks |
| 271 clicks | 84 clicks |
| 304 clicks | 86 clicks |
| 340 clicks | 88 clicks |
| 370 clicks | 92 clicks |
| 388 clicks | 102 clicks |
| 396 clicks | 123 clicks |
| 400 clicks | 149 clicks |
| 405 clicks | 174 clicks |
| K-Max | J-Max |
|---|---|
| 31 clicks | 84 clicks |
| 44 clicks | 150 clicks |
| 57 clicks | 202 clicks |
| 68 clicks | 229 clicks |
| 78 clicks | 247 clicks |
| 84 clicks | 271 clicks |
| 86 clicks | 304 clicks |
| 88 clicks | 340 clicks |
| 92 clicks | 370 clicks |
| 102 clicks | 388 clicks |
| 123 clicks | 396 clicks |
| 149 clicks | 400 clicks |
| 174 clicks | 405 clicks |
Side by side, by brew method
Where each grinder lands for the same brew, worked out from its own dial curve.
| Method | J-Max | K-Max |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 123 clicks | 39 clicks |
| Moka pot | 194 clicks | 54 clicks |
| AeroPress (short steep) | 229 clicks | 68 clicks |
| Pour over — V60 / cone | 259 clicks | 82 clicks |
| Siphon | 272 clicks | 84 clicks |
| Pour over — flat bottom | 283 clicks | 85 clicks |
| Steep and release — Clever / Switch | 296 clicks | 86 clicks |
| Drip / batch brew | 240 clicks | 70 clicks |
| Cupping | 313 clicks | 86 clicks |
| Chemex | 338 clicks | 88 clicks |
| French press | 383 clicks | 97 clicks |
| Cold brew | 399 clicks | 138 clicks |
The shape of each dial
Where the connectors bunch, that grinder’s dial is compressed and single steps count for more. Comparing the two shapes tells you which gives finer control, and where.
1Zpresso J-Max
1Zpresso K-Max
Dialing in the J-Max
The J-Max trades coarse range for espresso resolution, and the click density near the fine end is the whole point of the grinder. If you are using it for pour over you are working in the middle of its range and will find it forgiving; if you are pulling shots, expect meaningful taste changes from two or three clicks. It will reach French press, but it is not what you bought it for.
Dialing in the K-Max
A larger burr set than the J series and correspondingly faster, aimed squarely at espresso with enough range to reach filter. Its click resolution near the fine end is the reason to own it.