Which to buy · Every setting
1Zpresso J-Ultra vs 1Zpresso ZP6 Special
Two 1Zpresso models whose numbers do not mean the same thing. The ZP6 Special counts 90 clicks; the J-Ultra counts 500 clicks.
Which to buy
Choose the
J-Ultra if you…
- pull espresso — 1Zpresso designs the J-Ultra burrs for it
- want 100 clicks a turn, 8 microns each
- want a foldable handle, a magnetic catch cup and a carrying case
Choose the
ZP6 Special if you…
- brew mostly pour over — 1Zpresso designs the ZP6 primarily for it
- want 90 clicks a turn, 22 microns each
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Sources: 1Zpresso — ZP6 Special · 1Zpresso — ZP6 Special overview · 1Zpresso — J-Ultra · 1Zpresso — J-Ultra manual · 1Zpresso — J-Ultra product page
| J-Ultra | ZP6 Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | 1Zpresso | 1Zpresso |
| Scale | Clicks | Clicks |
| Dial range | 0 clicks – 500 clicks | 0 clicks – 90 clicks |
| Burrs | Conical | Conical |
| Espresso → filter | 199.8 clicks | 25.1 clicks |
| Filter → coarse | 205.2 clicks | 44.9 clicks |
The same number means different things
Both grinders use a clicks, which makes it tempting to copy a number straight across. Setting 45 clicks sits at grind index 0 on the J-Ultra but 39.8 on the ZP6 Special — 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-Ultra | ZP6 Special |
|---|---|
| 95 clicks | 20 clicks |
| 169 clicks | 27 clicks |
| 227 clicks | 33 clicks |
| 257 clicks | 38 clicks |
| 276 clicks | 42 clicks |
| 301 clicks | 46 clicks |
| 334 clicks | 48 clicks |
| 369 clicks | 49 clicks |
| 403 clicks | 52 clicks |
| 431 clicks | 58 clicks |
| 455 clicks | 68 clicks |
| 477 clicks | 79 clicks |
| 500 clicks | 90 clicks |
| ZP6 Special | J-Ultra |
|---|---|
| 20 clicks | 95 clicks |
| 27 clicks | 169 clicks |
| 33 clicks | 227 clicks |
| 38 clicks | 257 clicks |
| 42 clicks | 276 clicks |
| 46 clicks | 301 clicks |
| 48 clicks | 334 clicks |
| 49 clicks | 369 clicks |
| 52 clicks | 403 clicks |
| 58 clicks | 431 clicks |
| 68 clicks | 455 clicks |
| 79 clicks | 477 clicks |
| 90 clicks | 500 clicks |
Side by side, by brew method
Where each grinder lands for the same brew, worked out from its own dial curve.
| Method | J-Ultra | ZP6 Special |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 139 clicks | 24 clicks |
| Moka pot | 218 clicks | 32 clicks |
| AeroPress (short steep) | 257 clicks | 38 clicks |
| Pour over — V60 / cone | 288 clicks | 44 clicks |
| Siphon | 302 clicks | 46 clicks |
| Pour over — flat bottom | 314 clicks | 47 clicks |
| Steep and release — Clever / Switch | 326 clicks | 47 clicks |
| Drip / batch brew | 270 clicks | 48 clicks |
| Cupping | 342 clicks | 48 clicks |
| Chemex | 368 clicks | 49 clicks |
| French press | 421 clicks | 55 clicks |
| Cold brew | 467 clicks | 74 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-Ultra
1Zpresso ZP6 Special
Dialing in the J-Ultra
The J-Ultra widens the useful band relative to the J-Max, trading a little espresso resolution for genuinely usable filter and French press. If you want one hand grinder for everything, this is the one in the range that tries hardest.
Dialing in the ZP6 Special
Purpose-built for filter, with burrs cut to reduce fines rather than to cover espresso. It will not pull a shot and does not pretend to — inside its range it is one of the most uniform hand grinders available.