Espresso grinders

How Do the 1Zpresso J-Ultra, KINGrinder K6 and Timemore C3 ESP Pro Compare for Espresso?

Published · By the Espresso Shortlist editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

The three differ most in how finely each click moves the burr. The J-Ultra moves 8 microns per click, the K6 16, and the C3 ESP Pro 23. Turn each dial one full rotation, though, and the burr travels a similar distance on all three, between about 0.7 and 1 mm, so the J-Ultra splits that turn into the most steps and the C3 ESP Pro into the fewest. Where you can buy them differs too, because only the J-Ultra has a US dollar price on its maker's store.

Clicks, microns and one turn of the dial

1Zpresso J-UltraKINGrinder K6Timemore C3 ESP Pro
Clicks per rotation1006030
Burr travel per click8 microns16 microns23 microns
Travel per full rotation0.80 mm0.96 mm0.69 mm
Burrs48 mm, coated, made for espressoStainless steelS2C 660 stainless steel
Maker's store price$199.00£99.00 (UK store, out of stock)¥17,460 (Japan store)

The per-rotation row multiplies the first two. One turn covers about the same distance on each grinder, and the J-Ultra gives you 100 places to stop along it, the K6 60, and the C3 ESP Pro 30. When a shot runs a little fast, one click on the J-Ultra is about a third of one click on the C3 ESP Pro.

Espresso and pour-over on the same K6

KINGrinder calls the K6 "a versatile grinder" that can "fulfill several brew methods," and its manual puts numbers on that. Counting from zero, it suggests 40 clicks for espresso, 100 for pour-over and 120 for French press, "for reference only." Going from the morning espresso setting to an afternoon pour-over is 60 clicks, exactly one rotation of the dial. The manual also warns against turning the handle at 0 or below 15 clicks, which could damage the burrs. The grinder has a 1/4-inch hex shank, and the manual allows an electric screwdriver at 15 to 25 Nm.

1Zpresso's J-Ultra manual refers readers to a separate grind-setting chart, and Timemore's C3 ESP Pro page says only that the grinder is "suitable for fine-tuning your espresso."

Buying the C3 ESP Pro in the US

Timemore's US store doesn't list the C3 ESP Pro. The model appears on Timemore's Japanese store at ¥17,460, with a folding handle and a 52 mm body. Timemore's US store does list a C5 ESP Pro, with a 42 mm burr, 0.015 mm per click and 50 settings per rotation, shown as sold out. Timemore's own C5 page describes that burr as an upgrade from the C3's 38 mm set.

Shopping for one? Shop espresso grinders →

Sources

  1. 1Zpresso — J-Ultra
  2. 1Zpresso — J-Ultra store page
  3. 1Zpresso — J-Ultra User Manual
  4. KINGrinder — K6
  5. KINGrinder — Exterior Adjustment / K6
  6. KINGrinder — K6 manual (PDF)
  7. Timemore — C3 ESP Pro (Japan store, English)
  8. Timemore — C5 Series (US store)

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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