1Zpresso JX: The Hand Grinder That Changed My Morning Routine

The 1Zpresso JX is a mid-range hand grinder that sits in a sweet spot between budget options and premium grinders. Priced around $100-$130, it delivers grind quality that genuinely surprised me when I first tried it. The 48mm stainless steel burrs produce a consistent, even grind for filter coffee, and the build quality feels like something that'll last for years.

I've been grinding with the JX for about 18 months now, mostly for pour-over and AeroPress. I'll break down exactly what makes this grinder stand out, where it falls short, and how it stacks up against other grinders in its price range.

Build Quality and Materials

The first thing you notice when you pick up the JX is the weight. At around 630 grams, it feels substantial in your hand. The body is made from a single piece of aluminum alloy with a fine matte finish. There are no plastic parts on the exterior.

The adjustment dial sits on top, just below the handle. It uses a numbered system with clearly defined clicks that make it easy to return to your favorite setting. Each full rotation covers roughly 10 settings, and the numbers are engraved into the metal so they won't wear off.

The Handle

1Zpresso put a lot of thought into the handle design. It's a folding wooden knob on a steel arm, and it locks into place with a satisfying click. The bearing at the pivot point is smooth, with zero play or wobble during grinding. After 18 months of daily use, the bearings on mine still feel factory-fresh.

The handle length gives you good torque without making the grinder unwieldy. Grinding 18 grams for pour-over takes me about 30-35 seconds, which is noticeably faster than shorter-handled grinders like the Aergrind or Timemore C2.

Internal Assembly

Removing the outer burr for cleaning reveals precise machining. The burr alignment is excellent out of the box, and the stepped adjustment mechanism has tight tolerances. You can feel each click distinctly, which makes returning to your preferred setting reliable.

Grind Performance

The 48mm stainless steel burrs are the star of the show. For a grinder in this price range, the particle size distribution is remarkably tight. I've compared it side by side with my Comandante C40 (which costs twice as much), and while the Comandante produces a marginally more uniform grind, the JX is closer than you'd expect.

Filter Coffee

Pour-over is where the JX excels. My V60 brews are clean, sweet, and well-extracted. The medium settings (around 24-28 clicks from fully closed) produce a grind that drains consistently in 3:00-3:30 for a 300ml brew. Flat-bottom brewers like the Kalita Wave work great too.

AeroPress at medium-fine settings (18-22 clicks) yields smooth, concentrated cups. The grind is even enough that immersion time stays predictable across doses.

French Press

Coarser settings (32+ clicks) work reasonably well for French press, though like most conical burr grinders, you'll get some fines mixed in. Using a metal mesh filter, I notice very slight silt in the bottom of my cup. It doesn't bother me, but if you're particular about a perfectly clean French press cup, just grind one or two clicks coarser than you think you need.

Espresso?

The standard JX is not designed for espresso. The click intervals are too large for the precision that espresso demands. If you want espresso capability from 1Zpresso, look at the JX-Pro or the J-Max instead. Those models have finer adjustment steps in the espresso range. Check out our best 1zpresso grinder roundup for a comparison of all the models.

Who the JX Is Perfect For

This grinder hits the mark for a specific type of coffee drinker. You're someone who brews filter coffee at home, whether it's drip, pour-over, AeroPress, or French press. You want a meaningful upgrade from a basic grinder but don't want to spend $200+ on a Comandante or premium 1Zpresso model.

The JX is also a solid choice as a second grinder. I know several people who keep an electric grinder for weekday speed and pull out the JX on weekend mornings when they have time to enjoy the ritual of hand grinding.

It's also a good pick if you're just getting into specialty coffee and want one piece of equipment that'll grow with you. The grind quality is high enough that the JX won't hold back your brewing skills as you improve.

What I Don't Love About It

No grinder is without tradeoffs, and the JX has a few.

The capacity tops out at about 30-35 grams of beans. That's fine for one or two cups, but if you're grinding for a group, expect multiple batches. The catch cup at the bottom is simple and functional but doesn't have a silicone lid or cover, so grounds can spill if you tip it.

Retention is about 0.1-0.3 grams, meaning a tiny amount of coffee gets stuck in the burr chamber between grinds. For most people this is insignificant. If you switch between very different grind sizes regularly, give it a quick purge grind with a few beans to clear the old grind out.

The finish on the body shows scratches over time. My JX has a few nicks from being in my bag, though they don't affect function at all. It's purely cosmetic.

JX vs. Timemore Chestnut C2

The C2 costs about $60 less and grinds decent coffee. But the JX's 48mm burrs are a clear step up from the C2's 38mm burrs in grind consistency. If your budget allows, the JX is worth the upgrade.

JX vs. Comandante C40

The C40 costs about $120 more and grinds marginally better. The Comandante has a more refined adjustment mechanism and slightly tighter particle distribution. But the JX gets you about 90% of the way there for half the price.

JX vs. JX-Pro

The JX-Pro is the same grinder with a finer adjustment dial that adds extra clicks in the fine range for espresso. If you think you'll ever pull espresso shots, spend the extra $30-$40 on the Pro. If filter coffee is all you need, the standard JX is the better value.

For a broader look at what's available, our best coffee grinder guide covers options across every budget and brew method.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grind settings does the 1Zpresso JX have?

The JX has approximately 90 click settings across its full range. Each click produces a noticeable change in grind size. For pour-over, you'll typically use settings between 20-30 clicks from fully closed.

Can the 1Zpresso JX grind fine enough for Turkish coffee?

It can grind fine enough for Turkish at its lowest settings, but the results aren't as consistent as a dedicated Turkish grinder. The burrs are optimized for the filter coffee range.

How often should I clean the 1Zpresso JX?

Brush out the burr chamber every 1-2 weeks with the included brush. A deeper clean involving full disassembly every 2-3 months keeps it performing at its best. Don't use water on the burrs. A dry brush is all you need.

Does 1Zpresso offer a warranty on the JX?

Yes, 1Zpresso provides a 1-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. Their customer service is responsive and based in Taiwan. Replacement parts like burrs and adjustment dials are available on their website.

The Short Version

The 1Zpresso JX delivers $200 grind quality at a $100-$130 price. It's built well, grinds fast for a hand grinder, and produces excellent filter coffee. Skip it if you need espresso precision (get the JX-Pro instead). Buy it if you want the best filter coffee hand grinder under $150 without compromise.