Urbanic 070s Grinder: What It Is and Whether It's Worth It
The Urbanic 070s is a manual coffee grinder from a smaller specialty brand that has been picking up attention in pour-over and espresso circles. If you're researching it, you're probably wondering how it compares to better-known hand grinders and whether its unusual design actually delivers on grind quality. The short answer: it's a well-engineered hand grinder aimed at specialty coffee enthusiasts, with flat burrs and a design philosophy that prioritizes precision over everything else.
I'll walk through what makes the 070s different, how it performs for different brew methods, and how it stacks up against other premium hand grinders in its price range.
The Urbanic 070s at a Glance
Urbanic is a newer player compared to brands like Comandante or Kinu, but they've come out with a grinder that takes a different approach from most hand grinders. The 070s uses flat burrs rather than the conical burrs you find in most manual grinders. Flat burrs in a hand grinder is an unusual choice because they require more torque to turn, which makes them harder to grind with. Urbanic designed the handle and body to compensate for this.
The "070" in the name refers to the 70mm flat burr diameter. 70mm is quite large for a hand grinder and is larger than most electric flat burr grinders in the same price range. Larger flat burrs generally mean lower heat generation per unit of coffee ground, more even particle distribution, and higher throughput per revolution.
What You Get
- 70mm flat burrs (stainless steel)
- Stepless grind adjustment
- CNC machined aluminum body
- Folding handle
- Magnetic catch cup
- Weight: approximately 650g
The stepless adjustment is a real advantage. Rather than clicking between fixed settings, you rotate a ring continuously and lock it at the exact position you want. This matters most for espresso, where the difference between 25-second and 35-second shots can be a fraction of a millimeter in burr gap.
Grind Performance
Pour-Over and Filter Coffee
Flat burrs are generally associated with a different flavor profile than conical burrs. Flat burr grinders tend to produce a wider particle distribution (more bimodal, meaning some fines alongside larger particles), which some brewers find produces more complexity and sweetness in the cup.
For V60 and similar methods, the 070s produces an expressive, detailed grind. The cup is typically more vivid compared to conical grinders in the same price range. If you enjoy a bright, layered pour-over with distinct acidity and fruit notes, a flat burr grinder often highlights those characteristics more than a conical.
That said, this is subtle and varies by coffee. Brewing temperature, technique, and bean quality matter more than burr shape for most home brewers.
Espresso
Espresso is where the 070s's combination of large flat burrs and stepless adjustment becomes genuinely useful. The stepless ring lets you dial into a precise gap that you can return to reliably. Large flat burrs produce even particle sizing at fine settings, which translates to consistent shots.
Grinding for espresso by hand is still slow and physically demanding at fine settings. Budget 2-4 minutes of grinding per double shot. But among hand grinders, the 070s is one of the more capable tools for producing espresso-quality grinds consistently.
For daily home espresso, an electric grinder is more practical. For travel espresso, or as a backup, the 070s is excellent.
AeroPress and Moka Pot
Medium-fine settings handle these easily. No complaints.
Using the Stepless Adjustment
The stepless ring is the most important thing to understand about dialing in the 070s.
Because there are no clicks, you need to mark your preferred settings. Keep a small piece of masking tape on the adjustment ring and mark your settings with a pen, or take photos. Once you find your V60 position and your espresso position, marking them means you can switch back and forth without re-dialing from scratch.
For espresso, start in the middle of the fine range and work your way down (finer) or up (coarser) based on shot time. One very small turn of the ring changes the grind noticeably at espresso settings. Take it slow.
For filter coffee, you have more room. The medium range is forgiving and the flavor difference between a slightly coarser or finer setting is small.
Grinding Force
The 70mm flat burrs require more force to turn than typical conical hand grinders. Grinding a 20-gram dose for pour-over takes physical effort, noticeably more than a Comandante or 1Zpresso JX. This is the main practical trade-off of the design.
Some people hold the grinder between their knees when seated, bracing the body and using a two-handed grip on the handle. Others prefer standing with the grinder on a table. Find what works for your grip.
Build Quality
The 070s feels substantial. The CNC machined aluminum is smooth with no rough seams, the tolerances between parts are tight, and the magnetic catch cup snaps on cleanly. It feels like something built to last.
The folding handle is functional without feeling flimsy. Locking it in place before grinding is necessary since a loose handle wobbles and reduces efficiency.
The magnetic catch cup is a nice detail. It holds in place securely during grinding and releases cleanly when you're done. No screwing or unscrewing.
Cleaning and Care
Disassemble the 070s by unscrewing the top cap to remove the upper burr. Both burrs should be brushed after every 5-10 uses, more often with oily dark roasts.
Flat burrs accumulate grounds and oils in the flat grinding faces. A stiff coffee brush and a pick tool (or toothpick) for clearing the corners of the burrs is the standard approach. Don't use water on the burrs unless you dry them immediately and completely. Rust is a real risk with steel burrs if moisture sits on them.
Mark your setting position before disassembly if you don't want to re-dial after reassembly.
How It Compares
070s vs. Comandante C40
The Comandante is the most popular premium hand grinder globally and uses 38mm conical burrs. For most filter coffee brewing, both produce excellent results, though the flavor character differs slightly. Conical burrs (Comandante) tend toward clarity and balance; flat burrs (070s) tend toward complexity and intensity.
The Comandante is easier to grind physically. The 070s requires more effort per dose.
For espresso, the 070s has the edge due to its stepless adjustment and larger burrs.
The Comandante is easier to source. The Urbanic 070s is sold through specialty retailers and has more limited distribution.
070s vs. 1Zpresso JX-Pro
The 1Zpresso JX-Pro uses 48mm conical burrs and costs significantly less than the 070s. For filter coffee, the JX-Pro is a genuine bargain and performs well above its price point. The 070s has an advantage at espresso settings and for brewers who specifically prefer the flat burr flavor profile.
If budget matters, the JX-Pro is hard to beat for what you pay. If you want the best possible hand grinder for espresso and don't mind spending more and working harder, the 070s makes a case for itself.
070s vs. Weber Key
The Weber Key is another premium hand grinder with flat burrs, and it's the natural head-to-head comparison for the 070s. Both target the same audience: espresso-focused home brewers who want a portable precision grinder. The Weber Key has slightly different burr geometry and a different handle design, and both have strong supporters.
Our best coffee grinder guide includes electric options if you're deciding between hand grinding and electric across the whole range.
Who Should Buy the Urbanic 070s
The 070s is a strong choice if you:
- Brew both pour-over and espresso and want one hand grinder that handles both well
- Travel with your espresso setup and need stepless precision in a portable package
- Prefer the flat burr flavor profile and want a hand grinder that delivers it
- Don't mind the extra physical effort that comes with 70mm flat burrs
It's not the right fit if you:
- Want low-effort daily grinding (get a conical hand grinder or an electric)
- Only brew filter coffee and want to keep costs down (the 1Zpresso JX-Pro is better value)
- Need wide retail availability and easy parts access
Check our top coffee grinder roundup for a wider comparison across electric and manual options.
FAQ
How hard is it to grind with the Urbanic 070s? Harder than most conical hand grinders. The 70mm flat burrs require noticeably more torque per revolution. For a 20-gram pour-over dose at medium settings, expect 2-3 minutes. For espresso at fine settings, 3-5 minutes.
Does the stepless adjustment make it hard to find the same setting twice? Initially, yes. The solution is to mark your preferred settings with tape and a marker, or take photos. Once you know your positions, returning to them is quick.
What's the capacity of the Urbanic 070s? The grinding chamber and catch cup together handle roughly 20-25 grams comfortably, depending on bean density.
Is the Urbanic 070s good for travel? Yes. The compact size and folding handle make it practical to pack in carry-on luggage or a bag. The magnetic catch cup stays closed during transport with the handle folded.
The Takeaway
The Urbanic 070s is a specialized tool for coffee enthusiasts who want flat burr performance in a portable hand grinder. The 70mm flat burrs and stepless adjustment produce genuinely excellent results at both filter and espresso settings, and the build quality matches the premium price.
The trade-off is physical effort. You work harder per dose compared to a conical hand grinder. If that's acceptable for your use case, the 070s is one of the best hand grinders available. If daily effortless grinding matters more than flat burr character, look at a quality conical hand grinder or an electric option instead.