1Zpresso vs Timemore for Espresso: Hand Grinder Showdown

Not sure which setup is right for you?

Hand grinders punch above their weight class. For the price of a mediocre electric grinder, you get burr quality matching £300+ electrics. The trade-off is 30-45 seconds of manual grinding per dose. If that works for your morning, the value proposition is compelling. Here's how the two most popular espresso-capable hand grinder brands actually compare.

Quick answer

1Zpresso grinders are faster with more grind adjustments. Timemore grinders are more affordable and nearly as good. For pure espresso, 1Zpresso J-series wins. For mixed use or budget constraints, Timemore delivers excellent value.

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Why hand grinders work for espresso

Hand grinders skip the motor, which is the most expensive component of electric grinders. That budget goes into better burrs and tighter tolerances instead.

A £100 hand grinder often matches a £300 electric for grind consistency. A £200 hand grinder competes with £500+ electrics. The maths only fails if you value your grinding time highly.

For one or two espressos daily, 30-45 seconds of grinding is barely noticeable. For a household of coffee drinkers or impatient mornings, electric makes more sense.

The contenders

Timemore espresso models:

Timemore C3 ESP PRO (~£80-100): Entry-level espresso-capable. Great value.

Timemore Chestnut X (~£150-180): Premium model with better burrs and bearings.

1Zpresso espresso models:

1Zpresso JX-Pro (~£150-180): Popular mid-range espresso grinder.

1Zpresso J-Max (~£200-230): External adjustment, titanium burrs.

1Zpresso J-Ultra (~£180-200): Sweet spot model with excellent espresso performance.

Grind quality comparison

Both brands produce genuinely good espresso grinds. The differences are subtle.

1Zpresso advantages:

More adjustment steps in the espresso range. The JX-Pro has over 200 clicks per rotation with very fine increments. This makes dialling in precise and repeatable.

Faster grinding. The burr geometry and larger burrs (48mm on most models) grind a dose in 25-35 seconds versus 40-50 seconds for Timemore.

Slightly more consistent particle distribution on high-end models. The J-Max in particular competes with grinders costing twice as much.

Timemore advantages:

Lower entry price. The C3 ESP PRO delivers espresso-capable grinding for under £100, making it accessible for beginners testing whether espresso works for them.

Good-enough quality for most users. The difference between Timemore and 1Zpresso is noticeable if you're comparing directly, but either makes excellent espresso.

More compact designs in some models. The Chestnut series is particularly portable.

Adjustment systems

This is where the brands differ most obviously.

Timemore: Internal adjustment via clicking dial at the bottom. You count clicks from zero (closed) to find your setting. Works well but requires unscrewing the catch cup to adjust. Fewer clicks per rotation means coarser adjustment steps.

**1Zpresso:** Most models use external adjustment via a numbered dial. You can see your setting and adjust while holding the grinder. More clicks per rotation means finer adjustment steps. Significantly easier to dial in and return to settings.

For espresso specifically, the external adjustment of 1Zpresso is notably more convenient. Espresso requires frequent small adjustments, and seeing your setting matters.

Build quality and durability

Both brands build solid grinders that last years with minimal maintenance.

**1Zpresso:** Generally considered the more premium build. Metal construction throughout, tight tolerances, smooth bearing action. Feels like a precision instrument.

Timemore: Excellent build quality at lower prices. Some plastic components on entry models. Premium models match 1Zpresso quality.

Both hold up to daily home use. Neither is likely to fail from normal grinding.

Which Timemore for espresso?

Timemore C3 ESP PRO (~£80-100):

The entry point for espresso hand grinding. The "ESP" designation indicates espresso-specific burrs with finer adjustment steps than standard C3.

Works well for espresso, though adjustment is less precise than pricier options. Excellent value for beginners or budget-conscious users.

Timemore Chestnut X (~£150-180):

Premium Timemore with better burrs, bearings, and construction. Competes more directly with 1Zpresso.

Worth the upgrade if you're committed to hand grinding long-term.

Which 1Zpresso for espresso?

1Zpresso JX-Pro (~£150-180):

The most popular espresso hand grinder. External adjustment dial, 48mm burrs, excellent espresso performance.

Sweet spot for most home espresso users. Grinds fast, dials in precisely, lasts for years.

1Zpresso J-Ultra (~£180-200):

Similar to JX-Pro with some refinements. Titanium-coated burrs for longevity.

Worth considering if you find it on sale; otherwise the JX-Pro is equivalent value.

1Zpresso J-Max (~£200-230):

Top of the range with external adjustment, magnetic catch cup, and exceptional grind quality.

Overkill for most home users but excellent if you want the best hand grinding experience.

1Zpresso Q2/K-series:

These are not espresso-optimised. The Q2 can grind for espresso but lacks the fine adjustment needed for precision. The K-series is designed for filter coffee.

Stick to J-series for espresso.

Head-to-head recommendation

Under £100: Timemore C3 ESP PRO

No competition at this price. Delivers espresso-capable grinding for less than many cheap electric grinders that can't even grind fine enough.

Check Amazon UK

£150-200: 1Zpresso JX-Pro or J-Ultra

The external adjustment and faster grinding are worth the premium over Timemore. This is where hand grinding really shines.

Check JX-Pro on Amazon UK

Over £200: Consider electric

At this price point, entry-level electric grinders like the Baratza Encore ESP become competitive. Unless you specifically value hand grinding (travel, noise, ritual), electric convenience might be worth it.

Hand grinder vs electric: the honest comparison

Choose hand grinding if:

You make 1-2 espressos daily max.

You don't mind (or enjoy) the grinding ritual.

Noise matters (early mornings, small spaces).

Budget is limited and you want maximum grind quality per pound.

Travel with your grinder.

Choose electric if:

You make more than 2-3 drinks daily.

Multiple household members drink espresso.

Speed and convenience are priorities.

You can afford £200+ for a capable electric grinder.

The hybrid approach:

Some people own both. Electric for daily convenience, hand grinder for travel or when noise matters. If you start with a hand grinder and later add electric, the hand grinder remains useful.

Maintenance for both brands

Both require minimal maintenance:

Brush out retained grounds after each use.

Deep clean with grinder cleaning tablets monthly.

Check burrs annually for wear (should last years of home use).

Both brands offer replacement burrs if eventually needed.

Common questions about 1Zpresso vs Timemore

Which brand makes better espresso?

1Zpresso, marginally. The finer adjustment steps and faster grinding give it an edge. But Timemore espresso is genuinely good, the difference is subtle.

Is a £80 Timemore good enough for espresso?

Yes. The C3 ESP PRO makes legitimate espresso. It's less convenient to adjust than pricier grinders, but the coffee quality is there.

How long does hand grinding take?

About 25-35 seconds for 1Zpresso, 40-50 seconds for Timemore, per 18g dose. Faster than boiling a kettle.

Will I get tired of hand grinding?

Some people do, some don't. Try a budget model first. If you love the ritual, upgrade later. If you hate it, you've learned for minimal cost.

Can I use these for filter coffee too?

Yes, but Timemore handles the switch better. 1Zpresso J-series is espresso-optimised. For both espresso and filter, consider the Timemore Chestnut X or 1Zpresso K-Plus.

Where should I buy?

Amazon UK for convenience and returns. Direct from manufacturers for sometimes better prices. AliExpress for Timemore (they're a Chinese brand) can save money with longer shipping times.

Not sure about hand grinding?

Take our 60-second quiz for personalised grinder recommendations based on your workflow.

Take the Espresso Setup Quiz →

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