Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by smiling-coffee-snob
The 1Zpresso Q2 (pronounced like E-Z presso) has all the most important aspects of a good travel grinder. It’s small, solid and portable with minimal loss in performance.
Like all manual coffee grinders, the Q2 is a mix of good and bad, but I consider it to be the best travel grinder available right now. I can’t say that I’d recommend it as a daily grinder, but it could be if you brew for one.
So, let’s get to it. In this 1Zpresso Q2 review I’ll show you the good, the bad and my overall impression after using it for a number of months. I’ll also introduce you to some alternatives to consider.
(Disclaimer: This is not sponsored, but the links are affiliate links. If you use them to buy something, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you).
Who is 1Zpresso?
1Zpresso is a new, Taiwan-based company that is taking the hand grinder market by storm. They have a number of different grinders in all shapes and sizes, but the Q2 is their smallest.
What makes them so impressive as a company is how they have managed to strike a balance between quality and price better than most of their competitors. The materials and grind quality rival grinders that are much more expensive. So, while they certainly aren’t cheap, they are an excellent value considering the quality.
1Zpresso Q2 Review: The travel grinder
Most travel grinders look fairly similar and the Q2 really doesn’t break the mold in any way. But, there are a few design tweaks that make it stand out.
The body is short, slim, and silver, but it features a wood collar to grip the outside and a see-through plastic top attached to the grind handle. There’s also a wooden knob to hold for the grinding process. The screw on metal bottom is a nice addition, too.
Size
Like most other travel grinders, the size is either a pro or a con, depending on your perspective. Personally, I think they found the right balance between size and performance, but it’s still a small grinder. The handle is removable, but when it’s disassembled you need to be careful not to scratch the body when you store it.
They claim the capacity is 15-20g, but you can probably get closer to 25g if you use light roasted beans. What really sets the Q2 apart is the speed and grind quality. The 38 mm stainless steel burrs easily cut through coffee beans with minimal effort.
Like other small manual coffee grinders, the Q2 body can fit inside the tube of an Aeropress. You’ll need to store the handle outside of it, but since the Aeropress is plastic it will protect the Q2 body from damage.
Performance
I wouldn’t call the Q2 a top-of-the-line grinder, but it’s pretty close. If you want top notch performance, but like the look of 1Zpresso, the JX grinders have a larger burr sett and would be closer to the top level. Of course, the trade-off is size.
Overall, the Q2 performs dramatically better then the Hario Skerton and other grinders with a ceramic burr set. It also grinds much faster and it has dual bearings that prevent wobble during grinding. This makes for a much more consistent particle size.
At the other end of the spectrum, if you’re used to the JX, the Lido or a similar grinder with 48mm burrs, performance of the Q2 will be slightly worse. It will take longer to grind the same amount of coffee and the particle size won’t be as consistent. It’s not a dramatic difference, but it is noticeable.
How does the 1Zpresso Q2 compare to similar grinders?
The closest competitor is the Timemore C2, which is priced lower, but has more plastic parts. I haven’t done a direct comparison between the Q2 and the C2, but based on what I’ve read about each of them, it’s clear that the Q2 is likely to last longer and perform better. There’s a good reddit thread on the subject if you want more comparisons.
When it comes to small manual coffee grinders, most of them have very similar designs so you need to look closely at the details. You should primarily consider the size, material of the burr set and the bearings used. Steel burr’s and some kind of dual bearing system are the best way to go.
These details are where the 1Zpresso Q2 really stands out from the others. The entire body is metal with a high-quality wooden collar to grip. There are dual bearings also made of metal, as well as a metal handle with a wooden knob. The only plastic part is the cover that attaches to the top.
Is this the travel grinder of your dreams?
Like I said before, I think that the 1Zpresso Q2 is the best travel grinder available right now. It has all the advantages of similar looking grinders, but the materials and performance are top-notch. While it’s best as a travel grinder, is strong enough to handle daily use.
The only thing that I’d recommend is that you consider whether the small size will work for you long term and how much you want to spend. If you’re willing to spend a little more, you’ll probably be happier with the 1Zpresso JX—just keep in mind it’s bigger. If you’re on more of a budget, consider the Timemore C2.