If you love to brew great coffee whilst on the move, a quality manual coffee grinder is essential. Whether it’s backpacking, camping, hiking, van life, or work trips, everything is better with guaranteed quality coffee. Unfortunately, “travel grinders” have been getting bigger – many are well over 2lbs these days. So we had to do a 1Zpresso Q2 review since it’s genuinely small and lightweight, but is it any good?
We found the 1Zpresso Q2 to be a superb option for anyone who likes to brew pour over or AeroPress while on the go. It’s slim enough to fit inside an AeroPress and light enough to not take up your full baggage allowance on a flight. We’d prefer it to have a higher bean capacity but then it would need to be bigger so we can’t be too upset about it.
Getting the right grinder for your coffee setup is crucial and there are very few “one size fits all” options. We’ve extensively tested the 1Zpresso Q2 to see if it could handle our travel coffee needs. And we’re sharing our thoughts so you can see if it will handle yours too.
This article may contain affiliate/ compensated links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. For more information please see our disclaimer here.
Weighing just over 1lb (465g), the 1Zpresso Q2 is small and light enough to genuinely be considered a handy travel grinder.
It fits perfectly inside the AeroPress which is a nice design feature clearly aimed at a particular group of coffee obsessives. Plus, it makes it easier to pack.
It’s also a pretty strong suggestion as to the style of coffee the Q2 is best suited to: AeroPress or pour over. Unless you particularly enjoy a 2 minute workout, I wouldn’t recommend using it to grind for espresso.
With hand grinders constantly getting bigger, the 1Zpresso Q2 offers the best quality and consistency for its small size. And the price is pretty inviting too.
Pros
- Fits inside AeroPress
- Lightweight
- Durable construction
- Grinds fast
- Good grind consistnency
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Requires “seasoning” to reduce fines
- No external grind adjustment
- Not good for espresso
- Small capacity – designed for single use
1. 38mm Stainless Steel Heptaganol Burrs
When the 1Zpresso Q2 was first released, it was only possible to get the heptagonal burr set in Taiwan and China. Everywhere else, it was sold with a pentagonal burr set. Luckily, all models now have the smoother heptagonal burrs as standard (though it’s worth double-checking in case you buy old stock).
These burrs work well for everything from medium to light roast coffees, particularly when brewing pour over. However, they also make espresso grinding possible just as long as you’re willing to put the work in – it took me around 2 minutes to grind a single dose!
2. Less than 2″ Diameter
The 1Zpresso Q2 is incredibly compact – the body is just 1.85″ (47mm) in diameter. Not only does this mean it can fit inside an AeroPress, but it’s also incredibly easy to hold (especially if you have smaller hands) due to the ultra-slim design.
3. Extremely Lightweight
Don’t worry about exceeding your baggage allowance or having to heft an extra few lbs of coffee grinder on your hike. At only 1.03 lbs (465g), the Q2 is truly designed with travelers in mind.
4. Numbered Grind Setting Dial
The numbered ring around the grind adjustment allows you to easily swap between settings or return to your perfect grind size after cleaning. There are 10 numbers with a total of 30 clicks per rotation. You can get 3 full rotations, making a total of 90 grind settings although a usable range of 48-50 clicks.
Unlike some of the newer 1Zpresso models, it’s an internal adjustment dial which is less convenient but certainly not difficult to use.
5. Foldable Handle
The latest iteration – the 1Zpresso Q2 S – now features a foldable handle. This brings it in line with the latest and greatest offerings from 1Zpresso like the J Ultra and K Ultra. The model we tested (and photographed) was the older version so it didn’t feature this but we’ve loved it on the other 1Zpresso grinders we’ve tested.
This handle design makes the Q2 even easier to travel with. Even with the handle attached and folded out, it’s only 7 inches wide (180mm).
One thing that is hugely in the 1Zpresso Q2’s favor is that it’s small.
If you only plan to use it at home, you might think this isn’t relevant. But, if you have smaller hands, it’s significantly easier to grip than other manual grinders like the Comandante C40 MK4.
Our standard test is to get my 5’2″ wife, Katie, to try grinding and see if it feels awkward. At only 1.85″ (47mm) in diameter, she found it incredibly comfortable to keep a firm grip on the Q2 whilst grinding so if you have smaller hands you should be fine.
The new heptagonal burrs are extremely sharp and while this does cause some issues early on (more on that later), it does mean that it grinds very fast. When grinding medium roast beans for pour over, it took me around 30 seconds.
I love the external adjustment dials on the more premium 1Zpresso grinders – they’re just much easier than having the dial under the burrs. However, the Q2 has this compromise setup where the adjustment dial is under the burr but it does have numbers around the outside to help you with your grind settings.
The Q2 has a listed maximum capacity of 20g. But, at a push, we got 24g of lighter roasted beans in. Either way, it should comfortably be enough for 1 person. If you’re making coffee for more than 1 person, you’ll need multiple doses.
Overall, it’s easy to adjust, easy to hold, and quick to grind. We were really impressed with the Q2’s performance.
Grind Size Guidelines for the 1Zpresso Q2
Each click on the Q2 is 24 microns giving you good accuracy for Moka pot to French press grinding. The new heptagonal burrs make it possible to grind for espresso but it takes ages – close to 2 minutes. However, if you have the time (and muscles!), the flavor is good.
The following table shows the grind ranges we found worked best whilst testing for our 1Zpresso Q2 review. Depending on the beans you’re using, the exact number of clicks may vary. Honestly, we found 1Zpresso’s table of recommended settings incredibly confusing which is unusual for them. So hopefully you’ll find our table a little more helpful and easy to understand:
Brewing Method | Range Start | Range End |
---|---|---|
Espresso | 0.2.0 | 0.8.0 |
Moka Pot | 1.0.0 | 1.3.0 |
AeroPress | 1.3.0 | 1.7.0 |
Pour Over | 1.7.0 | 2.3.0 |
French Press | 2.3.0 | 3.0.0 |
If this looks like gibberish, it’s written as the total number of rotations, then the number on the dial, and finally how many clicks between the numbers. So, 1.7.0 for pour over means 1 full rotation, number 7 on the dial, and 0 clicks past that (basically 51 clicks in total.)
The Looks
The Q2 has that good old-fashioned 1Zpresso look that I love – it’s a timeless design.
It sets itself apart from other entry-level grinders which are mostly made from plastic or glass. Instead, the Q2 has an aluminum alloy body with wood accent on the handle. This combo gives it a more premium look (and feel).
Don’t get me wrong, looks are pretty far down my list of priorities when buying a manual grinder. Plus, it’s so tiny that you’ll hardly be able to see it whilst you’re grinding. But it’s still nice to have a grinder that’s good to look at and can happily take pride of place in your coffee setup.
The Build
As with all grinders made by 1Zpresso, the build quality of the Q2 is exceptional.
Having a mostly aluminum body is always a good place to start for the longevity of your hand grinder. Though it’s maybe not as “drop-proof” as some heavier alternatives.
Internally, the burrs are made from high-quality stainless steel capable of grinding between 100 and 200kg of coffee in their lifetime. So, if you grind 40g (twice the maximum capacity) every day, you’ll reach 100kg of coffee ground in 6 years and 310 days.
A decade of normal use is not an unrealistic expectation.
The newest 1Zpresso Q2 S features a foldable handle and I’ve seen some engineer types suggesting that this could be a weak point with long-term use. They worry it will reach a point where it no longer twists into place. But nobody has actually had an issue with it (that we’re aware of) nor have they owned it anywhere near long enough to start to see any failures. We trust 1Zpresso though so we’re not worried.
If you’re brewing pour over, French press, or AeroPress where you need medium to coarse grinds, the Q2 performs great.
The move from the pentagonal burr set that used to be on the Q Mini and older Q2 grinders to the heptagonal burrs has improved the grind consistency. It was already superb but this little boost means you’re at the top end of mid-range grinder capabilities.
The burrs are extremely sharp though.
This may sound like a good thing but it means you’ll get lots of fines when you first start using the grinder. I was surprised by how bad it was (I lost around 0.2g of ground coffee every time). But, after 1-2 months, you should start seeing the best results as this is when your grinder is “seasoned”.
However, it’s also possible to speed up this process with some poor-quality coffee beans that you don’t mind wasting. (Instant rice will also work.) It’s not the most exciting task in the world so I just put on Netflix and zoned out. But the rewards are worth it.
The other great thing about the move to the heptagonal burrs is that espresso from the Q2 tastes really good. 1Zpresso doesn’t recommend the Q2 for espresso at all – it takes around 2 minutes to grind a 20g dose – but if you’re happy to invest the time and effort for the occasional shot then you’ll be very pleased with the results. Though I wouldn’t use it as a dedicated espresso grinder.
For me, the biggest difference compared to older hand grinders is that there are fewer parts you have to keep track of. You still need to be careful when disassembling so you know which order they need to be put back together in, but it’s a lot easier.
You simply brush out your grinder with the provided brush to make sure there are no fines left inside. Annoyingly, it doesn’t come with an air blower like the more premium 1Zpresso grinders but you can pick one up very cheaply.
Never use water to clean your grinder as this will damage the burrs.
1Zpresso Q2 vs Timemore C3
Let’s start by comparing two mid-range grinders from manufacturers that coffee nerds love.
Most importantly, the 1Zpresso Q2 is around $30 more expensive than the Timemore C3. So everything has to be caveated with this fact and it might be too much for those on a tight budget.
In terms of actual usability and grind quality, the Q2 wins hands down for everything outside of espresso. The build quality feels better and it gets a more balanced flavor in the cup when making drip or French press coffee.
There are ways of modding the C3 to make it a better espresso grinder. We never tried them though as they’re pretty extreme and you risk causing damage. But if you’re on a tight budget then you may be able to pull better espresso shots using the C3 with modifications.
The Q2 can, in theory, grind fine enough for espresso. However, it’s really slow so you need to balance the good flavor with the arm workout. So I wouldn’t recommend either for anything other than the occasional espresso.
Overall, if you can afford it, the 1Zpresso Q2 is the better grinder for pretty much everyone.
Grind Consistency: 8/10
Range of Grind Sizes: 7/10
Ease of Use: 9/10
Best for: Drip or French press
Overall Rating: 8/10
Or read our full C3 review
Porlex Mini
The Porlex Mini also fits inside your AeroPress and is a little cheaper than the Q2. However it doesn’t look as nice, it isn’t as precise a grinder, and doesn’t have as good a grind range.
If you’re tight on budget then the Porlex Mini is a solid manual grinder that will work nicely.
If you can spare a little extra then you’ll be greatly rewarded with better tasting coffee from the Q2.
Grind Consistency: 7/10
Range of Grind Sizes: 6/10
Ease of Use: 8/10
Best for: AeroPress
Overall Rating: 7/10
Or read our full Porlex Mini II review
As a grinder for those who travel a lot for work or for fun, the Q2 ticks a lot of boxes. It’s small, lightweight, has great build quality, and has excellent consistency.
It’s not without limitations though:
If you favor espresso, you’ll find it a real slog and upper arm workout. It also has a small capacity that’s only suited for single-dose, single-person brewing. But all grinders that can be thrown in a backpack have drawbacks.
However, the combination of affordable price and small size/weight make it the perfect travel grinder for anyone looking for high-quality AeroPress or pour over on the go. Whilst testing for this 1Zpresso Q2 review, we found it ideal for all outdoor activities including hiking or camping.
It’s easily the best grinder that fits inside an AeroPress.
Don’t forget to Buy your 1Zpresso Q2 today
You Might Also Like
-
Best Deals for Coffee Lovers in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
We’ve sniffed out the best deals for coffee lovers in the Big Spring Sale from Amazon. Find the biggest discounts on coffee makers here
-
1Zpresso J Series:
Which Is The Best Grinder For You?We tested all the 1Zpresso J Series Grinders to help you decipher which is best. Is it the J Ultra, JE Plus, J Manual, or something else?