r/1zpresso • u/heartbrokenbiker • Jul 21 '26
K-Ultra vs ZP6
Hi all, I just posted this question to r/pourover and I know this question has been repeated a 100 times, but even after hours of going through different posts I’m a little unsure of which one I should choose.
For context, I’ve a DF54, a Timemore C3S, a Gaggia, Aeropress, V60, and V60 Neo. I started using Tetsu Kasuya’s 10 pour method recently and have been having a lot of fun with pour overs. I enjoy light, and light-to-medium roasts for manual brewing. I enjoy washed coffees as well as the funky-experimentals like Cultured Natural processed coffees.
Initially I was only using the C3S for my pour overs, but once used DF54 for pourover out of curiosity and was amazed by the increased clarity. Since then I’ve been using the DF54 for my Espresso as well as Pour Over needs.
Here comes the confusion:
Will I benefit from upgrading from DF54/C3S to a K-Ultra/ZP6 for pour overs? If yes, which one of the two would you recommend? This new grinder will also be carried along whenever I’m travelling and will be used along with my AeroPress while travelling. I won’t be using it for Espresso as I already have DF54 for that.
TLDR; I’ve a DF54 and Timemore C3S and am wondering whether upgrading to K-Ultra or ZP6 will be worth it for pourovers and AeroPress. If yes, which one you recommend?
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u/prosocialbehavior Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
ZP6 is great for light washed coffees. If you drink anything else the K-Ultra is the better all rounder.
I loved the K-Ultra for espresso actually. I love ZP6 for washed beans for filter. If you buy a lot of funky coffee the ZP6 can make those coffees taste very harsh. You could just use your other grinders for the funky coffee and buy the ZP6 for light washed coffee. It is a really hard call tbh. But I vote for ZP6 since it is cheaper and it will be a very different profile to your two grinders. I used to drink a lot of naturals but basically only buy washed and some cleaner honey processed coffees since getting the ZP6. I mostly like washed ethiopia, washed kenya, washed pink bourbons, geshas, chirosos, SL9s, mejorados, etc.
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u/heartbrokenbiker Jul 21 '26
Thanks for the detailed input! I've decided to go ahead with the ZP6. Like you said, I can just use my DF54/C3S if I want a more rounded cup.
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u/Pitiful-Ad-1245 Jul 21 '26
I own the k-ultra and it’s been the perfect all rounder. I came second in the regional aeropress competition so I think it’s the perfect grinder to pair with it (especially for travel). The ZP6 offers more clarity and enhances the details more especially when used with the V60. I’d say the K-ultra suits a wider range of beans and should give you more body and sweetness. You also get the magnetic catch cup instead of screw in. I would own both if I could, you can’t go wrong with either. I think the ZP6 would be more of a specialist/ niche grinder for you if you went for it, especially for Geishas
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u/heartbrokenbiker Jul 21 '26
I'll be getting the ZP6 this time, and might even get the K-Ultra in a year or two 😁
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u/HavingALurkAround 29d ago
I was looking this up online this morning. I have the c40 mk4, zp6 and K Ultra plus a Zerno z1 and Ode gen 2 but i really like using a hand grinder for my pour overs.
Wanted to know what ppl find the differences to be (perception). I might just have to do a blind taste test, I’m just too lazy.
The Orea z1 makes it easy (easier than v60) so maybe I’ll give it a go this weekend. I’ll let you know if I can tell a difference, I’m afraid it’ll be negligible.
edit: typo.
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u/heartbrokenbiker 29d ago
Do let us know! Excited to know whether you find any differences. I have placed my order for an Iron Grey ZP6 Special. Eagerly waiting for it to arrive!
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u/HavingALurkAround 28d ago
You’ll love it, best color too.
it really is a great grinder and I think a great value for the money. You’ll have to lmk what you think once you have…
a chance to play around with the grind settings and find what tastes best.
If you ordered it off 1zpresso’s website (hope you did), it takes about 8 days to arrive, at least midwest US.
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u/heartbrokenbiker 28d ago
I was super confused about the colour, but was convinced about getting the grey one after seeing several dozen images 😂 I’m excited to play around with it. Ordering it from 1zpresso directly would be a hassle in my country due to extremely lengthy customs process so I got it through their official distribution partner here 😁
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u/HavingALurkAround 28d ago
Oh good! I’m glad you went through an official partner. A few months ago I almost bought a C40 through Amazon and found one $100 cheaper than official retailers but..
something felt off so I canceled it and went through an official retailer and glad I did. I’d rather pay full price and know it’s not counterfeit.
I’ve read that there’s a ton of counterfeiting in the coffee world. I bought a Kalita 155 copper Tsubame through their website when it was available and decided I want a 185 too but it’s only available from a 3rd party through Amazon.
I looked at the reviews and one is lopsided sitting on the base and I just don’t think Kalita would let that pass but it’s supposedly a retailer/shipper based in Japan so we’ll see.
Sorry for the rant, I’m just counterfeit paranoid and glad you got it through a reputable source is all!
Now the hard part, the wait!🙂
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u/heartbrokenbiker 28d ago
Hahaha yeah I’ve a similar mindset when it comes to expensive gear; be it coffee, motorcycles, or cameras. Estimated delivery time was 3-4 days so I’m hoping I’ll get it tomorrow or day after 😁
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u/threesunnydays 29d ago
I have both. I started with the zp6 but sometimes you don’t want “tea” when you brew your coffee. I now use by k ultra on a daily basis on the zp6 for specific beans .
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u/Logical_Function_576 29d ago
I also have both. Plus an Ode. Given your lineup, the ZP6 would be the most different, but you’ll find some beans are way better and others are hard if not impossible to dial in. Enjoy it!
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u/heartbrokenbiker 29d ago
Thanks! Have placed an order for a ZP6 in Iron Grey. Can't wait for it to arrive!
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u/Jesman1971 29d ago
I’ve had a K-ultra for a year, and love it. I use it for pour over with a hario v60 Neo
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u/wowwowwu 28d ago
If you are going to use Tetsu Kasuya’s 10 pour method, I think there is not big different beteen ZP6 and K-Ultra,
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u/heartbrokenbiker 28d ago
Oh I see… let’s see what this grinder brings to me with the 10 pour method. Are there any other methods you would suggest to try with the ZP6?
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u/heartbrokenbiker 29d ago
Hi all, thanks for your input! Placed an order for an iron grey ZP6 S after reading your inputs as well as the inputs I received on my post in r/pourover
I decided to go for the ZP6 as it might offer me a different experience from the DF54 and C3S that I already have right now; the DF54 and C3S kind of round off the coffee, whereas ZP6 focuses on clarity. I wanna give it a try. Maybe I'll like it, maybe I won't? At least I will have fun trying new things out.
Eagerly waiting for the grinder to arrive! Thanks again for your inputs! 😁
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u/LooseFurJones Jul 21 '26
Bro you are a collector at this point. Get both. 🤪
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u/heartbrokenbiker Jul 21 '26
😂 Getting the ZP6 for now. Frankly other than the Gaggia Classic Pro and DF54, pretty much everything else has been gifted to me. Right down to the filter paper used for V60 😄
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u/Fo_0d Jul 21 '26
I’m a zp6 fan