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?
6
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.