Baratza
Baratza Encore ESP review
Updated 2026-07-27
The Encore rebuilt for espresso. Same 40 mm conical format and the same repairable Baratza platform, but with an M2 burr set and a dual-resolution collar: the first twenty steps move the burrs 20 microns per click for espresso, the last twenty move 90 microns for filter.
Our opinion
7.7/10
One number fixes it
The entire product is one specification. The original Encore moves its burrs 90 microns per click, which is precisely why it never worked for espresso: the setting you actually wanted sat between two clicks and you could not get to it. The ESP rescales the first twenty steps to about 20 microns, and that is the whole difference. It turns Baratza's most recommended grinder into one that can dial in a shot, for $50 more, without giving up the filter range or the parts-forever repairability that made the Encore worth recommending in the first place. It is still plastic where it matters, it still throws grounds around, and you will end up owning a WDT tool. Buy it anyway if you are pulling shots on a budget. If the static and the retention bother you more than the price does, the Encore ESP Pro at $299.95 answers both with a stepless collar, a zinc body and a single-dose mode.
- In the cup 7.5
- Value 9.0
- Ease of use 7.0
- Build & longevity 7.0
- Versatility 7.5
- Type
- Conical burr grinder, espresso and filter
- Burrs
- 40 mm M2 conical steel, made in Liechtenstein
- Grind settings
- 40 steps on a dual-resolution collar
- Espresso range
- Steps 1 to 20, about 20 microns per click
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What works
- +The 20 micron espresso steps are the fix the original Encore needed: the setting you want is now on the dial rather than between two clicks
- +One grinder covers espresso and filter, because the collar changes resolution rather than making you compromise
- +Baratza still sells every part and publishes the repair guides, so this is a grinder you fix rather than replace
- +Comes with a dosing cup that fits 54 mm and, with the ring, 58 mm portafilters
The catch
- −Static and clumping at espresso fineness are near universal, and most owners end up stirring the dose with a WDT tool
- −Retention means true single dosing is awkward, so it suits a hopper workflow better than a weigh-in, weigh-out one
- −The grind chamber and chute are plastic, which is where the money went rather than the burrs
- −The dosing cup sits well below the spout, so grounds scatter on the way down
- −Noisy next to the single-dose grinders it competes with on price
What owners say
Recurring themes from public owner discussion (published hands-on reviews, retailer and independent video reviews, r/espresso discussion), paraphrased. Checked 2026-07-27.
Comes up as praise
- +Owners coming from the plain Encore describe dialling in espresso as going from impossible to routine
- +The espresso and filter halves of the dial mean one grinder genuinely covers both, which is rare at the price
- +Baratza's parts and repair support keeps coming up as the reason people buy the brand rather than a cheaper rival
Comes up as gripes
- −Static is the first thing almost everyone mentions, and grounds cling to the cup and the counter
- −Clumping at espresso settings is common, and a WDT stir is the standard fix rather than a workaround
- −Reported retention runs from well under a gram to a few grams depending on who is measuring, which makes single dosing fiddly
- −The plastic grind chamber draws criticism at this price, and it is the main thing the ESP Pro changes
Watch
See it in action
Video: Tom's Coffee Corner. Embedded from YouTube.
Full specifications
| Type | Conical burr grinder, espresso and filter |
|---|---|
| Burrs | 40 mm M2 conical steel, made in Liechtenstein |
| Grind settings | 40 steps on a dual-resolution collar |
| Espresso range | Steps 1 to 20, about 20 microns per click |
| Filter range | Steps 21 to 40, about 90 microns per click |
| Motor | DC, speed controlled to about 550 rpm |
| Hopper | 230 g (8.5 oz) |
| Dosing cup | 54 mm, with a 58 mm adapter ring |
| Weight | About 7 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year parts and labour |
Who it's for
The Baratza Encore ESP suits espresso on a budget, espresso and filter households, repairability, beginners.
About Baratza
Baratza is a US company focused exclusively on coffee grinders, known for burr grinders that are easy to repair thanks to readily available replacement parts.
Related guides
Compare with
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
Breville's standalone grinder (BCG820), with 40 mm conical burrs, 60 stepped settings and a programmable timer that doses in 0.2 second increments. Ships with cradles for both 50 to 54 mm and 58 mm portafilters, so it grinds hands-free straight into the basket.
Baratza Encore
An entry-level conical burr grinder that grinds consistently enough for drip and pour-over. Baratza sells every replacement part, so a worn Encore gets fixed, not binned.
Breville Barista Express
An all-in-one espresso machine with an integrated conical burr grinder, letting you grind, dose and brew from one unit.