Baratza Encore ESP Review (2026)
★★★★★4.7 (1) · by Marcus Delgado · Updated Aug 5, 2026
Tested over 3+ weeks in our lab — see our methodology
$199 typical price
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Our Verdict
The Encore made 'buy a Baratza' the default advice of a generation; the ESP makes it espresso-literate. A dual-range adjustment dial gives 20 fine micro-steps for espresso plus 20 standard steps for everything else, backed by the industry's best repair culture. The first grinder that doesn't need replacing when you buy an espresso machine.
Test Scores
Key Specifications
| Burrs | 40mm conical steel (M2 ESP burr) |
| Settings | 40 (20 espresso micro + 20 brew macro) |
| Speed | ~1.1 g/sec espresso range |
| Hopper | 227 g |
| Single Dose | Workable with bellows mod |
| Support | Fully user-serviceable; parts forever |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Pros & Cons
What we love
- Genuinely espresso-capable at a starter price
- Baratza's legendary parts and repair support
- Simple, reliable, quiet enough for 6am
- Dual-range dial is clever and intuitive
What could be better
- Plastic body feels its price
- Some retention between doses (~0.4g)
- Fluffy, static-prone grounds in dry climates
Performance Testing
The ESP burr's espresso range is the headline: we dialed a medium roast to a proper 27-second 1:2 shot on a Bambino Plus with room to adjust in both directions — impossible on the original Encore. Filter grinds remain the Encore standard: uniform enough for sweet V60s and presses. It is not a single-doser and not a speed demon; it is the dependable center of a first real setup.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Burrs pop out by hand — no tools — for a monthly brush-out. Run grinder-cleaning pellets quarterly. When something wears out in year six, Baratza will sell you the $12 part and a smile instead of a new grinder.
Who It's Best For
First espresso machine buyers, filter brewers who might go espresso later, and anyone who values a repair-first company culture.
How It Compares
Baratza Encore ESP vs 1Zpresso J-Ultra
The hand grinder matches its espresso quality for less money — if your arms accept the daily job.
Baratza Encore ESP vs Fellow Ode Gen 2
The Ode is the superior filter-only grinder; the Encore ESP wins the moment espresso enters the picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Encore ESP or original Encore?
ESP if espresso is anywhere in your future ($30 gap). The original remains fine for filter-only households.
Can it handle a Gaggia Classic Pro?
Yes — the espresso micro-range covers non-pressurized 58mm baskets, which is exactly what it was built for.
How loud is it?
A civil ~78dB whir for a few seconds — among the quieter entry grinders, and far less grating than blade choppers.
Guides featuring this product
- The Best Coffee Grinders for Every Budget (2026)
- Coffee Grind Size Chart: Every Method, Calibrated
- Best Espresso Machines Under $500 (2026)
- Common Espresso Problems and How to Fix Them
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Turin DF64 Gen 2
The DF64 broke the prosumer grinder market: 64mm flat burrs, true single-dosing, stepless espresso-to-filter adjustment — specs that cost $1,000+ from Italian brands — at a Chinese-manufactured price that forced everyone to respond.
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