Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder Review 2026: Worth Buying?

Espresso at home lives or dies by the grinder. You can own a great machine, buy fresh beans, and still pull sour, gushing shots because your grinder cannot hit a fine enough setting. That single problem pushed Baratza to build the Encore ESP.

The original Encore sold for more than a decade as the safe first burr grinder. It ground beautifully for drip and French press. It could not do espresso. The Encore ESP fixes that gap with better burrs, a smarter dial, and a dosing cup in the box, all for about $200.

But 2026 is a crowded year for grinders. Flat burr machines now sit in the same price bracket. So does the Encore ESP still earn a spot on your counter? I tested it across espresso, pour over, and French press, and I am going to tell you exactly where it shines and where it frustrates.

In a Nutshell:

• The espresso range is real, but it has limits. The first 20 clicks move in roughly 18.8 micron steps, which is genuinely fine resolution for this price. Dark and medium roasts dial in easily. Light roasts will push the grinder to its edge, and sometimes past it.
• The M2 burr set is the biggest upgrade. These 40mm conical steel burrs come from Etzinger and used to appear only in pricier Baratza models. Pour over tastes noticeably cleaner than it did on the original Encore.
• Build quality is the weak spot. The body is mostly plastic. It sounds hollow when you tap it, the power switch feels cheap, and the dosing cup sits loose in the cradle.
• It is loud. Expect readings around 92 decibels. That is on the noisy end of the market for a home grinder.
• Retention sits near 1.1 grams. Fine, not class leading. You will want to purge beans when switching from espresso to filter.
• Best fit: beginners and milk drink lovers who want one grinder for espresso and filter without spending $400.

Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder

Last update on 2026-10-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Encore ESP is a 40mm conical burr electric grinder built for home use. It runs a 150 watt motor at roughly 450 to 550 RPM, which keeps heat and static lower than high speed blade or cheap burr units. The hopper holds about 230 grams, or 8.5 ounces, of whole beans.

Baratza positions it as the espresso capable Encore. The ESP letters stand for espresso, and that is the entire point of the redesign. You get 40 stepped settings split across two ranges, a quick release burr for cleaning, a dosing cup with a 58mm adapter, the classic grounds bin, and a stiff cleaning brush.

The unit measures roughly 13 x 15 x 34 cm, so it slides under most kitchen cabinets. Baratza also includes shims for grinding even finer, which tells you something about how the company expects people to use it.

Unboxing Experience

The box is compact and plain. Baratza does not chase luxury packaging, and that is fine, because the money went into the burrs instead. Inside you find the grinder wrapped in a thin bag, seated in molded cardboard.

Pull it out and the first reaction is honest surprise at the weight. It feels lighter than you expect. The plastic body has no heft, and that first impression sticks with you.

Under the grinder sits a small accessory tray. You get the dosing cup, the 58mm adapter ring, the original plastic grounds bin, a brush, a set of shims in a tiny bag, and a short manual.

Setup takes about four minutes. Seat the hopper, twist it to lock, plug it in, run a few beans through to season the burrs, and you are brewing. No app, no calibration routine, no fuss. Baratza kept the out of box experience refreshingly simple.

Design and Build Quality

The Encore ESP looks better than the old Encore, though it will not win any design awards. The italic Encore wordmark is gone, replaced by a clean logo. Lines are slightly more modern. The grind adjustment now lives on a collar around the hopper instead of hiding inside.

Controls stay dead simple. A rocker power switch on the side, a pulse button on the front, and the hopper collar for grind size. Anyone can learn this grinder in one morning.

Then you tap the body. It sounds hollow and plasticky. The dosing cup rests in a shallow cradle and wobbles. The on and off switch has that cheap click. Compared with the metal bodied grinders arriving at similar prices in 2026, the Encore ESP feels dated in the hand.

Baratza has a track record here, though. The original Encore lasted years in home kitchens despite the same plastic shell.

Burrs and Grinding Engine

The M2 conical burr set is the headline hardware change. It is a 40mm steel cone sourced from Etzinger, the same Swiss supplier behind the older M3 set. The M2 cuts more cleanly and produces a tighter particle distribution.

If you upgraded an old Encore to M2 burrs yourself, you know the pain. The job required nearly full disassembly. On the ESP, the burr releases without tools, which makes deep cleaning a five minute task instead of a weekend project.

The motor spins slowly on purpose. Low RPM means less heat in the grounds and less static cling. Baratza pairs it with a gearbox and a thermal cutoff, so the grinder protects itself if a rock or a bean jam stalls the burrs.

One detail bothers me. The impeller that sweeps grounds into the chute is plastic and spins constantly. Over years it wears.

Top 3 Alternative for Baratza Encore ESP

Last update on 2026-10-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder

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Fellow Opus Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

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Breville Smart Grinder Pro

The 40 Step Adjustment System

This is the clever part. Baratza split the dial into two zones instead of spreading 40 clicks evenly across every brew method.

Clicks 1 through 20 are marked in black and reserved for espresso. Each click shifts grind size by roughly 18.8 microns. That resolution lets you chase a shot time without jumping straight past your target. For a $200 grinder, this is a real achievement.

Clicks 21 through 40 open up with much larger jumps, covering pour over, Chemex, drip, and French press. You move between espresso and filter in a handful of turns rather than counting 30 clicks.

The downside is reference. There are no numbers printed on the collar, just marks, so logging your settings takes guesswork or a piece of tape. Returning to a known espresso setting after a week of French press is less precise than it should be.

Espresso Performance

The Encore ESP pulls real espresso. Shots come out with decent body, pleasant mouthfeel, and no harsh sourness when you dial in properly. The profile reminds me of the Baratza Sette, slightly less sweet and less textured, but genuinely enjoyable.

Dark roasts are where it feels happiest. Grind size reaches fine enough territory with room to spare, extraction stays even, and shots land in the 25 to 30 second window without a fight.

Medium roasts get harder. With a 58mm precision basket I needed settings beyond what the standard range offered. The included shims fix the reach problem by pushing the cone closer to the outer ring.

Installing shims introduces new problems, though. Retention climbs, grounds clump harder, and the chamber runs warmer. Light roast espresso is genuinely outside this grinder’s comfort zone.

Pour Over and French Press Performance

Filter brewing is where the Encore ESP quietly excels. The M2 burrs produce cleaner cups than the original Encore ever managed, with better clarity and more balanced body.

V60, Kalita, Chemex, and AeroPress all come out well. French press is excellent because the coarse range produces few fines, so the cup stays clean instead of silty.

Blind tested against a DF54 flat burr grinder, the Encore held its own while both cups were hot. Flavor notes landed in similar places. As the cups cooled, the DF54 showed a longer, more continuous aftertaste while the Encore’s finish dropped off faster.

That difference matters only if you brew carefully with good water and pay close attention. For most households, filter coffee from this grinder tastes great and arrives without drama.

Grind Retention, Static and Clumping

Open the chamber after a session and you will recover around 1.1 grams of trapped grounds. That is acceptable, not impressive. Dedicated single dose grinders retain a fraction of that.

Static shows up depending on your beans and your kitchen. Dry air and light roasts create the worst clinging, with grounds sticking to the bin walls and the dosing cup. The fix is old and reliable: stir a single droplet of water into your beans before grinding.

Clumping appears at espresso settings. Grounds exit the chute in small clusters rather than loose fluff, so WDT stirring is basically mandatory if you want even extraction.

Retention also means cross contamination. Going from a dark espresso blend to a light filter roast without purging leaves stale grounds in your brew. Run five grams through first.

Noise Level and Daily Use

Measured at the counter, the Encore ESP reads around 92 decibels. That puts it among the louder home grinders sold today. The sound is rattly and hollow rather than a smooth mechanical hum.

Early morning grinding will wake a light sleeper in the next room. If that matters in your home, plan to grind the night before or accept the noise.

Daily workflow is otherwise pleasant. Load beans, press the front button, hold for your dose, release. The pulse button gives direct control without timers or screens to manage.

Grind speed sits in reasonable territory for the price. An 18 gram espresso dose takes roughly 20 to 25 seconds. Filter doses move faster because coarser settings pass beans quickly.

The hollow noise does not predict failure. The original Encore sounded identical and ran for years.

Cleaning and Maintenance

This is a genuine strength. Pop the hopper, twist the release, and the cone burr lifts out in seconds. No screwdriver, no springs flying across the kitchen.

The included brush cleans the chute effectively. Its bristles are stiff enough to dislodge packed fines, which is exactly what the narrow chute collects.

Baratza sells every part separately, including the impeller, burrs, gearbox, and switches. Replacing a worn impeller costs very little. That repairability has kept old Encores alive long past their warranty.

Baratza’s US support remains strong, with a one year warranty and a repair program. Service outside North America depends on your local distributor, and experiences vary. Baratza now sits under Breville ownership, which changed the company but has not yet broken the support reputation.

Plan a full clean every two to three weeks with daily espresso use.

What the Encore ESP Does Not Do Well

An honest review names the failures. Here they are plainly.

Light roast espresso is a struggle. Even with shims installed, dense light roasted beans resist grinding fine enough for a balanced shot.

The build feels cheap for 2026. Plastic housing, plastic chamber, plastic impeller, loose dosing cup, hollow sound. Competitors at this price increasingly use metal.

There are no numbers on the grind collar, so repeatable settings require your own markings.

Static and clumping persist at espresso settings. You will stir every dose.

It is loud enough to annoy housemates.

Retention near 1.1 grams means purging between brew methods.

And finally, the plastic impeller spinning hundreds of times per dose raises a fair question about microplastic wear over years of use.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• M2 conical burrs from Etzinger deliver a clear jump in grind consistency over the original Encore
• Dedicated 20 click espresso range with roughly 18.8 micron steps gives real dialing control
• Toolless burr removal makes deep cleaning genuinely fast
• Comes with a dosing cup, a 58mm adapter, a grounds bin, shims, and a brush
• Excellent across pour over, drip, AeroPress, and French press
• Low RPM motor limits heat buildup in the grounds
• Every part is replaceable and affordable, with strong Baratza support in the US
• Compact footprint fits under standard cabinets
• Priced near $200, which undercuts most espresso capable electric grinders

Cons

• Mostly plastic construction that feels and sounds cheap
• Struggles to grind fine enough for light roast espresso
• Loud at roughly 92 decibels
• Around 1.1 grams of retention requires purging between brew methods
• Clumping at espresso settings makes WDT necessary
• No numbered reference marks on the adjustment collar
• Plastic impeller wears over time
• Static cling varies with beans and humidity

Who Should Buy the Encore ESP

This grinder fits a specific person very well. If you are buying your first real espresso setup, the Encore ESP removes the biggest obstacle for the least money.

Milk drink drinkers are the ideal match. Lattes, flat whites, and cappuccinos use darker or medium roasted beans that this grinder handles comfortably. Milk also forgives small extraction imperfections.

Mixed method households benefit too. If one person drinks espresso and another drinks French press, a single grinder covering both ranges saves counter space and money.

Skip it if you chase light roast single origin espresso. You will outgrow the fine range within months and feel the plastic limits under pressure.

Also skip it if noise is a dealbreaker, or if you want a grinder that feels premium every time you touch it.

Price and Value in 2026

The Encore ESP sits around $199.95 at retail. Baratza has since added the Encore ESP Pro above it, which brings upgraded internals at a higher price, and the Virtuoso+ still occupies the step above with a digital timer.

At $200, the value case is strong but no longer unopposed. Flat burr grinders now reach this neighborhood, and they deliver more clarity and better construction for a modest premium.

What the Encore ESP still owns is the combination of approachable espresso resolution, easy cleaning, a tiny learning curve, and parts availability. Few grinders are this easy to live with and this easy to repair.

Think of it as a dependable starter that holds decent resale value and keeps running for years with cheap replacement parts.

Final Verdict

The Baratza Encore ESP earns a recommendation with clear boundaries drawn around it.

It is a genuine upgrade over the original Encore. The M2 burrs improve every cup, the espresso range works as advertised for dark and medium roasts, and toolless cleaning is a quality of life win that cheaper grinders never offer.

It is also plastic, loud, clumpy at fine settings, and outmatched by light roast espresso. Those limits are real and you should expect them.

Buy it if you want one affordable grinder that does espresso and filter competently, and you drink mostly medium to dark roasts. Look at a flat burr alternative if you already know you want precision, metal construction, and light roast capability.

For its price and its target user, the Encore ESP remains one of the smartest first grinder purchases available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Baratza Encore ESP really grind fine enough for espresso?

Yes, for most beans. The first 20 clicks cover the espresso range with roughly 18.8 micron steps. Dark and medium roasts dial in without trouble. Light roasts often need the included shims, and even then results can disappoint.

What are the shims included with the Encore ESP for?

The shims install under the cone burr and push it closer to the outer ring, unlocking finer settings. Installation takes a few minutes. Expect more retention, more clumping, and more heat once you add them.

Is the Encore ESP better than the original Encore?

Yes, clearly. The M2 burr set improves consistency and flavor clarity, the espresso range is new, cleaning is far easier, and the dosing cup suits modern single dosing. The price difference is small.

How loud is the Baratza Encore ESP?

Around 92 decibels, which is loud for a home grinder. The plastic body amplifies a hollow rattle. Grinding early in the morning will likely be heard through walls.

Does the Encore ESP need WDT for espresso?

Practically, yes. Grounds exit in clumps at fine settings. A simple WDT tool with needles evens the puck and prevents channeling, which improves shot consistency noticeably.

How much coffee does the Encore ESP retain?

Roughly 1.1 grams. That is reasonable for the category but higher than dedicated single dose grinders. Purge a few grams of beans when switching between espresso and filter settings.

How do I clean the Baratza Encore ESP?

Remove the hopper, twist the quick release, and lift out the cone burr. Brush the chamber, the burr, and the chute with the included brush. Reassemble in reverse. Do this every two to three weeks with heavy use.

Is the Encore ESP worth it in 2026?

For beginners and milk drink lovers, yes. For light roast espresso enthusiasts, no. Flat burr grinders slightly above this price now offer better build quality and clarity if you want to grow into the hobby.