Baratza Encore ESP vs DF64: When to Spend on a Grinder
The Encore ESP is a competent espresso grinder that will let you dial in and enjoy shots. The DF64 has 64 mm flat burrs, stepless adjustment and single dosing, which gives finer control, lower retention and a different flavour profile that many people prefer for lighter roasts. It costs roughly twice as much and it is a real step up rather than a marginal one.
At a glance
| Baratza Encore ESP coffee grinder | DF64 Gen 2 single dose coffee grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Burrs | Conical, small | 64 mm flat |
| Adjustment | Stepped | Stepless |
| Retention | Moderate | Low, designed for single dosing |
| Flavour character | Rounder, heavier body | More separation and clarity |
| Light roast handling | Adequate | Better |
| Noise and speed | Moderate | Louder, faster |
Choose the Baratza Encore ESP coffee grinder if…
Choose the Encore ESP if you are early in this and want to make good espresso without a large outlay. It grinds finely enough, adjusts finely enough and is easy to live with. Spend the saving on better beans, which will do more for the cup right now than a better grinder would. It is also easy to sell on when you outgrow it, which many people eventually do.
Check Baratza Encore ESP coffee grinder on Amazon
Choose the DF64 Gen 2 single dose coffee grinder if…
Choose the DF64 if you are already dialling shots in and finding the grinder to be the limit, or if you drink light roasts, which are harder to extract and reward a grinder with more resolution. Stepless adjustment lets you make changes smaller than a step, and single dosing means the beans you weigh are the beans you brew. Both matter more as your standards rise.
Check DF64 Gen 2 single dose coffee grinder on Amazon
We also have full reviews of each: Baratza Encore ESP review and MiiCoffee DF64 II review.
Related
- Conical vs flat burr grinders
- How to choose an espresso grinder
- Grinder against machine budget calculator
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What does single dosing actually change?
You weigh exactly the beans for one coffee rather than keeping a hopper full, so beans stay sealed until you use them and there is no old coffee in the grinder. That matters if you switch between bags or drink through beans slowly. It also means the grinder retains very little, so a change of setting takes effect on the next shot rather than three shots later.
Are flat burrs better than conical?
They are different. Flat burrs are generally described as giving more clarity and separation of flavours, conical as giving more body and a rounder profile. Serious espresso is made on both. The choice is a preference rather than a ranking, and it interacts with the roast level you drink more than with the price of the grinder.
Does grinder noise matter?
It does if you make coffee early in a household with other people in it. Larger flat burr grinders spin faster and are usually louder than small conical ones, and the noise is sharper. It is the sort of thing nobody considers before buying and everybody notices afterwards, particularly at six in the morning.
When is a grinder upgrade actually worth it?
When you can taste the inconsistency: shots that vary in time with the same dose and setting, or a grind that will not sit between too fast and too slow. If your shots are consistent and you are still not happy, the beans, the water or the technique are the more likely culprits, and all three are cheaper to fix.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, verified owner reviews and published barista guidance. We do not test gear in person. Espresso machines run mains electricity, pressurised water and steam above boiling point, so follow your manufacturer's manual and leave electrical or boiler work to a qualified technician. Everything here is researched guidance, not professional advice.
