Baratza Encore vs Encore ESP: Which One Does Espresso?
The Encore is an excellent brew grinder and it is not an espresso grinder. The ESP uses a different burr set and redistributes the adjustment so that most of its finest settings fall in the espresso range, where the standard Encore has only a couple of usable steps. If espresso is why you are buying, the extra money is not optional.
At a glance
| Baratza Encore coffee grinder | Baratza Encore ESP coffee grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Burrs | M2 conical | M3 conical, redesigned |
| Espresso range | One or two usable steps at best | Around 20 steps in the espresso range |
| Brew range | Excellent | Good |
| Adjustment | 40 steps overall | 40 steps, distributed differently |
| Best use | Pour over, drip, French press | Espresso, plus brewing |
| Serviceability | Excellent, parts available | Excellent, parts available |
Choose the Baratza Encore coffee grinder if…
Choose the standard Encore if you brew rather than pull shots. For pour over, drip and French press it is one of the best value grinders available and it has been for years, with genuinely available spare parts and a long service life. Buying it for espresso is the mistake, because the steps at the fine end are too coarse to let you land between a shot that runs too fast and one that chokes.
Check Baratza Encore coffee grinder on Amazon
Choose the Baratza Encore ESP coffee grinder if…
Choose the ESP if espresso is the point. The redesigned burrs and the adjustment distribution give you enough resolution near the fine end to dial a shot in properly, which is the whole game in espresso. It still brews well for filter, so it is the more flexible of the two overall. Whether it is good enough at the top end depends on how far you intend to take this.
Check Baratza Encore ESP coffee grinder on Amazon
We also have full reviews of each: Baratza Encore review and Baratza Encore ESP 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
Why do espresso grinders need finer steps?
Because the difference between a 25 second shot and a 40 second shot is a very small change in particle size. A grinder with coarse steps jumps straight past the setting you want, so you end up choosing between sour and bitter with nothing in between. That resolution near the fine end is what separates an espresso grinder from a brew grinder, more than burr size does.
Is a conical burr a compromise?
Not inherently. Conical and flat burrs produce different particle distributions and the resulting cups taste different, with flat burrs generally described as more separated and conical as rounder and heavier. Neither is objectively better and both are used in serious espresso. The comparison page on this site goes through the differences properly.
How much should a grinder cost relative to the machine?
At the entry level, weight the budget towards the grinder rather than the machine, because grind quality limits what any machine can do. A modest machine with a capable grinder makes better coffee than the reverse, consistently. The budget calculator on this site suggests a split based on what you drink and how much you have to spend.
Do these grinders retain much coffee?
Some, as all grinders do, and single dosing with a small purge of beans between coffees is the usual workaround. Retention matters most when you switch between beans frequently, because yesterday's coffee comes out with today's. For someone grinding one bag at a time, it is a minor issue rather than a real one.
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.
