Baratza Encore ESP Review: The Under-$250 Espresso Grinder That Works
Buy it if you have a Bambino, Dedica or Gaggia and need a grinder that can actually reach espresso fineness without spending $400. Skip it if you drink light roast espresso or want dosing automation, because 40mm conical burrs and a manual switch are where this grinder stops.
Dual range adjustment, 40mm conical burrs and a service network behind it.
Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder ZCG495BLK
Under $250
The espresso-capable Encore, with micro steps for espresso, macro steps for filter and a quick-release burr for cleaning.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Burrs | 40mm hardened alloy steel, manufactured in Liechtenstein |
|---|---|
| Adjustment | Dual range: micro steps 1 to 20 for espresso, macro steps 21 to 40 for filter |
| Controls | Front mounted pulse button and an on/off switch |
| Maintenance | Quick-release burr, removable without tools or full disassembly |
| Motor | DC motor |
Specifications above come from Baratza's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- The micro step range genuinely reaches espresso, which most $200 grinders claim and few deliver.
- One grinder covering espresso and filter, with a clear division between the two ranges.
- Quick-release burrs make cleaning a two minute job rather than a project, which means it actually gets done.
- Baratza's parts and service reputation is the real value here. These grinders get repaired rather than replaced.
- Simple controls with nothing to configure.
Where it falls short
- 40mm conical burrs are the ceiling. On light roast espresso the shots are less clear and less repeatable than a 64mm flat burr grinder will give you.
- There is no timer, no scale and no dosing automation. You weigh beans in and grounds out yourself.
- Retention is real. Expect to knock and brush, and expect a little of the last bean in the first shot of the next one.
- It is loud, in the way most consumer burr grinders are.
- The plastic hopper and body are appropriate to the price and do not feel like a lifetime purchase, even though the internals often are.
What owners report
Owner reports are unusually positive on the value question: this is the grinder people recommend to friends who just bought a Bambino. The consistent criticisms are noise and retention rather than grind quality. Baratza's service reputation comes up repeatedly in long term reports, with owners describing parts being sent out years after purchase, and that is a genuine differentiator against direct-import grinders at the same price.
The two comparisons to read are Encore vs Encore ESP, because buying the wrong one is a common and avoidable mistake, and Encore ESP vs DF64 for the step up. Once it is on the counter, the dose and yield calculator is the fastest route to a repeatable shot.
Who it suits
- Owners of a Breville Bambino, De'Longhi Dedica or Gaggia Classic who need a first real grinder.
- Households brewing both espresso and filter from one machine.
- Buyers who value being able to get parts in five years.
- Medium and darker roast drinkers, which is most people.
Who should skip it
- Light roast espresso drinkers, who will hit the burr ceiling quickly and should look at the DF64 II.
- Anyone who wants a timer or grind-by-weight.
- Filter only drinkers, who can save money with the standard Encore.
Alternatives worth considering
MiiCoffee DF64 II Single Dosing Coffee Grinder
Under $500
64mm flat burrs and near zero retention. The upgrade that matters if you drink light roasts or rotate beans.
Check price on AmazonBaratza Encore Coffee Grinder ZCG485BLK
Under $250
Less money for the same body and support, without the espresso micro step range. Correct only if you will never pull espresso.
Check price on AmazonTIMEMORE Chestnut C3 ESP Pro Manual Coffee Grinder
Under $100
Half the price and arguably finer adjustment for espresso, if you are willing to grind by hand.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Baratza Encore vs Encore ESP
- Baratza Encore ESP vs DF64
- Espresso dose and yield calculator
- Best espresso grinders
- Baratza Encore review
- MiiCoffee DF64 II review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Encore or Encore ESP: what is the difference?
The ESP adds a dual range adjustment with micro steps from 1 to 20 aimed at espresso, where the standard Encore's 40 settings are spaced for filter. If espresso is ever on the menu, buy the ESP. If it never is, the standard Encore saves you money for no loss.
Is the Baratza Encore ESP good enough for a Breville Bambino?
Yes, and it is the most common sensible pairing at this budget. It reaches espresso fineness, it adjusts finely enough to dial in, and it costs less than the machine. Light roast drinkers will eventually want more, and everyone else will not.
Can the Encore ESP grind for pour over too?
Yes. The macro step range from 21 to 40 is intended for filter brewing, so one grinder covers both. You will be moving the collar between ranges each time you switch, which is a few seconds rather than a problem.
How much grind retention does it have?
Baratza does not publish a figure. Owner reports describe retention typical of a consumer conical grinder, meaning a gram or so that a knock and a brush largely clears. If retention is the thing you care about most, a single dose grinder like the DF64 II is the category to shop.
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.
