This Baratza Encore ESP review in short: it is one of the best value espresso grinders for beginners. For around $200, you get 40 mm conical steel burrs, a dedicated espresso range made of small micro-steps, a coarser range for filter coffee, and a dosing cup that fits common portafilters. It grinds fine enough for real espresso on most home machines, which the original Encore could not do well. It is noisier and less precise than premium grinders, but at this price it is hard to beat.
Baratza Encore ESP at a glance
| Typical price | Around $200 |
|---|---|
| Burrs | 40 mm conical steel (M2 burrs, also used in the Virtuoso+) |
| Settings | 40 total: 1–20 espresso range in fine steps, 21–40 for AeroPress to French press |
| Hopper | About 230 g (8 oz) |
| Dosing | Dosing cup included, with an adapter ring for 58 mm portafilters (remove it for 54 mm) |
| Grounds bin | Included for filter coffee |
| Controls | On/off switch and front pulse button |
| Extras | Shims to shift the whole range finer |
Specs from Whole Latte Love and Baratza’s documentation. Check the manual included with your unit for the exact setting ranges.
Pros
- True espresso capability at a budget price
- Fine micro-steps in the espresso range
- Also handles pour over, drip and French press
- Dosing cup fits 54 mm and 58 mm portafilters
- Baratza sells spare parts and supports repairs
Cons
- Louder than premium grinders
- Some retention and static
- Less consistent than higher-end espresso grinders
- No timer or weight-based dosing
What is different from the original Encore?
The original Baratza Encore is a popular filter grinder, but it cannot grind fine enough for most espresso machines. The Encore ESP uses Baratza’s M2 conical burrs and a redesigned adjustment system. Its first 20 settings form a dedicated espresso range, where each click changes the grind size by only a small amount. The remaining 20 settings cover AeroPress, pour over, drip and French press in larger steps. That makes the ESP a genuine two-in-one grinder.
Espresso performance
For medium and dark roasts on machines like the Breville Bambino Plus, Gaggia Classic Pro or De’Longhi Stilosa, the Encore ESP reaches a good espresso grind with room to adjust. A common starting point is around setting 15 for 18 g of medium roast, then move finer or coarser one or two clicks at a time based on shot time and taste.
With very light roasts, you may hit the finest setting before shots slow enough. Baratza includes shims that move the entire range finer, which solves this for many people.
Grind consistency is good for the price, though higher-end grinders produce fewer fines and more uniform particles, which can mean sweeter, clearer shots. For most beginners, the difference is far smaller than the jump from a blade grinder or pre-ground coffee.
New to dialing in? Read our step-by-step dialing-in guide and what grind size to use for espresso.
Filter coffee performance
Settings above 20 handle pour over, drip and French press well, similar to the regular Encore. That makes the ESP a good choice if you brew both espresso and filter coffee. Switching between espresso and coarse settings takes a few seconds, though you will want to purge a little coffee after big changes.
Encore ESP grind settings guide
Use these as starting points. Every machine, roast and bean behaves differently, so adjust by taste.
| Brew method | Starting setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso, dark roast | About 16–20 | Dark roasts extract easily; start coarser |
| Espresso, medium roast | About 12–16 | Adjust one or two clicks at a time |
| Espresso, light roast | About 5–12 | Use the shims if you run out of range |
| AeroPress | About 21–25 | Finer for short brews |
| Pour over | About 25–30 | Medium-fine, like table salt |
| Drip machine | About 28–32 | Medium |
| French press and cold brew | About 36–40 | Coarse |
For brewing ratios at each setting, see how much coffee per cup.
Single dosing vs using the hopper
You can keep a few days of beans in the hopper or weigh out each dose. Single dosing keeps beans fresher and makes switching coffees easy, but the last few beans can “popcorn” around the burrs, slowing the end of the grind. Pressing lightly on the beans with the hopper lid or a small weight solves this. If you keep beans in the hopper, only load what you will use in a few days, since the hopper is not airtight.
Workflow and dosing
- Weigh your beans, for example 18 g, and pour them into the hopper (single dosing) or keep a few days’ worth in the hopper.
- Place the dosing cup under the chute. The cup fits directly into 54 mm portafilters; use the adapter ring for 58 mm.
- Hold the pulse button or switch on until the beans are ground.
- Tap the grinder to clear the chute, then shake the dosing cup lightly to break clumps.
- Invert the cup into your portafilter, distribute and tamp.
A WDT tool still helps even out clumps. See our guide to espresso channeling for why.
Retention, static and noise
Like most budget grinders, the Encore ESP retains a little coffee in the chute and creates some static, especially in dry weather. A drop of water on the beans before grinding (the Ross Droplet Technique) and tapping the grinder after each dose help. It is noticeably loud, typical for budget conical grinders.
Cleaning and maintenance
- Brush out the chute weekly, and wipe static-held grounds from the outlet.
- Keep the hopper lid on to keep dust and moisture out.
- Remove the upper burr (it twists out) and brush both burrs every few weeks.
- Run grinder cleaning tablets occasionally if you prefer.
- Avoid very oily dark roasts, which can clog budget grinders.
- Baratza sells replacement burrs and parts, so the grinder can be repaired rather than replaced.
Encore ESP vs other budget espresso grinders
| Baratza Encore ESP | Breville Smart Grinder Pro | Good hand grinder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | Around $200 | Around $200 | Around $100–$200 |
| Espresso adjustment | Fine steps in 1–20 | Settings 1–30 plus upper burr adjustment | Fine, often stepless |
| Dosing | Manual, dosing cup | Timed, into portafilter | Manual |
| Filter coffee | Very good | Good | Varies |
| Speed and effort | Fast, electric | Fast, electric | Slow, manual effort |
See our guide to the best budget espresso grinders under $200 for more options.
Is the Encore ESP worth it in 2026?
Yes, for beginners. The budget espresso grinder market has grown, with more hand grinders and new electric models, but few combine true espresso ability, a usable filter range, replaceable parts and a reliable brand at this price. If you think you will upgrade your espresso machine within a year or two, consider spending more on the grinder now, since a good grinder carries over to any machine.
Best machines to pair it with
The Encore ESP is a natural match for entry and mid-level machines without built-in grinders, such as the Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus, Gaggia Classic Pro and De’Longhi Stilosa. Our reviews of the Bambino Plus and Gaggia Classic Pro cover those machines. With a high-end machine, a better grinder is usually worth the extra money.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Shots run fast even at the finest setting | Light roast or stale beans | Install the shims; use fresher beans |
| Shots choke at every setting | Burrs out of alignment or grind too fine | Check the upper burr is seated; move coarser |
| Grounds spray outside the cup | Static | Add a drop of water to the beans; tap the grinder |
| Inconsistent doses | Retention in the chute | Tap after grinding; brush the chute regularly |
| Motor stops mid-grind | Jam from oily beans or a foreign object | Unplug, remove the hopper and upper burr, clean |
Baratza publishes troubleshooting guides and sells replacement parts, which is a major advantage over many budget grinders that are hard to repair.
Baratza Encore ESP review verdict: who should buy it?
- Buy it if you are starting with espresso on a budget, also brew filter coffee, and want a repairable electric grinder.
- Skip it if you mostly brew very light roast espresso, want minimal retention for single dosing, or already own a premium espresso machine.
FAQ
Is the Baratza Encore ESP good for espresso?
Yes. Its dedicated espresso range in settings 1–20 grinds fine enough for most home espresso machines, especially with medium and dark roasts.
What setting should I use for espresso on the Encore ESP?
Start around 15 for a medium roast and adjust one or two clicks at a time. Go finer if the shot runs fast, coarser if it runs slow.
What is the difference between the Encore and Encore ESP?
The Encore ESP uses M2 burrs and a fine-step espresso range, so it can grind for espresso. The original Encore is mainly for filter coffee.
Does the Encore ESP fit a 54 mm portafilter?
Yes. The dosing cup fits 54 mm portafilters directly, and an adapter ring is included for 58 mm.
Is the Encore ESP loud?
It is fairly loud, which is common for budget conical burr grinders. Grinding takes only a few seconds per dose.
