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Coffee Grinder Review

Baratza Encore ESP Espresso and Coffee Grinder

Specs, pros & cons and how the Baratza Encore ESP compares to 67 other grinders from $139.95.

JA
By Julien A. · Research-led buyer's analysis · owner & expert consensus · hands-on where noted · Updated June 2026

Synthesised from owner reviews and expert coverage of the Encore ESP. Specs curated from official sources.

Baratza Encore ESP
Price
$199.95
Grind settings
40
Burr type
40mm conical

Reader-supported — we may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you. Reviews combine first-hand testing (where noted) with aggregated owner & expert consensus.

The verdict

The Baratza Encore ESP is the best true-budget espresso grinder, taking the famously reliable Encore platform and tightening its range so it can actually grind fine enough for espresso. For a first dedicated grinder it is a huge step up from blade or cheap grinders.

Its 40mm conical steel burrs and stepped adjustment will not match a flat-burr prosumer grinder for ultimate clarity, but Baratza's renowned repairability and parts support make it a smart, long-lived entry point.

Best for: Beginners buying their first dedicated espresso grinder on a budget — especially to feed a Bambino or Barista-class machine.

What we like

  • Genuinely espresso-capable grind range at a budget price
  • 40mm conical steel burrs; big upgrade over blade/cheap grinders
  • Baratza's excellent repairability and parts/support
  • Simple, reliable, easy to live with

What to know

  • Stepped adjustment — less fine micro-control than stepless grinders
  • Conical burrs trail flat-burr grinders for ultimate clarity
  • Basic dosing; no built-in scale or timer refinement

What owners say

Owners see it as the obvious first espresso grinder: a real, repeatable improvement over what came before, with Baratza's support reputation reducing long-term risk. The honest limit is the stepped adjustment and conical burrs — fine for entry espresso, but flat-burr grinders pull ahead as you get pickier.

The right first grinder

If you have a capable machine but are grinding with something cheap (or pre-ground), the Encore ESP is the single best-value fix. It grinds fine and consistent enough for good espresso, and when something wears out, Baratza sells the parts and tells you how to fit them.

Specifications

Burr type
40mm conical steel burr
Grind settings
40

How it compares

Spec Dose Control Dose Control $139.95 Dose Control Pro Dose Control Pro $159.95 Baratza Encore ESP Baratza Encore ESP $199.95 Smart Grinder Pro Smart Grinder Pro $199.95
Burr type Stainless Steel conical burr grinder efficiently designed to minimise grinding heat and protect the essential oils in th—40mm conical steel burr—
Grind settings 60604060
Hopper capacity Bean Hopper Capacity: 12oz Coffee Bean CapacityBean Hopper Capacity:—18oz Coffee Bean Capacity.
Power 130 W130 W—165 W
Voltage 110 - 120 Volts110–120 Volts.—110–120 Volts.
Dimensions 7.6" x 9.8" x 15.4"8" x 6.3" x 13.5"—8.5" x 6.3" x 15.3"
Weight —4.7 kg—2.9 kg

See it in action

Want to see the Baratza Encore ESP pull a shot before you buy? ▶ Watch hands-on reviews on YouTube

Frequently asked

Can the Baratza Encore ESP grind fine enough for espresso?
Yes — the ESP revision tightens the grind range specifically for espresso, unlike the base Encore. It is espresso-capable, with stepped (not stepless) adjustment.
Encore ESP vs Eureka Mignon Specialita?
The Encore ESP is the budget entry (40mm conical, stepped); the Specialita is a precision step up (55mm flat, stepless) at a higher price.

How we research & test

We combine first-hand testing of the gear we own with a structured synthesis of owner reviews and expert consensus for the rest — always transparent about which is which, never reworded rehashes.
JA
Julien A.
Home barista and coffee-gear reviewer. Tracks espresso machines and grinders across every tier, from $300 all-in-ones to dual-boiler prosumer rigs.

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