Baratza Encore ESP Review: Best Budget Espresso Grinder?
The Baratza Encore ESP is one of the safest espresso grinder recommendations near $200.
It produces proper espresso grounds, offers useful adjustment control, and still handles pour-over, AeroPress, drip, and French press.
The build feels basic. The motor is noisy. You may occasionally want a setting between two clicks.
Still, those weaknesses are reasonable at this price.
| Review Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Espresso performance | 8.5/10 |
| Grind consistency | 8.4/10 |
| Filter coffee performance | 8.0/10 |
| Dosing workflow | 8.2/10 |
| Build quality | 7.6/10 |
| Value for money | 9.2/10 |
The Baratza Encore ESP currently sells for $199.95 in the US. Baratza positions it between the $149.95 Encore and the newer $299.95 Encore ESP Pro.
Baratza Encore ESP Review at a Glance
The Baratza Encore ESP takes the dependable Encore platform and gives it a proper espresso adjustment system.
That change sounds small. It is not.
Espresso requires very small grind changes. One setting can produce a thin 20-second shot. The next might slow it past 35 seconds.
The original Encore lacks enough control in this range. The ESP fixes much of that problem without becoming complicated.
You still turn the hopper to select a grind setting. You still use a basic on-and-off switch. There is no touchscreen, scale, app, or menu system.
Good.
A grinder should grind coffee accurately. It does not need a software update.
Baratza Encore ESP Specifications
| Specification | Baratza Encore ESP |
|---|---|
| Burr type | 40mm M2 conical steel burrs |
| Grind settings | 40 |
| Espresso range | Settings 1–20 |
| Filter range | Settings 21–40 |
| Adjustment type | Stepped, dual-resolution |
| Grind speed | Approximately 1.3–2.2 grams per second |
| Burr speed | Approximately 550 RPM |
| Controls | Side pulse button and front on/off switch |
| Dosing accessories | Dosing cup with 54mm body and 58mm adapter |
| Dimensions | 13 × 15 × 34cm |
| US warranty | One year |
| Current US price | $199.95 |
Settings 1 through 20 provide the smaller movements needed for espresso. Settings 21 through 40 make larger changes for filter brewing.
That split adjustment system is the reason to buy the ESP.
What Makes the Encore ESP Different?
The original Baratza Encore has been a dependable filter grinder for years.
Its problem is espresso.
It can grind fine enough in many cases. It cannot always give you the precision needed to control shot time.
The Encore ESP uses a dual-resolution adjustment collar. The first 20 settings move in smaller steps. The remaining 20 cover broader filter settings.
Each espresso adjustment is roughly 20 microns. Filter adjustments are much larger at roughly 90 microns.
Here’s what the mechanics are actually doing.
The collar changes the distance between the inner and outer burr. A smaller gap produces finer particles. Those particles create more resistance inside the espresso basket.
More resistance slows the shot. Less resistance speeds it up.
That relationship is why tiny grinder changes matter more for espresso than French press.
The ESP does not add more visible numbers than the original Encore. It uses those numbers more intelligently.
Espresso Grind Performance
The Encore ESP can grind fine enough for unpressurised espresso baskets.
That separates it from cheap “espresso capable” grinders that only work with pressurised baskets.
Its 40mm M2 conical burrs produce an espresso style with good body, sweetness, and texture. Medium and medium-dark roasts are particularly comfortable here.
Chocolate, caramel, roasted almond, and syrupy fruit come through clearly.
Very light espresso is more demanding.
You can still pull good shots, but the Encore ESP does not offer the separation of a larger flat-burr grinder. Bright fruit can blend into a rounder, heavier cup.
That is not automatically worse.
A Colombian medium roast may taste thick, sweet, and forgiving. A lightly roasted washed Ethiopian may lose some jasmine-like clarity.
The ESP favours body and approachability over extreme flavour separation.
Independent testing has also found the Encore ESP capable enough to compete seriously within the budget espresso category. Its common criticisms are noise, adjustment limits, and some grind variability.
How Easy Is It to Dial In?
Start with a repeatable recipe:
Baratza recommends starting near the coarser end of settings 1 through 20. Move finer until the shot reaches the desired time.
Do not change the grind, dose, temperature, and yield together.
Change one variable.
For example, an 18-gram dose might produce 36 grams of espresso in 19 seconds. Move one click finer and try again.
If the next shot runs for 29 seconds, taste it.
Numbers guide you. Flavour makes the decision. ☕
A sour shot usually needs more extraction. Grind finer or extend the yield slightly.
A dry, bitter shot may need a coarser grind. You can also shorten the yield.
The frustrating part appears when one click runs too fast and the next runs too slowly.
You can solve that by adjusting dose.
Keep the finer setting and reduce the dose from 18 grams to 17.5 grams. That creates slightly less resistance without changing the burr position.
Taste it. Write it down. Grind it again.
Grind Consistency
The Encore ESP produces respectable grind consistency for its price.
Its conical burrs create a mix of primary particles and smaller fines. Those fines increase resistance and help produce heavier espresso.
That can be useful.
Cheap grinders often create an uncontrolled spread of dust and boulders. The Encore ESP produces a tighter, more repeatable distribution.
Filter coffee is solid, though not class-leading.
A V60 brewed with a light roast may taste slightly softer than one ground through a dedicated flat-burr filter grinder. Sweetness remains strong, but high-definition acidity is not its best trick.
For AeroPress, Clever Dripper, automatic drip, and medium-roast pour-over, it performs well.
French press is usable. The coarsest settings may still look finer than some drinkers expect.
The flavour matters more than the appearance. Reduce agitation and shorten the steep if the cup becomes muddy.
Dosing and Daily Workflow
The Encore ESP includes a grounds bin and an espresso dosing cup.
The dosing cup fits a 54mm portafilter. Baratza also includes a 58mm adapter.
That covers machines such as the Breville Bambino and many standard 58mm home espresso machines.
The workflow is simple:
- Weigh the beans.
- Pour them into the hopper.
- Place the dosing cup below the chute.
- Start the grinder.
- Transfer the grounds into the portafilter.
- Distribute, tamp, and brew.
There is no timer or built-in scale.
I prefer weighing beans before grinding anyway. Timed dosing changes as the hopper empties and beans age.
The side pulse button is useful for short bursts. The front switch runs the grinder continuously.
Retention is acceptable, but this is not a true zero-retention grinder.
Some coffee can remain around the burr chamber and exit during the next dose. A quick tap on the lid helps.
Static can also scatter fine grounds in dry conditions.
One tiny spray of water across the beans can reduce static. Do not soak them. A barely visible mist is enough.
Noise and Build Quality
Let’s be honest… the Encore ESP sounds like an Encore.
It is not quiet.
The motor and gearbox produce a sharp mechanical sound. Grinding an 18-gram dose only takes several seconds, so the noise does not last long.
Most of the exterior is plastic.
That keeps the price and weight down. It also means the grinder lacks the planted feel of a metal-bodied Eureka or premium single-dose grinder.
The internal engineering matters more.
Baratza has built its reputation around replaceable parts, accessible burrs, and repair support. The outer burr lifts out for cleaning. The M2 inner burr uses a quick-release system.
This is not a disposable kitchen gadget.
Serviceability is one of the Encore ESP’s strongest long-term advantages.
Do not wash the burrs with water. Use a dry brush and vacuum loose grounds from the chamber.
A basic cleaning every four to six weeks is sensible for daily users. Dark, oily roasts may require more frequent cleaning.
Baratza Encore ESP vs Encore vs Virtuoso+
The Baratza lineup can be confusing because these grinders share a similar shape.
Here is the useful version.
| Grinder | Current US Price | Best Use | Espresso Control | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baratza Encore | $149.95 | Filter coffee | Limited | Lowest price |
| Baratza Encore ESP | $199.95 | Espresso and filter | Good | Best balance |
| Baratza Virtuoso+ | $249.95 | Premium filter brewing | Limited for serious espresso | Digital timer and faster workflow |
| Baratza Encore ESP Pro | $299.95 | Espresso and filter | Stepless | Finer control and anti-static features |
Current official US pricing places the Encore ESP exactly $50 above the Encore and $50 below the Virtuoso+. The ESP Pro costs another $100.
Encore ESP vs Original Encore
Buy the original Encore for pour-over, French press, AeroPress, or drip coffee.
Buy the Encore ESP if espresso is part of your routine.
The extra $50 is justified. You get the M2 burr, espresso dosing cup, and higher-resolution fine adjustment.
Encore ESP vs Virtuoso+
The Virtuoso+ is the better filter-focused grinder.
It offers timed dosing and a more polished daily workflow. Its grind speed is also useful when preparing larger batches.
The Encore ESP is the better espresso grinder.
Its fine adjustment range provides more control around shot time. Spending more on the Virtuoso+ does not automatically produce easier espresso.
For espresso, choose the ESP. For filter convenience, choose the Virtuoso+.
Encore ESP vs Encore ESP Pro
The newer Encore ESP Pro adds stepless adjustment, anti-static technology, automatic stopping, and a precision timer.
Those features are useful. They are not free.
At $299.95, the Pro is 50% more expensive than the standard ESP.
Buy the Pro when you regularly chase tiny espresso adjustments. Buy the original ESP when value matters more than perfect workflow.
Who Should Buy the Baratza Encore ESP?
The Encore ESP makes sense for:
It is also a smart pairing for machines using pressurised baskets.
Start with the pressurised basket while learning puck preparation. Move to a standard basket once your technique improves.
Who Should Skip It?
Choose another grinder when:
A dedicated espresso grinder can provide finer control.
A dedicated filter grinder can deliver cleaner separation.
The Encore ESP’s strength is doing both jobs well enough for a sensible price.
Pros:
Cons:
Is the Baratza Encore ESP Worth It?
Yes.
The Encore ESP does not pretend to be a commercial grinder. It gives beginners the control needed to make real espresso without charging premium-grinder money.
That matters.
A cheap machine paired with a capable grinder can produce good espresso. An expensive machine paired with a poor grinder usually produces frustration.
The grinder controls flow, resistance, extraction time, and repeatability.
The machine provides hot water and pressure.
Spend accordingly. ⚗️
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Baratza Encore ESP good for espresso?
Yes. Settings 1 through 20 provide smaller adjustments designed for espresso. It works with pressurised and standard portafilter baskets.
Can the Baratza Encore ESP grind fine enough for espresso?
Yes. Its 40mm M2 conical burrs can grind fine enough to choke many home espresso machines.
What grind setting should I use for espresso?
Start between settings 15 and 20. Move finer until an 18-gram dose produces about 36 grams of espresso in 25–32 seconds.
Is the Encore ESP better than the regular Encore?
It is better for espresso. The regular Encore remains a good lower-cost choice for drip, immersion, and pour-over brewing.
Is the Baratza Encore ESP good for pour-over?
Yes. Settings 21 through 40 cover most filter methods. Cup clarity is good, though dedicated flat-burr grinders can produce cleaner separation.
Is the Baratza Encore ESP better than the Virtuoso+?
The ESP is better for espresso adjustment. The Virtuoso+ is better for filter-focused users who value timed dosing and faster operation.
Does the Encore ESP have a timer?
No. It uses a manual on/off switch and a side-mounted pulse button. Dosing by weight gives the most repeatable results.
How often should I clean the Encore ESP?
Clean the burr chamber every four to six weeks under normal daily use. Clean it more often when using dark, oily coffee.
Final Verdict: Is It the Best Budget Espresso Grinder?
The Baratza Encore ESP is one of the best budget espresso grinders for buyers who want simplicity, versatility, and repairability.
It is not the most refined grinder near $200.
Some manual grinders produce greater clarity. Certain single-dose grinders offer lower retention. Stepless models provide finer adjustment.
None of that makes the ESP a bad buy.
It remains easy to understand, easy to maintain, and capable of producing genuinely good espresso.
The newer ESP Pro adds polish. The standard ESP keeps the stronger value proposition.
Final Score: 8.6/10
Buy it for your first serious espresso setup. Keep it when you add pour-over later.
No drama. Just solid grinding.
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