Baratza Encore ESP
Illustration of the product
▶ From a video review of this product
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- Burrs
- Conical steel
- Dosing
- Hopper
Why it ranks here. Ask r/espresso what grinder to pair with a Bambino or a Gaggia and the answer, dozens of times a week, is the Encore ESP. It is the cheapest grinder that does real espresso, from a company that sells every spare part. It ranks first as the place to start, not the place to finish.
The verdict from a $160 buyer who did not want to spend it: 'when I say it made all the difference, it really did'↗. Another calls it 'a noticeable difference even tho I still use grocery store beans'↗. Baratza has built its name on repair, and a plastic burr holder made to break before the motor does when a stone gets in. That holder is also the complaint. One owner has 'gone through 5 ring burr holders in little under 18 months'↗, and Baratza's free replacements 'cracked again'↗ two months on. It 'just doesn't go fine enough for every bean'↗, and it is 'quite damn loud'↗. Most owners move up within a year or two, and still tell newcomers to start here.
What owners like
“I bought a Baratza Encore ESP for $160 on amazon. It's not a lot of money compared to what some here spend, but it's way more than I wanted to spend on a grinder. But when I say it made all the difference, it really did.” — Reddit comment · u/EpisodicDoleWhip · r/espresso · 2026-09-04
6 positive · 4 mixed · 2 negative · 12 voices · ✓ all 12 linked to source
Read all 12 quotes (12 voices)
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I bought a Baratza Encore ESP for $160 on amazon. It's not a lot of money compared to what some here spend, but it's way more than I wanted to spend on a grinder. But when I say it made all the difference, it really did.
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I was in your shoes a year ago. I was using cafe bustelo and the pressurized basket in my bambino plus. Took me 2 months to bite the bullet and buy a baratza encore esp. it’s a noticeable difference even tho I still use grocery store beans. Don’t waste your time w pre ground
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that would be baratza encore ESP. if i ever want a indestructible budget grinder, that it. but it is quite damn loud.
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The encore esp just doesn't go fine enough for every bean. I have one roast it works for and another that it doesn't and I have to use a hand grinder to get it fine enough.
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I've now gone through 5 ring burr holders in little under 18 months... I contacted Baratza to raise the issue a few months ago and, to be fair to them, they send me both the plastic holder and a replacement burr too, but two months on and it's cracked again... I was so excited to try this grinder after all the rave reviews but I could never in good conscience recommend this machine to anyone.
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I've had a Baratza Encore for over 12 years and have been very happy with it, but it does make a mess with grinds going everywhere.
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The fact that Baratza as a company has made longevity and repairability into the cornerstone of their business model makes me so happy. To get that from any company these days is rare, but even more so from a company known in the industry for making lower-end (I speak relatively here of course), affordable products. It's refreshing and I'm sure has earned them a lot of loyalty over the years. I know it has from me.
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As someone who upgraded their burrs on the original Encore, I can't tell you how happy it makes me that you don't have to take the whole machine apart to take the cone burr out anymore.
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I'm super excited about these new, budget options! For the normal everyday coffee drinker, It's easier to swallow $200 for a good grinder to make better coffee than $700 or more!
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Chris Baca did a repair video on the OG Encore a couple of years ago, and IIRC he heard from Baratza that they made that burr holder in plastic so it breaks easily when a stone gets in there, in order to save the burrs. Makes sense, as almost every spare part of Baratza is available for home-repair, that's a big part of their company policy as you also pointed out in the video.
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I thought BBE was gonna be one and done, but I broken down 4 years later and got a Baratza encore ESP. Now I'm debating upgrading from that. I'm almost certain you will upgrade eventually, so why not sooner.
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Just recently got an espresso machine after only filter coffee for years and I've been having a hard time finding an electric grinder that does both reasonably well. Between this and the Fellow, it feels like the Baratza is a better choice as I explore espresso more.
