Baratza - Encore ESP
TL;DR: Affordable, versatile for espresso, but loud and plastic parts break.
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Based on 1 year's data from Apr 1, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
36
2
"It grinds really well for the money"
"Price/value I'd go for a Baratza Encore ESP. ... Got it for 100 quid new on Black Friday ... To get something better you have to go at least double."
"punches way above it's weight!"
17
0
"Not to mention it is super convenient. ... Drop your beans turn the switch and give it several seconds, your good to go. ... I love it."
"it works great as a beginner!"
"It just works without a fuss."
28
2
"is easy as cake to dial in and switch to pour over, moka, drip, and back to espresso, which is required by my household. ... Baratza’s almost totally frictionless dial in process for multiple coffee types and espresso subtypes."
"We use it for decaf, V60 & filter in a small cafe."
"very pleased with the grind for my Moccamaster as well as my Aeropress"
24
3
"very easy access to parts"
"It's super repairable though ... it should be good for decades."
"I accidentally broke my Encore ESP outside the 1yr warranty, and baratza just replaced it with a brand new unit."
53
17
"My espresso shots have never been more tame: way less bitterness, way less weird sourness, and no more crazy channeling. Just reliable extractions that taste the same every time."
"It’s been a great improvement for me over my hand grinder which wasn’t fine enough for espresso. ... I’m currently using it on about 3 stops from the maximum fineness and it’s so much better than my hand grinder."
"I just started venturing into espresso, so I'm glad I have it. ... And the cool thing is that I am starting to make better tasting shots than all but the absolute best local third wave shops."
Disliked most:
2
11
"incredibly loud"
"hand grinding is just quieter."
"But it's loud."
1
8
"it's just the plastic parts are breaking faster each time and it's getting out of alignment in a month vs a year. ... if I didn't have to fix it monthly..."
"One quit grinding and one stopped working. ... I found out that there is a plastic burr holder in the ESP that can break *by design*. ... the two ESP’s I gifted broke within a few months and a year respectively. Both used for a single batch brew daily."
"it’s far from BIFL ... I’ve replaced parts on in less than a year in ... it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of build quality"
30-inch-rows 1.0Encore Esp is a workhorse. It just works without a fuss.
Encore esp is pretty awesome for the price.
4RunnaLuva 1.0I am pretty sure the esp has the M burr which is touted as an upgrade. That said, you can swap in the M burr and it used to be priced around 45 usd if you could find it.
99trey 1.0If you typically buy fresh roasted small batch coffee, especially single origin, I think you should look for something with more clarity like the DF54. It will deliver a more uniform grind size which helps flesh out the flavor profile. If you want something easy to dial in with a wider sweet spot for grind setting then the Encore ESP is a great choice, especially for a beginner. Maybe even step up to the ESP Pro which has a digital display and a more upscale look and feel. Personally I think it’s worth the extra cost over the regular ESP. If you think you’ll be into espresso as a hobby, you’ll probably end up with both a conical and flat burr grinder anyway as they each have their pros and cons.
AdamFriendlandsBurne 1.0Start with the Encore. It's more than good enough for batch filter coffee. I used an Ode 2 for years and I can't say I was ever too impressed with it.
AggravatingWalk4982 1.0Definitely Encore ESP over the Opus (and the Smart Grinder Pro)
Beats the Opus or SGP
airahnegne 1.0Price/value I'd go for a Baratza Encore ESP. I bought that one and a Bambino Plus last year and it has served me well. Got it for 100 quid new on Black Friday and puts out nice coffee. To get something better you have to go at least double.
Alarmed_Storage6793 1.0Tbf, the Barista Express is a great machine. Yes the grinder being included is not ideal but for someone in a rush that's pretty great from a workflow stand point. If/when the upgrade itch hits, they can always upgrade just the grinder. Alternatively, Baratza Encore ESP and a Sage Bambino Plus could be a good starting point. OP, if you're looking at Sage machines, do look on ebay and backmarket. Refurbished machines go for much less and still have a one year warranty.
all_systems_failing 1.0Have you thought about a Vario with steel burrs, or were you hoping for other burr options with the Ode? I assume you're thinking about putting an M2 burr in your Encore? If so, I found it a rather disappointing 'upgrade.'
Amaakaams 1.0Maybe I am being to picky about language. It's very obviously Encore with more esp compatible burrs. Half of it's grind settings are for regular grinds and it comes with a hopper and isn't that great to use with the dose cup. It doesn't grind to weight. You can't even grind to time for known beans. It's the espresso compatible encore. But it's not made specifically for espresso. I say that as the Encore ESP is my grinder.
anonymoose_2048 1.0Yeah definitely need a good grinder. The Baratza Encore ESP Pro just came out and is an upgrade to the Baratza Encore ESP. The original is about $100 cheaper but is missing some of the newer features that make single dosing easier and a step less grind setting. Hand grinders are also a great option and as far as quality to price it is the best option. I use a 1Zpresso K-Ultra. A great option for drip/filter and espresso coffee.