The original Baratza Encore was, for many years, the default answer to "what grinder should I buy?" for home filter brewers. Consistent, reliable, easy to use, and priced accessibly — it sold in enormous numbers and introduced a generation of coffee drinkers to what a proper burr grinder could do.
The Encore ESP is Baratza's answer to the one thing the original Encore couldn't do well: espresso. The ESP (the name nods to espresso) rethinks the grind adjustment mechanism from the ground up, delivering genuine espresso-capable performance without abandoning the versatility that made the Encore a classic.
We stock it, we recommend it regularly, and here's an honest assessment of what makes it worth buying — and where it has real limits.
What's New Compared to the Original Encore
The Encore ESP looks similar to its predecessor, but the changes under the bonnet are significant.
The most important is the dual-resolution grind adjustment system. The ESP's 40 settings are split into two distinct ranges. Settings 1–20 are calibrated for espresso, with extremely fine burr spacing increments — as little as 20 microns per click — giving you the precision needed to dial in a shot. Settings 21–40 switch to a broader spacing range covering everything from AeroPress and pour over through to French press. In effect, it's two grinders in one collar.
The burrs themselves have been upgraded to Baratza's M2 conical set — 40mm hardened alloy steel, the same burrs used in the more expensive Virtuoso+. These produce a more consistent particle size distribution than the original Encore's M3 burrs, which matters particularly at espresso fineness where consistency directly affects extraction evenness.
The burr removal system is also redesigned. The original Encore required the cone burr to be prised off — slightly awkward and something many users avoided. The ESP uses a quick-release knob on top of the cone burr: twist and lift. Combined with an easier-to-access burr housing, cleaning and maintenance take a fraction of the time.
Finally, the grind adjustment collar is now metal rather than plastic — a welcome upgrade that feels more precise and durable in daily use.
Espresso Performance
This is where the ESP earns its name. The original Encore could produce an espresso-range grind, but lacked the resolution to dial in precisely — moving one click could shift extraction time dramatically, making fine-tuning frustrating.
The ESP's micro-stepped lower range solves this. Within settings 1–20, you have 10 to 15 genuinely usable clicks to find your sweet spot for a given coffee and dose. Baratza suggests starting around setting 12 for an 18–18.5g espresso dose as a baseline, then adjusting from there. In practice, most people find their dialled-in setting relatively quickly, and the grinder holds that setting reliably.
The included dosing cup is a practical addition — it sits directly under the chute and fits both 54mm and 58mm portafilters, keeping your workflow tidy. The grinder runs at 550 RPM, which is slow by some standards, but deliberately so: lower speed generates less heat and static, both of which affect grind quality.
It's worth being realistic about the ceiling here. The Encore ESP is an entry-level espresso grinder. It performs well for home use on most coffees at a sensible dose, and it will satisfy the majority of home baristas. For light-roast single origins dialled to a razor-sharp extraction, or for high-volume use, a more capable grinder will give you more headroom. But for daily home espresso, it more than holds its own at the price.
Filter and Brewing Versatility
The ESP's upper 20 settings cover the full range of filter brew methods — and this is where it inherits the original Encore's strengths. Pour over, V60, AeroPress, Chemex, French press, cold brew — all sit comfortably within settings 21–40, with enough range between methods to find a good starting point for each.
If you primarily brew filter and only occasionally pull espresso, the ESP works well. If you're the other way around — primarily espresso, occasional filter — it also works well. It's a genuine all-rounder, which is increasingly rare at this price point.
One practical note: if you regularly switch between espresso and filter grinds, you'll need to adjust through a significant portion of the collar's range. This isn't a problem with the grinder — it's inherent to any single grinder covering both — but it does mean a settling grind of a few grams is wise each time you make a big adjustment.
Build Quality and Daily Use
The ESP is predominantly plastic in its outer construction, which is appropriate for the price point. The cast-metal base keeps it stable on the counter — it doesn't walk or vibrate during grinding. The metal adjustment collar feels solid. The hopper holds a reasonable amount of beans and is easy to remove for cleaning or swapping coffees.
Grind retention is low by hopper-fed grinder standards, which matters if you're dose-conscious. The pulse button on the front (which runs the motor only while held) is useful for knocking out the last gram of a single dose without grinding air for a prolonged period.
Noise is moderate — it's an electric grinder, so you'll hear it — but the DC motor is quieter than many budget alternatives.
One honest caveat: very oily, dark-roasted beans can cause the grinder to clog more readily due to the fine tolerances in the espresso range. If your daily driver is a dark roast, the ESP will still work, but it benefits from more regular cleaning than it would with medium or light roast coffees.
Repairability and Support
Baratza's approach to repairability sets them apart in a market full of sealed, disposable appliances. Spare parts — burrs, motors, hoppers, adjustment rings — are available directly, and Baratza's design philosophy is that users should be able to service their own grinders. In the UK, our Baratza Repair and Upgrade Service means you can get the ESP serviced or repaired without shipping overseas. This is worth factoring into the value calculation — a grinder that can be repaired and upgraded is one that can last many years rather than being replaced when something minor goes wrong.
Who Is the Encore ESP For?
The ESP suits home brewers who want one grinder that can handle espresso properly and cover filter methods without compromise. It's particularly well matched for someone stepping up from pre-ground coffee or a blade grinder who wants to brew espresso at home without spending north of £300 on a dedicated espresso grinder.
It's also a strong choice if you currently brew filter and are considering adding an espresso machine — the ESP gives you a capable foundation for both without doubling up on equipment.
If you brew exclusively filter and have no interest in espresso, the standard Baratza Encore remains a strong option at a slightly lower price. If you're seriously into espresso and want more precision than the ESP can offer, the Baratza Sette 270Wi is a step up worth considering.
For most home brewers, though, the Encore ESP sits in a sweet spot that's hard to argue with. Browse the full Coffee Hit grinder range if you'd like to compare options before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grind setting should I use on the Encore ESP for espresso?
Baratza recommends starting at around setting 12 for an 18g dose as a baseline, then adjusting from there based on your shot time and taste. If your shot runs long and tastes bitter, move a click or two coarser. If it runs short and tastes sour or thin, move finer. The micro-stepped range between settings 1 and 20 means each click is a small, precise change — typically 20 microns of burr spacing — so you have real control over where you land. Light roasts may need a coarser setting than darker ones at the same dose.
Can the Encore ESP grind for a V60 and an espresso machine?
Yes — this is one of its main strengths. Settings 1–20 cover espresso, and settings 21–40 cover filter methods including V60, AeroPress, French press, and cold brew. Switching between the two requires moving through a significant portion of the collar, so it's worth grinding a small amount of waste coffee after a large adjustment to settle the burrs. If you're switching regularly between espresso and filter, the ESP handles this better than most grinders at the price.
How do I clean the Encore ESP?
The ESP is designed to be user-serviceable. The bean hopper twists off for easy access, and the top burr is removed with a quick-release knob — no tools required. Use the included brush to clean the burr chamber and chute after each use, or every few brewing sessions. For a deeper clean, or if you're grinding oily dark-roast coffees regularly, the burrs can be fully removed and wiped down. Baratza also makes Grindz cleaning tablets, which are a convenient way to absorb oils without fully disassembling the grinder.
Is the Encore ESP good for light roast espresso?
It performs well with light roasts, though light roasts generally require finer grinding and longer extraction times, which can push the Encore ESP toward the finer end of its range. The M2 burrs handle denser light-roast beans without stalling — the DC motor has enough torque — and the micro-stepped espresso range gives you the resolution to dial in properly. For casual home espresso with light roasts, the ESP is capable. For serious experimentation with very light or lightly processed coffees, a higher-end grinder with more burr surface area will give you more margin to work with.
How does the Encore ESP compare to the original Baratza Encore?
The original Encore is an excellent filter grinder that struggles with espresso due to its coarser grind resolution. The ESP shares the same basic platform but introduces the dual-resolution adjustment mechanism, upgraded M2 burrs, quick-release burr removal, and a metal adjustment collar. For anyone primarily brewing filter coffee, the two are closely matched. For anyone wanting to brew espresso, the ESP is a meaningful step up. The dosing cup included with the ESP is also a practical addition for espresso workflow that the original Encore doesn't include.
