GRINDER · BARATZA ENCORE ESP · UNDER $200
For years the Encore was the grinder people warned you not to use for espresso. Then Baratza added three letters and an actual espresso range, which is a better apology than most brands manage.
The Encore ESP is the cheapest grinder we are comfortable putting next to a real espresso machine. That opinion is based on specs, Baratza’s manual, and price, not on a counter full of test shots.
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- For
- First espresso setups on a budget, especially next to a Bambino Plus or Gaggia Classic Pro. Also fine for drip and pour-over.
- Skip it if
- You want stepless adjustment, single-dosing out of the box, or a grinder that will chase light roasts forever.
- Price band
- Under $200, right at the edge (check current price)
- Based on
- Specs, the manual, and price. No first-hand testing.
What you actually get
- 40mm M2 steel conical burrs, 550 RPM.
- 40 settings: #1–20 are a fine-stepped espresso range, #21–40 cover filter brewing.
- Grind speed of 1.3–2.2 g/sec.
- 300 g hopper and 120 g grounds bin.
- 54mm dosing cup plus a 58mm adapter, so it doses into Breville and Gaggia portafilter sizes.
- Quick-release cone burr for cleaning. 1 year warranty.
Who it’s for
Anyone building their first real setup who would rather spend money on beans than on a grinder with a touchscreen. Baratza’s manual suggests starting espresso at setting 15 for a medium roast, then adjusting from there.
Who should skip it
- Light-roast espresso obsessives. You will want more grinder.
- Single-dose purists. It has a regular hopper; Baratza lists a single dose hopper as a compatible extra.
- Anyone who wants to set a grind by time and walk away. There is no timer on the spec sheet; the Sette 270 has one.
Not the best grinder. The best reason to stop using a blade grinder.
Encore ESP vs Sette 270 vs Fellow Opus
| Encore ESP | Sette 270 | Fellow Opus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burrs | 40mm M2 steel conical | 40mm conical (S1) | 40mm 6-blade conical (C6-40) |
| Adjustment | 40 steps, #1–20 espresso | 31 macro steps + stepless micro | 41+ (1–11 in quarter steps) + inner ring |
| Burr speed | 550 RPM | 650 RPM | 350 RPM |
| Dosing | Manual, 54mm cup + 58mm adapter | Timer, 0.1 sec, 3 presets | Timed autostop |
| Espresso focus | Dedicated espresso range | Built around espresso | All-purpose; owners report it is fussy for espresso |
| Price band | Under $200 | $300–400 | Unavailable on Amazon; Fellow US now sells Opus 2 |
If your budget stretches, the Sette 270 adds a timer and stepless fine adjustment. The Fellow Opus is the all-rounder we would not buy for espresso first.
Living with it
- Brush the burrs about once a month. Never wash them in water.
- If the finest settings still are not fine enough, Baratza includes shims. One shim moves the range by roughly 5 settings.
- Burr removal and the rest of the cleaning routine are on our maintenance page.
Sources