Both are excellent: Encore for filter brews, ESP for espresso-first homes.

If you are torn between two budget legends, the baratza encore vs esp choice comes down to how you brew. I’ve used both daily in a small kitchen. The Encore nails pour-over and French press with zero fuss. The Encore ESP finally makes starter-home espresso dial-in realistic. I tested both back-to-back and will share what mattered most so you can choose with confidence.

Is Baratza Encore Good?

The short answer is yes—especially if you brew filter coffee. The Baratza Encore is an easy, reliable grinder for drip, pour-over, and French press. It is not an espresso specialist, but it shines for clarity and balance in everyday brews. If you want a stress-free grind with simple controls, this is it.

My first week with the Encore, I dialed in a V60 before work in three tries. By the weekend, I could swap to a press pot without thinking. It became my “set‑and‑forget” grinder for guests. When I tried espresso, I could get close with pressurized baskets, but it wasn’t as consistent as I needed. That’s the core baratza encore vs esp trade-off.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• 40 grind settings tuned for drip to French press
• 40 mm conical steel burrs for clean, balanced cups
• Simple on/off switch with a front pulse button
• 8 oz hopper and roomy grounds bin
• Tool-free burr access for easy cleaning and maintenance

What I Like

• Consistent, sweet filter coffee without fuss
• Very easy to use and teach to others
• Stable grind settings that do not drift
• Quiet enough for early mornings
• Serviceable design with strong parts support

What Could Be Better

• Not ideal for true espresso with standard baskets
• No timed dosing or portafilter-friendly accessories
• Static can show up in very dry climates

My Recommendation

If you brew pour-over, drip, or French press, the Encore is a proven, high-value pick. It’s widely available and easy to live with.

Best For	Why
Pour-over and drip	Reliable grind steps and sweet cup profile
French press	Uniform coarse grind reduces sludge
Beginner-friendly setups	Simple controls and stable results

Is Baratza Encore ESP Good?

Yes—if espresso is on your daily menu. The Baratza Encore ESP was built to make espresso dialing approachable while keeping great filter performance. It keeps the compact Encore form but adds a tighter adjustment range for fine grinds and a dosing cup for 54/58 mm portafilters.

On my counter, the ESP paired well with a small single‑boiler machine. I hit a proper 1:2 shot in five tries, then fine-tuned with tiny clicks. Later, I brewed a Chemex by jumping to higher settings with no drama. For baratza encore vs esp, the ESP is the espresso‑first choice without losing drip versatility.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Espresso-focused lower range with tighter steps (1–20)
• 40 mm conical steel burrs tuned for fine grinding
• Includes 54/58 mm dosing cup and adapter
• Tool-free cleaning and user-serviceable parts
• Dual-duty: espresso and filter at higher settings

What I Like

• Genuinely easier espresso dialing vs the standard Encore
• Dosing cup keeps counters tidy and reduces clumps
• Small clicks make micro-adjustment simple
• Still makes tasty pour-over and drip
• Great footprint for tight kitchens

What Could Be Better

• Costs more than the standard Encore
• Still stepped, not stepless, so ultra-fine control is limited
• Retention can vary with beans and humidity

My Recommendation

If you want daily espresso with occasional filter brews, choose the Encore ESP. It’s the smart budget move.

Best For	Why
Home espresso beginners	Tighter low-end steps make dialing simple
Small apartment setups	Compact body with portafilter-friendly cup
Mixed espresso + filter users	Handles both without swapping grinders

baratza encore vs esp: Side-by-Side Test

I ran both grinders with the same beans across espresso and pour-over. This baratza encore vs esp face-off highlights where each one wins in real kitchens.

Grind Range and Consistency: Who Covers More Ground?

Both cover filter brews well. The ESP tightens the bottom range for espresso control.

Feature	Encore	Encore ESP
Settings	40 steps, even spacing	40 steps, tighter at 1–20 for espresso
Espresso Range	Challenging with standard baskets	Designed for espresso dialing
Filter Range	Excellent	Excellent
Cup Clarity	Clean and sweet	Slightly denser body at fine

Rating: Encore – 8/10 | Encore ESP – 9/10

Edge: Encore ESP, thanks to better control at fine settings without losing filter quality.

Espresso Performance: Which One Nails the Shot?

Here’s the heart of baratza encore vs esp.

Aspect	Encore	Encore ESP
Dial-in Speed	Slow, can stall near fine	Fast, predictable clicks
Pressure Profiling	Better with pressurized baskets	Works with standard baskets
Shot Consistency	Variable	Stable once dialed
Included Tools	None for portafilters	54/58 mm dosing cup + adapter

Rating: Encore – 6/10 | Encore ESP – 9/10

Edge: Encore ESP. It’s built for espresso dialing and convenience.

Speed and Noise: Which Feels Faster Day to Day?

Both share a similar motor profile and sound level.

Metric	Encore	Encore ESP
Grind Speed	Steady for brew	Comparable; quicker feel at fine
Noise	Moderate hum	Moderate hum
Warm-Up	None needed	None needed
Retention	Low to moderate	Low to moderate

Rating: Encore – 8/10 | Encore ESP – 8/10

Edge: Tie. Real-world speed and noise feel the same.

Ease of Use and Cleaning: Which Is Friendlier?

Both are simple. The ESP adds espresso-friendly touches.

Ease Factor	Encore	Encore ESP
Controls	On/off + pulse	On/off + pulse
Adjustment	Clear for brew	Finer steps at low end
Cleaning	Tool-free burr access	Tool-free burr access
Counter Mess	Grounds bin only	Dosing cup reduces mess

Rating: Encore – 8/10 | Encore ESP – 9/10

Edge: Encore ESP, due to the dosing cup and fine-step control.

Build, Burrs, and Serviceability: Which Will Last Longer?

Both follow Baratza’s repair-friendly design.

Build Aspect	Encore	Encore ESP
Burr Type	40 mm conical steel	40 mm conical steel (espresso-tuned)
Parts Availability	Excellent	Excellent
Footprint	Compact	Compact
Durability	Proven over years	Built on same platform

Rating: Encore – 8/10 | Encore ESP – 8/10

Edge: Tie. Both are serviceable and solid for the price.

Value for Money: Which One Is the Smarter Buy?

This is where baratza encore vs esp becomes a needs question.

Value Angle	Encore	Encore ESP
Price Bracket	Lower	Higher
Best Use	Filter-first	Espresso-first
Included Extras	None	Dosing cup + adapter
Long-Term Flexibility	Great for brew methods	Great for espresso plus brew

Rating: Encore – 9/10 | Encore ESP – 8/10

Edge: Encore, if you rarely pull shots. ESP, if espresso is a priority.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If you mostly brew pour-over, drip, or French press, go with the Baratza Encore. It’s cheaper, simple, and delivers consistent filter cups. In the baratza encore vs esp debate, the Encore is the easy daily driver for brew lovers.

If espresso is part of your everyday routine, choose the Baratza Encore ESP. Its tighter low-end steps and dosing cup make dialing shots far easier while still handling filter brews well.

FAQs Of baratza encore vs esp

What is the main difference in the baratza encore vs esp?

The ESP has tighter steps at fine settings and includes a dosing cup for portafilters. The standard Encore targets filter brewing and is less precise at espresso fineness.

Can the standard Encore do espresso in the baratza encore vs esp choice?

It can work with pressurized baskets and dark roasts, but dialing standard baskets is harder. The ESP is designed for espresso dialing from the start.

Is there a taste difference for pour-over in baratza encore vs esp?

Both make clean, sweet cups. The Encore is excellent for filter. The ESP is similar for filter, with the bonus of better espresso ability.

Which is easier to live with day to day in baratza encore vs esp?

Both are simple. The ESP is handier for espresso thanks to the dosing cup and finer adjustments. For pure filter use, the Encore is just as easy.

Which offers better value in baratza encore vs esp?

For filter-first users, the Encore is the best value. For espresso-first users, the Encore ESP is worth the extra cost because it simplifies dialing in shots.