The Baratza Encore is still a dependable entry-level espresso grinder for home use, and The Coffee Chronicler credits it with consistent performance and durability. It is beginner-friendly, though espresso evangelists need not apply. Pour over and coarse grinds are where it does its best work; serious espresso is not, since the motor and the absence of fine-tune adjustment hold it back. With 40 grind settings and an improved gearbox, it suits casual coffee drinkers who don't need professional-level precision. Anyone chasing espresso excellence should look elsewhere.
Full review
40mm conical burrs, 40 settings, one collar
The Encore is deliberately plain: 40mm conical steel burrs, a stepped collar with 40 positions, an on-off switch and a pulse button. Coffee Chronicler puts the grind quality above the entry-level machines people usually upgrade from, with fewer fines than a cheap disc grinder produces, and scores it 4.6 out of 5. CoffeeXplore reached 4.5, Coffeeness 90 out of 100 and Skillet Guy 4.6, a tight cluster for a design this old.
A low-speed motor that keeps the grounds cool
The motor turns slowly by design. FlyPresso credits that with keeping heat out of the grounds, which is what preserves the aromatics a fast, hot grinder burns off, and reports roughly eight to ten seconds for a 15-gram dose. The trade is noise: FlyPresso rates that part of the experience 2.5 out of 5, and it is loud enough to be antisocial early in the morning in a shared flat.
Built to be opened, with parts still stocked
Serviceability is the reason this grinder has outlasted its contemporaries. The burr set comes out in minutes for cleaning, the gears are 15% glass-filled thermoplastic chosen to be the part that gives way first, and Baratza still stocks spares for machines it no longer sells. CoffeeXplore and Coffee Chronicler make the same point in different words: a worn Encore gets rebuilt for a fraction of a replacement, which is not true of most machines at this money.
Static, and beans that do not feed cleanly
Two irritations come up in nearly every review. Static makes grounds cling to the inside of the bin, so a firm tap on the counter becomes part of the routine. And the gravity-fed hopper does not always clear larger beans, leaving a few behind at the end of a dose. Coffee Chronicler flags both. Neither ruins the grinder, but they are the reasons a more expensive machine feels more expensive.
Espresso is where it runs out of adjustment
The Encore's steps are spaced for filter brewing, and CoffeeXplore is explicit that the adjustments are too coarse to dial in a shot on a standard 58mm portafilter. Bought as a pour-over, press and AeroPress grinder it is a straightforward recommendation; bought as a first espresso grinder it will frustrate.
Strengths
- +Delivers consistent grind quality better than blade or basic disk burr grinders
- +Suitable for pour over, French press, AeroPress, and stovetop espresso maker
- +Includes 40 adjustable grind settings for customization
- +Durable construction with 15% glass-filled thermoplastic gears
Watch-outs
- −Not suitable for high-pressure espresso brewing or fine grinds
- −Some static causes grounds to stick inside the bin
- −Motor not designed for frequent espresso use which may cause long-term issues
How it compares
The Baratza Encore stands out for its durability and 40 adjustable settings, making it more versatile than the Capresso Infinity's 16 settings, but it falls short of the Fellow Opus in espresso precision and the 1Zpresso J-Max in fine-tune control. Unlike the Baratza Virtuoso Plus, it lacks the advanced digital features and premium build quality, though it's more affordable and suitable for casual home use.
Rating sources
Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
