Baratza Encore ESP Review (2026)

The Baratza Encore is the most-recommended entry-level grinder in specialty coffee. For over a decade, it’s been the default pick for pour-over, drip, and French press. The original Encore, though, was not an espresso grinder. At fine settings, the motor bogged down, the grind was inconsistent, and the result was frustrating shots.

The Encore ESP fixes that. Released in 2023, it’s the same form factor and the same burr set as the standard Encore, but with a motor upgrade and a redesigned grounds bin that make it espresso-viable. The result is a grinder that handles pour-over in the morning and a passable espresso in the afternoon, at a price that doesn’t break the budget.

This review covers what the ESP does well, what it doesn’t, and who should buy it in 2026.

What is the Encore ESP?

The Encore ESP is a 40-setting conical burr grinder designed for pour-over and occasional espresso. It uses the same M2 steel burrs as the standard Encore (updated in 2024) and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

The motor is the key upgrade over the standard Encore. The ESP uses a higher-torque DC motor that maintains consistent RPMs at espresso settings, where the standard Encore would bog down. The grounds bin is redesigned with an anti-static coating and a wider mouth that reduces retention and clumping.

The price is around $220, which sits between the standard Encore ($170) and the Virtuoso+ ($245).

Performance

For pour-over, drip, and French press

The ESP is excellent in this range. The M2 burrs produce a clean, consistent grind that extracts well in pour-over, drip, and French press. The grind range covers everything from Turkish to cold brew, with most of the dial dedicated to the filter coffee range (settings 1-30).

For pour-over, the ESP is competitive with grinders costing 2-3x as much. The grind is consistent enough to dial in a V60 or a Chemex by taste and time. The grind is fast — about 25-30 seconds for a 22g V60 dose.

For drip and French press, the ESP is overkill — these brew methods don’t require a $200 grinder. But if you do pour-over as your primary method and want occasional espresso, the ESP is the right tool.

For espresso

The ESP is “espresso-viable,” not “espresso-optimized.” At espresso settings (around 8-12 on the dial, depending on your machine and beans), the grind is consistent enough to pull a drinkable shot. The motor maintains RPM, the grind is fine enough for 9-bar extraction, and the dose is reproducible shot to shot.

But the ESP is not a dedicated espresso grinder. Compared to the Baratza Sette 270 (which costs $300), the ESP produces:

A coarser particle distribution at espresso settings (more “fines,” more inconsistent extraction)
Less adjustment precision at the fine end of the range
More retention between grinds (you’ll waste a gram or two when you change settings)

For occasional espresso (1-2 shots a day, dialed in once and left alone), the ESP is fine. For daily espresso where you’re dialing in different beans, the Sette 270 is the right pick.

Comparison to dedicated espresso grinders

The ESP at espresso settings is competitive with the Rancilio Rocky and the Eureka Mignon Manuale at their entry-level configurations. It’s a step below the Sette 270, the Eureka Mignon Specialita, and the Niche Zero.

For most home users, the gap is small. For users who care about the last 10% of espresso quality, the gap is real.

Build quality and design

The ESP is plastic-heavy with a metal grinding chamber. The build feels solid for the price — it’s not a commercial grinder, but it’s well-constructed for a $220 home model. The bean hopper is plastic, the grounds bin is plastic with an anti-static coating, and the adjustment dial is plastic.

The grinder is small (5.5" × 6.3" × 13.8") and light (6.8 lb). It fits on a small counter and is easy to move. The portafilter cradle on the front is convenient for espresso — you can grind directly into a 54mm portafilter.

The design is simple and unassuming. The ESP looks like what it is: a home grinder for a non-barista buyer.

Cleaning and maintenance

The ESP is straightforward to clean. The grounds bin removes easily, the burrs are accessible from the top by removing the hopper, and a stiff brush (included) handles the chamber walls.

Baratza sells replacement burr sets for the ESP, which is a real advantage. After 5-7 years of daily use, you can replace the burrs for about $40 and get another 5-7 years out of the grinder. Most entry-level grinders from other brands don’t have this option.

Who the ESP is for

The ESP is the right pick if:

You want one grinder for both pour-over and espresso. The ESP is the best all-rounder in the under-$250 category.
You make 1-2 drinks a day and don’t want to think about grinder choice. The ESP is set-and-forget for typical home use.
You want Baratza’s customer service. Baratza’s support is the best in the category. If something breaks, they fix it.
You want a grinder that will last 7-10 years. With a burr replacement at year 7, the ESP can serve you for a decade.

Who the ESP is NOT for

The ESP is the wrong pick if:

You pull espresso daily and care about shot quality. The Sette 270 is the better espresso pick.
You want single-dose grinding with low retention. The Sette 270 or a Niche Zero is the right pick.
You want flat burrs for pour-over. Look at the DF64 or the Eureka Mignon Filtro.
You only brew pour-over and never make espresso. The standard Encore is the same grinder for $50 less.

The bottom line

The Baratza Encore ESP is the best entry-level all-purpose grinder in 2026. It does pour-over excellently, it does espresso acceptably, and it lasts 7-10 years with Baratza’s support.

If you have one grinder budget and you want to cover all the bases, the ESP is the right pick. If you’re only making espresso, get the Sette 270. If you’re only making pour-over, get the standard Encore and save $50.

Baratza Encore ESP on Amazon

FAQ

Is the ESP better than the standard Encore? For pour-over, identical. For espresso, the ESP is meaningfully better — the motor doesn’t bog down, the grounds bin is redesigned, and the grind is more consistent at fine settings.

Is the ESP better than the Sette 270? For pour-over, no — the Sette is espresso-focused. For espresso, the Sette is meaningfully better. The ESP is the better all-rounder; the Sette is the better espresso specialist.

Can the ESP grind for Turkish coffee? At the very fine end of the range, the ESP can produce Turkish-coffee-fine grinds, but the motor struggles and the consistency is poor. If you make Turkish coffee regularly, a dedicated Turkish grinder is the right pick.

Does the ESP come with a warranty? Yes, 1-year limited warranty from Baratza. The warranty covers manufacturing defects and motor failure in the first year.

How often do the burrs need to be replaced? With normal home use (1-2 drinks per day), every 5-7 years. Replacement burrs are $40 and Baratza’s installation guide makes the swap a 5-minute job.

Prices and availability last verified July 2026. GrindMinded earns a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for details.