Baratza Encore Review: The First Real Coffee Grinder Everyone Recommends
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Baratza Encore is the near-universally recommended first real coffee grinder.
- 40 grind settings from espresso to French press
- 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs
- One-touch pulse button and simple ON/OFF
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Pros
- 40 grind settings from espresso to French press
- 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs
- One-touch pulse button and simple ON/OFF
- SCA award-winning, backed by a 1-year warranty
Cons
- Entry-level grinder geared to home rather than cafe use
- Single-speed grinding produces some operating noise
The Coffee Grinder That's the Unambiguous Best-Buy in Its Price Class
The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder sits at an unusual position in the coffee-gear market: near-universal recommendation. Specialty coffee publications, baristas, home-brewing forums, and YouTube coffee reviewers all point to the Encore as the default "first real grinder" purchase.
Check the Baratza Encore price on Amazon →
Short answer: Yes, buy it. The Encore consistently delivers uniform grind across the range from French press coarse to drip medium. Build quality is meant to last 10+ years. Replacement parts are widely available. It's the right first serious grinder.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Burr type | Conical steel M2 |
| Grind settings | 40 discrete steps |
| Bean hopper | ~8oz |
| Motor | 110W, gearbox reduction |
| Grind range | French press → drip (not fine enough for espresso without M3 upgrade) |
| Weight | ~6.8 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why Grind Quality Matters
Pre-ground coffee loses flavor within days. Uniform grind directly affects extraction quality. The Encore's conical burrs produce significantly more uniform particles than blade grinders (chaotic chopping) and cheap burr grinders (wobbly axle = inconsistent gap).
Starting Settings by Brew Method
- French press: coarse
- Pour-over V60: medium-fine, around setting 15
- Drip machine: medium, around setting 20
- AeroPress: medium-fine, around setting 12
- Espresso: even the minimum setting is too coarse for proper extraction (would need M3 conversion)
Pros and Cons
Pros: Consistent grind across coarse-to-medium range, proven 10+ year durability, replacement parts available, 40 step settings give precision, reasonable price
Cons: Not fine enough for espresso stock (M3 upgrade costs extra), loud (~78dB), fines percentage higher than premium grinders ($400+), plastic hopper feels less premium than the motor housing suggests
FAQ
Does it do espresso? No at stock. The M3 burr upgrade makes it espresso-capable, but you're spending the money of a better dedicated grinder at that point.
Is it loud? ~78dB, louder than blenders at low speed. Fine for home use, not for early mornings with sleeping family.
How does the Encore ESP differ? Encore ESP has finer low settings for espresso work. Regular Encore is the right choice for non-espresso users.
What grinder after I outgrow this? Baratza Virtuoso+ (still has issues), Fellow Ode, or jump to Niche Zero.
Bottom Line
For coffee drinkers stepping up from blade grinders or cheap burr grinders, the Baratza Encore is the unambiguous correct first purchase. 30-40 years of Baratza's grinder design iteration shows in the Encore. For espresso-only users, skip to a dedicated espresso grinder.
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