Baratza Encore vs Encore ESP vs Virtuoso+: Which Coffee Grinder Should You Buy?

Baratza dominates the entry-to-mid-range grinder market for good reason: consistent grind quality, easy repairability, and solid value. But with three models at different price points, choosing the right one depends on how you brew.

Quick Answer

• Brew drip/French press/pour-over mostly? → Encore ESP
• Want the best burr set at mid-range? → Virtuoso+
• Budget is the priority? → Original Encore (if you can find it)

Baratza Encore (Original)

Specs

• 40mm conical steel burrs
• 40 grind settings
• 8–12 oz bean hopper
• ~$169

Best For

Filter brewing: drip, French press, pour-over. Not recommended for espresso.

Limitations

Only 40 macro-settings (no micro-adjustment). The ESP replaced it for good reason.

Baratza Encore ESP

Specs

• Same 40mm burrs as original Encore
• 40 macro + electronic micro-adjustment via dial
• ESP = "Espresso, Specialty, Pour-over"
• ~$199

What's New

The stepped adjustment plus a stepless fine-tuning dial means you can now dial in espresso (sort of — it's still an entry-level grinder, but much better than the original).

Best For

Brewers who want one grinder for multiple methods including occasional espresso.

The Honest Caveat

For serious espresso, a dedicated burr grinder (Niche Zero, DF64) will outperform it. But for a home barista doing mostly filter with some espresso? The ESP punches well above its price.

Baratza Virtuoso+

Specs

• 40mm conical burrs (higher grade than Encore)
• 40 grind settings
• Built-in timer with 0.1-second precision
• ~$249

What's Better

The Virtuoso+ uses precision-calibrated burrs from the same set as Baratza's professional models. The grind consistency noticeably improves, especially for pour-over and AeroPress.

Best For

Serious pour-over brewers who want maximum consistency and the timed dosing feature.

The Tradeoff

No micro-adjustment like the ESP. If versatility matters more than peak consistency, the ESP may be the better pick.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Encore ESP if: You want versatility and occasionally make espresso.

Buy the Virtuoso+ if: You're a pour-over obsessive who values grind consistency above all else and wants the timed dosing feature.

Buy the original Encore if: You find it discounted and only need drip/French press coffee.

Bottom Line

At $30 more than the original Encore, the Encore ESP is almost always the right call — you get micro-adjustment at an entry-level price. The Virtuoso+ is worth the premium if your primary method is pour-over and you appreciate precision.