The Encore ESP takes Baratza's reliable standard Encore and extends its adjustment range down toward espresso-fine grinds. The idea is a single grinder that covers everything from cold brew to espresso. In practice, we found the drip and pour-over end excellent and the espresso end merely adequate.
First impressions
Build quality is identical to the standard Encore, which is to say solid and unglamorous — this is a workhorse, not a showpiece. The extended adjustment collar is the only meaningful difference, and it's a small, fiddly range at the fine end where small dial movements produce large grind-size changes.
Performance data
We ground the same beans across the full dial range and measured particle consistency using a sieve set, then pulled 10 espresso shots at the finest setting to check extraction.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Grind consistency, drip range | Excellent — tight particle distribution |
| Grind consistency, espresso-fine range | Adequate, more fines than a dedicated espresso grinder |
| Espresso shots with acceptable extraction (of 10) | 7 / 10 |
| Retention (leftover grounds in chamber) | ~0.3g average |
How it compares
| Grinder | Best for | Price | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baratza Encore ESP | Drip, occasional espresso | $199–229 | 6.8 |
| Baratza Encore (standard) | Drip, pour-over only | $150–170 | 8.1 |
| Fellow Ode Gen 2 | Drip, pour-over, more even burrs | $255–295 | 8.6 |
Pros
- Excellent, consistent grind for drip and pour-over
- Durable, easy to maintain build
- Wider range than the standard Encore
Cons
- Espresso-fine range underperforms dedicated espresso grinders
- Price premium over standard Encore isn't fully justified if you rarely brew espresso
- Fiddly fine adjustment at the espresso end
Who should buy it — and who should skip it
If you brew drip or pour-over most days and want the occasional espresso option without buying a second grinder, this covers that reasonably well. If you drink espresso daily, spend the difference on a grinder built specifically for it — you'll notice the difference in the cup.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Baratza Encore ESP actually grind fine enough for espresso?
Technically yes, but the adjustment steps at the fine end are coarse enough that dialing in a shot is fiddly compared to grinders built specifically for espresso. It's usable, not ideal.
Is the Baratza Encore ESP worth it over the standard Encore?
Only if you specifically need the extended fine-grind range for occasional espresso. If you brew drip or pour-over exclusively, the standard Encore performs identically for less money.