Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, My Indoor Space may earn from qualifying purchases through links in this article, at no extra cost to you.
The ordinary Baratza Encore and the Encore ESP look like close relatives, but their most useful difference appears when you try to dial in espresso. If you brew drip coffee, pour-over, or French press at home, the standard Encore is the sensible starting point. If a non-pressurized espresso machine is part of your setup, pay attention to the ESP.
Quick verdict
Buy the Encore for filter coffee. Its straightforward hopper adjustment covers the typical home brewing range. Buy the Encore ESP if you also make espresso. Baratza divides the ESP’s 40 numbered positions into a finer-adjustment espresso range (1–20) and a broader filter range (21–40). That extra control solves a specific problem: a small grind change can alter espresso flow markedly. This is a research-based comparison of manufacturer specifications, not a claim of hands-on testing.
Where the upgrade matters
| Your brewing routine | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drip, pour-over, French press | Encore | Pay for a solid filter grinder without an espresso-focused adjustment range. |
| Espresso with a non-pressurized basket | Encore ESP | Smaller changes in its espresso range make dialing in practical. |
| Espresso plus filter coffee | Encore ESP | One grinder covers both ranges; expect to change settings and purge some grounds between brews. |
| Pre-ground coffee only | Neither | Buy a grinder once grinding fresh beans becomes part of the routine. |
Who should buy and who should skip
Choose the standard Encore when you mainly brew a pot, a single pour-over, or a French press. Skip its apparent saving if you are actively buying an espresso machine that needs fine adjustment. Choose the ESP if you plan to tune shots by grind size. Skip the upgrade if your coffee maker never uses its finer control; the extra features then do little work.
Do not confuse the number of settings with the result
Both grinders have 40 marked positions. The numbers alone do not tell you how finely each step changes the grind. Baratza describes the ESP positions 1–20 as its higher-resolution espresso section. Its positions 21–40 serve filter and coarser methods. The standard Encore is marketed primarily for filter brewing, despite a broad 40-setting range. A manufacturer’s mention of “espresso fine” on a general grinder does not make it equally easy to dial in a non-pressurized shot.
Counter space and daily cleanup
Measure the clearance below your cabinets with room to lift the hopper lid, and plan where the grounds container will sit during filling. The ESP includes a dosing cup for an espresso workflow. Both machines require occasional burr and chute cleaning; beans leave residue, and a clogged chute can change how much coffee reaches the cup. Consult the manual for the exact cleaning and burr-removal steps rather than washing electrical parts.
Best value and when to pay more
For a filter-only household, the Encore is the better value because the ESP’s main advantage goes unused. For a household moving into non-pressurized espresso, buying the ESP once can be more useful than saving on a filter grinder and replacing it later. Prices vary by seller and country, so compare the actual checkout totals and return terms rather than relying on a fixed price here.
What to check before ordering
- Whether your espresso machine uses a pressurized or non-pressurized basket; the latter makes grind adjustment much more consequential.
- Cabinet clearance, hopper access, and the power outlet location.
- The exact product name in the listing: Encore and Encore ESP are separate models.
- Availability of replacement burrs and support in your country.
Final winner
The Encore wins for filter coffee. The Encore ESP wins for a mixed filter-and-espresso setup because its espresso range gives the meaningful extra control. If you do not make espresso, keep the simpler purchase.
For another compact kitchen appliance decision, read our electric kettle guide. For accurately weighing beans, see our kitchen scale guide.
Research: Baratza Encore; Baratza Encore ESP; Baratza’s espresso and filter adjustment description.