Baratza Encore ESP Review: One grinder for an espresso-curious kitchen

The Encore ESP is a sensible bridge between everyday filter coffee and a first home espresso setup. Its appeal is not automation: the owner still chooses the grind, measures the dose and evaluates the brew. What it adds is a more useful adjustment range for espresso than a general-purpose grinder with only broad steps. This review covers the original Encore ESP, not the separate ESP Pro model.

A useful split in the adjustment range

Baratza divides the dial into settings 1–20 for fine espresso adjustments and 21–40 for coarser brewing methods. That split makes the design understandable at a glance. It also means the numbers are positions, not universal recipes. A setting that suits one bean and espresso basket may be inappropriate for another. Expect to adjust when changing coffee rather than treating the first successful number as permanent.

For a household alternating between espresso and a filter brewer, one grinder can save counter space. The practical compromise is remembering and restoring the correct setting. Label a simple brew notebook with the bean, dose and setting; that is more useful than buying extra equipment before understanding which variable needs changing.

Plan a manual workflow

The included dosing cup makes transferring grounds part of a deliberate routine. A separate scale remains valuable because grinding time and bean volume are not precise substitutes for mass. Someone seeking a single button that automatically weighs and dispenses a finished dose should compare a grinder built around that function. The ESP asks for a little participation each morning.

Keep cleaning access in mind when choosing its position. Coffee equipment is easier to maintain when it can be unplugged and moved without dismantling an entire brew station. Follow Baratza’s cleaning and adjustment instructions, especially when changing toward a finer setting. Routine care and available replacement parts matter more to long ownership than a decorative finish.

Who should buy it

Choose the Encore ESP if espresso is part of your actual routine and you want a clear, teachable control system. It is less persuasive if you only need coarse grounds occasionally, or if your priority is eliminating every manual step. Compare the complete setup cost, including a scale, with the equipment already on your counter.

The strongest buying case is flexibility at a modest level of complexity. Its specifications establish the intended range, but they do not establish measured grind uniformity, noise or retention in our kitchen. Those untested outcomes are why the rating rewards the design’s usefulness without presenting laboratory performance claims.

Review basis: This is a source-based editorial assessment of the manufacturer’s published specifications, instructions and product design, not a hands-on test. Scores reflect the suitability and tradeoffs discussed here; we have not independently measured performance, durability or taste.

Sources & product information

• Baratza Encore ESP official product information
• Baratza Encore ESP operating manual