Contents
Quick verdict
The plain Encore is a filter grinder. Its 40 evenly spaced steps cover drip, pour-over and French press. Its retailer listing sends espresso buyers to the Encore ESP instead. If you will never make espresso, it is a simple, compact upgrade from blade grinding. If espresso is even a maybe, buy the ESP.
Buy it if
- You brew drip, pour-over or French press only.
- You want a narrow hopper grinder with simple controls.
Skip it if
- You might make espresso within the next year or two.
- You want single-dose or timed grinding.
- Best for
- Drip, pour-over and French press drinkers who will not make espresso.
- Main compromise
- Not recommended for espresso by the retailer listing; no timer.
- Burrs
- 40 mm conical steel
- Adjustment
- 40 stepped settings
- Stated range
- Pour-over and drip; the listing directs espresso buyers to the Encore ESP
Specifications
| Spec | Detail and source |
|---|---|
| Burrs | 40 mm conical steelRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
| Adjustment | 40 stepped settingsRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
| Stated range | Pour-over and drip; the listing directs espresso buyers to the Encore ESPRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
| Loading | Hopper, 8 ozRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
| Controls | On/off switch and front pulse buttonRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
| Dimensions | 5 in W × 6 in D × 13 in HRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
| Power | 70 W, 120 VRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
| Warranty | 1 yearRetailer listing: Seattle Coffee Gear |
Strengths and limitations
What stands out
- Simple controls. An on/off switch and a front pulse button (retailer listing).
- Tool-free burr removal for cleaning, per the same listing.
- Compact: listed at 5 × 6 in.
Limitations
- Not for espresso. The retailer says it is designed for pour-over and drip and points espresso buyers to the ESP.
- No timer or dosing cup, unlike newer Encore variants.
- No independent test of this model in our ledger yet. CoffeeGeek's detailed testing covers the Encore ESP. It shares the 40 mm burr size, but its adjustment works differently.
Encore or Encore ESP?
Both use 40 mm conical burrs and the same basic body. The difference is how the 40 steps are spread. The Encore spreads them evenly for filter coffee. The ESP puts 20 small micro steps at the fine end for espresso and 20 larger steps for filter (ESP listing). CoffeeGeek found the ESP good for pour-over as well, better than its Sette 270Wi benchmark (CoffeeGeek). So the ESP gives up little for filter coffee and adds espresso.
Will it fit?
Alternatives
- Baratza Encore ESP: the same footprint, adding espresso capability.
- OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder: one-touch hopper grinder with a 2-year warranty listed by retailers.
- Fellow Ode Gen 2: flat burrs and single dosing for filter coffee, in a larger body.
Our recommendation
I'd only buy the plain Encore if espresso is definitely off the table. For most readers of this site, the Encore ESP is the safer version of the same grinder.
Amazon listing: ZCG485BLK, black, 120 V
Sources
- Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder — Seattle Coffee Gear. Retailer listing. Accessed September 26, 2026.
- Baratza Encore ESP Coffee and Espresso Grinder — Seattle Coffee Gear. Retailer listing. Accessed September 26, 2026.
- Baratza Encore ESP Grinder review — CoffeeGeek. Independent review. Mark Prince, 2023-10-20. Accessed September 26, 2026.
- Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards — National Kitchen & Bath Association. Reference. Accessed September 26, 2026.