Baratza Encore ESP grinder review and buying guide
Best for: someone starting with a manual espresso machine who also wants the option to grind for filter coffee.
Our view: the Encore ESP offers an approachable adjustment and dosing-cup workflow. Leave budget for beans, a scale and practice dialing in.
Research note: This is a manufacturer-specification buying guide, not a hands-on grind retention, noise or shot test. *Manufacturer web prices observed 29 September 2026; confirm current price and local voltage before buying.
Quick verdict
The Encore ESP is a sensible entry point for a portafilter setup when you also want to make other styles of coffee. Its adjustment is deliberately simple: turn the hopper, grind into the supplied dosing cup, then transfer to your basket. It gives you a way to change extraction that pre-ground coffee cannot. It does not dose by weight or remove the need to learn what a shot tastes like.
Our recommendation is conditional. Buy it if your first priority is a practical separate grinder and you accept manual measuring and cleanup. If your priority is one-button drinks, a bean-to-cup machine is a different route. We have not run a retention, sound, particle-size or durability test, so this is an editorial buying assessment, not a performance score.
Why this grinder belongs beside a manual machine
A suitable grinder lets you make small grind changes when a shot runs too quickly or slowly. Baratza positions the Encore ESP for espresso and describes its hopper adjustment and included dosing cup. The value lies in a simple path from beans to portafilter, with more control than pre-ground coffee.
What the adjustment means in daily use
Espresso needs small, repeatable grind changes because a slight shift can alter how quickly water passes through the puck. Baratza describes turn-of-hopper adjustment and an included dosing cup on both regional listings. Start with a setting recommended in the manual, make a shot, then adjust according to flow and taste. The setting number is a starting point rather than a universal recipe: beans, basket and dose all matter.
When switching to filter brewing, record the espresso setting you liked so you can return to it. Keep a small note of the bean, dose, setting and result. A scale is valuable here because the grinder’s output alone does not tell you the dose or the weight of coffee in the cup.
Reasons to consider it
- Dedicated grinder for a manual espresso setup.
- Hopper adjustment keeps changes straightforward.
- Included dosing cup helps transfer coffee to the portafilter.
- Can serve espresso and other brew styles.
Reasons to pause
- Adds another appliance and step to the morning routine.
- You will still need to measure a dose and learn the right grind for each coffee.
- No hands-on noise, speed or retention findings are claimed here.
- Check the regional plug, warranty and colour in the listing.
How to use it with a new espresso machine
Budget and compatibility
The grinder is only part of the purchase. A manual machine, a small scale, suitable beans and a basket that fits your workflow affect the result. The Encore ESP does not need to match the machine brand, but you should check the dosing-cup transfer with your portafilter and the space beneath your cupboards. Check the plug and warranty for your region rather than importing a different-voltage model on price alone.
Cleaning the hopper and grind path is part of owning any grinder. Follow Baratza’s manual when removing parts and avoid assuming that rinsing the burr assembly is appropriate. We have not verified how much coffee remains inside after grinding, so the review does not claim a retention figure.
Buying decision
Choose the Encore ESP if you want a separate grinder without a complicated control panel. Pair it with a manual machine such as the Sage Bambino, then use our first-shot guide to learn adjustment. These draft links are for editorial review.
UK and US price check
| Market | Manufacturer price* | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £159.95 | UK plug, colour and stock. |
| US | $199.95 | US plug, colour and stock. |
Where to buy
Check the manufacturer pages for regional model details, plug and warranty. The Amazon UK and US links below are affiliate links to regional Encore ESP listings. Confirm the correct voltage, current price and seller before buying.
Baratza Encore ESP
£159.95 manufacturer listing checked 29 Sep 2026
- Confirm UK plug and available colour.
- Compare warranty and delivery with UK retailers.
Baratza Encore ESP
$199.95 manufacturer listing checked 29 Sep 2026
- Confirm US plug and available colour.
- Check current delivery and warranty terms.
Prices and sellers change. The Amazon UK and Amazon US links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. The manufacturer links are informational and have no affiliate tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a scale?
Yes, a small scale helps you repeat a dose and track beverage yield while learning espresso.
Is it useful for filter coffee?
Baratza markets the ESP for espresso and a wider range of brewing. You will need to change the setting when switching methods.
Will it work with a bean-to-cup machine?
A bean-to-cup machine normally grinds its own beans. A separate grinder is more relevant to a portafilter setup.
Sources: Baratza UK Encore ESP · Baratza US Encore ESP.