Coffee Grinder

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

by Baratza

4.5
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5

The Baratza Encore remains one of the best value conical burr grinders for home coffee driners who want consistent grounds for drip, pour-over, and French press.

  • 40mm steel conical burrs
  • 8 discrete grind settings from espresso to French press (adjustable range via 40 settings on newer models)
  • DC motor with gear reduction for consistent low-speed grinding
  • Solid steel drive gear (upgraded from plastic in older versions)
4.5/5
Editor score 90%
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The verdict

The Baratza Encore remains one of the best value conical burr grinders for home coffee driners who want consistent grounds for drip, pour-over, and French press. While it's not built for serious espresso work, its durability, easy maintenance, and strong parts support make it a smart long-term investment for anyone upgrading from a blade grinder.

At a glance

Our full review

The Baratza Encore remains one of the most trusted entry points into serious coffee grinding, and it earns that reputation through consistency rather than flash. At its core sits a 40mm conical steel burr set that delivers a uniform grind size across a wide range of settings, whether you're chasing a fine espresso-adjacent grind or a coarse press-pot texture. The stepped adjustment dial offers 40 distinct settings, making it easy to dial in exactly the right grind for pour-over, drip machines, French press, or AeroPress without the frustration of stepless systems that can feel imprecise for beginners. This clarity of purpose is what has made the Encore a staple recommendation among home baristas and coffee professionals alike who want reliable results without a steep learning curve.

Build quality on the Encore reflects Baratza's focus on longevity and serviceability. The grinder features a durable DC motor designed for quiet, consistent operation, and the burrs themselves are user-replaceable, meaning the machine can be maintained and upgraded over years of daily use rather than discarded when parts wear down. The hopper holds a generous amount of whole beans, and the grounds bin is sized appropriately for single servings up to a full pot, reducing mess and static cling that plagues cheaper grinders. Baratza also backs the Encore with accessible customer support and a straightforward parts ecosystem, so troubleshooting or replacing a component doesn't require sending the whole unit away or buying a new grinder outright.

What ultimately sets the Encore apart in the crowded coffee gear space is how it balances simplicity with genuine grind quality. It's compact enough for a modest kitchen counter, yet its output rivals grinders costing significantly more, thanks to burrs that minimize fines and produce a more even particle distribution than blade grinders ever could. For anyone transitioning from pre-ground coffee or a basic blade grinder, the Encore represents a meaningful upgrade in flavor clarity and brew consistency, while still remaining approachable for those unfamiliar with grind size terminology. It's a grinder built for daily ritual, not just occasional use, and that dependability is precisely why it continues to be a benchmark model in home coffee setups.

Specs & ratings

Burr Type40mm conical steel burrs
Grind Settings40 settings (Encore ESP models) / 8-40 range
Hopper Capacity8 oz (227g) whole beans
Motor TypeDC gear-reduction motor
Dimensions7.5 x 5.5 x 13 inches (WxDxH)

Pros & cons

👍 What we liked

  • Excellent grind consistency for drip and pour-over
  • Easy to disassemble and clean
  • Affordable entry point into quality burr grinding
  • Backed by strong Baratza customer support and replaceable parts
  • Quiet operation compared to many blade grinders
  • Durable build that lasts years with basic maintenance

👎 Worth noting

  • Not ideal for fine espresso grinding
  • Some static and grounds retention in the chute
  • Plastic hopper and body feel less premium
  • No built-in scale or timer
  • Grind range settings can be finicky to dial in precisely

What owners are saying

★★★★★

Huge upgrade from my old blade grinder

The difference in my pour-over quality was immediate. Grounds are uniform and my coffee tastes noticeably better. Cleaning is simple too.

MMarcus T. · 2024-03-12
★★★★★

Great for drip, not for espresso

If you're doing straight espresso, look elsewhere. For everything else this grinder is fantastic and easy to use daily.

PPriya S. · 2024-01-28
★★★★★

Built like a tank

Had mine for over three years now, still going strong. Baratza's customer support helped me get a replacement burr set when I asked about maintenance.

DDan W. · 2023-11-05
★★★★★

Good value but a bit noisy

Not the quietest grinder in the morning, but the grind consistency and price make up for it. Would recommend to anyone starting out with pour-over.

EElena R. · 2023-09-19