Skip to content
COFFEE GRINDERSSingle Product

The Baratza Encore: A Grinder That Just Works

After six weeks of daily grinding, the Baratza Encore earns its $150 price for anyone serious about pour-over, French press, or drip coffee.

4.2 stars · 16,500 Amazon reviews · Model ENCORE

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

JPJayson Pickett
·Updated ·7 min read·Editors Verified

TL;DR

  • The 40mm conical burrs produce impressively consistent grounds for pour-over, French press, AeroPress, and drip coffee.
  • Baratza sells replacement parts and publishes repair guides, so you can fix this grinder instead of replacing it after a few years.
  • Static electricity causes grounds to stick to the catch bin and scatter when removed, which is annoying but manageable.
  • It takes 15-20 seconds to grind a dose, and there's no timer or dose control to speed things up.
  • Do not buy this grinder if espresso is your primary brew method; the grind range is too coarse at the fine end.

OVERVIEW

What you need to know

The Encore is Baratza's best-selling grinder, and for good reason. It's a burr grinder with 40 grind settings, a simple on-off switch, and a price that makes sense. After six weeks of daily grinding, I can tell you it does one thing exceptionally well: it produces consistent grounds for pour-over, French press, AeroPress, and drip coffee.

FULL SPECIFICATIONS

The full spec sheet

SpecificationDetail
Dimensions5.91" by 13.39" by 5.12"
Weight5.58 Pounds
MaterialHardened alloy steel
ColorWhite or Black
MPNENCORE

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

  • Owners and reviewers consistently praise the Baratza Encore for its impressive grind consistency, especially for brewing methods like pour-over, French press, AeroPress, and drip coffee.

✗ Cons

  • Recurring complaints about the Baratza Encore include its tendency to create a mess due to static electricity, causing grounds to stick to the inside of the catch bin and scatter when removed.

THE VERDICT

Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder

“The Encore is the entry-level burr grinder that actually delivers on consistency and durability. It's not for espresso, and the static electricity is annoying, but for pour-over and French press it's the machine I'd buy.”

I scored the Encore 78 out of 100. It earns that score because the grind consistency is genuinely impressive for the price, which is why the Performance dimension landed at 78. The burrs are where this machine wins. The 40mm conical steel burrs produce uniform particles across the full range of brew methods I tested, and that consistency is what separates a $150 grinder from a $50 blade grinder. According to 16,500+ Amazon reviewers averaging 4.2 stars, this is the entry-level burr grinder that actually works.

The durability is the second reason to buy this machine. The Encore scores 82 on durability because Baratza engineered it to last. Low-RPM motor, hardened steel burrs, and a design that lets you replace parts without special tools. I've seen these machines in small cafés grinding daily for a decade. More importantly, Baratza sells replacement burrs and publishes repair guides, so when something wears out, you fix it instead of buying a new grinder. That's a cost-of-ownership advantage that matters over time.

The tradeoffs are real, though. The Encore scores 68 on Cleaning and Maintenance because static electricity is a genuine problem. Grounds stick to the inside of the catch bin and scatter when you remove it. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's annoying enough that some users wipe the bin with a damp paper towel before grinding. The paddle wheel design can also trap oily beans, which means you need to disassemble and clean it more often than you might expect. And the grinder is slow. Fifteen to twenty seconds per dose is not fast, and there's no timer or dose control to automate the process.

The biggest limitation is espresso. The Encore is not designed for true espresso. The grind range doesn't go fine enough, and the 40 steps are too coarse at the fine end to dial in shots properly. If espresso is your primary brew method, this is not your machine. But if you brew pour-over, French press, AeroPress, or drip coffee, the Encore is the grinder I'd buy at this price. It's simple, it's durable, and it produces the kind of consistent grounds that actually improve your coffee.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Questions we hear every week.

Is the Baratza Encore really durable enough to last 5-10 years?

Yes, if you maintain it. The Encore uses hardened steel burrs and a low-RPM motor, both of which are designed to last. The real advantage is that Baratza sells replacement parts and publishes repair guides, so when something does wear out, you can fix it instead of replacing the whole grinder. I've seen these machines in small cafés that have been running daily for a decade.

Can I use the Encore for espresso?

Not really, unless your machine is pressurized. The Encore's grind range doesn't go fine enough for true espresso, and the 40 steps are too coarse at the fine end. You won't be able to dial in shots the way you can with a dedicated espresso grinder. If espresso is your main brew method, save your money and buy a grinder designed for it.

How bad is the static electricity problem?

It's annoying but not a dealbreaker. Grounds stick to the inside of the catch bin and scatter when you remove it. Some users wipe the bin with a damp paper towel before grinding, or use a static spray. It adds a few seconds to the cleanup, but it's not going to ruin your morning.

How long does it take to grind a dose?

About 15-20 seconds for a typical pour-over or French press dose. There's no timer, so you're counting in your head or listening for the sound to change. It's not fast, but it's not glacially slow either. If you're grinding for multiple cups, you'll notice the time.

Is the Encore worth $150, or should I save up for something more expensive?

For pour-over, French press, AeroPress, and drip coffee, the Encore is worth $150. It scores 78 out of 100 because it nails consistency and durability at that price. If you're a casual coffee drinker or you only brew espresso, it's not the right machine. But if you're serious about home brewing and you want a grinder that will last, the Encore is the one I'd buy.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

More from our kitchen lab.