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Short answer: yes, the Baratza Encore ESP ($199.95) really does pull espresso, and it does it better than any other electric burr grinder near its price. The trick is the dual-range collar. Steps 1 to 20 are geared tight for espresso, steps 21 to 40 open up for filter, so one grinder covers both without you buying two. It is not a Niche or a DF64, and it will not read like one on a scale, but for a beginner dialing in a first setup it is the honest benchmark under $200.
Why a $200 grinder can pull espresso at all
Espresso lives or dies on grind resolution. You need the burrs to move in small enough steps that you can chase a shot that runs too fast or too slow. Cheap grinders fail here because their settings jump too far between clicks, so you are stuck choosing between 20 seconds and 45 with nothing usable in between.
The Encore ESP fixes this with 40mm M2 conical burrs and a two-speed adjustment collar. In the espresso range, each click nudges the burrs a small amount, which is the whole point: it gives you enough steps to actually land in the 25 to 30 second window most machines want. Baratza runs the motor down to 550 RPM, which keeps heat, noise, and static lower than the RPM you get on grind-and-go blade units. It ships with a 54mm dosing cup and a 58mm adapter, so it drops straight into most portafilters.
Is it fussy? A bit. Retention is not zero, and light roasts take patience to dial. But the resolution is real, and that is the thing that was missing at this price for years.
Baratza Encore ESP specs at a glance
| Spec | Encore ESP | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | Baratza |
| Burrs | 40mm M2 conical | Baratza |
| Grind settings | 40 total | Baratza |
| Espresso range | Steps 1 to 20 | Baratza |
| Filter range | Steps 21 to 40 | Baratza |
| Motor speed | 550 RPM | Baratza |
| Dosing cup | 54mm with 58mm adapter | Baratza |
Note the settings count: it is 40, not 60. Some listings blur the espresso and filter halves together or count intermediate positions, but Baratza states 40 clicks split 20 for espresso and 20 for filter. If a shop tells you 60, they are counting something the manufacturer does not.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
Buy it if you are new to espresso, you also brew pour over or French press, and you want one grinder that does not force a compromise. The dual-range design is built exactly for the person who pulls a shot in the morning and makes a V60 on the weekend. It is also a clean upgrade path if you already own the original Encore and want espresso capability without relearning a new machine.
Skip it if you only pull espresso and you chase light-roast single origins on a naked portafilter. At that point the 40mm conical burrs and the modest step count become the ceiling, and a flat-burr single-dose grinder will give you more control for the money you would spend later anyway. Know which brewer you actually use before you spend.
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FAQ
Is the Baratza Encore ESP good for espresso? Yes. Its steps 1 to 20 espresso range gives enough resolution to dial a shot into the standard 25 to 30 second window, which most grinders under $200 cannot do.
How many grind settings does the Encore ESP have? Forty total, per Baratza: 20 clicks for espresso and 20 for filter, controlled by a dual-range collar.
Can the Encore ESP grind for pour over and French press too? Yes. Steps 21 to 40 cover filter methods, so one grinder handles espresso, pour over, drip, and French press.