Baratza Encore ESP Pro Review: A First Look at the Latest Encore

Let me tell ya folks, I didn’t expect to be writing about another Baratza Encore model so soon after the release of the Encore ESP. But don’t imagine for a second that I’m not super pumped to be embarking on this first look Baratza Encore ESP Pro review.

As it turns out, the Breville-owned manufacturer has pulled out all the stops, and there’s plenty to talk about. Heck, the Encore ESP Pro looks like it has what it takes to be Baratza’s most successful burr coffee grinder yet.

Naturally, I’ve put the Baratza Encore ESP Pro on my list of products to purchase for testing, and it’ll be the next grinder I put through its paces. In the meantime, let’s take a look at what I’ve got to look forward to!

A Third Encore!

Baratza Encore ESP Pro

Loaded with upgrades and new features

Stepless grind adjustments

Durable metal and plastic housing

Single dosing option

Intuitive digital display

No portafilter cradle

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Baratza Encore ESP Pro
Current price on Amazon	$299.95
All specifications

Overview: Baratza Encore ESP Pro Initial Review

If you’ve checked out my original Baratza Encore review, you’ll know that I still consider it to be one of the best burr coffee grinders of all time. And I’m not alone. In fact, the Baratza Encore was a fixture in serious coffee enthusiasts’ kitchens for many years. Sure, the original model isn’t at all suitable for espresso, and it’s pretty darn noisy. Still, given its super reasonable asking price, top-notch performance and straightforward design, it’s long been hard to beat.

Then along came the Baratza Encore ESP in 2023. While the grinder looked very similar to its predecessor, it introduced the revolutionary idea of tuning the finest 20 grind settings to make them suitable for espresso preparation. To be honest, I wasn’t exactly blown away by the Encore ESP when I tested it out. Still, this grinder’s capabilities for espresso make it way more desirable than the original Encore.

Fast forward a couple of years, and it seems Baratza hasn’t been resting on its laurels. The new Baratza Encore ESP Pro brings a whole bunch of updates to the table, including a stepless grind adjustment collar, single dosing capabilities and a slick digital user interface. What’s more, the manufacturer has upped the ante by using a lot more metal in the grinder’s construction.

Of course, you’ll pay quite a bit more for the Encore ESP Pro than you will for either of its siblings. In fact, the new model costs $299.95. However, from what I can tell, the extra investment is totally worth it, given the improvements Baratza has made. Besides, if this thing performs as promised, it’ll seem like a bargain compared to the more expensive grinders out there.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro Features: What’s New?

OK, now that we have a clearer idea of what we’re dealing with, let’s dive into what makes the Baratza Encore ESP Pro so exciting. Trust me, Baratza hasn’t just slapped a couple of updates onto the Encore ESP and called it good. Rather, the Encore ESP Pro comes with loads of intelligent new features that truly set it apart.

Materials and Design

I have to say I’m really happy to see that the Baratza Encore ESP Pro features substantially more metal in its construction. Sure, there’s some plastic, but Baratza has also used an abundance of anodized cast zinc in the housing. With that in mind, you can expect a coffee grinder that feels nice and substantial.

I’m also pleased to learn that the Encore ESP Pro is equipped with the same 40mm M2 burr set as the Encore ESP. After all, these stainless steel conical burrs were designed with espresso preparation in mind, and easily outperform the original Encore’s M3 burrs. I, for one, was mighty impressed by the M2 burr set’s performance at the finer end of the coffee grind size spectrum.

I shouldn’t forget to point out that the Encore ESP Pro is supposedly much quieter thanks to an updated grind path and drive gears. Still, I’ll make sure to measure noise levels during my testing.

In terms of its design, the Baratza Encore ESP Pro fits into the Encore lineup while subtly standing apart. I appreciate its matte finish as well as its slightly more minimalist and streamlined silhouette. Essentially, this grinder looks a bit more modern, and not just because of the digital display.

Finally, I have to give Baratza props for including a “barista light” on this coffee grinder. I remember loving that feature during my Baratza Virtuoso+ review – it’s just so cool to see illuminated coffee grounds for some reason!

User Interface

The Baratza Encore ESP Pro’s user interface represents a radical departure from what you’ll find on the previous two models. What we’re dealing with here is a rotary dial along with a clear, bright digital display.

Baratza has employed a clever combination of symbols, letters and numbers to help you keep track of what’s happening. For example, if you’re in the espresso grinding range “ESP” lights up, and you’ll also see which mode you’re using. At the same time, the display always remains simple and uncluttered, making it easy to navigate the settings.

Speaking of settings, I love that the display shows your current grind setting, so you don’t have to rely on the grind adjustment collar. This makes dialing in much more accurate, especially given the fact that this is a stepless grinder.

Grind Adjustments

Even though this is, for all intents and purposes, a stepless grinder with infinite options, Baratza has still promoted the thing as having 60 settings. That’s probably because the display can’t handle the idea of infinity. Hold on, I know how it feels! Anyway, while this is a stepless grinder, what you’ll see on the screen is actually a calculated reference point for your current setting.

As with the Encore ESP, there’s an espresso range, but Baratza has doubled the amount of settings to 40. What’s more, the smallest amount of burr movement in this range is around 2-3 microns, which is mighty impressive. Ultimately, this is going to allow you to dial in the perfect espresso grind with ultimate precision.

Outside of the espresso range there are a further 20 grind settings, with each representing a 50 micron jump, which is perfectly acceptable for other brew methods. Besides, 50 microns is still really tiny!

I should also reference the design of the grind adjustment collar, which no longer features numbers. This only serves to enhance the Encore ESP Pro’s clean, minimalist vibe, and adds weight to its “Pro” title.

Single Dosing

As if everything you’ve just read about weren’t cool enough, turns out the Baratza Encore ESP Pro can also be used as a single dose grinder. Of course, you can use the Encore ESP Pro as an on-demand grinder too by using the 10.6-ounce (300-gram) bean hopper in conjunction with the timer mode. But if you want to be more precise, pull out your best coffee scale and weigh out your dose for each grind cycle.

The single dose hopper is actually built into the grinder’s design, and includes a nifty lid that you can use to weigh your beans then empty them into the hopper. Even better, there’s an auto-stop function, meaning the Encore ESP Pro will stop grinding once all the coffee has been processed. I have to say that’s a very thoughtful feature that not all manufacturers have cottoned on to.

Anti-Static Technology & Flow Control Disc

Although you might hear different things from other reviewers, I’ve never experienced major static buildup issues with the other two Encore grinders. With that said, neither has been perfect and I have noticed annoying amounts of grid retention from time to time.

The Baratza Encore ESP Pro comes with a built-in ion generator that’s meant to help combat static buildup. Ideally, you’ll always experience fluffy coffee grounds with no mess. Still, seeing as there’s plastic used in the grinder’s construction, you’re bound to experience at least some static issues.

As for the flow control disc, this integrated (and removable) component essentially slows the coffee beans as they’re being fed into the burrs. Not only does this massively reduce popcorning (beans popping back out), it also helps maximize grind consistency. Sounds like a win-win situation to me!

How to Use the Baratza Encore ESP Pro

Seeing as this is a first look Baratza Encore ESP Pro review, I can’t comment on how the grinder performs. However, I can give you some idea of what to expect when using it for the first time. Once you’ve unboxed the Encore ESP Pro, make sure to rinse and fully dry removable parts like the bean hopper, grounds bin and dosing cup.

Once that’s done, you’ll have to decide whether you’ll be using the Encore ESP Pro as an on-demand or single dose grinder. For the first option, attach the hopper and add your best coffee beans. And for the single dose option, weigh out your beans, add them to the built-in hopper and attach the lid.

You can select your grind setting by rotating the collar, and the current setting will show up on the display. And if you’re within the first 40 settings, you’ll see “ESP” displayed. Next, it’s time to decide which mode you want to use. If you’re using the larger bean hopper, it’s likely you’ll want to use the timer mode. And for single dosing, you should select the auto-off mode.

To switch between the two, simply long press the central button. If you’re choosing the timer mode, you can then rotate the knob to select your desired grind time.

Finally, place either the dosing cup (for espresso) or the grounds bin under the grinder chute before pressing the button once to start grinding. In auto-off mode, grinding will stop once all the beans have passed through the burrs. And in timer mode, you’ll see the timer counting down to zero.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro Cleaning

Cleaning the Baratza Encore ESP Pro on a regular basis will extend its lifespan and help maintain its performance. Fortunately, there really isn’t that much to do.

I’d recommend cleaning the burrs once a week if you use the thing every day. And thanks to Baratza’s quick release burr system, gaining access is a cinch. Once you’ve removed the top burr, use the included brush to dislodge any buildup, then use a vacuum to get rid of excess dust in the burr chamber. Oh, and if you regularly grind dark roast coffee, I’d consider using grinder cleaning tablets to remove coffee oil buildup.

Elsewhere, you can brush out the grinder chute as needed, and clean the bean hopper by rinsing it under warm water. Oh, and don’t use it again until it’s completely dry!

Baratza Encore ESP Pro Specifications

Competitive Analysis: Encore ESP Pro vs the Field

The Baratza Encore ESP Pro has entered a crowded market, full of competitively priced coffee grinders trying to get your attention. Let’s continue by taking a look at how the Encore ESP Pro fares in comparison to a couple of the most hyped entry-level grinders out there.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro vs ESP

I’ve referenced the Encore ESP throughout this Baratza Encore ESP Pro review. Still, just for good measure, I figured it’d be a good idea to put the two models head to head.

As you already know, I tested the Baratza Encore ESP in the Coffeeness kitchen. And while I really liked the thing, I wasn’t sure whether everyone would need to upgrade from the original Encore. With that said, I was impressed by the grinder’s performance for espresso preparation. Plus, it’s obvious that the Baratza M2 burrs offer incredible levels of consistency.

Costing $199.95, the Encore ESP is a great idea, and still represents good value for money. However, it doesn’t offer the exciting upgrades that set the new ESP Pro apart.

See Also: Baratza Encore ESP Review

Baratza Encore ESP Pro vs Breville Smart Grinder Pro

Retailing for $199.95, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro costs the same as the aforementioned Encore ESP. However, the Breville model has been designed as an espresso-centric grinder, as evidenced by the portafilter cradles.

Like the Baratza Encore ESP Pro, the Smart Grinder Pro has 60 grind settings. However, these are stepped, and in my experience there are quite large jumps between settings. In other words, the Encore ESP Pro is going to allow you much more room to maneuver when dialing in. Still, I really like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, and feel like it’s one of the best espresso grinders for those on a budget.

See Also: Breville Smart Grinder Pro Review

Baratza ESP Pro vs Others Comparison Chart

First Look Baratza Encore ESP Pro Review: Final Thoughts

A Third Encore!

Baratza Encore ESP Pro

Loaded with upgrades and new features

Stepless grind adjustments

Durable metal and plastic housing

Single dosing option

Intuitive digital display

No portafilter cradle

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Baratza Encore ESP Pro
Current price on Amazon	$299.95
All specifications

Having reached the end of my initial Baratza Encore ESP Pro review, I’m more excited than ever to test the thing out. From what we’ve seen, the manufacturer has taken things to a whole new level with this latest model. And while the Encore ESP left me feeling like Baratza could have done better, the Encore ESP Pro looks like a giant leap forward.

I’ll make sure to update this review with my findings as soon as I can. So, feel free to keep checking back in if you want to know how the Baratza Encore ESP Pro performed in the Coffeeness kitchen. 

Baratza Encore ESP Pro FAQ