Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Black) Review (2026)

Burrs and grind range

The Encore uses 40mm conical steel burrs offering 40 discrete grind settings across a range of roughly 250 to 1200 microns, a span that covers everything from a fairly fine drip grind down through medium and up to coarse settings suited to French press. This range sits squarely in the filter and drip coffee territory rather than reaching down into the very fine range needed for pressurized espresso extraction, which is the main technical reason it is recommended for pour over, drip, and French press rather than for machines that need a true espresso grind. Within that range, the conical burr design is a big step up in consistency from cheap spinning blade grinders that chop rather than crush beans evenly.

Motor and everyday grinding

Grinding is driven by a 450 RPM DC motor paired with a gear speed reducer, a combination intended to cut down on heat buildup during grinding, reduce noise compared with faster spinning motors, and limit static that can otherwise send fine grounds clinging to the grounds bin walls. Controls are kept simple, with a front power switch plus a pulse button useful for quickly topping off a dose or purging leftover grounds from the chute between different beans. This straightforward control layout is part of why the Encore is often recommended as a first burr grinder, since there are no menus or programming to learn.

Build, parts, and repairability

The grinder ships with a bean hopper and lid, a grounds bin, a wire cleaning brush, a rubber gasket, and printed manuals, along with the main grinder body itself. Burrs are removable without tools, which makes routine cleaning more practical than on grinders where you need a screwdriver just to clear old grounds. Baratza is known for selling individual replacement parts for the Encore rather than only offering full-unit replacements, so a broken part like a burr set or drive gear does not necessarily mean buying a whole new grinder, which is a meaningful advantage for anyone planning to keep a grinder running for years and worth factoring into the cost over its lifespan. It carries a one year warranty from Baratza, and runs on standard 110V household power.

Housing feels basic for the reputation

The exterior housing is plastic rather than metal, which keeps weight and cost down but can feel like a step below what the Encore's reputation as a benchmark entry grinder might suggest, especially next to grinders with metal bodies at a similar price point. This is a cosmetic and tactile tradeoff rather than one that affects grind quality, since the burrs and motor are doing the actual work, but buyers expecting a premium feel in hand should know the housing is fairly plain plastic rather than a heavier build, and the grinder stands just under 14 inches tall on the counter.

Who should buy it

The Encore is a strong choice for anyone starting out with pour over, drip brewing, or French press who wants a real conical burr grinder rather than a blade grinder, at a price that stays accessible. Its parts availability and one year warranty make it a sensible long-term buy rather than a disposable appliance. It is a poor match for anyone whose main goal is dialing in espresso, since the grind range does not reach fine enough for most espresso machines, and buyers who want a premium metal housing should look elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions