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Baratza Encore

Physical Product · Coffee grinders · 132 mentions · 7 subreddits · discussed in r/Coffee, r/espresso, r/whatcarshouldIbuy, r/MechanicalKeyboards

Reddit take

AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote

The Baratza Encore is widely considered the benchmark entry-level electric burr grinder for home coffee brewing. It is highly recommended for its grind consistency and value at the $150 price point, particularly for methods like drip, French press, and pour-over. While it is a staple in the coffee community, users frequently note its loud operation and significant coffee ground retention.

Pros

  • Excellent value for a true entry-level burr grinder
  • Consistent grind quality for non-espresso brew methods
  • Durable and repairable design with available replacement parts
  • Significant upgrade in flavor compared to blade grinders

Cons

  • High retention of coffee grounds (sometimes up to tablespoons)
  • Loud motor and grinding noise
  • Base model is not suitable for espresso grinding
  • Plastic adjustment tabs can break over time

Caveats

  • The base Encore is distinct from the Encore ESP; the latter is required for those intending to brew espresso.
  • Oily beans can lead to calibration issues or require more frequent deep cleaning.
  • Used units may exhibit mechanical noise or motor issues if not well-maintained.

Best for

  • Home brewers upgrading from a blade grinder
  • Drip, French press, and pour-over enthusiasts
  • Users looking for a reliable, long-term appliance with a $150 budget

Avoid if

  • You primarily brew espresso (the base model lacks the necessary fine adjustment)
  • You are sensitive to loud appliance noise
  • You want a low-retention grinder for single-dosing

This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence spans a wide window with a median source age of 267 days; several mentions of a vehicle and a board game sharing the 'Encore' name were excluded to focus on the coffee grinder.

Sentiment

74 positive (56%) · 24 mixed (18%) · 34 negative (26%)

Trust + time weighted score: +38% · raw score 30%

What redditors said (10 of 132)

My Baratza Encore retains so much, like tablespoons worth of grounds. It's a burr grinder, that has been in service off and on for about a decade at this point. However, the amount of ground coffee it is retaining is comically large.
negative · u/m****6 · r/Coffee · comment · Dec 18, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
when you want truly amazing French press, get a Baratza Encore. The base Encore does not do espresso grind, and costs about $150.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Jun 3, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
Then, when you want truly amazing French press, get a Baratza Encore. The base Encore does not do espresso grind, and costs about $150. But the best advice that was given to me was to get the ESP if I like espresso because I might use it for that someday.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Jun 3, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
Parent context: I'd agree with this. There's a modest upgrade from pre-ground to blade, but a drastic improvement from blade to burr grinder. Reply: what I think OP is asking, is if a $40 Hamilton Beach is comparable to a true entry-level Baratza Encore. It is not.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Jun 3, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
Parent context: I'd agree with this. There's a modest upgrade from pre-ground to blade, but a drastic improvement from blade to burr grinder. *But*, what I think OP is asking, is if a $40 Hamilton Beach is comparable to a *true* entry-level Baratza Encore. It is not. The … Reply: The Hamilton Beach is more comparable to a blade grinder. Even in drip, but I suggest OP to grab up a $20 French press and learn to use that, too.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Jun 3, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
I second the Encore; it's the best entry-level grinder.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · May 27, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
the lowest electric grinder you're looking at is a standard Encore at about $150
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Apr 19, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
Then I got a grinder (Baratza Encore). The coffee was way better than pre-ground.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Apr 16, 2026 · open on Reddit ↗
It will taste immensely better if you get a grinder and grind fresh, something like a Baratza Encore for about $150.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Dec 30, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗
The Baratza Encore is widely considered the only sub-200 grinder worth its salt, and that's at $150. I loved my Encore, and love my Encore ESP even more, but it's a little more at $200.
positive · u/N****t · r/Coffee · comment · Nov 18, 2025 · open on Reddit ↗

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