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Quick answer: The Baratza Encore is still the best electric burr grinder under £200 in 2025 — and by a meaningful margin. It has held this position for over a decade for good reason: consistent grind quality, bulletproof reliability, and a service network that means it lasts significantly longer than cheaper alternatives. This is our full UK review.
🔗 Comparing all grinders under £200? See our full buying guide which ranks the Encore against every other worthwhile option including manual alternatives.
Our Rating
Key Specifications
| Grinder Type | Electric burr grinder |
| Price (UK) | ~£145 (Amazon UK) |
| Burr Type | 40mm conical steel burrs |
| Grind Settings | 40 stepped settings |
| RPM | 450 RPM (low speed — reduces heat) |
| Hopper Capacity | 230g |
| Grounds Container | ~60g |
| Motor | DC motor — gear-driven |
| Dimensions | 165 × 140 × 390mm |
| Weight | 2.0kg |
| Warranty | 1 year (UK) — extendable |
Grind Quality and Consistency
The Baratza Encore’s 40mm conical steel burrs produce genuinely consistent particle sizes across its full range of settings. For espresso, you’ll find your sweet spot in the lower settings (roughly 5-15 depending on your machine and beans) and the grind distribution is clean — minimal fines, good uniformity, proper extraction.
It isn’t the finest espresso grinder available at the price — that honour goes to the 1Zpresso JX-Pro hand grinder — but for an electric grinder at £145, the Encore’s consistency is excellent. The low RPM motor (450 RPM) reduces heat buildup and static, both of which affect grind quality in cheaper high-speed grinders.
For filter coffee — pour over, French press, AeroPress — the Encore is outstanding at every setting. It’s genuinely a capable all-round grinder that handles any brewing method you throw at it.
Ease of Use
The Encore is about as simple as electric grinders get. One dial adjusts grind size across 40 stepped settings. One button starts and stops grinding. That’s it. There’s no timer, no dose programming, no settings menu — just grind size and on/off.
This simplicity is genuinely one of its strengths. You learn quickly which settings work for your machine and your beans, and you can reproduce it every morning without thinking. For home baristas who want consistent results without fuss, this workflow is ideal.
The grounds container catches static-prone fine grounds reasonably well, though some users find a light tap on the container before removing it prevents puffing. A minor quirk, not a problem.
Espresso Capability — The Honest Assessment
The Encore is marketed primarily as a filter grinder with espresso capability — and that framing is honest. For espresso, it works well when paired with a forgiving semi-automatic machine like the De’Longhi Dedica Arte or a bean-to-cup bypass. Paired with the Sage Bambino Plus it produces excellent results — this is one of our most recommended combinations under £350 total.
Its limitation for espresso is the lack of micro-adjustment between steps. The 40 settings are stepped rather than continuous, and sometimes the ideal espresso grind sits between two settings. Experienced home baristas work around this with dose adjustments; beginners may find it mildly frustrating during dialling in.
For serious espresso-only use at this price, the 1Zpresso JX-Pro hand grinder produces better results — but requires manual effort. For a convenient all-rounder that handles espresso alongside filter coffee, the Encore is the better choice.
Build Quality and Longevity
This is where the Encore truly earns its reputation. The plastic body is sturdy rather than premium-feeling, but what matters is what’s inside: the gear-driven motor, steel burrs, and Baratza’s engineering philosophy all point toward longevity. Baratza sells spare parts for every component of the Encore and offers a repair service — this is genuinely unusual in the grinder market and means the Encore routinely lasts 8-12 years with basic maintenance.
The burrs can be replaced when they eventually wear (typically after 5-7 years of daily use). The motor can be serviced. This repairability fundamentally changes the value calculation — a £145 grinder that lasts 10 years costs £14.50 per year. No alternative at this price approaches that.
Who Should Buy the Baratza Encore?
- Perfect for: Semi-automatic machine owners wanting a quality electric grinder. Anyone who drinks both espresso and filter coffee. Buyers pairing with the Sage Bambino Plus or De’Longhi Dedica Arte. Anyone prioritising long-term reliability and repairability.
- Not ideal for: Espresso purists who need micro-adjustment precision — consider stepping up to the Baratza Encore ESP or Eureka Mignon. Manual grinder enthusiasts who want maximum quality per pound — the 1Zpresso JX-Pro wins there.
Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
- Best electric grinder under £200 for most buyers
- Consistent, clean grind across all settings
- Works brilliantly for both espresso and filter
- Exceptional longevity — spare parts always available
- Simple, reliable operation
- Low RPM reduces heat and static
Cons
- Stepped settings — no micro-adjustment between clicks
- Not the finest espresso grinder at the price
- Plastic body — functional but not premium
- No timer or dose programming
Our Verdict — Is the Baratza Encore Worth £145?
Yes — clearly. The Encore has held its position as the best electric burr grinder under £200 for years, and there’s no sign of that changing. The combination of grind quality, reliability, repairability and value is unmatched at the price.
If you own a semi-automatic espresso machine and you’re still using a cheap or blade grinder, upgrading to the Encore will make a more noticeable difference to your espresso than any other purchase you could make at this price point.
Our score: 9.2/10. Highly recommended — our default electric grinder recommendation for most home baristas.
🔗 Need a machine to pair with it? See our guide to the best espresso machines under £500 — we specifically recommend the Bambino Plus + Encore combination as the best setup under £600.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Baratza Encore good for espresso?
Yes — with caveats. It produces consistent, quality espresso grounds and works well with most semi-automatic machines. Its limitation is stepped rather than continuous adjustment, which means the ideal espresso grind sometimes falls between two settings. For most home baristas this is a minor issue. For serious espresso purists wanting maximum precision, the Baratza Encore ESP (the espresso-focused version) or a stepless grinder is worth considering.
How does the Baratza Encore compare to the 1Zpresso JX-Pro?
The 1Zpresso JX-Pro produces better grind quality for espresso at a similar price — its stepless adjustment and tighter tolerances give more precise control. However it’s a hand grinder requiring manual effort for each cup. The Encore wins on convenience, all-round versatility, and repairability. See our full grinder comparison for the complete breakdown.
What machine should I pair with the Baratza Encore?
The Sage Bambino Plus (£399 + £145 = £544 total) is our recommended combination — it produces espresso that rivals machines costing twice as much. The De’Longhi Dedica Arte (£179 + £145 = £324 total) is the best budget pairing. Both machines work excellently with the Encore’s grind quality.
How long does the Baratza Encore last?
With normal home use and basic cleaning, 8-12 years is typical. Baratza’s commitment to spare parts availability means most failures are repairable rather than terminal — burrs, motors, and switches are all available separately. This longevity is a core part of the value proposition and makes the Encore genuinely exceptional value over its lifespan.