Quick Verdict
If you want an electric, espresso-capable grinder for a rented counter and can accept about 82 dB (Tom's Guide measurement), buy the Baratza Encore ESP. Buy it new, and check the seller and current price on Amazon before you order. A resale unit is not new.
If you grind at 6 a.m. or live with thin walls, this is not the grinder for you. Choose a hand grinder with no motor instead, such as the TIMEMORE C3 ESP in our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino.
To decide between the Encore and the Encore ESP, see our comparison guide. This guide focuses on the Encore ESP in an apartment, including how loud it is.
CTA: Check the Baratza Encore ESP on Amazon
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for:
- renters who want an electric, espresso-capable grinder on a rented counter
- people who grind in the daytime or after others are awake, and can accept about 82 dB
- shoppers who will buy it new from a seller they trust
- beginners who want dual-range espresso steps plus a dosing cup
- people who move often and want a grinder of about 5.6 lb
This guide is not for:
- early-morning, thin-wall routines (choose a hand grinder such as the C3 ESP)
- people considering a resale unit
- people who want the full Encore vs Encore ESP comparison (see that guide)
- people looking for an electric grinder that makes little noise
- cafe, plumbed-in, or second-grinder shoppers
- people looking for an espresso machine
The Short Answer
| Decision | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Electric, espresso-capable, can accept about 82 dB | Baratza Encore ESP | The grinder this guide recommends. Buy new and check the seller and price. |
| Early mornings, thin walls, or storing it in a drawer | TIMEMORE C3 ESP | No motor. See the Bambino grinder guide. |
| Encore ESP vs the filter-only Encore | Comparison guide | See Encore vs Encore ESP. |
| Manual vs electric | Comparison guide | See manual vs electric. |
| Compact ThermoJet espresso machine | Breville Bambino | Covered in our machine guides. |
| New vs resale | Buy new | A resale unit is not new. Check the current price on Amazon. |
If you want an electric ESP, can accept about 82 dB, and will buy it new, choose the Encore ESP. If noise is the main concern, choose the C3 ESP.
Apartment noise, thin walls, and Tom's Guide ~82 dB
Measure your counter, and know the noise level, before you order.
The Encore ESP's appeal in an apartment is an electric, espresso-capable grinder you can move. It is not a low-noise morning appliance. In its Encore ESP review, Tom's Guide measured a maximum of 82 dB, grinding a full 150 g hopper in 1:06 (and cited 550 RPM). A later Tom's Guide piece averaged 82 dB and compared that to a noisy restaurant. That is the key fact for apartment use, not a footnote. One verified Amazon reviewer (Lillian Torres) put it this way: "definitely not a quiet machine."
It is not a good fit at 6 a.m. or next to thin walls. If you grind before a roommate wakes up, a hand grinder that lives in a drawer is the honest choice. See the C3 ESP in our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino and in Manual vs Electric Grinder for Small Apartments. Do not buy the Encore ESP hoping the motor "won't be that bad" at dawn.
Its footprint still matters. Amazon often lists 5.91 in L × 5.12 in W × 13.39 in H and 5.6 lb. That is compact for an electric burr grinder, but it is still a corded appliance that stays on the counter. Measure for cabinet clearance above 13.39 in, room to twist the hopper, and space for the dosing cup. Small kitchens often have only about two feet of counter for a machine and a grinder; this guide assumes one electric grinder, not two.
Renter test: can you pack a 5.6 lb ESP at move-out? Yes. Can you live with about 82 dB every weekday? If you grind at 6 a.m. next to a thin wall, choose the C3 ESP instead.
Espresso capability: dual-range, dosing cup, M2 path
The grinder is a core part of the setup. A compact espresso machine without an espresso-capable grinder only goes so far. Pressurized baskets can get you started, but they do not replace a good grind. See espresso machine vs grinder: how to split a beginner budget.
The Encore ESP's main strength is its dual range: micro-steps 1–20 for espresso and macro-steps 21–40 for brewing. That is why we recommend the ESP for electric espresso in an apartment, rather than the older filter-only Encore. The full comparison is in our Encore vs Encore ESP guide. This guide focuses on the ESP for when espresso is the goal.
The included dosing cup helps with the weekday routine. Amazon and Baratza describe a 54 mm cup with a 58 mm adapter, which is useful with compact 54 mm machines and 58 mm machines. A grounds bin of about 120 g holds brew doses. The US listing (120 V) has pulse and on/off controls. The burrs are 40 mm conical steel M2 burrs (Liechtenstein), and Tom's Guide cited 550 RPM. The hopper is often listed at about 8–10 oz; check the listing. Measure cabinet height against the Amazon dimensions above.
Do not skip a scale. The grinder sets particle size, but dose and yield still need weighing. See our beginner espresso setup guide. If you will not hand grind and can accept about 82 dB, choose the Encore ESP and buy it new. If you cannot accept about 82 dB, choose the C3 ESP.
Baratza Encore ESP: why we recommend it
Good for: renters who want an electric, espresso-capable grinder on a rented counter and grind after others are awake
Why we chose it:
The Baratza Encore ESP (ZCG495BLK, black) is the grinder this guide recommends. It is not the older filter-only Encore. It has dual-range adjustment (micro 1–20 for espresso, macro 21–40 for brewing), an included dosing cup, and 40 mm M2 conical steel burrs. It also has a grounds bin of about 120 g and pulse and on/off controls, and the US version runs on 120 V. Tom's Guide measured a maximum of 82 dB and an average of 82 dB, which matters for apartment use. When we checked, Amazon.com was the seller. Buy it new, check the current price and seller before you order, and skip resale offers.
Good fit if:
- you want an electric, espresso-capable grinder and can accept about 82 dB (Tom's Guide)
- you grind after others are awake
- you will buy it new from a seller you trust
- you want dual-range espresso steps plus a dosing cup
- you can lift about 5.6 lb at move-out, and you have measured for its 13.39 in height under your cabinets
Skip it if:
- early mornings or thin walls are the real concern (choose the C3 ESP)
- you were about to buy a resale unit thinking it is new
- you want the full Encore vs Encore ESP comparison (see that guide)
- you are looking for an electric grinder that makes little noise
- you are looking for an espresso machine
Small-space notes:
At 5.12 in wide, it is compact for an electric grinder. At 13.39 in tall, check the space under your cabinets. Leave room to twist the hopper and for the dosing cup. Keep it near the sink, and clean the burrs regularly as part of owning it. Compact does not mean low-noise.
Tradeoff:
You get a new electric espresso grinder with dual-range steps and a dosing cup. You give up a grinder that fits in a drawer, and the option to grind at 6 a.m. without disturbing anyone, because about 82 dB is a real trade-off. If noise matters most, choose the C3 ESP. For the full comparison with the filter-only Encore, see that guide.
Before you buy on Amazon:
Check that the listing is the Encore ESP (ZCG495BLK) in black, new, and the US-voltage version, with the dosing cup included. Also check the seller, returns, and current price. Skip resale offers. Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW272XCV?tag=next-1-20
Common Mistakes
Treating the Encore ESP as a grinder for early mornings in an apartment. Tom's Guide measured a maximum and an average of about 82 dB.
Buying a resale unit thinking it is new. Check the seller and condition.
Trusting an old price or an "only X left" message. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon when you buy.
Ignoring the noise level because the Amazon photo looks compact. Compact does not mean low-noise.
FAQ
Is Baratza Encore ESP good for apartments?
Yes, if you want an electric, espresso-capable grinder on a rented counter and can accept about 82 dB (Tom's Guide). Buy it new. If noise is the main concern, choose a hand grinder instead.
Is the Encore ESP a good fit for thin walls?
No. Tom's Guide measured a maximum of 82 dB and an average of 82 dB, which it compared to a noisy restaurant. For thin walls, choose a hand grinder such as the C3 ESP.
What if I grind at 6 a.m.?
Do not buy this grinder for that time of day. See our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino for the TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 ESP. Also see Manual vs Electric Grinder for Small Apartments.
Does Encore ESP do espresso and brew?
Yes. Micro-steps 1–20 are for espresso and macro-steps 21–40 for brewing, and the listing includes a dosing cup. Check the current Amazon or Baratza description for the 54 mm cup and 58 mm adapter.
How big is Encore ESP on a rented counter?
Amazon often lists 5.91"L × 5.12"W × 13.39"H and about 5.6 lb. Measure your cabinet height and the room to twist the hopper.
Do I still need a scale and a machine?
Yes. This guide covers only the grinder. For machines, see our Bambino, Bambino Plus, and espresso machines for apartments guides. For the full kit, see our beginner budget guides.
Final Recommendation
Buy the Baratza Encore ESP if you want an electric, espresso-capable grinder on a rented counter and can accept about 82 dB (Tom's Guide). Buy it new, and check the seller and current price: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW272XCV?tag=next-1-20. Prices and availability change, so check on the day you order. Skip resale offers.
If you grind at 6 a.m. or live with thin walls, choose the C3 ESP instead. To compare the ESP with the filter-only Encore, read our Encore vs Encore ESP guide.
Before buying, recheck the seller, exact ESP model, color, voltage, condition, returns, price, and availability on amazon.com.