Quick Verdict
If the one electric grinder on your counter has to make espresso, buy the Baratza Encore ESP. Buy it new, and check the seller and current price on Amazon. It is loud: Tom's Guide measured about 82 dB. Skip resale offers.
If you brew filter or pour-over and never make espresso, the lower-cost Baratza Encore is the alternative. It is not designed for espresso. If you keep a non-ESP Encore, do not expect espresso micro-steps.
If early mornings or thin walls are the real concern, do not buy either electric grinder. A hand grinder with no motor, such as the C3 ESP, is the better fit (see our grinder guide). Neither Encore is low-noise.
Availability changes, so check it when you buy. There is no need to rush.
Who This Comparison Is For
This comparison is for:
- renters who have room for one electric grinder on a small counter
- beginners choosing between the espresso-capable ESP and the filter-only Encore
- people who grind in the daytime and will buy new
- shoppers who will check the noise level, not just the Amazon photo
This comparison is not for:
- early-morning, thin-wall routines (choose a hand grinder such as the C3 ESP instead of either motor)
- people buying the non-ESP Encore "for espresso later"
- anyone considering a resale ESP as if it were new
- cafe-volume use, plumbed stations, or a second electric grinder
- people looking for an espresso machine
The Short Answer
| Decision | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso from your one electric grinder | Baratza Encore ESP | Dual-range micro-steps 1–20 and a dosing cup. The non-ESP has no espresso range. |
| Filter / pour-over only | Baratza Encore (non-ESP) | The lower-cost option. Baratza markets it for filter brewing. Not for espresso. |
| 6 a.m. / thin walls | Neither one | Tom's Guide measured about 82 dB on the ESP. Choose a hand grinder such as the C3 ESP (see our Bambino grinder guide). |
| One electric grinder on the counter | ESP for espresso; Encore for filter only | You get one grinder. Choose the range you will actually use. Do not buy both. |
| Low-noise electric | Not covered here | Both have motors. For low noise, choose a hand grinder. |
| Buying today | Either one, bought new | Check that the offer is new. Skip resale offers. |
If you want espresso, buy the ESP new. If you only brew filter, buy the non-ESP Encore. If noise is the main concern, choose a hand grinder instead.
Apartment counter, noise, and the one-motor renter test
Measure the counter, not the lifestyle photo.
On Amazon, both are about the same size: 5.91 in deep × 5.12 in wide × 13.39 in tall, and 5.6 lb. That is compact for an electric burr grinder, but it is still a corded appliance that stays on the counter. You need cabinet clearance above 13.39 in plus room to twist the hopper, space for the dosing cup or bin, and a cloth for wiping down that does not have to live in the dish rack. Small city kitchens often have only about two feet of counter for a machine and a grinder. If the machine already takes most of that, finding room for a second appliance is the real challenge. This guide assumes you have room for one electric grinder, not two.
Both the Encore ESP and the non-ESP Encore stay on the counter; neither goes in a drawer. If you want your counter back, choose a hand grinder like the C3 ESP. Neither Encore model is a low-noise alternative.
Noise is the weekday difference that matters. Tom's Guide measured about 82 dB on the Encore ESP, in a full-hopper test in its review. A later Tom's Guide piece described 82 dB as the average. That is not a grinder for 6 a.m. One verified Amazon reviewer called the ESP "definitely not a quiet machine." If you grind before a roommate wakes up, a hand grinder is the better fit; see Manual vs Electric Grinder for Small Apartments.
The non-ESP Encore also has a motor in a body of the same size. Being cheaper does not make it low-noise.
Renter test: can you unplug one 5.6 lb grinder, box it, and take it to the next apartment without a cart? Yes. Will it take up permanent counter space? Yes. If you move every year, check the footprint before you order. If you grind at 6 a.m. next to a thin wall, keep the Tom's Guide measurement in mind too.
What matters before buying
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 difference between the ESP and the non-ESP Encore is the grind range, not the color. The ESP has espresso micro-steps and a dosing cup; the non-ESP does not. Keeping an old Encore and hoping its finest settings will work for espresso is an expensive mistake.
The seller matters too. We recommend buying either grinder new. A resale "Used - Very Good" unit is not the same as new, so check the condition before you buy.
Do not let an "only X left" message rush you. Check availability, but do not let it push you into a resale unit or the wrong model, or make you ignore the noise.
Do not spend money on an Encore ESP and skip the scale. The grinder sets particle size, but dose and yield still need weighing. For beginner kits built around a hand grinder, see our beginner espresso setup guide. A compact machine paired with an ESP costs more than that kit.
If you already know you will not hand grind, choose the ESP and buy it new, or see First Espresso Setup If You Cannot Hand Grind. If you cannot accept about 82 dB, do not "try the ESP anyway."
Baratza Encore ESP
Good for: the one apartment electric grinder that has to make espresso, used after others are awake
Why we chose it:
The Baratza Encore ESP (ZCG495BLK, black) is the grinder we recommend for espresso in this comparison. When we checked, it was sold by Amazon.com, new. Baratza and Amazon describe dual-range adjustment (1–20 for espresso, 21–40 for brewing), 40 mm conical steel burrs, and an included dosing cup. Tom's Guide measured about 82 dB, which matters for apartment use and should not be skipped. Resale offers may appear on the same page; skip them. The older non-ESP Encore is a different grinder.
Good fit if:
- the one electric grinder on your counter has to make espresso
- you grind after others are awake
- you want a dosing cup to use next to a compact machine
- you will buy it new
- you will measure for its 13.39 in height under your cabinets
Skip it if:
- early mornings or thin walls are the real concern
- you only brew filter or pour-over
- you were about to buy a resale unit thinking it is new
- you would rather have a grinder that goes in a drawer than one with a cord
Small-space notes:
At 5.12 in wide, it is compact; at 13.39 in tall, check the space under your cabinets. Leave room to twist the hopper, pull out the dosing cup, and wipe the chute. Keep it near the sink. Cleaning the burrs is part of owning it, not an optional extra. Baratza sells replacement parts, which is one reason people keep these grinders when they move.
Tradeoff:
You stop hand grinding. You accept about 82 dB, a cord, and a permanent footprint. In return, you get espresso micro-steps that the non-ESP Encore does not have.
Before you buy on Amazon:
Check that the listing is the Encore ESP (ZCG495BLK) in black, new, and 120 V, with the dosing cup included. Also check returns and the current price. Skip resale offers. Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW272XCV?tag=next-1-20
Baratza Encore (non-ESP)
Good for: filter and pour-over on a counter with room for one electric grinder, not espresso
Why we chose it:
The Baratza Encore (ZCG485BLK, black) is the filter-brewing grinder in this comparison. When we checked, it was sold new by Amazon.com. Baratza's US site still sells it as a filter grinder. We include it so you do not buy it for espresso. It is not a quieter ESP and it is not espresso-capable.
Good fit if:
- you brew drip, pour-over, AeroPress, or French press
- you will not make espresso with this grinder
- you want the lower-cost Encore and will buy it new
- one electric grinder for filter brewing is enough
Skip it if:
- you want espresso now or "later"
- you thought the ESP and the Encore were the same model
- noise is your concern (it still has a motor)
- you already own a non-ESP Encore and hoped to use it for espresso shots
Small-space notes:
On Amazon it is the same size as the ESP. It is just as heavy to move and needs the same cabinet-height check. You save money and get a grinder suited to filter brewing, not a smaller footprint.
Tradeoff:
You spend less. You give up espresso micro-steps and the ESP's dosing cup. That is the right trade only if you do not make espresso.
Before you buy on Amazon:
Check that the listing is the Encore (ZCG485BLK) in black, new, and the Encore rather than the ESP. Also check returns and the current price. Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007F183LK?tag=next-1-20
Common Mistakes
Buying the non-ESP Encore for espresso because the box still says Baratza.
Keeping an old Encore and expecting espresso micro-steps. The ESP exists because the Encore lacks that range.
Treating the Encore ESP as a grinder for early mornings. Tom's Guide measured about 82 dB, and a verified reviewer called it "definitely not a quiet machine."
Confusing the TIMEMORE C3 ESP with the C3 ESP Pro. They are different models, and neither is covered in this comparison.
Buying a resale unit thinking it is new. A "Used - Very Good" unit is not new. Check the condition.
Using a drip grinder or a blade grinder for espresso and calling it close enough. See Burr Grinders for Beginner Espresso.
Expecting this comparison to cover other grinders like the K6, J-Ultra, or DF54, or espresso machines. It compares only the two Encores.
FAQ
Can the Baratza Encore do espresso?
The non-ESP Encore is designed for filter brewing. It has no espresso range, so do not buy it to dial in espresso. If your one electric grinder has to make espresso, choose the Encore ESP.
How loud is the Encore ESP?
Tom's Guide measured about 82 dB, so we do not recommend it for grinding at 6 a.m. in an apartment. It suits households where daytime noise is fine. If noise is the main concern, choose a hand grinder such as the C3 ESP.
Should I keep my old Encore?
Keep it for filter and pour-over. Do not expect espresso micro-steps from a non-ESP Encore. If you now want espresso, you need the ESP (or a real espresso hand grinder).
What if I grind at 6 a.m.?
Do not buy either electric grinder for that time of day. See our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino for the TIMEMORE C3 ESP (not the Pro). Also see Manual vs Electric Grinder for Small Apartments.
Are these the same size?
On the Amazon listings we used, both are 5.91 × 5.12 × 13.39 in and 5.6 lb. Measure your cabinet anyway: listings can disagree with the manufacturer's specs. Check the dimensions on the current listing.
Do I still need a scale?
Yes. The grinder sets particle size, and a scale lets you repeat dose and yield. Buy the scale before a kettle or frother.
Final Recommendation
If the one electric grinder on your counter has to make espresso, buy the Baratza Encore ESP new, and check the seller and current price. It is loud: Tom's Guide measured about 82 dB. Skip resale offers.
If you brew filter or pour-over and never make espresso, buy the lower-cost Baratza Encore. It is not designed for espresso.
If early mornings or thin walls are the real concern, buy neither. Choose a hand grinder such as the C3 ESP.
Do not keep a non-ESP Encore and expect espresso micro-steps, and do not buy a resale unit thinking it is new. Before buying, recheck the seller, exact model (ESP vs Encore), color, condition, returns, price, and availability on amazon.com. Availability can change.