The Breville Dose Control Pro and Baratza Encore ESP are two of the best entry-level coffee grinders, but they excel in different areas. The Dose Control Pro from Breville focuses on convenience with a digital timer for repeatable dosing, while the Encore ESP by Baratza prioritizes exceptional grind consistency with a specialized adjustment system for dialing in espresso.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which grinder will work best for your home coffee setup.
Breville Dose Control Pro
The Breville Dose Control Pro is a stylish, user-friendly grinder designed for home baristas who want precision and convenience. It combines a wide range of grind settings with an adjustable electronic timer, allowing you to get a consistent amount of coffee grounds every time with the push of a button, which simplifies a crucial part of the brewing process.
- What it is: An electronic conical burr grinder with a digital timer for precise dose control.
- Key features: Stainless steel conical burrs, 60 grind settings, adjustable electronic timer precise to 1-second increments, hands-free grinding cradle for portafilters.
- Price: $200 - $250
- Style: Sleek and modern with a polished finish that matches other high-end kitchen appliances.
- Materials/Construction: Hardened stainless steel conical burrs with a combination of metal accents and durable plastic for the main body.
- Dimensions: Approximately 12" H x 6" W x 8" D with a 12 oz bean hopper.
- Pros: Excellent dose consistency due to the digital timer. Easy to use for beginners. Wide range of 60 settings covers various brew methods. Has a great modern look on the countertop.
- Cons: Lacks the micro-adjustments in the espresso range that espresso purists might want. Some grounds can be retained in the chute. Drive train has some plastic components.
This grinder is perfect for anyone who values a simplified, repeatable workflow and wants a machine that delivers consistent doses with minimal effort in a sharp-looking package.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/coffee-grinders/bcg600.html
Baratza Encore ESP
The Baratza Encore ESP is an evolution of a classic workhorse grinder, newly optimized for espresso lovers. It sacrifices the bells and whistles of digital timers for a highly precise grind adjustment system and robust build quality, giving users exceptional control over their grind size, which is critical for making great espresso.
- What it is: A conical burr grinder specifically engineered for high-resolution grind adjustment, from true espresso to coarse filter coffee.
- Key features: M2 steel conical burrs, 40 grind settings with settings 1-20 offering micro-adjustments for espresso, a simple on-off pulse button. Includes a 54mm dosing cup and adapter.
- Price: $180 - $220
- Style: Utilitarian and functional, with a minimalist, matte black design that prioritizes performance over flair.
- Materials/Construction: Hardened M2 steel conical burrs and a sturdy plastic body. Baratza grinders are famous for their repairability and long-term durability.
- Dimensions: Approximately 13" H x 4.7" W x 6" D with an 8 oz bean hopper.
- Pros: Outstanding grind consistency for its price point. Specialized fine-adjustment range is excellent for dialing in espresso. Built to last and is easily repairable. Incredible value for the in-cup quality it produces.
- Cons: Fully manual operation with no timer means you have to weigh your beans. Utilitarian design isn't as sleek as competitors. Can have some static and ground retention.
The Encore ESP is designed for the coffee enthusiast who prioritizes grind quality and consistency above all else, especially if espresso is their main focus.
Shop this product: baratza.com/products/encore-esp-espresso-and-coffee-grinder
Breville Dose Control Pro vs. Baratza Encore ESP Comparison
Grind Performance & Adjustment Range
This is where the two grinders differ the most. The Breville Dose Control Pro offers 60 numeric steps of adjustment, providing a very wide range that is suitable for everything from French press to espresso. While versatile, the jumps between each espresso setting are larger, which can make it challenging to perfectly "dial in" a tricky new coffee bean.
The Baratza Encore ESP offers 40 total steps, which sounds like less. However, the first 20 steps are dedicated micro-adjustments specifically for espresso. This gives you much finer control in the espresso range, allowing you to make tiny changes to grind size to perfect your shot extraction time. Essentially, the Encore ESP is an espresso-focused grinder that can also grind for other methods, while the Dose Control Pro is a good all-arounder.
Features & Ease of Use
The Breville grinder wins on features and automation. Its digital timer is a massive convenience feature, as it allows you to set a grind time (e.g., 12.5 seconds) that gives you a consistent dose of coffee every morning without having to pre-weigh your beans. The hands-free portafilter cradle also streamlines the workflow for espresso making.
The Baratza is decidedly manual. It has a simple on/off switch and pulse button. To get a consistent dose, you must weigh your beans before grinding them, or weigh the grounds afterwards. It’s a more hands-on process that appeals to purists but may feel like an extra step for those seeking convenience.
Design & Build Quality
Breville’s design is modern, glossy, and clearly intended to be a showpiece alongside a matching espresso machine. It looks fantastic on a kitchen counter and feels substantial, combining metal finishes with high-quality plastics.
Baratza opts for a functional, workhorse aesthetic. Its matte black body is made of durable plastic designed to withstand years of use. While it may not look as premium, Baratza’s reputation is built on long-term durability and the ability to easily purchase replacement parts to service the grinder yourself, which greatly extends its lifespan and value.
Price & Value
The grinders are priced similarly, but the value proposition is different. For a slightly higher price, the Breville Dose Control Pro provides value through its digital and convenience features that make the daily coffee routine easier.
The Baratza Encore ESP, often priced slightly less, delivers incredible value in pure performance. The quality of grind consistency, especially for espresso, is hard to beat at this price. Its added long-term value comes from its stellar reputation for durability and repairability.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both coffee grinders are excellent choices, but they are built for different types of home baristas.
Choose the Breville Dose Control Pro if:
- You want a simple, automated workflow and repeatable dosing without using a scale every time.
- You value a sleek, modern aesthetic that matches other premium kitchen appliances.
- You brew a variety of coffee types and prioritize convenience over absolute precision for espresso.
- You appreciate user-friendly digital controls and hands-free features.
Choose the Baratza Encore ESP if:
- Your primary focus is making the best possible espresso you can at home.
- You prioritize grind consistency and fine control over digital features.
- You value long-term durability and the ability to repair your machine easily.
- You don't mind a manual workflow (like weighing your beans) to achieve better results in the cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Dose Control Pro and the Encore ESP?
The main difference is their core function. The Dose Control Pro is designed around a digital timer for dose consistency (getting the same amount of coffee), while the Encore ESP is designed around a high-resolution adjustment ring for grind size consistency (getting the perfect particle size for espresso).
Which grinder is better for espresso?
The Baratza Encore ESP is generally better for espresso, especially for enthusiasts looking to perfect their shots. Its micro-adjustment settings in the espresso range provide the fine control needed to truly dial in a coffee bean.
Can you use the Encore ESP for drip coffee or French press?
Yes. While the first 20 settings are for espresso, settings 21-40 are designed for a full range of brew methods, from pour-over and drip coffee to French press and cold brew, making it a truly versatile grinder.
Is the Breville Dose Control Pro also good for drip coffee?
Absolutely. With 60 settings, the Breville Dose Control Pro is a great all-around grinder that can easily handle coarser grinds required for drip, pour-over, and other brewing methods.
Which one is easier to clean?
Both are relatively easy to clean. You can easily remove the top burr on both grinders with a simple twist to access the grinding chamber and clear out old coffee grounds. Regular cleaning is recommended for both to maintain performance.
How do I get a consistent dose with the Encore ESP without a timer?
The best method is called single dosing. You weigh your desired amount of whole beans (e.g., 18 grams) on a small coffee scale, pour them into the hopper, and grind until it's empty. This ensures you have the exact same dose for every shot.
Is the Baratza Encore ESP an upgrade from the original Encore?
Yes, specifically for espresso drinkers. It features the upgraded M2 conical burr set and a new adjustment system that allows for much smaller grind size changes. If you mostly make drip or pour-over, the original Encore is still great, but the ESP is far superior for espresso.
Which grinder is quieter?
Neither grinder is particularly quiet, which is normal for coffee grinders in this category. They both produce a noticeable grinding noise, but the pitch and volume are comparable and shouldn't be a determining factor for most users.
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