The Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the Baratza Encore ESP are two of the best home coffee grinders available, but they cater to very different users. The Smart Grinder Pro from Breville is a versatile, all-in-one grinder with a digital interface and 60 grind settings, ideal for those who enjoy various brewing methods. In contrast, the Encore ESP from Baratza is a purpose-built evolution of a classic, specializing in a highly precise grind range fine-tuned for espresso.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which grinder is the right addition to your coffee setup.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is a high-tech, user-friendly grinder known for its incredible versatility and sleek design. It uses a digital interface to offer 60 precise grind settings, making it easy to switch between French press, drip, and espresso with consistency. This grinder is a favorite among home baristas who appreciate its modern aesthetic and "set it and forget it" functionality.
- What it is: A digital conical burr grinder designed for a wide range of brewing methods.
- Key features: Stainless steel conical burrs, digital timer that allows for 0.2-second adjustments, 60 official grind settings plus 10 additional internal burr adjustments, 18 oz bean hopper, comes with two portafilter cradles.
- Price: Around $200 - $250.
- Style: Modern and sleek with a brushed stainless steel finish and a clear LCD screen that fits well in tech-forward kitchens.
- Dimensions: Approximately 6.9" W x 9.5" D x 14" H, suitable for most countertops but slightly larger than the Baratza.
- Materials/Construction: Durable plastic housing with a metal finish and high-quality stainless steel conical burrs.
- Pros: Excellent versatility across many brew styles. Intuitive digital interface is easy to use. Consistent dosing with the digital timer. Stylish design complements other modern appliances.
- Cons: The plastic body parts can feel less durable than the Baratza's construction. Can have higher grind retention. Digital components may be a long-term point of failure.
This grinder is perfect for the home coffee enthusiast who wants a single, versatile machine that looks great and handles every brewing method from coarse to fine with digital precision.
Shop this product: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/coffee-grinders/bcg820.html
Baratza Encore ESP
The Baratza Encore ESP is an updated, espresso-focused version of the legendary Encore grinder. It maintains a simple, functional design but hides specialized upgrades inside, including better burrs and a bi-modal adjustment system with a dedicated, micro-step range for espresso. It's built for coffee lovers who primarily want to make a great shot of espresso and value durability and repairability.
- What it is: A conical burr grinder specialized for entry-level to intermediate home espresso but capable of all brew methods.
- Key features: High-quality M2 hardened steel conical burrs. A dual-range adjustment system offers 20 fine settings for espresso and 20 broader settings for other methods. Simple, durable design. Includes a dosing cup.
- Price: Around $250 - $300.
- Style: Utilitarian and functional. A simple black or white body with manual dials, prioritizing performance over flashiness.
- Dimensions: Approximately 4.7" W x 6.3" D x 13" H, making it one of the most compact and space-efficient quality grinders.
- Materials/Construction: Hardened steel burrs with a robust plastic and metal housing engineered for longevity and ease of repair.
- Pros: Provides highly consistent and fine-tuned grinds for espresso. Compact footprint is ideal for small kitchens. Known for exceptional durability and amazing customer support and part availability. Simple, no-fuss operation.
- Cons: A more utilitarian aesthetic might not appeal to everyone. Manual operation lacks the precision timing of the Breville. Can be loud during operation.
The Encore ESP is designed for the budding espresso enthusiast who wants focused performance, long-term reliability, and a machine that is simple yet powerful.
Shop this product: https://baratza.com/product/encore-esp
Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs. Baratza Encore ESP Comparison
Grind Range & Versatility
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is the clear winner for overall versatility. Its 60 preset grind settings cover a huge range from very coarse for French press to fine enough for espresso. The transition between settings is seamless, making it easy to switch brew methods daily. You get a true "jack-of-all-trades" grinder.
The Baratza Encore ESP is more of a specialist. Its key feature is a dual-range adjustment system. Settings 1-20 are micro-steps designed to give you precise control within the espresso range. Settings 21-40 are macro-steps for other brew methods like pour-over and drip. While it can handle coarser grinds, its true strength is making tiny, repeatable adjustments for dialing in espresso that other entry-level grinders can’t match.
Ease of Use & Interface
The Smart Grinder Pro uses a modern LCD screen and simple dials to control both grind size and dose time. You can set the timer down to 0.2-second increments, giving you repeatable doses every time. It’s quick, visual, and intuitive, especially for those comfortable with digital gadgets.
The Encore ESP is proudly analog. Grind size is adjusted by rotating the hopper, and a simple on/off knob or pulse button controls the motor. There is no built-in timer, so you'll need to weigh your beans beforehand or grind and weigh afterwards for consistency. Its simplicity is a core part of its appeal - there are no screens to fail and the workflow is direct.
Materials & Construction
Both grinders are well-built, but they prioritize different things. Breville uses stainless steel conical burrs and wraps the grinder in an attractive metal-finish housing that looks premium. Internally, however, it does rely on more plastic components, including the impeller.
Baratza is famous for its "built to be repaired" philosophy. The Encore ESP features M2 hardened steel burrs - a step up from the standard Encore - inside a robust body. While also plastic, it feels sturdy and functional. Critically, Baratza sells replacement parts for nearly every component, meaning a single ESP grinder can realistically last for a decade or more with proper maintenance.
Price & Value
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro typically comes in at a slightly lower price point, around $200-$250. For this price, you get an incredible amount of features, a beautiful interface, and the versatility to do everything well. This represents excellent value for someone who needs an all-around performer.
The Baratza Encore ESP often costs a bit more, usually between $250 and $300. The extra cost goes toward the specialized M2 burr set, the precise espresso adjustment mechanism, and Baratza’s legendary longevity and customer support. For an espresso-first user, the value lies in its focused performance and the promise of a long-lasting, repairable machine.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both grinders are excellent choices, but they are built for different home baristas with different priorities.
Choose the Breville Smart Grinder Pro if:
- You regularly make coffee using various methods (drip, pour-over, immersion, espresso).
- You appreciate a modern, digital interface with timed dosing.
- You want a sleek grinder that matches other contemporary kitchen appliances.
- Your focus is on great all-around performance and user-friendly features.
Choose the Baratza Encore ESP if:
- Your primary focus is on making high-quality espresso.
- You value durability, repairability, and long-term customer support.
- You prefer simple, analog controls and a get-it-done workflow.
- You have limited counter space and need a more compact machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Smart Grinder Pro and Encore ESP?
The main difference is focus. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an "all-in-one" grinder with great versatility for all brew methods, managed by a digital interface. The Baratza Encore ESP is a specialized grinder with a finely tuned adjustment range specifically for espresso, championing manual control and long-term durability.
Which grinder is better for espresso?
The Baratza Encore ESP is generally considered better for espresso. Its specialized M2 burrs and micro-step adjustment mechanism in the espresso range (settings 1-20) allow for the tiny, precise changes required to properly dial in an espresso shot. While the Breville can make espresso, the Encore ESP offers more consistency and control at that fine end.
Which grinder is better for drip or pour-over coffee?
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro has a slight edge for non-espresso methods. Its wider range of 60 settings and easy digital adjustments make it simple to switch between different grind sizes for pour-over, drip, or French press. The Baratza can do it too, but with fewer steps in its all-purpose range.
Is the Baratza Encore ESP worth the extra cost?
For someone serious about espresso, yes. The investment buys you a more precise espresso grinding mechanism, more durable burrs, and a machine designed to be repaired, not replaced. If you primarily brew pour-over or drip, the higher cost isn't justifiable and the Breville offers better value.
How easy are these grinders to clean?
Both are relatively easy to clean. You can remove the top burr on both models to access the grinding chamber for brushing out old coffee grounds. The process is straightforward for both and should be done every few weeks.
How long will these grinders last?
While the Breville is well built, Baratza grinders are famous for their longevity. Thanks to the company's commitment to providing spare parts, it's common to see Baratza grinders last for over 10 years with occasional maintenance. The Breville's lifespan may be limited by its digital components.
Can I use the Encore ESP for French Press?
Yes, you can. The grinder's settings from 21-40 are designed for methods coarser than espresso. Using a setting in the high 30s will produce a grind suitable for a French press or cold brew.
Are Baratza grinders hard to fix?
No, they are designed to be user-serviceable. Baratza offers extensive guides and videos on their website, and you can order nearly any part, from a new burr set to a motor, directly from them. This focus on repairability is a major selling point for the brand.
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