The Oxo Burr Grinder and the Baratza Encore are two of the best entry-level coffee grinders, but they target different users. The grinder from Oxo is a user-friendly, affordable option with a modern design perfect for casual coffee drinkers, while the grinder from Baratza is built for precision and durability, making it the preferred choice for coffee enthusiasts who want superior grind consistency.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right grinder for your daily coffee routine.
Oxo Burr Grinder
The Oxo Burr Grinder is a go-to choice for those looking to upgrade from a blade grinder without a steep learning curve or high cost. It focuses on intuitive operation, easy cleaning, and reliable performance for everyday brewing methods like drip coffee and French press. Its sleek, compact design fits well in modern kitchens and prioritizes convenience.
- What it is: A user-friendly conical burr grinder designed for home use and casual coffee drinkers.
- Key features: Stainless steel conical burrs, one-touch start timer that remembers your last setting, and a grounds container that holds up to 110 grams of coffee.
- Price: Around $80 - $130, depending on the retailer.
- Materials/Construction: Hardened stainless steel conical burrs with a plastic body. The top burr is removable for easy cleaning.
- Style: Modern and sleek, with a compact footprint that fits well on most kitchen counters.
- Pros: Affordable price point makes it an accessible entry into burr grinding. Very easy to use with simple controls. Sleek design and compact size. Hopper and burrs are easy to remove and clean.
- Cons: Lacks the fine-tuned grind settings needed for espresso. Grind consistency is good but not as precise as the Encore. The plastic body is less durable long-term than more premium models.
This grinder is ideal for anyone who primarily makes drip or French press coffee and values simplicity and affordability over professional-grade precision.
Shop this product: oxo.com
Baratza Encore
The Baratza Encore is widely considered the gold standard for entry-level enthusiast coffee grinders. Known for its exceptional grind consistency, durable build, and wide range of settings, it's designed for home baristas who want to explore different brew methods. It's built to last for years and is backed by a company known for outstanding customer support and parts availability.
- What it is: An enthusiast-level conical burr grinder offering precise grind control for various brewing methods.
- Key features: 40 individual grind settings, high-quality M2 conical burrs, powerful DC motor, and front-mounted pulse button for grinding small amounts directly into a portafilter.
- Price: Generally priced between $140 - $170.
- Materials/Construction: Hardened steel conical burrs with a body made of durable plastics and metal internal components designed for longevity.
- Style: Functional and utilitarian, with a minimalist design that prioritizes performance over aesthetics.
- Pros: Excellent grind consistency across a wide range of settings. Highly durable and built to last. Easily repairable, with readily available replacement parts. Trusted by coffee professionals for its reliability and performance.
- Cons: Higher price point. More basic operation with an on/off switch instead of a timer. Can be louder than the Oxo grinder. Its functional design might not appeal to everyone.
The Encore is perfect for the serious coffee lover who values grind precision and wants a machine that will grow with their skills and last for many years.
Shop this product: baratza.com
Oxo Burr Grinder vs. Baratza Encore Comparison
Grind Quality & Consistency
This is where the main difference lies. The Baratza Encore offers superior grind consistency, producing fewer fine particles (or "fines") at coarser settings and providing a more uniform grind size overall. With 40 distinct settings, it gives you precise control for methods like pour-over, AeroPress, and even entry-level espresso. You get cleaner, more flavorful cups of coffee because of this consistency.
The Oxo Burr Grinder provides a solid, consistent grind that is a massive improvement over any blade grinder. It performs very well for standard methods like automatic drip brewers and French press. However, it doesn't offer the same level of granularity in its settings, which limits its ability to dial in the perfect grind for more demanding brew methods.
Materials & Construction
The Baratza Encore is built with longevity in mind. Its internal components, including the M2 steel burrs and gear-driven motor, are robust and designed to withstand years of frequent use. Baratza is famous for its commitment to sustainability and repairability, offering replacement parts for nearly every component, meaning you can often fix the grinder yourself instead of replacing it.
The Oxo is well-built for its price, with a sturdy plastic housing and stainless steel burrs. It’s a reliable consumer appliance designed for daily home use but isn't engineered for the same lifespan as the Encore. When a part fails on the Oxo after a few years, it's more likely to need a full replacement.
Ease of Use & Features
Oxo wins when it comes to user-friendly features. The one-touch timer that remembers your last setting makes daily grinding simple - just push a button and walk away. The grounds bin is also designed to reduce static and mess. Cleaning is straightforward thanks to the easily removable top burr.
Baratza takes a more manual approach. The Encore has a simple on/off dial and a front-mounted pulse button for grinding on demand. There is no timer or automatic shutoff. While this gives you direct control, it requires a bit more attention. It's a functional tool that puts all its focus on the quality of the grind, not on convenience features.
Price & Value
The Oxo Burr Grinder offers excellent immediate value. For around $100, you get a reliable burr grinder that will dramatically improve your coffee over pre-ground or blade-ground options. It's an ideal choice if you have a firm budget and mainly brew drip coffee.
The Baratza Encore, priced around $170, represents a better long-term investment. The upfront cost is higher, but its superior grind quality, durability, and repairability mean it will likely be the last grinder you need to buy for a very long time. For any serious coffee enthusiast, the jump in price is justified by the jump in performance.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both coffee grinders are excellent choices, but they are designed for very different users and priorities.
Choose the Oxo Burr Grinder if:
- You are buying your first-ever burr grinder and upgrading from a blade grinder.
- Your budget is firmly under $150.
- You primarily brew with an automatic drip machine or French press.
- You value conveniences like a timer and an easy-to-clean design.
Choose the Baratza Encore if:
- Grind consistency is your absolute top priority.
- You want to experiment with brewing methods like pour-over, siphon, or AeroPress.
- You view the grinder as a long-term investment and appreciate durability and repairability.
- You are more interested in professional-grade performance than convenience features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Oxo and Baratza Encore grinders?
The main difference is performance versus convenience. The Baratza Encore offers superior grind consistency and durability for coffee enthusiasts, while the Oxo grinder provides excellent ease of use and affordability for the casual coffee drinker.
Is the Baratza Encore worth the extra money?
For someone serious about coffee quality and trying different brewing methods, yes. The improvement in grind consistency results in a noticeably better-tasting cup of coffee, and its longevity makes it a better value over many years of use. For a casual user who sticks to drip coffee, the Oxo is a better value.
Which grinder is better for French press?
Both are very capable of producing a good coarse grind for French press. However, the Baratza Encore is often preferred because its higher consistency produces fewer fine particles, which can lead to a less "muddy" or sludgy cup.
Can the Oxo Burr Grinder grind for espresso?
No, the Oxo grinder cannot grind fine enough for unpressurized espresso machines. Its steps between settings are also too large to dial in a proper espresso shot. It is designed for filter and immersion brewing methods.
How long will these grinders last?
The Baratza Encore is famous for its durability, with many users reporting it lasting 10+ years. It is also designed to be fully repairable. The Oxo Burr grinder is a quality appliance that should last several years with regular use but is not expected to have the same lifespan or repairability as the Encore.
Which grinder is easier to clean?
The Oxo is slightly easier to clean for a quick, routine wipe-down. Its hopper is easy to remove, and the top burr pops out without tools. The Encore is also easy to clean but requires a bit more familiarity to disassemble and reassemble the burrs.
How many grind settings does each grinder have?
The Baratza Encore features 40 distinct grind settings, offering wide-ranging and precise control. The Oxo grinder typically has around 15 main settings, which is sufficient for common brewing methods but lacks the fine-tuning capability of the Encore.
Which grinder is quieter?
Both grinders produce a significant amount of noise, as is typical for burr grinders. There isn't a major difference in volume between them, though some users find the Oxo's motor to be slightly lower pitched. Noise should not be a deciding factor between these two specific models.
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