Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Baratza Encore: Which Is Better? (November 2026)
Choose the Breville Smart Grinder Pro for timed dosing and more grind settings; choose the Baratza Encore for simpler controls. Your espresso plans and preferred daily routine are the clearest reasons to pick one over the other.
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Choose the Breville Smart Grinder Pro for programmable timed dosing and more settings; choose the Baratza Encore for simple controls. In this Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Baratza Encore comparison, the best fit depends on how much control you want over each grind and whether espresso is part of your routine.
The Breville offers 60 settings, programmable grind time in 0.2-second increments and an LCD. The Encore has 40 settings, a front pulse button and an on/off switch.
Both are electric conical burr grinders, but they approach adjustment and dosing differently. If you’re comparing the Breville with other models, see our Breville Smart Grinder Pro review and Breville grind size chart.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Baratza Encore: what changes?
The Breville gives you more settings and programmable timed dosing; the Encore keeps the controls simpler. Neither number of settings alone tells you which grinder will suit your beans or preferred brew.
The Breville has 60 grind settings and a digital timer adjustable in 0.2-second steps. Its LCD displays the grind setting, grind time and selected number of shots or cups.
The Encore has 40 settings, with a front-mounted pulse button and a simple on/off switch. You turn its hopper to set the grind, then start it with one of those controls.
The Breville also includes small and large portafilter cradles. That makes it more ready for direct portafilter grinding without needing to hold the portafilter under the outlet.
How do the Baratza Encore and Encore ESP differ?
The Encore ESP is a separate option if you want Baratza controls with a more defined espresso adjustment range. It divides its 40 settings into micro-steps from #1 to #20 for espresso and macro-steps from #21 to #40 for filter brewing.
That makes the ESP’s adjustment approach more specific to espresso than the standard Encore’s general 40-setting range. Read our Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Fellow Opus comparison if you’re considering another grinder with broader brew coverage.
Which grinder is a better fit for espresso?
The Breville is the clearest fit if timed dosing and direct portafilter grinding matter; the Encore ESP is worth comparing if you want Baratza’s espresso micro-step range. The standard Encore is described for espresso among other methods, but its adjustment range is not broken out by brew style.
With the Breville, select a setting and program grind time. The LCD shows the chosen setting, time and number of shots, while the included cradles fit 50–54 mm and 58 mm portafilters.
The Encore ESP separates espresso and filter adjustment into 2 ranges. Its dosing cup can be used for dosing into a portafilter, and the maker describes the micro-range as a high-resolution option for espresso-fine grinding.
For someone starting with espresso, consider how often you expect to change the grind as beans or brewing conditions change. A clearly divided range can make those adjustments easier to follow, while the Breville’s timer can help you repeat a chosen dose time.
The standard Encore can still be part of an espresso setup, but the available details don’t describe an espresso-specific range for it. If espresso is your main goal, compare it with the ESP and the Breville rather than assuming all 40 or 60 settings are equally useful for espresso.
Which one suits filter coffee and French press?
Both grinders are described for filter brewing, but the Encore’s simpler controls suit a straightforward routine, while the Breville offers more adjustment points. Consider your preferred grind range and how often you switch between methods.
The Breville is described for brewing from espresso to French press, with pre-programmed settings intended to help achieve results across fine and coarse grinds. Its 60 settings give you more labeled adjustment points to explore.
The Encore’s 40 settings are described for methods including AeroPress, pour over, Chemex, French press and automatic brewers. Its hopper adjustment and basic start controls keep the daily process simple.
More settings can give you more places to try, but they don’t guarantee a better cup. Start with a sensible range for your brewer, then adjust based on how the coffee tastes and flows.
For a French press, our guide to choosing a French press grind size explains what to look for in the grounds. For pour over, use our pour-over grind size guide as a starting point.
How do the controls and dosing compare?
Choose the Breville for programmable time and a display; choose the Encore for a hopper adjustment and 2 direct controls. The right setup depends on whether you prefer repeatable timing or fewer settings to manage.
The Breville’s Dose IQ system adjusts grind time in 0.2-second increments. You can set the grinder to dispense by cups or shots, and the LCD shows the grind time and selected amount.
It can grind into a portafilter, airtight container, gold tone filter basket or paper filter. That range of destinations may suit a setup where you move between espresso and drip brewing.
The Encore starts with its front-mounted pulse button or on/off switch. The hopper rotates to change the grind setting, and the straightforward controls suit a routine where you make the same type of coffee most days.
Neither style is automatically easier for everyone. If you want a dose timer and display, the Breville’s controls are relevant; if you want to start grinding without programming time, the Encore is more direct.
What should you consider about capacity and cleanup?
The Breville lists an 18 oz bean hopper, while the Encore lists a 5 oz hopper. Check how much coffee you use between refills and whether you prefer storing beans in the grinder.
The Encore ESP’s capacity is listed as 120 g, so compare that figure with your normal batch size if you’re considering it. The different units make direct capacity comparisons less convenient.
For cleaning, the Encore ESP has a quick-release burr mounting system designed to allow burr removal without taking the whole grinder apart. The standard Encore and Breville details here don’t describe a matching quick-release system.
The Breville includes a cleaning brush. Whichever grinder you choose, follow its manual for cleaning and care rather than using tools or methods the manufacturer doesn’t recommend.
Which grinder should you choose?
Pick the Breville Smart Grinder Pro if you want programmable timed dosing and direct portafilter grinding; pick the Baratza Encore if simple controls matter most. Choose the Encore ESP if you want Baratza’s split espresso and filter adjustment ranges.
The Breville’s 60 settings, LCD and 0.2-second timer increments make it a strong match for someone who wants more control over grind time. Its included cradles also suit a portafilter-based routine.
The Encore’s 40 settings and front pulse and on/off controls make it a simpler daily option across several brew methods. Consider the ESP when espresso adjustment is a key part of your decision.
For more grinder options by brewing style, see our guide to electric coffee grinders for home brewing. You can also compare manual and electric coffee grinders if you’re still deciding how you want to grind.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro | Baratza Encore | Baratza Encore ESP
Frequently asked questions
Is the Breville Smart Grinder Pro better than the Baratza Encore?
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro fits you better if you want programmable grind time, an LCD and 60 settings. The Baratza Encore fits you better if you prefer a front pulse button and on/off switch with 40 settings.
Your brew methods and preferred controls matter more than the setting count alone.
Can the Baratza Encore grind for espresso?
The Encore is described for a range of methods that includes espresso, but its 40 settings are not described as an espresso-specific adjustment range. If espresso is a priority, compare the Breville's listed settings and timed dosing with the Encore ESP's micro-steps from #1 to #20.
What is the difference between the Baratza Encore and Encore ESP?
The Encore has 40 settings and simple pulse and on/off controls. The Encore ESP also has 40 settings, divided into micro-steps from #1 to #20 for espresso and macro-steps from #21 to #40 for filter brewing, plus a quick-release burr.
Which grinder is easier to use every day?
The Encore has fewer steps in its listed controls: turn the hopper, then use the pulse button or on/off switch. The Breville adds programmable grind time and an LCD, which can help if you want to save a dose routine, but it takes more choices to set up.
Does the Smart Grinder Pro grind directly into a portafilter?
Yes. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro can grind directly into a portafilter, and it includes small and large portafilter cradles.
It can also grind into an airtight container, gold tone filter basket or paper filter, so you can choose a destination that fits your setup.
