Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder vs Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder

8.9/10 Great

4.5★ (8,400 owners)

40mm burr, 40 grind settings, Micro M3 adjustment, 280g hopper. Entry espresso burr grinder.

Full Review

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

9.1/10 Excellent

4.5★ (8,400 owners)

Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder	Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	9.1/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,400)	4.5★ (8,400)
Verdict	Great	Excellent
Price	Under £150	£700+

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.1/10 vs 8.9/10. Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning. That said, the Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder is worth considering if 40mm burr, 40 grind settings, Micro M3 adjustment, 280g hopper. Entry espresso burr grinder. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder

40mm conical burrs produce consistent grounds for espresso through pour-over
Micro M3 adjustment provides fine-tuning between standard settings for dialling in espresso
40 grind settings cover every brew method from Turkish fine to French press coarse
Under £150 — the most accessible quality conical burr grinder reviewed
Baratza's US specialty coffee brand heritage and repair-friendly modular design

Plastic construction feels less premium than Fellow Ode Gen 2's aluminium
40mm burrs produce slightly less uniform particle distribution than 64mm alternatives
Hopper holds 280g — requires more frequent refilling for heavy users

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

Colour touchscreen displays step-by-step guidance for every recipe — genuine learning resource
Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings eliminates separate grinder purchase
Auto-purge function cleans group head after each shot automatically
30 built-in recipes guide through espresso, flat white, latte and more with video tips
Sage (UK)/Breville (US) engineering pedigree — same manufacturer as Sage Barista Express

£700+ for a semi-automatic with guided screen — Sage Barista Express delivers equivalent extraction without the touchscreen at lower cost
Touchscreen durability concerns in steamy kitchen environments over years
Video guidance is useful initially but rarely referenced by experienced users

FAQ

Which is better, Baratza Encore ESP Coffee or Breville Barista Touch?

Is the Baratza Encore ESP Coffee worth the extra cost?

The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Baratza Encore ESP Coffee best suited to?

40mm burr, 40 grind settings, Micro M3 adjustment, 280g hopper. Entry espresso burr grinder.

Who is the Breville Barista Touch best suited to?

Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning.

What are the main downsides of each?

Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder: Plastic construction feels less premium than Fellow Ode Gen 2's aluminium; 40mm burrs produce slightly less uniform particle distribution than 64mm alternatives. Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine: £700+ for a semi-automatic with guided screen — Sage Barista Express delivers equivalent extraction without the touchscreen at lower cost; Touchscreen durability concerns in steamy kitchen environments over years.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder sits at 4.5★ from 8,400 verified Amazon owners, and Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine at 4.5★ from 8,400.

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