Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder vs illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule 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

illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine

8.8/10 Great

4.4★ (4,800 owners)

19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder	illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,400)	4.4★ (4,800)
Verdict	Great	Great
Heritage	Baratza US specialty	illy 1933 Trieste

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder: 40mm burr, 40 grind settings, Micro M3 adjustment, 280g hopper. Entry espresso burr grinder. illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine: 19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand. Choose based on your specific needs. 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

illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine

illy is the coffee brand of Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide — the quality benchmark
iPerEspresso two-stage capsule extraction produces espresso with genuine professional crema
19-bar pressure matches professional espresso machine extraction standards
Italian design that sits as a kitchen statement piece
illy's 90-year commitment to espresso quality in the most convenient format

Proprietary illy iPerEspresso capsules only — ecosystem lock-in to a premium pod range
Pod costs are premium vs Nespresso — illy positions pods as premium coffee
Less variety than Nespresso's 30+ Original pod range

FAQ

Which is better, Baratza Encore ESP Coffee or illy X1 iPerEspresso?

Is the Baratza Encore ESP Coffee worth the extra cost?

Yes — Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder scores higher at 8.9/10 vs 8.8/10.

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 illy X1 iPerEspresso best suited to?

19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand.

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. illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine: Proprietary illy iPerEspresso capsules only — ecosystem lock-in to a premium pod range; Pod costs are premium vs Nespresso — illy positions pods as premium coffee.

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 illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine at 4.4★ from 4,800.

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