Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder vs Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod 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

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine

8.5/10 Great

4.5★ (9,600 owners)

Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder	Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	8.5/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,400)	4.5★ (9,600)
Verdict	Great	Great
Price	Under £150	Under £60

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder edges ahead with a 8.9/10 vs 8.5/10. 40mm burr, 40 grind settings, Micro M3 adjustment, 280g hopper. Entry espresso burr grinder. That said, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine is worth considering if Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60. 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

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine

Under £60 — the most affordable capsule coffee machine with 15-bar extraction
Dolce Gusto pods include specialty drinks: lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos and hot chocolate
Manual lever controls milk-to-coffee ratio — more customisation than single-button alternatives
Colourful design in multiple colours is playful and kitchen-friendly
9,600 Amazon reviews at 4.5★ — extensively validated entry pod machine

Manual lever is less convenient than one-touch alternatives — requires monitoring
Dolce Gusto pod quality trails Nespresso Vertuo crema technology
Milk capsules are separate from coffee capsules — two pods per milk drink

FAQ

Which is better, Baratza Encore ESP Coffee or Nescafé Dolce Gusto?

Is the Baratza Encore ESP Coffee worth the extra cost?

Yes — Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder scores higher at 8.9/10 vs 8.5/10.

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 Nescafé Dolce Gusto best suited to?

Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60.

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. Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine: Manual lever is less convenient than one-touch alternatives — requires monitoring; Dolce Gusto pod quality trails Nespresso Vertuo crema technology.

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 Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine at 4.5★ from 9,600.

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