Baratza Encore vs Baratza Virtuoso+
The Virtuoso+ is a meaningful upgrade over the Encore, but only if you value the built-in timer and slightly better grind consistency. For most filter brewers, the Encore covers the bases at $100 less.
Which should you buy?
Match the row to your routine — the winning side is who we'd pick.
Spec face-off
Bars scaled to the higher value. Coloured = wins that spec.
Full specifications
Strengths & weaknesses
Full comparison
The Baratza Encore sits at $149 and serves drip, pour-over, and french press well. It's consistent enough for most home brewers and simple enough that fixing it yourself is genuinely feasible. Its 40mm conical burrs run at 450 RPM across 40 settings, and the design has barely changed in over a decade because it works.
The Virtuoso+ costs $249 and uses the same 40mm burr set but spins them faster at 558 RPM, which can improve throughput and slightly reduces heat buildup time. The defining addition is the digital dosing timer, which lets you set a grind time to within 0.1 seconds. That timer adds real shot-to-shot or batch consistency without requiring a separate scale workflow. The Virtuoso+ also covers espresso to french press, though it performs better at medium to coarse settings than at fine espresso-range settings.
The Encore is for someone who wants a reliable, no-fuss grinder for filter brewing and doesn't mind dialing in by feel or weight. The Virtuoso+ suits someone who brews frequently, values repeatability, and wants the timer to lock in a dose without weighing every session. Neither is a dedicated espresso grinder, but the Virtuoso+ handles finer grind requests with more control thanks to the timer.
The $100 gap is meaningful. If you brew filter coffee once a day and don't need timed doses, the Encore is the rational buy. If you're brewing for multiple people, running a pour-over ritual every morning, or transitioning toward espresso, the Virtuoso+ timer earns its premium over time. The burrs are the same, so you're paying for workflow improvement, not a fundamental quality jump.
What owners actually report
Paraphrased from long-running owner threads and review write-ups.
Accessory & upgrade compatibility
Should you buy neither? Two alternatives
Hand grinder at $169. Beats both at espresso fines and travels anywhere, but requires ~45 seconds of effort per dose.
Check price
$195 electric with a single-dose hopper built in. Slightly better at espresso than the Encore and looks better on a counter.
Check priceFrequently asked questions
Is the Baratza Encore good enough for espresso?
No. Its dial stops just short of true espresso fineness, and even at the lowest setting the grind is too inconsistent for repeatable shots. The Encore ESP variant ($199) is the espresso-capable model in the same family.
Does the Baratza Virtuoso+ have a built-in scale?
No. It uses a digital timer set in 0.1-second increments. Most owners tune the timer to their bean and dose, then trust it to within ±0.5g — accurate enough to skip the scale for daily brewing.
Can you upgrade the Baratza Encore's burrs?
Yes. The 40mm burr shaft accepts SSP MP and M2 aftermarket burrs ($55–95) with a five-minute swap. The same upgrades fit the Virtuoso+.
How long does a Baratza Encore last?
Owner threads document 8–10 years of daily use. The gearbox ($20) and burr set ($40) are user-replaceable, so the unit's lifespan is effectively limited by the motor — and motor failures are rare.
Encore or Virtuoso+ for French press?
Encore. French press uses a coarse grind that both handle equally, and the Virtuoso+ timer adds no value when you're scooping into a press. Save the $100.