Baratza Encore vs Breville Smart Grinder Pro
Both are ~$150-200 electric grinders, but the Encore is filter-only and the Breville reaches espresso. The Baratza Encore at $149 is the default filter grinder with 40 settings and unmatched repairability — but no espresso. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro at $200 adds 60 settings, timed dosing, and grind-into-portafilter espresso convenience, at the cost of higher retention and more fines. Choose the Encore for clean filter and serviceability; choose the Breville for espresso capability and programmable dosing.
Spec face-off
Bars scaled to the higher value. Coloured = wins that spec.
Full specifications
Strengths & weaknesses
Full comparison
The Encore is the long-standing default for filter coffee: 40 stepped settings covering drip through French press, a cool 450 RPM motor, and Baratza's industry-best repair program (parts under $30, certified rebuilds). Its limit is hard — it tops out at French press with no espresso ability. The Smart Grinder Pro is a 60-setting hopper-fed electric with 0.2-second timed dosing that grinds directly into the portafilter, with cradles and basket adapters included, and finer filter-side control than the Encore ESP.
Espresso capability is the clearest divider. The Encore simply can't grind fine enough for espresso; the Breville can, and is usable even with non-pressurized baskets once dialed. But the Breville's espresso has caveats: high retention (~18g in, 16g out) carries stale grounds into the next dose, and it produces more fines and dust than its peers.
Longevity and grind cleanliness favor Baratza. The Encore's repair ecosystem and cool-running motor make it a decade-long filter companion with clean grounds; Breville's parts and repair support are weaker. For pure filter, the Encore's grounds are cleaner; for espresso-plus-filter convenience, only the Breville qualifies.
Buy the Encore ($149) for clean filter grinding and best-in-class repairability, if you don't need espresso. Buy the Smart Grinder Pro ($200) for espresso capability, 60 settings, and programmable grind-into-portafilter convenience.