The DF64 Gen 2 is a serious flat-burr grinder capable of espresso and filter. The Encore is an entry-level filter grinder. At $250 more, the DF64 Gen 2 targets a different level of engagement entirely.
Which should you buy?
Match the row to your routine — the winning side is who we'd pick.
Drip coffee, french press, occasional pour-over — that's the whole list
Baratza Encore
Encore is purpose-built for this range. DF64's stepless precision is wasted on a Hario V60.
Espresso is your main brew method
DF DF64 Gen 2
Encore (non-ESP) doesn't reach true espresso fineness. DF64's stepless dial is the espresso requirement.
Budget cap at $200 total
Baratza Encore
DF64 is $399 alone, and most buyers add a bellows + knock box. Different budget conversation.
You single-dose with weighed beans
DF DF64 Gen 2
DF64 is single-dose-native. Encore's hopper retention undermines single-dose accuracy.
Want a grinder that handles both filter AND espresso
DF DF64 Gen 2
64mm flats at stepless adjustment cover both methods cleanly. Encore covers one.
Plan to modify with SSP burrs eventually
DF DF64 Gen 2
DF64 has the largest 64mm burr modding ecosystem of any home grinder. Encore's mod path is far shorter.
Spec face-off
Bars scaled to the higher value. Coloured = wins that spec.
Encore
DF64 Gen 2
40 mm
Burr
64 mm
450
Rpm
1,000
230 g
Hopper
250 g
2.4 kg
Weight
4.8 kg
Full specifications
Spec
Encore
DF64 Gen 2
Price
$149
$399
Burr
40 mm
64 mm
Rpm
450
1,000
Hopper
230 g
250 g
Weight
2.4 kg
4.8 kg
Burr Type
conical
flat
Grind Settings
40
stepless
Grind Range
drip to french press
espresso to filter
Strengths & weaknesses
Baratza Encore
Strengths
Baratza's repair program ships individual replacement parts (burrs, carriers, motor) for under $30 and offers certified rebuild service
40 stepped macro settings cover every non-espresso brew method (drip, pour-over, Chemex, AeroPress, French press, cold brew) with distinct, tactile click positions
450 RPM motor runs cool relative to cheaper high-RPM alternatives, reducing static and heat-induced flavor degradation on aromatic light roasts
Trade-offs
40mm conical burrs produce a bimodal particle distribution with more fines than the 48mm manual grinders (1Zpresso JX Pro) at similar or lower prices
Grind range tops out at French press
Static cling at finer settings causes grounds to coat the grounds chute, requiring a brush for full dose recovery
True all-rounder: runs from espresso to Chemex without the filter limitations of the Eureka Mignon or the espresso limitations of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 stock burrs
Open aftermarket burr ecosystem (SSP, Mythos, Lagom burrs) means the DF64 chassis can be upgraded indefinitely without buying a new machine
Trade-offs
Stock burrs produce static and clumping at espresso settings
Stepless adjustment with no numbered positions means returning to a dialed setting requires a physical log
$399 with aftermarket burrs and bellows approaches $500, at which point the Niche Zero becomes a legitimate alternative
Full comparison
The Baratza Encore at $149 handles drip, pour-over, and french press reliably. Its 40mm conical burrs keep things simple with 40 macro settings and low maintenance overhead. It's a grinder you set up, turn on, and use without fuss. For most filter brewers, it's more than adequate.
The DF64 Gen 2 at $399 uses 64mm flat burrs at 1000 RPM with stepless adjustment. Flat burrs at 64mm produce bimodal particle distributions that many espresso and filter enthusiasts prefer for clarity and intensity. The single-dose capable design means you load only what you need, minimizing retention and waste. Stepless adjustment replaces the Encore's 40-click system with continuous fine-tuning essential for espresso dialing.
The Encore is for filter brewers who want something reliable and affordable. The DF64 Gen 2 is for coffee enthusiasts who want one grinder that covers espresso and filter at a performance level significantly above the entry tier. It's also the right choice for someone who single-doses consistently and wants the control that stepless adjustment provides.
The $250 gap is meaningful. If you're committed to filter brewing only, the Encore is the rational choice. If espresso is in the picture or you're chasing flat-burr flavor profiles, the DF64 Gen 2 is worth the step up. It's not a lifestyle upgrade. It's a different category of grinder with different capabilities.
What owners actually report
Paraphrased from long-running owner threads and review write-ups.
Baratza Encore
What owners praise
Routinely lasts 8–10 years in daily use with cheap, owner-replaceable parts (gearbox $20, burrs $40).
The 40-click dial is forgiving — beginners can't get lost between two settings.
Common complaints
Static and retention; RDT (water spritz) is the no-cost fix shared in every Encore thread.
Hopper gasket can leak fines into the burr chamber after a year. Baratza ships replacement gaskets free.
DF DF64 Gen 2
What owners praise
Gen 2 chute redesign fixed Gen 1's clogging — single-dose is now drama-free.
Stepless ring resolution genuinely produces audible cup differences at 1/8-turn adjustments.
Common complaints
Stock burrs are competent but not why people buy this — SSP MP upgrade (~$170) is the typical second purchase.
Loud — 64mm flats at 1000 RPM are inherently louder than the Encore's 450 RPM conicals.
Accessory & upgrade compatibility
Category
Encore
DF64 Gen 2
Brew range
Drip to french press — not for espresso
Espresso to filter — stepless covers both cleanly
Single-dose workflow
Hopper mods on Etsy (~$25)
Native — hopper insert acts as single-dose chute
Burr upgrades
Same shaft as Encore ESP and Virtuoso+; SSP MP fits ($55–95)
Largest 64mm burr modding ecosystem — SSP MP, SSP HU, Lagom, Mazzer ZM all fit
Filter brewing
Excellent — the Encore was built for this
Excellent at coarser settings; stepless ring is useful for V60 fine-tuning
Replacement parts
Baratza parts ship globally; gearbox $20, burrs $40
DF64 parts via reseller (Stoked, Option-O); slower than Baratza but accessible
Should you buy neither? Two alternatives
Baratza Encore ESP
$199
$199 — Encore body with espresso-capable burrs. The bridge between this pair if espresso is in the future but you want Baratza convenience.
Not reliably. Its lowest setting falls just short of true espresso fineness. Use the Encore ESP ($199) instead — same body, espresso-tuned burrs.
Why does the DF64 Gen 2 cost so much more if both are 'just grinders'?
64mm flat burrs, stepless dial, single-dose-native workflow, and a modding ecosystem. The DF64 is built for the home barista who'll pull 1,000+ shots a year.
Is the DF64 Gen 2 overkill for filter coffee?
Functionally yes — the Encore handles filter well at less than half the price. The DF64 makes sense only if espresso is part of the picture.
Can the Encore be upgraded to espresso later?
Not the standard Encore. The Encore ESP variant is the in-family upgrade — same body, espresso burrs swapped in.
Which is louder?
DF64 — 64mm flats at 1000 RPM are noisier than the Encore's 450 RPM conicals. Both stay below 80 dB at one meter.
