Best Coffee Grinders · head-to-head

Baratza Encore ESP vs 1Zpresso J-Max

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. 1Zpresso J-Max is cheaper at $199. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Baratza Encore ESP or 1Zpresso J-Max?

The 1Zpresso J-Max wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The 1Zpresso J-Max is the cheaper at $199. The 1Zpresso J-Max both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Baratza Encore ESP 1Zpresso J-Max
US price $199.95 MSRP, official Baratza store $199
BrandBaratza1Zpresso
Released2022
Type electric manual
Burr type conical conical
Burr size (mm) 40 48
Grind settings 40 stepped (steps 1-20 espresso at 20µm/click, 21-40 filter at ~90µm/click) 90 clicks per rotation (8.8 µm/click), external dial
Hopper capacity (g) 227 40
Best for espresso espresso
Weight (lb) 7 1.7
Release 2022

Sources — Baratza Encore ESP: baratza.com (verified 2026-09-21). 1Zpresso J-Max: 1zpresso.coffee (verified 2026-06-19).

What's the difference between the Baratza Encore ESP and 1Zpresso J-Max?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Type: Baratza Encore ESP electric vs 1Zpresso J-Max manual
  • Burr size (mm): Baratza Encore ESP 40 vs 1Zpresso J-Max 48
  • Grind settings: Baratza Encore ESP 40 stepped (steps 1-20 espresso at 20µm/click, 21-40 filter at ~90µm/click) vs 1Zpresso J-Max 90 clicks per rotation (8.8 µm/click), external dial
  • Hopper capacity (g): Baratza Encore ESP 227 vs 1Zpresso J-Max 40
  • Weight (lb): Baratza Encore ESP 7 vs 1Zpresso J-Max 1.7

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Baratza Encore ESP

Only one whitelisted tester ran a full hands-on test of the exact base Encore ESP: Tom's Guide, which calls it a great-value, no-learning-curve entry grinder that 'lives up to its hype' but grinds unevenly and can't reach espresso-fine. Wirecutter's 2026 grinder roundup mentions the base Encore ESP only in passing, now deeming it a superseded 'prototype' next to its ESP Pro pick. Both sources verified as literal, on-model; nothing dropped. (2 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Excellent value and beginner-friendly with virtually no learning curve; Tool-free burr removal for easy cleaning, and very low clumping.

Flagged: Cannot grind fine enough for true espresso/Turkish; lacks fine-grind control; Grind uniformity/consistency is only mediocre; Retention spikes when the hopper is filled (2.1g at 150g).

1Zpresso J-Max

No sourced tester review yet.

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