Best Coffee Grinders · head-to-head

Baratza Encore ESP vs Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro is cheaper at $79. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Baratza Encore ESP or Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro?

The Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro is the cheaper at $79. The Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro 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 Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro
US price $199.95 MSRP, official Baratza store $79
BrandBaratzaTimemore
Released20222022
Type electric manual
Burr type conical conical
Burr size (mm) 40 38
Grind settings 40 stepped (steps 1-20 espresso at 20µm/click, 21-40 filter at ~90µm/click) 30 clicks per rotation (23.3 µm/click)
Hopper capacity (g) 227 25
Best for espresso all
Weight (lb) 7 1.17
Release 2022 2022

Sources — Baratza Encore ESP: baratza.com (verified 2026-06-19). Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro: slowpoursupply.co (verified 2026-06-19).

What's the difference between the Baratza Encore ESP and Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Type: Baratza Encore ESP electric vs Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro manual
  • Burr size (mm): Baratza Encore ESP 40 vs Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro 38
  • Grind settings: Baratza Encore ESP 40 stepped (steps 1-20 espresso at 20µm/click, 21-40 filter at ~90µm/click) vs Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro 30 clicks per rotation (23.3 µm/click)
  • Hopper capacity (g): Baratza Encore ESP 227 vs Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro 25
  • Best for: Baratza Encore ESP espresso vs Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro all
  • Weight (lb): Baratza Encore ESP 7 vs Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro 1.17

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).

Timemore Chestnut C3 ESP Pro

Across 2 testing outlets (CoffeeGeek.co and Brew Coffee Home), the Timemore C3 ESP Pro earns a uniformly positive verdict as a compact, precise manual espresso grinder. Both reviewers highlight its patented, fine-grained click adjustment (23-23.3 micrometers per click, 30 clicks per rotation) and 38mm burr as delivering genuinely consistent grinds and rich, full-bodied espresso that one outlet compares favorably to electric grinders. Both also praise the grinding experience itself as fast and effortless, with no negative points raised by either source. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Grind consistency and resulting espresso quality (rich texture/body, comparable to electric grinders); Solid build quality and precise, patented click-adjustment mechanism; Fast, effortless grinding process well suited for travel/on-the-go espresso prep.

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