Head-to-head · Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Baratza Encore vs Hario Skerton Pro

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Baratza Encore comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about casual home users seeking durability — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Baratza Encore

4.5

5 sources$149.95as of Aug 1

The Baratza Encore is still a dependable entry-level espresso grinder for home use, and The Coffee Chronicler credits it with consistent performance and durability. It is beginner-friendly, though espresso evangelists need not apply. Pour over and coarse grinds are where it does its best work; serious espresso is not, since the motor and the absence of fine-tune adjustment hold it back. With 40 grind settings and an improved gearbox, it suits casual coffee drinkers who don't need professional-level precision. Anyone chasing espresso excellence should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Delivers consistent grind quality better than blade or basic disk burr grinders
— Suitable for pour over, French press, AeroPress, and stovetop espresso maker
— Includes 40 adjustable grind settings for customization

Watch-outs

— Not suitable for high-pressure espresso brewing or fine grinds
— Some static causes grounds to stick inside the bin
— Motor not designed for frequent espresso use which may cause long-term issues

$149.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #6 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Hario Skerton Pro

4.2

3 sources$54.59as of Aug 1

The Hario Skerton Pro is a refined take on the iconic hand grinder, and it fixes much of what frustrated owners of earlier versions. Reviewers noted significantly easier grind adjustment and better build quality, crediting the new clickable dial system and the upgraded metal crank. Coarse settings still come out inconsistent, and the grinder remains fairly slow. It works as a solid entry-level manual option, but more modern rivals in the same price range, the Timemore C2 among them, outperform it. Casual coffee enthusiasts who value portability and simplicity over precision grinding are the right audience.

Strengths

— Improved grind adjustment system with clickable dial underneath burrs for easier coarse-fine setting changes
— Premium feel with solid construction, including upgraded metal crank handle that locks securely with hex key
— Snug-fitting clear plastic lid replaces the previous silicone lid that was hard to secure

Watch-outs

— Still suffers from inconsistency when grinding on coarse settings, a problem present in previous versions
— Grinding speed is relatively slow, taking about 1 minute 22 seconds for 26.5g of coffee at medium-fine setting
— No tactile feedback during grind adjustment makes it difficult to dial in precise settings without trial and error

$54.59 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Baratza Encore

The Baratza Encore stands out for its durability and 40 adjustable settings, making it more versatile than the Capresso Infinity's 16 settings, but it falls short of the Fellow Opus in espresso precision and the 1Zpresso J-Max in fine-tune control. Unlike the Baratza Virtuoso Plus, it lacks the advanced digital features and premium build quality, though it's more affordable and suitable for casual home use.

Hario Skerton Pro

The Hario Skerton Pro offers improved usability over previous models with a clickable dial and metal handle, but it's slower and less consistent than the Timemore Chestnut C2 and lacks the precision of the 1Zpresso J-Max. It's more affordable than the Fellow Opus but not as versatile for espresso, making it best for those who value simplicity over performance.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Baratza Encore	Hario Skerton Pro
Burr Type	Conical steel burrs	Conical ceramic
Grind Settings	40	Click dial underneath burrs
Burr Size	40mm	38 mm
Material	Plastic with 15% glass-filled thermoplastic gears	Plastic, glass, metal
Capacity	—	100g

← See the full ranking of best coffee grinders under $200