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

Baratza Encore vs OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

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

The short answer

Baratza Encore comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about casual home users seeking durability — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Baratza Encore

4.3

$150

The Baratza Encore remains a solid entry-level espresso grinder for home users, praised by The Coffee Chronicler for its consistent performance and durability. Tom's Guide calls it beginner-friendly yet notes evangelists need not apply. While it excels in pour over and coarse grind applications, it's not recommended for serious espresso work due to its motor limitations and lack of fine-tune adjustment. The grinder's 40 grind settings and improved gearbox make it a reliable choice for casual coffee enthusiasts who don't require professional-level precision. Those seeking 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

$150 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #6 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

4.2

$110

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder delivers reliable performance for home users seeking consistent coffee grounds without complexity. Reviewers praised its stainless steel conical burrs, 15 grind settings with micro-adjustments, and one-touch memory function that simplifies daily use. The grinder is noted for its quiet operation and ability to maintain bean freshness. However, some users found coarse grind consistency lacking for French Press and noted the plastic construction feels less sturdy. While it's ideal for everyday drip, pour-over, and French press brewing, those seeking espresso precision or portability may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths

— Stainless steel conical burrs provide consistent, uniform grind quality
— One-touch automatic smart grind with memory function remembers last setting
— 15 adjustable grind settings with micro-adjustments offer versatility for different brewing methods

Watch-outs

— Coarse grind settings may be uneven, especially for French Press
— Plastic build feels lightweight and could be more durable
— No full bin alert or integrated scale to prevent overfilling

$110 · 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.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder provides a good balance of consistency and simplicity with its 15 settings and smart memory function, but it's less precise than the 1Zpresso J-Max's 350+ settings and lacks the fine-tune control of the Baratza Virtuoso Plus. It's more affordable than the Fellow Opus but not as versatile for espresso.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Baratza Encore	OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Burr Type	Conical steel burrs	Stainless Steel Conical Burrs
Burr Size	40mm	—
Grind Settings	40	15 settings with micro-adjustments
Material	Plastic with 15% glass-filled thermoplastic gears	—
Motor	550 RPM	—
Capacity	—	12 oz hopper

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