DF54 Vs. Baratza Encore ESP: The Budget Espresso Grinder Showdown You Need

I’ve been chasing that perfect espresso shot at home for years, tweaking beans, machines, and routines along the way. When it comes to grinders in the budget range, two stand out: the DF54 and the Baratza Encore ESP.

In this article, I’ll share my real-world experiences with both to help you decide which one fits your setup, whether you’re pulling daily shots or switching between espresso and pour-over.

My goal is to give you a clear, honest comparison so you can pick the grinder that elevates your coffee game without regrets.

Key Differences Between the DF54 And The Baratza Encore ESP

These grinders approach home coffee differently, and the distinctions show in daily use.

• Burr Geometry: Flat vs Conical and What It Means for Your Shots: The DF54 uses 54mm flat burrs that produce highly uniform particles with fewer fines, resulting in cleaner, brighter shots that highlight acidity and nuance in light roasts. The Encore ESP’s 40mm conical burrs create more fines for added body and chocolate notes, making shots creamier and more forgiving, especially with medium-dark beans or milk drinks. In side-by-side tests with the same beans, the DF54 delivered sharper clarity while the Encore ESP offered rounded sweetness.
• Adjustment Style: Stepless Precision vs Stepped Repeatability: The DF54’s stepless collar allows infinite micro-adjustments, ideal for chasing exact extraction times on tricky beans. The Encore ESP’s 40 stepped settings (with finer micro steps for espresso) provide clickable repeatability that’s easier for beginners or quick setups. Stepless rewards experimentation but requires note-taking; stepped settings are faster to revisit consistently.
• Dosing Philosophy: Single-Dosing Freshness vs Hopper Convenience: The DF54 is designed for single dosing—you weigh beans per shot and use bellows for purging, keeping everything fresh and allowing seamless bean switches. The Encore ESP has an 8oz hopper for loading once and grinding multiple times, with a dosing cup or bin included. Single dosing takes slightly longer but preserves flavor purity; the hopper suits busy routines.
• Retention and Waste: Near-Zero vs Noticeable Exchange: DF54 retention is under 0.2g thanks to bellows and chute design, so no purging is needed when changing beans. The Encore ESP typically holds 1-3g, requiring a small purge for flavor switches. Over time, the DF54 saves more coffee during experimentation.
• Speed, Noise, and Morning Practicality: The DF54 grinds an 18g dose in 10-15 seconds with a quiet hum. The Encore ESP takes 20-25 seconds and has a higher-pitched motor sound. The DF54 feels faster and more discreet for early mornings.
• Build Quality, Stability, and Long-Term Ownership: The DF54’s aluminum body and 10lb weight give it a solid, premium feel with no wobbling. The lighter plastic Encore ESP (7lbs) is functional but less sturdy. Baratza’s repairability and support remain a strong advantage for longevity.
• Grind Quality Specifics: Clumping, Static, and Consistency: The DF54’s plasma generator and declumper produce fluffy, static-free grounds with minimal clumping. The Encore ESP can have some static and clumping, often improved with simple techniques like RDT. The DF54 generally achieves tighter particle uniformity in the espresso range.
• Versatility Across Brew Methods: The Encore ESP excels across espresso and filter methods with its dedicated coarser steps. The DF54 handles pour-over adequately but truly shines in the fine espresso range and lacks the conical body for drip coffee.

These distinctions come down to priorities: the DF54 favors precision and espresso purity, while the Encore ESP prioritizes ease and flexibility. Both perform excellently within their focus.

Key Features of The DF54

The DF54 quickly became my go-to for its thoughtful design that solves common home grinding issues.

• 54mm Flat Burrs: These larger flat burrs produce a uniform particle size that’s ideal for espresso. I notice clearer, sweeter shots with better separation of flavors—like bright citrus notes in Ethiopian beans standing out without muddiness.
• Stepless Adjustment: Turning the dial gives infinite precision. Dialing in a new bean feels effortless; small tweaks yield big differences in extraction time, helping me hit that 25-30 second sweet spot consistently.
• Single-Dose Design with Bellows: No hopper means I weigh beans fresh each time. The bellows purge almost all grounds, leaving less than 0.1g behind. Switching from a fruity light roast to a chocolatey blend without crossover is a huge win.
• Anti-Static Technology and Plasma Generator: A built-in ionizer reduces static, so grounds don’t fly everywhere or clump. The metal declumper breaks up any remaining clusters for fluffy output straight into the portafilter.
• Compact and Stable Build: At 10lbs with an aluminum body, it stays put on the counter. It fits under cabinets easily, and the 150W motor runs quieter than expected while grinding quickly.
• Low Retention Overall: Combined with the bellows and chute design, waste is minimal. I save money on beans over time, especially when experimenting with small batches.

These features make every grind session feel intentional and waste-free.

Pros And Cons of the DF54

Pros

• Exceptional Espresso Performance: The 54mm flat burrs consistently produce uniform grounds that bring out clean, bright flavors in my shots. Light roasts especially shine with vibrant acidity and no bitterness, making each pull feel more nuanced and rewarding.
• Minimal Retention and Waste: Thanks to the bellows and smart chute design, I get under 0.2g left behind—perfect for switching beans often without purging or wasting expensive coffee.
• Precise Stepless Control: The infinite adjustment dial lets me make tiny tweaks that directly improve extraction times, turning stubborn beans into perfectly balanced shots with ease.
• Fast and Quiet Operation: It grinds 18g doses quickly in about 10-15 seconds with a smooth, low hum that doesn’t disrupt quiet mornings.
• Great Value for Features: For the price, the single-dosing setup, plasma generator for anti-static, and solid aluminum build feel like upgrades from more expensive grinders.
• Compact Stability: The 10lb weight and metal construction keep it steady on the counter, and its small size fits easily in tight spaces.

Cons

• Less Forgiving for Beginners: Without marked steps, dialing in requires trial and error plus good note-taking, which can feel overwhelming at first.
• Limited Hopper Convenience: Single dosing means weighing and loading beans every time, adding a few extra seconds if you’re making multiple drinks back-to-back.
• Potential Build Variability: While rare, some units have minor burr alignment quirks that need simple tweaks out of the box.
• Coarser Grinds Not Ideal: It handles pour-over or AeroPress decently, but lacks the full body conicals provide for filter brewing.
• Support Less Established: The warranty is fine, but it doesn’t match Baratza’s legendary customer service and easy parts replacement.

Key Features of The Baratza Encore ESP

The Baratza Encore ESP shines as an accessible all-rounder with smart upgrades for espresso.

• 40mm Conical Burrs: Conicals produce a bimodal distribution that adds body and chocolatey notes to shots. It’s forgiving with medium-dark roasts, creating creamy texture without much fuss.
• Dual-Range Stepped Adjustment: Settings 1-20 offer fine micro-adjustments for espresso, while 21-40 jump coarser for filter. The clicks make it repeatable—I can note a setting and return to it days later.
• Hopper and Bin Setup: An 8oz hopper lets me load beans for the week. It includes a dosing cup for espresso transfer and a bin for pour-over, making it versatile for mixed brewing.
• High-Torque DC Motor: The 120W motor grinds slowly but steadily, reducing heat that could affect flavor. It’s built to last, with easy part replacements.
• Simple Operation: Pulse button or hold for continuous—nothing complicated. Calibration ensures consistency out of the box.
• Excellent Warranty and Support: Baratza’s one-year warranty and responsive team stand out. Parts are affordable and user-replaceable, extending its life for years.

It’s the grinder that just works without demanding constant attention.

Pros And Cons of The Baratza Encore ESP

Pros

• Ultimate Versatility: It performs well for both espresso and filter methods, with dedicated coarser steps that make switching between shots and pour-over seamless.
• User-Friendly Steps: The 40 clickable settings are repeatable and straightforward, ideal for beginners or anyone who wants consistent results without constant fiddling.
• Reliable Brand Backing: Baratza’s excellent support, affordable replacement parts, and modular design mean this grinder can last years with minimal hassle.
• Forgiving Grind Profile: Conical burrs produce full-bodied, creamy shots that taste great even if your technique or dialing isn’t perfect.
• Convenient Hopper: The 8oz hopper lets me load beans once and grind multiple doses easily, which fits perfectly into busy routines.
• Consistent and Durable: The slow, high-torque motor minimizes heat and delivers steady performance day after day.

Cons

• Higher Retention: Usually 1-3g stays behind, so changing beans often means purging a bit of coffee to avoid flavor mixing.
• Slower Grind Times: Doses take 20-25 seconds, which adds up if you’re in a rush or making several drinks.
• More Static and Clumping: Grounds can stick or clump without tricks like a light water spritz, requiring a small extra step.
• Stepped Limits Precision: Fixed steps sometimes land you between ideal settings, limiting ultra-fine adjustments on picky beans.
• Plastic Build Feels Basic: At 7lbs with more plastic parts, it feels lighter and less premium compared to metal competitors.

Also Read: My Experience With Stumptown Coffee Hair Bender.

My Hands-On Experience Grinding With Both

I started with the Baratza Encore ESP.

Unboxing felt familiar—simple setup, hopper filled with medium roast.

First shots were surprisingly good: creamy, balanced, easy to dial via steps. Switching to pour-over was seamless; coarser settings nailed it.

But as I explored lighter beans, I wanted more clarity and finer control.

Retention annoyed me when tasting different origins—purging wasted coffee.

Then the DF54 arrived. Heavier, sleek aluminum.

First grind with bellows: fluffy, static-free pile.

Shots transformed—acidic notes popped, sweetness lingered. Stepless dial let me chase 1-second extraction changes.

Single dosing became ritual: weigh, grind, pump bellows, done. Faster, quieter mornings. For milk drinks, conicals added body I missed sometimes, but espresso purity won me over.

Side-by-side tests with the same beans showed DF54’s uniformity in tighter shot times, less channeling. Baratza gave forgiving, rounded cups. If varying brews daily, Baratza wins. For espresso focus, DF54 dominates.

Which Grinder Fits Your Setup

If you’re deep into espresso, single dose different beans, and crave precision, grab the DF54—you’ll taste the upgrade immediately. If you want one grinder for everything, value ease and support, the Baratza Encore ESP is hard to beat.

Both outperform their price; it boils down to your habits.

Wrapping This Up

I’ve loved this journey comparing the DF54 and Baratza Encore ESP—both pulled me deeper into coffee appreciation. You deserve a grinder that matches your passion, whether precision tweaks or reliable simplicity.

Whichever you choose, fresh grounds will transform your cups. Trust your setup, experiment freely, and enjoy every shot. Here’s to better brews ahead.