The original Encore is a workhorse for pour-over and drip, with owners logging eight-year runs and easy repairs when parts finally wear out. The ESP variant chasing espresso grinds fine enough on paper but ships with a plastic burr holder that cracks predictably and an undersized rubber seal that lets grounds leak into the body, turning routine cleaning into archaeology. If you brew filter coffee and value long-term repairability, the original is a safe bet. If you need espresso, the ESP's fragile internals make it a gamble you'll likely lose within two years.
This commercial grinder delivers genuinely exceptional grind quality from its 83mm flat burrs and locks in stepless adjustments without drift, but multiple jamming at fine espresso settings that requires repeated manual clearing of the dispensing chute. The issue appears specific to the espresso range while coarser settings work normally, yet that's precisely where most buyers will live. Best for cafés with onsite troubleshooting capacity or a backup grinder on hand, not for anyone expecting plug-and-play reliability at a price point that rivals a used car.