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.
Fellow's second swing at a pour-over grinder fixed the Gen 1's range problem and delivered what the light-roast crowd actually wanted: whisper-quiet operation, tea-like clarity with washed coffees, and a workflow so clean you'll forget what static cling feels like. The catch is narrow: medium-dark roasts taste dull and flat, the hopper forces you to grind in shifts for batch brewing, and a pattern of motor failures around ten months of daily use means longevity isn't guaranteed despite the premium price. If you brew single light-roast pourovers and prize clarity over versatility, this is the grinder to beat. If you want one tool for all roasts or need it to last five years without drama, look elsewhere.