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The Encore and the Virtuoso sit one step apart in the same range, and the difference between them is narrower than the price gap suggests. Whether it is worth paying more comes down to one question: how much do you care about grind consistency at filter settings?
- Same 40 mm conical burr size, different burr geometry
- Virtuoso grinds faster and more uniformly, especially at coarse settings
- Virtuoso adds a metal body and a grind timer
- Neither is a proper espresso grinder
Where the difference actually is
Both use 40 mm conical burrs, so on paper they look similar. The Virtuoso’s burr geometry is designed to produce a tighter particle distribution, and the practical result shows up most at coarser settings — French press and cold brew, where the Encore produces more fines than ideal.
At medium drip settings the gap narrows considerably. If drip is your only brew method, the Encore does most of the job.
Side by side
| Factor | Encore | Virtuoso |
|---|---|---|
| Burr size | 40 mm conical | 40 mm conical |
| Burr geometry | Standard | Revised, more uniform |
| Grind speed | Slower | Noticeably faster |
| Body | Plastic | Metal |
| Timer | None | Grind timer fitted |
| Coarse consistency | Adequate | Better |
| Espresso | Marginal | Still marginal |
Neither solves espresso
Worth saying plainly: upgrading from Encore to Virtuoso does not get you an espresso grinder. Both reach espresso fineness only at the extreme of their range where steps are too coarse to dial in. If espresso is the goal, neither is the answer — see the espresso grinder guide instead.
Which should you buy?
Buy the Encore if you brew drip or pour over and want the cheapest genuinely good burr grinder. Buy the Virtuoso if you brew French press or cold brew often, where its coarse-grind uniformity earns the difference, or if you want the metal build and timer.
If you already own an Encore and only brew drip, the upgrade is hard to justify. Put the money toward better beans.
Read the full Baratza Encore review.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Virtuoso worth the extra money?
For French press and cold brew, often yes. For drip only, usually not — the difference at medium settings is small.
Can either grind for espresso?
Only marginally, and neither can be dialled in precisely. Choose a dedicated espresso grinder if that matters.
Are the burrs interchangeable?
Baratza sells replacement burr sets across the range, and upgrading Encore burrs is a common and inexpensive modification.