Baratza M2: The Discontinued Grinder People Still Search For
If you're looking for the Baratza M2, you've probably already discovered that it's discontinued. Baratza stopped making the M2 years ago, but it keeps showing up in forum recommendations and "what grinder should I buy" threads because people who owned one genuinely liked it. So what was the M2, why did it go away, and what should you buy instead?
The Baratza M2 was an entry-level burr grinder that sat at the bottom of Baratza's lineup, usually priced around $70 to $90. It used 40mm conical steel burrs and offered 40 grind settings. It was basic, reliable, and produced good-enough grinds for drip and French press. I'll walk you through what made it popular and the modern alternatives that fill its shoes. For the full picture of what's available now, see our best coffee grinder guide.
What the Baratza M2 Was
The M2 was Baratza's budget offering, designed to compete with grinders like the Capresso Infinity and the lower-end Cuisinart burr grinders. It came in two versions: the M2 (timed dosing) and the M2B (manual dosing with a grounds bin).
The Specs
- Burrs: 40mm conical steel
- Grind settings: 40 (stepped)
- Hopper capacity: About 8 ounces
- Motor: DC motor
- Weight: Around 5 pounds
- Price at launch: $70 to $90
The M2 used the same conical burr design found in Baratza's more expensive grinders, just in a smaller 40mm size. Smaller burrs grind slower and produce slightly less uniform particles than larger burrs, but at 40mm, the M2 still outperformed any blade grinder on the market.
Why People Liked It
Three things made the M2 stand out in its price range.
First, it was a Baratza. That meant access to customer support, replacement parts, and repair guides. If the motor died or a burr chipped, you could order the exact part you needed instead of throwing the whole grinder away. Baratza built their reputation on repairability, and the M2 was no exception.
Second, the grind quality was genuinely good for the price. At drip and French press settings, the M2 produced consistent enough particles to make a clean, balanced cup. It wasn't going to win any barista competitions, but for daily home use, it delivered.
Third, it was simple. Forty settings, a push button, done. No complicated menus, no digital displays, no weight-based dosing. You turned the hopper to select your grind size and pressed a button.
Why Baratza Discontinued the M2
Baratza refreshed their lineup and replaced the M2 with the Encore. The Encore used the same 40mm conical burrs but came in a redesigned body with slightly improved internals and better build quality. Functionally, the Encore did everything the M2 did but with a more modern look and a few small improvements to motor consistency and noise.
The Encore went on to become one of the best-selling home burr grinders in the world. It's still in production today (as the Encore ESP, their latest revision), and it occupies the same entry-level price point the M2 once held.
So the M2 didn't disappear because it was bad. It disappeared because Baratza made something slightly better and gave it a new name.
Should You Buy a Used M2?
Used M2 grinders pop up on eBay, Craigslist, and r/coffeeswap occasionally, usually for $30 to $60. Is it worth grabbing one?
When It Makes Sense
If you find a clean M2 with burrs in good condition for $30 to $40, it's a reasonable buy. The grind quality is still competitive with new grinders in the $50 to $70 range from brands like Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach. And because it's a Baratza, replacement parts are still available through Baratza's parts store.
Check the burrs before buying. If the edges of the conical burr are visibly rounded or chipped, the burrs need replacing. New burrs cost about $25 to $35, which can push the total cost close to what a new Encore costs.
When to Skip It
If the used M2 is priced above $50, just buy a new Baratza Encore instead. You'll get a warranty, new burrs, and a grinder that will last 5 to 10 years with basic maintenance. The performance difference between the M2 and Encore is small, but the peace of mind of buying new is worth the extra $30 to $40.
Also skip it if the seller can't confirm the grinder works. A dead motor on an M2 isn't worth repairing at this point. The motor replacement costs nearly as much as a used Encore.
Modern Alternatives to the M2
If you liked what the M2 offered, here are the grinders that fill that same role today.
Baratza Encore ($150 to $170)
The direct successor. Same 40mm conical burrs, same simple operation, better build quality. The Encore is the default recommendation for anyone entering the world of burr grinding. It handles drip, pourover, French press, and AeroPress well. Espresso is outside its comfort zone.
The newer Encore ESP has slightly improved burrs and a wider grind range that reaches into espresso territory, but the core design is the same.
Baratza Encore ESP ($180 to $200)
The latest version adds an extended grind range and improved burr geometry. If you want one grinder for everything from French press to espresso-adjacent drinks (like a pressurized portafilter setup), the ESP version is worth the extra $20.
OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder ($100)
A solid alternative from OXO that uses 40mm conical steel burrs and offers 38 grind settings. It's about $50 cheaper than the Encore and performs nearly as well for drip and French press. The main tradeoff is less repairability. When something breaks, you're likely replacing the whole unit.
Bodum Bistro ($70 to $100)
The Bistro is a decent budget burr grinder that uses conical burrs and offers a timer-based dosing system. Grind quality is a small step below the Encore, but the price is lower. It works well for drip and French press.
For a full comparison of current options, our top coffee grinder roundup lays out the best picks at each price point.
The M2's Legacy: What It Taught Home Coffee Drinkers
The Baratza M2 is worth talking about because it proved an important point: you don't need to spend a lot of money to get real improvement in your coffee. The jump from a blade grinder (or pre-ground beans) to even a basic burr grinder like the M2 produced a noticeable difference in cup quality. Cleaner flavors, less bitterness, better aroma.
That lesson still holds true today. The entry-level burr grinder category is more competitive now than when the M2 launched, but the fundamental value proposition is the same. Spend $100 to $150, get a proper burr grinder, and your daily coffee gets meaningfully better.
The other thing the M2 showed was that repairability matters. People kept their M2 grinders running for 8, 10, even 12 years by replacing a $25 burr set or a $15 switch. That's the opposite of the disposable blade grinder model where you throw it away and buy a new one every 18 months.
Baratza still leads the industry on this front. Every Encore, Virtuoso, and Sette they sell can be disassembled with basic tools, and every part can be ordered directly from their website. If that matters to you (and it should), keep it in mind when shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get replacement parts for the Baratza M2?
Yes. Baratza still sells burrs, motors, and switches compatible with the M2 through their online parts store. They've been good about supporting discontinued models. Availability may eventually end, but as of now, parts are still in stock.
How does the M2 compare to the Encore?
They're very similar. Same 40mm conical burrs, same basic operation. The Encore has a better motor, slightly improved burr alignment, and a more modern body design. In the cup, the difference is minor. The Encore is a refinement of the M2, not a reinvention.
Was the M2 good for espresso?
Not really. The 40mm conical burrs and the stepped adjustment system don't provide the precision needed for dialing in espresso. It could grind fine enough to pull a shot through a pressurized portafilter, but for standard espresso with a bottomless portafilter, it fell short. Same limitation applies to the Encore, though the Encore ESP has improved in this area.
What's the difference between the M2 and M2B?
The M2 used timed dosing, where you set a timer and the grinder runs for that duration. The M2B used manual dosing with a grounds bin, where the grinder runs until you release the button and grounds collect in a container below the burrs. The burrs and grind quality were identical between the two.
Bottom Line
The Baratza M2 earned its reputation as a reliable, affordable entry into burr grinding. If you find a used one for a fair price with burrs in good shape, it's still a capable grinder. But for most people, the smarter move is buying a new Baratza Encore. You get the same core performance, modern build quality, a warranty, and the confidence that parts will be available for years to come.