Wirecutter Burr Grinder Picks: Do I Agree With Their Recommendations?

If you've searched for a burr grinder recently, you've probably landed on the Wirecutter's recommendations. They've been testing and recommending coffee grinders for years, and their picks carry a lot of weight with buyers. But here's the thing: I've used most of the grinders they recommend, and while they get some things right, their picks don't always match what I'd suggest depending on how you actually brew coffee.

I want to walk you through Wirecutter's current burr grinder recommendations, what I agree with, where I disagree, and what I'd pick instead in certain situations. If you're shopping for a grinder and using their review as a starting point, this should help you make a smarter choice.

Wirecutter's Top Pick: Baratza Encore ESP

The Wirecutter's current top pick for most people is the Baratza Encore ESP. It's an updated version of the original Baratza Encore, which had been their recommendation for nearly a decade.

The ESP version adds more grind settings in the fine range, making it better for espresso than the original. It runs about $170 to $200 and uses 40mm conical steel burrs.

I agree that the Baratza Encore ESP is a strong recommendation for most home coffee drinkers. The grind consistency at medium settings is genuinely good, and the build quality is above average for the price. Baratza's customer support is also the best in the industry. They sell every replacement part individually, which means a broken gear or dull burr doesn't force you to buy a whole new machine.

Where I Disagree

The Encore ESP still struggles with true espresso performance. The added fine settings help, but the step adjustments are still too coarse for dialing in espresso precisely. If you're pulling shots on a semi-automatic machine, you'll find yourself stuck between two settings where one runs too fast and the other chokes the portafilter.

For drip, pour-over, and French press, though, the Encore ESP is a great call. I just wouldn't buy it expecting a fantastic espresso grinder.

Wirecutter's Budget Pick

Their budget recommendation has been the Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder, priced around $80 to $100. It's a simple grinder with 15 settings and a hopper timer system.

The Oxo is fine. I used one for about six months. The grind quality is acceptable for drip and French press, and the built-in scale is a unique feature at this price point. You set the number of cups and it stops automatically.

My issue with the Oxo is the grind consistency at coarser settings. French press grounds come out with noticeable variation in particle size. Some pieces are the size of coarse sea salt while others are practically powder. That inconsistency leads to over-extraction of the fines and under-extraction of the boulders, which gives you a muddy cup.

If you're spending $80 to $100, I think the Cuisinart DBM-8 or even a hand grinder like the Timemore C2 gives you better consistency for the money. The Timemore C2 costs about $60 and produces a dramatically more uniform grind, though you're doing the work by hand.

For a full rundown of options across all price ranges, check out our best burr coffee grinder roundup.

Wirecutter's Upgrade Pick

Wirecutter's upgrade pick typically lands in the $250 to $400 range and has shifted over the years. They've recommended the Baratza Virtuoso+ and the Fellow Ode Brew Grinder in this category.

The Fellow Ode is an interesting choice. It uses flat burrs instead of conical, which produces a different flavor profile. Flat burr grinders tend to give you a cleaner, brighter cup with more clarity in the flavors. The Ode is specifically designed for filter coffee and intentionally does not grind fine enough for espresso.

I think the Fellow Ode is a good recommendation if you only brew filter coffee and want to taste more nuance in your single-origin beans. It looks great on the counter too, which matters if your grinder sits out every day.

But if you want versatility, the Baratza Virtuoso+ is the better pick. It grinds from French press coarse all the way down to a passable espresso fineness. It won't beat a dedicated espresso grinder, but it covers more ground than the Ode.

What Wirecutter Gets Right

Wirecutter does a good job with their testing methodology. They grind measured doses at multiple settings and use sieve analysis to measure particle size distribution. That's more rigorous than most review sites that just brew a cup and give opinions.

They also emphasize repairability, which is why Baratza keeps winning. Baratza publishes repair guides, sells individual parts, and has a refurbished program. When a $200 grinder breaks after two years, being able to fix it for $15 instead of replacing it matters.

Their reviews also correctly identify that for most people, the mid-range is the sweet spot. You don't need a $500 grinder to make great coffee at home. The difference between a $170 Encore and a $500 Niche Zero is real, but it's smaller than the difference between a $30 blade grinder and a $170 Encore.

What Wirecutter Misses

The biggest gap in Wirecutter's grinder reviews is the hand grinder category. They mention hand grinders briefly but don't give them the weight they deserve.

A $100 hand grinder like the Timemore Chestnut C3 or the 1Zpresso Q2 produces grind quality that matches or beats electric grinders costing $200 to $300. The trade-off is spending 30 to 60 seconds cranking by hand, which most people are willing to do for one to two cups a day.

For anyone on a budget who wants the best possible grind quality per dollar, hand grinders are the answer. Wirecutter's recommendations skew heavily toward convenience, which makes sense for their audience but leaves money on the table for buyers willing to put in minimal effort.

They also don't spend enough time discussing grinder maintenance. A well-maintained $150 grinder outperforms a neglected $300 one. Coffee oil buildup on burrs causes rancid flavors that make even great grinders taste bad. Regular cleaning matters more than most buyers realize.

My Own Recommendations by Brew Method

Here's what I'd actually suggest based on how you make coffee:

Drip Coffee Only

The Baratza Encore ESP is a great pick. Wirecutter nailed this one. If you want to save money, the Timemore C2 hand grinder at $60 produces comparable results.

Pour-Over Focus

The Fellow Ode with stock burrs is excellent for pour-over. The flat burr design gives you cleaner flavor separation, which is the whole point of pour-over brewing.

French Press

Honestly, most burr grinders work fine for French press. The coarse setting doesn't need to be as precise. Save your money and go budget here.

Espresso

Skip everything Wirecutter recommends and get a dedicated espresso grinder. The Eureka Mignon Notte ($200 to $250) or the 1Zpresso JX-Pro hand grinder ($160) will give you properly fine, adjustable grinds that the Encore and Ode simply cannot.

For more grinder comparisons organized by category, our best burr grinder guide covers options at every price point.

FAQ

How often does Wirecutter update their grinder recommendations?

They typically do a major update once a year and add notes throughout the year when new products launch. Their testing methodology stays fairly consistent between updates, which makes it easy to compare picks across years.

Should I just buy whatever Wirecutter recommends?

Their recommendations are good starting points, but they're designed for the broadest possible audience. If you know your specific brew method and preferences, you can often find a better fit by narrowing your search beyond their top three picks.

Is the Baratza Encore ESP really the best grinder under $200?

For electric grinders used primarily for drip and pour-over, yes. If you include hand grinders in the comparison, the 1Zpresso JX ($120) and Timemore Chestnut C3 ($90) deliver better grind quality at a lower price, with the trade-off of manual grinding.

Why does Wirecutter always recommend Baratza?

Baratza has won their recommendation for years because of the combination of grind quality, price, and repairability. No other company at the $150 to $200 price point sells individual replacement parts and publishes repair videos. That long-term value proposition is hard to beat.

The Takeaway

Wirecutter's burr grinder picks are solid starting points, especially the Baratza Encore ESP for drip and pour-over. Where they fall short is in the hand grinder and espresso categories. If either of those describes your situation, look beyond their main recommendations. Use their testing data as reference, but match the grinder to your actual brew method and budget rather than defaulting to whatever has the "Top Pick" badge.