Buying guide
Start with the Baratza Sette 30, or the Encore ESP if you want a lower-priced Baratza espresso starter. The Vario+ is the next upgrade when you are ready to spend more.
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A first espresso grinder should be easy to live with and actually built for espresso. These three do that job: the Encore ESP as a temporary Amazon option, the Sette 30 as the Prima pick, and the Vario+ if you want to skip straight to a midrange flat-burr grinder.
The regular Baratza Encore and Virtuoso+ are brew grinders. They are not on this beginner espresso list. For those, see the brew grinders page.
The short list. Prices below are from Prima Coffee unless noted.
Prima prices checked Nov 5, 2026. The Encore ESP is sold on Amazon.
| Pick | Model | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting pick | Baratza Encore ESP | See Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
| Prima pick | Baratza Sette 30 | $299.95 | Check price on Prima |
| Next upgrade | Baratza Vario+ | $529.95 | Check price on Prima |
Start with an approachable grinder, or compare options for a longer-term upgrade.
Starting pick
Why we picked it
The Encore ESP is the Baratza espresso starter under the Sette 30. The Encore ESP Pro was out of stock when we checked on Nov 5, 2026. It is not the brew-only Encore.
$199.95
Amazon new-offer price, checked Nov 6, 2026.
What we like
What to know
Prima pick
Why we picked it
Prima's starting espresso grinder in this range. Prima describes it as a fit for basic espresso and for brew methods that need a fine grind, with 31 macro adjustments and timed dosing.
$299.95
Prima Coffee price, checked Nov 6, 2026
What we like
What to know
Details from Prima Coffee's Sette 30 page, checked Nov 5, 2026.
Next upgrade
Why we picked it
The upgrade from the Sette 30 on Prima. Prima describes the Vario+ as a multi-purpose grinder that covers espresso through cold brew, with three programmable dose settings and 54 mm flat burrs.
$529.95
Prima Coffee price, checked Nov 6, 2026
What we like
What to know
Details from Prima Coffee's Vario+ page, checked Nov 5, 2026.
Look for a grinder that is meant for espresso, with small enough steps that you can change the shot without guessing. The Sette 30 and Encore ESP are built for that start. When those feel limiting, the Vario+ is the midrange option on Prima. The Forte and Mazzer Mini are later upgrades, and they live on the main espresso grinder guide.
A separate grinder lets you adjust grind size for espresso more clearly than most built-in grinders. You can also keep the grinder if you later change machines.
Yes, if you are patient. The Fixie, Mazzer Omega, and Apex are the hand grinders we list from Prima. An electric pick is easier for daily use.
The Encore ESP Pro was out of stock when we checked on Nov 5, 2026. Until then, the Encore ESP is the Baratza starter we list.
Prima Coffee prices on this page were checked on Nov 5, 2026. They can change. Prima's product page is the live price.
No. We do not bench-test. We chose these models from Prima's in-stock espresso, brew, and hand grinders by the job each one does, then listed Prima's own product details.
Those grinders are not on this list. The espresso picks here are the Sette 30, Vario+, Forte, and Mazzer Mini from Prima Coffee.
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