the Baratza Encore ($150) and 1Zpresso X-Ultra remain the top pour-over grinders under $200 in 2026, offering consistent particle size and reliability.
the directory is yours to explore, and the passport is free.
the Baratza Encore ($150) is the best electric pour-over grinder under $200 for most home brewers, offering reliable performance with its 40mm Etzinger M3 conical burrs and repairable design backed by strong warranty support. for those willing to grind manually, the 1Zpresso X-Ultra handles both filter coffee and espresso with exceptional precision, though it costs more and requires arm effort.
these two grinders dominate the under-$200 coffee equipment category for good reason: they produce consistent particle distribution, last years with proper care, and don't force you to pay for features that don't improve your morning cup. this guide focuses on what actually matters for pour-over coffee in 2026, which grinders to buy, which to skip, and why spending the full $200 often isn't necessary.
pour-over coffee exposes grind quality problems that automatic drip machines hide. when you pour water over a bed of grounds in a V60 or Chemex, inconsistent particle size creates uneven extraction: fine particles (dust) over-extract and turn bitter while large boulders under-extract and taste sour. the result is a muddled, astringent cup that no brewing technique can fix.
a good burr grinder produces a narrower particle size distribution, meaning most grounds fall within a target range rather than spanning from dust to gravel. the Baratza Encore achieves roughly 26% of its grounds in the optimal size range for hand-brew methods, which sounds low until you compare it to blade grinders (essentially 0%) or $60 burr grinders (15-18%). moving from 18% to 26% optimal yield translates to noticeably cleaner, sweeter coffee.
the 1Zpresso X-Ultra does even better, with manual control allowing you to stop grinding at exactly 20.5 rotations (or whatever your recipe demands) and heptagonal burrs that produce excellent clarity for filter coffee. manual grinders generally outperform electric models at the same price point because you're paying for burrs and build quality rather than motors and electronics.
the Encore has been in production since 2012 with minimal changes, which tells you everything about its design maturity. Baratza introduced it as an evolution of their 2002 Maestro, improving the motor gearing and adding Etzinger-designed 40mm conical burrs. that 2012 model cost $130; adjusted for inflation, that's around $188 today, making the current $150 price (often dropping to $120 during sales) a genuine bargain.
three things set the Encore apart:
the main complaint is dust production. users report that setting 18 (a common pour-over range) generates enough fines to clog metal mesh filters, slowing drawdown and cooling the brew. paper filters handle this better, but if you're sensitive to sediment or brewing methods where fines are especially problematic, you might need to spend more or go manual.
the Encore has a 250-gram hopper, pulse button for small doses, and comes in black or white. Baratza also sells an optional single-dose hopper for people who weigh beans before grinding (most specialty coffee brewers). at $150 retail, it's hard to find a reason not to buy this grinder unless you need espresso capability or want the absolute best clarity.
the X-Ultra costs more (around $180-200 depending on retailer) and requires 60-90 seconds of hand-cranking for a typical 20-gram dose, but it produces noticeably better grind quality than the Encore. the heptagonal stainless steel burr set handles both espresso and filter coffee, giving you flexibility if you ever add an espresso machine to your setup.
manual grinders appeal to a specific type of coffee drinker: someone who values grind quality over convenience, doesn't mind a small workout before coffee, and appreciates the mechanical simplicity of a tool with no motor to fail. the X-Ultra has developed a devoted following for good reason. it feels confidence-inspiring to use, with stepless micro-adjustment, a sturdy aluminum body, and consistent performance across the full grind range.
the tradeoff is obvious. grinding by hand takes time and effort, especially for larger brews. if you're making coffee for two people or a full 1.3-liter pot (around 200 grams of beans for strong coffee), you'll be cranking for several minutes. most people who own the X-Ultra use it for single cups and keep an electric grinder for batch brewing.
one warning: some rumors suggest the X-Ultra might be discontinued as 1Zpresso updates their product line. if you're interested, buy sooner rather than later, or prepare to pivot to their other models (the J-Max or K-Plus, both excellent but with different strengths).
the Oxo Brew Conical Burr ($100) placed second in grind consistency during independent testing, behind only the $200 Breville Smart Grinder Pro and ahead of the Encore. it grinds faster (7 seconds average) and costs $50 less than the Encore. so why isn't it the top recommendation? durability and repairability. Oxo doesn't have Baratza's reputation for long-term support, and while the grinder performs well initially, you're betting on it lasting without needing parts.
the Bodum Bistro ($100) achieved 38.7% optimal yield in the same testing, significantly better than the Encore's 26.3%, but suffers from inconsistent quality control. some units are excellent; others develop problems within months. the grind time of 9 seconds is appealing, but the reliability gamble makes it hard to recommend over the Encore.
the Breville Smart Grinder Pro ($200) sits at the top of the budget range and delivers the best grind consistency (64.7% optimal yield), nearly 2.5x better than the Encore. if you have exactly $200 to spend and want an electric grinder that handles pour-over, drip, French press, and passable espresso, this is the one. the LCD screen, programmable dosing, and 60 grind settings add flexibility, though also complexity and potential failure points.
the Capresso Infinity ($100) performs similarly to the Oxo and costs the same, but doesn't offer compelling advantages. the Cuisinart Supreme Grind ($60) and Krups GX5000 ($93) both test poorly for consistency (18-19% optimal yield), putting them only marginally better than blade grinders.
avoid the Mr. Coffee 12-cup grinder ($23) entirely. it's technically a burr grinder but performs like a bad blade grinder.
for the Baratza Encore, most pour-over recipes work well between settings 15-20, with 18 being a common starting point. V60 typically sits around 16-18, Chemex slightly coarser at 20-24, and Kalita Wave somewhere in between. the exact number matters less than dialing in by taste: if your coffee tastes sour and weak, grind finer; if it's bitter and astringent, grind coarser.
the dust production at setting 18 is real, but it mostly affects metal filters and slower-draining brewers. if you're using paper filters (most pour-over methods), the fines pass through or get trapped in the paper rather than clogging the bed. some brewers actually prefer slightly finer grinds with more fines for certain coffees, as the increased extraction can boost sweetness if managed properly.
for manual grinders like the X-Ultra, you'll be counting rotations rather than clicking through numbered settings. most filter recipes land somewhere between 50-70 clicks (on grinders with click adjustment) or specific rotation counts for stepless models. this precision is part of the appeal: you can return to exactly 62.5 rotations every time, rather than approximating "between 18 and 19" on a stepped dial.
the Encore's reputation for longevity is well-earned. users regularly report 8-10 years of daily use before needing burr replacement ($35), and the motor typically outlasts the burrs. when something does break, the repair is usually straightforward and affordable. this matters more than most people realize when buying coffee equipment: a grinder that lasts 10 years at $150 costs you $15 per year, while a $60 grinder that dies in 2 years costs $30 per year.
manual grinders like the X-Ultra have even fewer failure points (no motor, no electronics), but the burrs will eventually wear and bearings can develop play. expect 5-7 years of heavy use before noticing degradation, potentially longer with light use.
the Oxo and Bodum grinders don't have enough years in enough kitchens to establish clear longevity patterns. some users report 5+ years without issues; others have failures within 18 months. this uncertainty is why the Encore remains the safer choice despite potentially better grind performance from competitors.
for pour-over specifically: yes, but with diminishing returns. the jump from a $60 Cuisinart to a $150 Encore is massive and immediately obvious in the cup. the jump from a $150 Encore to a $200 Breville is noticeable but smaller. the jump from a $200 Breville to a $400 Fellow Ode or Baratza Vario is real but requires some attention to perceive.
if you're brewing light-roast specialty coffee and you care about tasting origin characteristics, spend the full $200 on the Breville or put $180 toward the X-Ultra. if you're brewing medium-roast coffee and you mainly want "good coffee" rather than "optimized coffee," the $150 Encore is plenty. if you're brewing dark roasts or pre-ground coffee tastes fine to you, save your money entirely.
the Encore at $120 during sales (which happened twice in 2025-2026) represents exceptional value and arguably the best price-to-performance ratio in all of home coffee equipment. set a price alert if you're not in a rush.
Key takeaway: The Baratza Encore is the safest buy under $200 for pour-over coffee because its mature design, repairable parts, and consistent 40mm conical burrs outperform anything else at the price.
Yes -- the Encore produces roughly 26% of grounds in the optimal size range for pour-over, compared to 15-18% from cheaper burr grinders and near zero from blade grinders. That difference translates directly to cleaner, sweeter coffee in a V60 or Chemex.
No. The Encore does not grind fine enough for espresso and produces too many fine particles at its lower settings. It covers French press, pour-over, and Aeropress well, but you need a different grinder if espresso is your goal.
Manual grinders skip the motor and electronics, so the full budget goes toward burr quality and build materials. That is why the 1Zpresso X-Ultra, despite requiring arm effort, achieves better particle clarity than most electric grinders at a similar or lower price point.
At pour-over settings, the Encore grinds at about 2.2 grams per second. A standard 20-gram single-cup dose takes roughly 26 seconds -- fast enough that it does not slow down a morning routine in any meaningful way.
describe what you're craving, our ai matches you to the right cup.