(checked 2026-10-11)About 16,600 ratings on the ZCG484 listing (white shown).
Wirecutter's top pick since 2017 for even grinds and a repairable design. But durability is the top negative theme on Amazon, owners describe jams and broken plastic parts, and both Wirecutter and Serious Eats call it messy or loud.
Top complaints
- Breaks or jams, often a plastic part
Durability is a negative aspect on Amazon (about 1,100 mentions), with owners saying it broke after about 2 months. Wirecutter readers describe the plastic sweeper wheel under the burrs breaking when the tinted grounds bin is overfilled, and a hard-to-clear clog. Wirecutter staff had to replace the plastic upper burr holder after 10 years.
- Messy chaff and stray grounds
Wirecutter says the Encore throws off more chaff and stray grounds than the OXO, and one reader calls it 'a lot messy', needing a counter wipe after every use. Ease of cleaning is mixed on Amazon.
- Loud, plastic body; no timer
Serious Eats says it is loud and its mostly plastic body bounces on the counter. Noise is mixed on Amazon. Wirecutter notes there's no timer, so you measure beans yourself, and the hopper has no shutoff to empty it.
What owners love
- Even grind for filter coffee
Wirecutter found it had one of the highest shares of particles in the target range. Serious Eats found remarkably few size outliers, and grind quality and consistency are top positives on Amazon.
- Repairable, with long-lived units
Wirecutter says almost every part can be repaired or replaced, and staff have used Encores for 8-10 years. Serious Eats notes you can upgrade the burrs.
Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats - Simple and low retention
Just a pulse button, an on/off switch and a twist-to-set hopper. Wirecutter measured about half a gram or less of retained grounds.
Source: Wirecutter
- You want to dial in real espresso
- You want a quiet grinder
- You don't want to brush chaff off the counter
- Drip, pour-over, AeroPress and French press
- Simple one-dial use with no timer to learn
- Owners who want parts and repairs for years
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated January 2026). Flaws: no timer, slow at fine settings, not for serious espresso, a hopper that's hard to empty, and a bit of mess.
- Serious Eats: Best budget grinder for coffee geeks; keeps pace with the Virtuoso+ on range and consistency, but it's loud and slightly behind the top picks on flavor clarity.
- Food & Wine: Tested but didn't make its list (listed only under 'What Didn't Make the List').